Economy in the Kitchen

The most pressing question on our minds these days is will the economy recover or are we headed into worse times?  The truth is that nobody really knows.  One thing is for sure, we will always need food whether the economy is on the upswing or on the down.  Granted, when we are struggling with our bills and other financial obligations we might opt for cheap foods rather than gourmet and fresh.  No longer will we be able to frequent Serendipity 3 in New York (the ice creamery that became famous for the worlds most expensive ice cream sundae at $25,000 and complete with 24 karat edible gold), and we might have to think twice before going out to eat at all.  But do not fret, the kitchen is a place of limitless possibilities . . .  Stay tuned.

Comfort Foods - What's Yours?

Well I told you what my comfort food is, now I want you to tell me yours. Please leave your comments telling me what your favorite comfort food is (you can even tell me if you have more than one). After two weeks I will compile all the data and spit out a list of the most popular comfort foods (and some of the more unusual ones as well).

Comfort Foods

I have found the secret to time travel. It is as simple as a trip to the kitchen. You just need to ask yourself what will take you back. We all have that food (or foods) that just take us back to those good 'ole days.

Mine is my mom's goulash. What is goulash for me? Well as my own mother would describe it, "It was just a bunch of stuff from the pantry that I threw into a pan because I didn't know what else to cook." Well she made that goulash and it has been one of my favorites ever since.

How to Make Goulash

COST: $10-$15

SERVES: 6 very hungry people

INGREDIENTS

• 2 15 oz cans of Tomato Sauce
• 2 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Onion (Finely Chopped)
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 small cans of mushrooms
• 2 cans of corn
• 1 Can of black olives
• Oregano
• Sage
• Marjoram
• Italian Seasoning
• Salt to Taste
• 2 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese
• Hot Sauce (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook the Macaroni & Cheese and directed on the box
2. In another pan brown the meat sautee the onions and garlic with the meat.
3. Add the tomato sauce, corn, mushrooms, olives, and spices to the macaroni (when adding spices to the goulash keep in mind that it will have more flavor the following day).
4. You might need to add some water to the goulash to give it a more saucy consistency.
5. I love spicy food, but I don't like my goulash very spicy. Adding some cayenne pepper or hot sauce will give the goulash a subtle kick.
6. Mix in the meat and let the goulash sit for 15 min. Remember the longer you let it simmer the more flavor it will have.

Good Ole Fashion Dinner Around the Table Part I

I was looking at some of the pictures taken when I was a little kid, and I was surprised to find out that quite a lot seem to have been taken around the dinner table. A lot of childhood memories were taken around the dinner table, or at least according to the pictures.

Food is Fun and Fun means Food.

Well it wasn't always all fun growing up, sometimes it was downright painful. But, think about some of your fond memories around the table. What little kid doesn't like the thought of eating a bunch of cake on his birthday.

Think of a happy moment in your life that doesn't include some food.

Below I include some of my own happy childhood memories.

Welcome to Food & Philosophy & Fun

If you were to ask someone what makes the world go round, a scientist would tell you it is physics and gravitational pull of celestial bodies, a hippie would tell you it is love, but my answer is that food makes the world go round. Think about it . . . if you are hungry then your world slows down and almost stops until you get something in your belly.

Think about it . . . the production of food accounts for a large portion of the world economy, and in many 3rd world countries agriculture is the bulk of the economy. Check the stock market, there you can find food traded like wheat, sugar and even coffee and chocolate. If you still doubt foods economic impact lets move to a microeconomic level - namely your wallet. How much money do you spend on food. No doubt it accounts for a smaller percentage of your income than it did your ancestors (due to better production and preservation methods), but food still takes up a good portion of what you spend. Are you following me?

So let me state again, food makes the world go round. Now if you know how to combine that wheat, sugar and chocolate in the right proportions then you might just leave the earth and go to chocolate cake heaven, but that's a topic for another day.