I feel a bit inspirational today because I have just been inspired. I have never met the person that inspired me, nor do I wish to meet him. Well, I say that now, but that would surely change if given the opportunity.
I know...I know...what does this have to do with cooking...or not to cook? EVERYTHING!
Many of my friends view cooking as a chore...a pain...a cause for much discomfort. I challenge you small group of folk to prepare just one meal. One meal...one time per month. Don't try anything elaborate. Just a little something to make you wiggle your toes and humm while you are eating it. I'll even assist you with that endeavor! Drop me a line and just say one simple word....HELP!!! Tell me what you would like to try and I'll send you an insanely simple, yet tasty personal recipe.
Now, why was I so inspired! Mark Zuckenberg is an absolute genious! Mark (as if we are personal and good friends!) is the co-owner of Facebook. I just saw the movie, "The Social Network" and was mesmerized by how he accomplished this feat. He was inspired and motivated to be the best because he innately knew that he COULD be the best. Not only was he gifted academically, but he had the drive to simply be the best...not the wealthiest...the best. Through accomplishing this feat, he also became the youngest billionaire in the world. Billionaire doesn't mean anything unless you see the numbers! He is worth an estimated $25,000,000,000.82! I threw in the $.82, but you get my drift!
I'm often asked why I have my hands on so many "things" in the culinary word while not being classically trained. Those "things" include 7 cookbooks, apparel, spices and soon to be a cooking show and catering. I have the same thirst to be the best, not the wealthiest....the best. I make no apoligies for wanting to be the best. That is one of the reason that I excelled athletically. I see cooking as that other thing (besides basketball) that I am innately and extremely good at. While we all have that one special gift, we can also learn a gift and become pretty darn good at it. I am not an educated or classically trained chef, but that hasn't stopped me yet. I am a simple cook that was taught by folks that were also very good cooks. I am now being trained by a great chef (my opinion only, but it is my blog!) and hope to one day to be considered a great cook.
I challenge all of my non-cooking members to shock your significant other by preparing one meal. Be inspired! Watch the smiles that magically appear and watch the laughter that follows! That laughter could be from a wonderfully prepared hamburger, Roasted Chicken encrusted with rosemary and garlic rub or Vongole alla Rigatoni. The laughter can also come from a disaster that was sooooooo bad that you laugh until you cry, but the point being you had fun before and after the meal!
There are many folks that simply do not have time to prepare a meal because the thought of going into the kitchen is daunting in itself. I challenge you as well! Tell me your fears, how much time you have to make your significant other happy and that one dish that you would love to recreate! I'll make you smile and even allow you to lie about how much time you put into the meal, knowing that it took a fraction of that time!
Marcus Samuelson once said, "I INSPIRE so others can ASPIRE." I love that statement and it has quickly become my mantra. It is my hope that I inspire you so that one can aspire and that you inspire so others may aspire! Take a leap of faith! Mark Zuckerberg did...Bob Johnson did...Bill Gates did...President Obama did...Oprah Winfrey did....Marty Embry is doing...and hopefully, you will take that leap of faith as well! Imagine a world without Microsoft, Facebook, Harpo Studios and a host of other things that took courage and blind faith to complete.
So, to cook or not to cook. Inspired? Do that one thing to live out of the box! I'll be waiting on those e-mails that say 'HELP!!!' very soon!
Great commentary! Be Encouraged! You can do It! I look forward to reading more of your blogs!
ReplyDeleteSabrina
Marty, I'm always looking for new ways to get my "green leafies". Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHey Marty.. Congrats on your newest venture. I am excited for your show to be on TV! One thing that I need help with in the kitchen is IDEAS! I run out of dishes to try. One reason is that I have PICKY children. HELP!
ReplyDeleteHey Allyson. Green leafies are quite simple to prepare. Kale, Swiss Chard, Collards (and greens in that group) as well as spinach are very versatile "leafies."
ReplyDeleteYou can bump up the flavor in all of the above by cooking them in vegetable stock or even chicken stock. You can also add smoked turkey to give it additional flavor as well. If you feel like living on the edge a bit (my favorite place to live) try squeezing all of the juice out onnce they are cooked, add parmesan cheese as well as heavy cream! You will be one happy camper!!!
Hey MgoBlueGirl! That's awesome! Picky kids are my favorite! :)
ReplyDeleteWithout knowing what the little nose pickers like to eat, how old they are, or their fave foods, I'll give you a few suggestions that should have them smiling often!
1. You can do the old muffin pizza's. Get english muffins and split them in half. Let the kids pile the ingredients on top and bake them, making sure that you have tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. The sauce goes on teh muffin and second is the mozzarella cheese. Everything after goes on top of the cheese, with a light sprinkle of cheese to finish it off. Bake it on 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted. This is an easy one to try and maybe you've tried it already, in which case that's strike one for me!
2. Fritattas are super dooper easy! I always use tasty leftovers to make mine. I just hate to throw away good food! For a fritatta you need to add about 1 TBS of butter in a skillet and heat. Mix 5 eggs and 1/2 cup heavy cream to start and add some salt and pepper. Pour eggs into the skillet. Add leftover shredded meat or seafood, your favorite cheese(about 1/2 cup and feel free to add more than one type of cheese), add any vegetable that you have available. Find out which veggie and meat that your kids like. That way you will have a slam dunk for sure. Once you have all of the ingredients, just layer them in a skillet and make sure that you add some type of shredded cheese on top of the fritatta after it has cooked on the stove top for a couple of minutes. Place the skillet in a preheated 350 oven until the egg sets. Tadaaaaa....finito!
3. The infamous Quesadilla! Butter or use olive oil in a skillet (1-2 TBS should suffice). I like to brush both sides of the flour tortilla shells with either butter or olive oil as well. Make sure that you have your cheese, cooked meat and vegetables prepared to placed on the shell. You can add ANYTHING to your fritatta! Leftover taters, chicken, beans...I mean anything! Make sure that the meat is cooked. Place one shell in the skillet and add one layer of cheese, one layer of meat, one layer of vegetable and a final layer of cheese. Top it with the second flour chell and gently press. Once the bottom shell is slightly browned (not crispy) flip it over and allow the second shell to lightly brown as well. Have a side of sour cream and chopped tomatoes and green onion. Your kids should love this as well....even if they are picky!
Give those a go and let me know how your kids like them!
Hi Marty! Any suggestions on what to cook for dinner for a "meat and potatoes guy" that I would like to eat healthier? Concerned Wife - TCH
ReplyDeleteHello TCH,
ReplyDeleteI'm a meat and tater guy as well and often need to satisfy my manly craving! There are a few quick ideas that popped into my mind. 1. How about a steak, 4-6 ounces (it should be about the size of his palm) and season that with herbs and spices. Bake the tater and simply use less butter, but also add low fat white cheese, low fat sour cream and herbs such as minced rosemary. Eliminating the salt will definitely assist in making a meal healthier.
The second dish can be a simple meatloaf. With this meatloaf, use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef. You can also use a lean beef. I like dumping herbs and spices (I prefer fresh) into the meatloaf because as it cooks, the flavor permeates throughout the meatloaf. You can never go wrong with having mixed veggies on the side, and that includes you tater, but diced.
Also,you can substitute your steak by using lamb, which has great flavor when cooked correctly. I am a fan of mixing 2-3 different herbs with garlic and rub it on the lamb. I always sear it and then allow if to slow roast in the oven. I will also blanche some veggies and add the veggise into the pan with the lamb, prior to putting it in the oven. To blanche veggies is a way to cook the veggies quickly and then cooling them down. That will allow the veggies to remain that bright and vibrant color, which assist in retaining a lot of the nutrients. For this meal, there is no need to cool the veggies down because they are going directly into the oven with the lamb.
I hope that this helps TCH!
Thanks Chef Marty, I will try your suggestions! My Big Guy needs to eat healthier. Any healty suggestions for a person who has an enormous craving for sweets? TCHarris
ReplyDeletelol...I also have an enormous sweet tooth! It's simple for me, I eat smaller portions just to satisfy that craving, but I also work out everyday. I refuse to deprive myself of those splendid and wonderful delights, but I also recognize that I can't over-indulge. Tell your big guy that it's all about moderation and being strong enough to cut back. Otherwise, it will be jello and yogurt treats!
ReplyDeleteI honestly cut back on portion size and amount of the dessert that I am going to eat. It's a formula that seems to work well.
I really appreciate all of your great suggestions Chef Marty! I will try your suggestion of eating smaller portitions. So, I guess liting the SPOON and FORK as I am eating the dessert doesn't count as "working out". Lol! Thanks Again, TCHarris
ReplyDeleteHi Chef Marty! Nice article. I have 1 picky eater, 10 and a child that will try anything but greens. I will try the suggestions above. Cooking is such a chore because we always on the go!. What type of meals or food I should have on hand for a quick meal? Do u have any freezer meals recipes?
ReplyDeleteKaren O.
Karen O, thank you for your comment. While I don't have any freezer meals recipes, I can help with the picky eater. I am reposting my responce to another picky eater parent.
ReplyDelete"Without knowing what the little nose pickers like to eat, how old they are, or their fave foods, I'll give you a few suggestions that should have them smiling often! 1. You can do the old muffin pizza's. Get english muffins and split them in half. Let the kids pile the ingredients on top and bake them, making sure that you have tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. The sauce goes on teh muffin and second is the mozzarella cheese. Everything after goes on top of the cheese, with a light sprinkle of cheese to finish it off. Bake it on 375 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted. This is an easy one to try and maybe you've tried it already, in which case that's strike one for me! 2. Fritattas are super dooper easy! I always use tasty leftovers to make mine. I just hate to throw away good food! For a fritatta you need to add about 1 TBS of butter in a skillet and heat. Mix 5 eggs and 1/2 cup heavy cream to start and add some salt and pepper. Pour eggs into the skillet. Add leftover shredded meat or seafood, your favorite cheese(about 1/2 cup and feel free to add more than one type of cheese), add any vegetable that you have available. Find out which veggie and meat that your kids like. That way you will have a slam dunk for sure. Once you have all of the ingredients, just layer them in a skillet and make sure that you add some type of shredded cheese on top of the fritatta after it has cooked on the stove top for a couple of minutes. Place the skillet in a preheated 350 oven until the egg sets. Tadaaaaa....finito! 3. The infamous Quesadilla! Butter or use olive oil in a skillet (1-2 TBS should suffice). I like to brush both sides of the flour tortilla shells with either butter or olive oil as well. Make sure that you have your cheese, cooked meat and vegetables prepared to placed on the shell. You can add ANYTHING to your fritatta! Leftover taters, chicken, beans...I mean anything! Make sure that the meat is cooked. Place one shell in the skillet and add one layer of cheese, one layer of meat, one layer of vegetable and a final layer of cheese. Top it with the second flour chell and gently press. Once the bottom shell is slightly browned (not crispy) flip it over and allow the second shell to lightly brown as well. Have a side of sour cream and chopped tomatoes and green onion. Your kids should love this as well....even if they are picky! Give those a go and let me know how your kids like them!"
For quick meals, I am a fan or chicken and turkey cutlets. They cook fast and are multi-purpose in the kitchen. You can make salads, pasta, sandwiches, nuggets, pizza topping and so forth. Grill them and freeze them after they col off. After that, you now have the makings of a 30 minute meal.
As far as your 10 year old, when you say greens are you speaking of salads and the actual greens as in the collard family? For salads, try a seven layer salad. The topping is sweeter and kids love it...especially my children! If you were speaking of the collard family, cook them in a chicken stock, add smoked turkey and allow it to cook down. SQUEEZE ALL OF THE LIQUIDS OUT and then add heavy cream and parmesan cheese for a wonderful creamed green. You can do that for Swiss Chard, Kale, all greens and spinach. The flavor is awesome and every adult and chiild will probably become your BFF!
Let me know how this turns out for you!