Ten Lessons I’ve Learned About Cooking

The truth is, I’m not a great cook. I’m not even skilled at manning the outdoor grill. That said, I’ve still learned a few things over the years about cooking. So here are my best tips for the kitchen.

1. It’s hard to ruin an Italian meal. Anything smothered in parmesan, romano, or provolone, can’t be bad.
2. Butter beats margarine. Margarine beats lard. Lard beats chicken fat. Does anyone still use chicken fat?
3. Fish is best when fresh. If the fish smells, think twice. If it winks at you, switch to chicken.
4. The refrigerator needs to be cleaned often. And that plant growing in the vegetable drawer doesn’t need to be watered.
5. No matter what Ina Garten promises, popovers don’t always rise.
6. A shiny red Kitchen Aid food processor signals you’re a master chef. Best to tuck it away in the closet so dinner guests aren’t disappointed.
7. It’s still considered cooking if you prepare a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As long as you held the knife, you did the work.
8. Chocolate malteds are a wonderful way to fight depression. Just ask anyone who loves Culvers, Dairy Queen, or Baskin Robbins.
9. Casseroles make excellent entrees when you have guests over. They don’t see you make them. They don’t know what’s in them. And they have no idea how they should taste. Win, win, win!
10. Leftovers are only good for a day or two. Three days, max. After that, be warned. You dine at your own risk.

Now, Something a Little Extra!

This month, I will be participating in a Book Cave Adventure Giveaway which offers you the opportunity to win a gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes, and an eBook of my second novel, After the Fall. Please take a moment to check it out here. And enjoy October!