Simple Suppers

Hey guys! My name is Shelby Brooks. I am 22 years old and currently a junior at the University of Florida! I created this blog for my MMC2100 class because I love cooking, while staying within my budget! Hope you guys enjoy and feel free to ask any questions! :)

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Baker Brooks, BO Beep farm owner, has enjoyed life on his horse farm for the past 30 years. BO Beep farm, located just off U.S. Highway 41 on 18750 SE. 2nd St. Williston, Fla., is a family-owned farm that has been passed down from generation to generation. Baker inherited this farm from his father, Oliver Brooks, in 1984. Baker spends his days maintaining the plants, loading hay, and spending time delivering feed to each horse. Currently, Baker only has three horses on the farm to tend to. “I enjoy only having a few horses for now, it gives me the chance to connect with each horse individually,” Baker said. At age 74, Baker says he does not plan on retiring any time soon. He hopes to one day pass the farm down to his son, Erik Brooks. “I love my horses, and although it is not the most profitable job, it makes me happy and that is worth more than any amount of money,” Baker said.

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Important moments in food history from 1300-2000

The art of cooking had been around since the existence of man kind. We could not survive without food. Let's look at 20 noteworthy moments throughout the history of food!

Between 1300-2000

1. 1390- The oldest surviving cookbook in English is written, "The Forme of Cury"

2. 1765- M. Boulanger opens the first "restaurant" in Paris 

3. 1789- Thomas Jefferson brings a pasta making machine with him when he returns to America after serving as ambassador to France. 

4. 1799- Eliza Acton is born. She later writes the first cookbook for the housewife, rather than for the professional chef. 

5. 1810- Sir John Leslie, a Scottish physicist and mathematician, was the first to freeze water artificially. He used an air pump apparatus.  

6. 1863- Granula, the first breakfast cereal, is introduced by Dr. James C Jackson.

7. 1869- Joseph Campbell, a fruit merchant, and Abram Anderson, an ice box maker, got together to can tomatoes, vegetables, fruit preserves, etc. This was the beginning of the Campbell Soup Company.

8. 1889- Aunt Jemima Pancake mix was introduced. It was the first ready-mix food to be sold commercially. 

9. 1891- Many food historians consider the first cafeteria to have been in the YWCA of Kansas City, Missouri in 1891. It provided cheap, self-service meals to working women.

10. 1900- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar was created. Also this same year, Ferdinand Carre died. In 1859 he invented the ammonia vapor compression system for refrigeration. Vapor compression is still the system most widely used today.

11. 1904- The ice cream cone was invented at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. An ice cream vendor ran out of paper cups and asked a nearby waffle booth to make some thin waffles he could roll up to hold the ice cream.

12. 1905- G. Lombardi’s an Italian restaurant on Spring Street in New York City, served America’s first pizza.

13. 1910- Ward Baking Company of Chicago, Illinois, opened the first automatic bread factory. The bread, from start to finish, was untouched by human hands, until it was placed in the wrapping machine.

14.1927- Dr. Edward Anton Asselbergs was born. He developed the process for making instant mashed potato flakes, still used today.

15. 1934- It is claimed that cheeseburgers were first served in 1934 at Kaelin’s restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky.

16. 1937- Kraft Macaroni & Cheese was introduced. Make a meal in 9 minutes or less for 19 cents or less. 

17. 1950- The Open Kettle, a coffee and donut shop in Quincy Mass. is renamed Dunkin’ Donuts. The first franchise is sold in 1955. Minute Rice is introduced.The first commercially packaged sliced process cheese is introduced by Kraft: Deluxe Process Cheese. Pillsbury and General Mills introduce prepared cake mixes.

18. 1957- Margarine sales exceed butter sales for the first time.

19. 1958- McDonald's sold its 100 millionth hamburger.

20. 1993. The Food Network premiers on television.

All facts provided by: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/history4.asp

[shelbymacaul]

Famous, influential cooks

My Top Two Favorite Famous Cooks of all time!

Paula Deen

Photo Credit:http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=paula+deen&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=41956BDC7F2945F63EDE059009160393EB61F8C0&selectedIndex=14

Paula Deen is such an influential cook to me because I have grown up watching and experimenting with her cooking. Her story inspired me after seeing all she had been through in her earlier years and how cooking turned her life around.

Paula was married to her high school sweetheart, raising her two sons; when tragedy struck. Her parents died and her marriage failed. Near homelessness she used her last $200 to start "The Bag Lady," a home-based catering company, with her sons delivering "lunch-and-love-in-a-bag."

She overcame poverty, self doubt and health challenges to achieve success as one of the best-known personalities in the world of cooking.

What I admire most about Paula is that all throughout her journey to fame, she has remained every bit as real and full of love as the day the first meals left her kitchen.

Source: http://www.pauladeen.com/paula/

Gordon Ramsay

   Photo Credit: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gordon+ramsay&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=A6D377EC120509B65F28188EAC8DB48CE34BCAB4&selectedIndex=17

Gordon Ramsay performs his cooking in a very different way from Paula Deen, but his talent and dishes are remarkable all the same.

Scottish by birth, Gordon Ramsay was brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.  With an injury prematurely putting an end to any hopes of a promising career in football, he went back to college to complete a course in hotel management.  His dedication and natural talent led him to train with some of the world’s leading chefs, such as Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White in London, and Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon in France.

As side from his success in his restaurants, he hosts a TV show called "Hell's Kitchen." Twenty aspiring restaurateurs will brave Chef Gordon Ramsay and his fiery command in the kitchen as he once again puts the competitors through rigorous challenges to see who has the skill, poise and determination to win a life-changing prize: a head chef position working under Executive Chef Jeremy Berlin at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace.

 Source: http://www.gordonramsay.com/gordon/

[shelbymacaul]

This Week's Style: Mexican Food!

For this week I will be featuring two of my all time favorite Mexican style recipes!!

Taco Salad

When cooking for myself and a few others I always find taco salad as a great meal option. It takes little time to prepare and the ingredients are affordable. No matter if you are cooking for two or twenty this meal is the right choice for you.

It's delicious flavors combine for a great mouth watering dish, to impress your company. It is colorful and fun for many different occasions.

I personally love to cook this for a lunch time meal. It is light enough to keep you going through the day but packed with a punch of flavor. It is super easy to mix ahead of time and take for lunch at work or school.

This recipe requires no cooking of ingredients at all, just mix and you're ready to go! ENJOY!

  Photo Credit: http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/804905/quick-and-affordable-family-recipes

Ingredients:

1 can (15 oz.) whole kernel sweet corn, drained

1 can ((15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 large tomato, chopped

1/3 cup bottled ranch dressing

4 cups tortilla chips

1 small head iceberg lettuce, cored and shredded (about 6 cups)

1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

1. In a large bowl, combine corn, black beans, tomato and ranch dressing.

2. Line a large bowl or platter with tortilla chips; layer lettuce, vegetable mixture and cheese, in that order, on top of chips.

 Recipe Curtsy of: http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/804905/quick-and-affordable-family-recipes

   Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla Recipe

This recipe is an awesome recipe for feeding any amount of people. I made these last night for my family. That's 8 hungry mouths to feed, surprisingly everyone loved them! Chili's offers these chicken, bacon, ranch quesadillas as a dish which we all love, so I was inspired to try them out for myself.

This recipe is affordable and delicious! I used Tyson: Grilled & Ready fully cooked chicken strips for my chicken. This made the preparation even more simple because I only had to heat the chicken in the skillet before assembling the quesadillas.

I used a grill in order to cook two quesadillas at a time. You could use a regular skillet. I also found that using a spatula to place under the tortilla and using a spoon to press on the top tortilla made it easier to flip without breaking the quesadilla apart. Make sure you apply pressure on the top and bottom as you flip. 

As a side dish I made white and yellow rice and beans, you could choose any side to accompany your quesadillas. 

I made 10 extra large quesadillas all for only $26! Easy, affordable and delicious, what more could you ask for?

 ENJOY!

  Photo taken by: Shelby Brooks

Ingredients:

2 packs of 10 extra large flour tortillas

2 bags Tyson: Grilled & Ready fully cooked chicken strips; cooked shredded or chopped chicken meat

2 (1lb.) bags of shredded cheese, mexican blend

1 bottle of Ranch dressing

1 package of bacon

1. Empty both bags of chicken into a deep skillet. Heat until all chicken is warm all the way through. 

2. Cut bacon into small pieces. Place into a skillet until bacon is nice and crispy. 

3. Separate cooked chicken, fried bacon bites, cheese, and ranch into 4 bowls. 

4. Take one tortilla and place it in a skillet. Spread two tablespoons of ranch on top of the tortilla. Sprinkle a layer of cheese, chicken and bacon bites on top of the tortilla. 

5. Place a new tortilla on top of the cooking tortilla in the skillet. Pressing firmly on the top tortilla to help seal the 2 together. 

6. Once the bottom tortilla is brown, use a spatula to flip the quesadilla over to continue browning the other tortilla. 

7. Repeat with remaining tortillas. 

Recipe Curtsy of: Shelby Brooks

[shelbymacaul]

Safety Tips for First Time Cooks

Every first time cook needs to know a few safety tips when trying to cook. There are many different circumstances that could occur. Knowing what to do when there is a problem in the kitchen can keep you from getting hurt.

First Aid

There can always be a mistake, and someone in the kitchen, preferably you, should be trained in at least basic first aid. Whether it is bandaging a cut from a knife or cleaning up broken glass, each situation should be taken seriously and with caution.

Fire Safety

Did you know cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Here are a few safety tips for preventing cooking fires:

1. Be on alert! Do not use the stove or stovetop is you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol.

2. Always stay in the kitchen while cooking! If you leave the kitchen even for a short time be sure to turn off the stove.

3. Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking! Remain in the home while food is cooking and check it regularly.

4. Keep anything that could catch fire away from your stovetop. Oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains.

INCASE OF A FIRE:

Keep a lid nearby when you're cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the firs by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

If the fire can not be put out, get out and close the door behind you. Immediately call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.

For this information and more check out: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/causes/cooking/cooking-safety-tips

Food Sanitation Tips

Personal hygiene:

-Don't handle food when you are sick.

-Cover cuts, burns, sores, and abrasions with a tight, dry, antiseptic bandage.

-Keep your hair tied back.

-Use soap and plenty of hot water to wash your hands frequently, especially after any act that might contaminate foods.

If you wear food handler gloves, throw them away after each use, or wash your gloved hands as thoroughly as you would wash your bare hands. Gloves can spread germs just as easily as bare hands.

As you prepare food:

-Keep raw food away from cooked food.

-Keep all food away from chemicals.

-Keep cold or frozen foods out of the refrigerator or freezer for as short a time as possible.

-Wash all raw fruits and vegetables before preparation.

-Never plate food that has touched the floor, unwashed hands, or dirty equipment.

-Always use tongs or scoops when necessary. Wear latex gloves, and never touch prepared food with your hands.

-Wipe up spills promptly.

This information and more can be found at: http://www.essortment.com/food-sanitation-tips-46871.html

[shelbymacaul]

What is Simple Suppers?

Easy, affordable cooking for those who are not expert cooks!

Each post will be about a new recipe you can try that is simple to prepare while still being inexpensive. I enjoy finding recipes I can cook without spending a ridiculous amount of money buying ingredients I’ll never use again. 

Whether you are a college kid cooking with a roommate or a newlywed couple trying to start your new life together, these recipes will teach those, who are not experienced in the kitchen, how to enjoy cooking. 

For those families and singles experiencing a tug your wallets, many of you are looking for anything to save a buck or two. I want to give you an opportunity to try some awesome, affordable recipes.

Even if you are apprehensive about getting in the kitchen, these recipes will help you overcome that fear. Sticking to simple instructions, budget-friendly shopping list and giving you delicious results, these meals will hopefully teach you to enjoy cooking! 

Each week I will post some of my favorite recipes! Allowing each week to showcase a different style of food!

So follow my blog to learn some delicious, inexpensive recipes. ENJOY!