Author: Kathrin

My weekly blog, originally started with my friend Jessica, entices readers to get into the kitchen and cook meals, every day. I provide inspiration, recipes, and reasons to overcome the struggles that keep people from cooking at home: confidence, time, desire, money or priorities. No excuses! Come and cook with us!

This just in From Mark Bittman

We could not have said it any better.

OP-ED COLUMNIST
Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?
By Published: September 24, 2011

THE “fact” that junk food is cheaper than real food has become a reflexive part of how we explain why so many Americans are overweight, particularly those with lower incomes. I frequently read confident statements like, “when a bag of chips is cheaper than a head of broccoli …” or “it’s more affordable to feed a family of four at McDonald’s than to cook a healthy meal for them at home.” Continue reading “This just in From Mark Bittman”

Dinner Winner 1: Poached Chicken

Whenever we ask the kitchen dwellers reading this blog what gets in the way of preparing a daily cooked meal, the answer is nearly always time. Whether rushing home from work, shuttling the kids between activities, or trying to fit a mountain of errands into one day, time is of the essence.  Therefore, tempting our audience with quick and easy meal ideas is one of the best ways to inspire our readers to get back into the kitchen.  Once a week for the next few weeks we are going to feature our “Dinner Winners”, easy to prepare, (mostly) one-pot meals that don’t require much thought (or action) from you.  Dinner Winners can be made in minutes and last for one meal, or might take a little longer to prepare and can be used in many different preparations over the course of a week; either way, they are there to simplify your life.  Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Dinner Winner 1: Poached Chicken”

The Joy of the Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich

There might be better ways than hiking to celebrate a major milestone birthday (I’m not telling which one), but this year my friend Helen and I decided that attempting to climb Mt. Whitney would be the right way to celebrate this event (with our devoted husbands cheering us on, and climbing as well). So, last Sunday night, in freezing weather, thunderstorms and snow, we set out to climb Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain of the contiguous United States.  We didn’t make it to the top (the weather was NOT permitting), but we had a great time anyway. Breathtaking views, raging snow-storms, and a nice bottle of French red wine to celebrate all helped to make this a birthday to remember, but what capped the experience was finding the perfect grilled cheese sandwich waiting for us in Lone Pine.  That sandwich, and everything it represents, helped us feel welcomed by civilization again. In honor of my wonderful birthday hiking meal, this week’s post is dedicated to the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. Continue reading “The Joy of the Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich”

Back to School Night

Welcome back!  It’s been a summer to remember with earthquakes, hurricanes, heat waves, and, here on the West Coast, unseasonably cool temperatures.  Weather notwithstanding, in the “warm” months we tend to break rules more easily and that’s okay because if not in summer, then when?  Kathrin and I have had our share of treats this year (we’ve favored ice cream, wine, and burritos on the go); nevertheless, the ritual of Labor Day puts a fine point on the end of summer and is a great time to regroup on how to eat for the rest of year. This Labor Day Kathrin and I made a pact to commit to one change for the better in our approach to eating. We invite you to join us. Continue reading “Back to School Night”

Fruits of Labor

As we are putting the final touches on our Labor Day weekend plans, we here at Come and Cook with Us think it is the perfect time to remind everyone that summer is coming to an end (so sorry to be bearer of this bad news) and with that, also, the abundance of summer fruits. So when you find yourself at the farmer’s market this weekend, grab another basket of strawberries, peaches and nectarines and fill your tummy with that beautiful sweet taste of summer. Continue reading “Fruits of Labor”