[nabs-l] some very beginner, basic cooking questions!

Fri Oct 1 05:42:33 UTC 2010

Thanks, guys! I think i'm happy with my toaster oven for now but now
that i know the difference a George Forman grill can definitely be an
option for the future. And i'm glad to learn that you could use the
microwave to make scrambled eggs and burger patties-- Will try that
very soon. This is a great thread:)
   Katie

On 9/30/10, Nicole B. Torcolini <ntorcolini at wavecable.com> wrote:
> Yep, Safeway.com. As a matter of fact, I prefer to do my shopping online.
>
> As far as grill verses oven, a grill is basically for flatter things while
> an oven is for taller things. You grill mainly meat, fish, vegetables, and
> sometimes buns on a grill where as you bake a lot of other things. Have you
> ever felt an outdoor grill? If so, an inside is basically like that except
> for that it runs on electricity rather than gas or charcoal.
>
> Nicole
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 5:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] some very beginner, basic cooking questions!
>
>
>> Hi:
>>
>> A george Foreman is more like a grill...iit grills things rather than
>> bakes as a toaster oven does.
>>
>> I actually like things done in the oven better as I think food tastes
>> better in the oven but maybe that's because I've been so limited for
>> so long that now I've discovered I can make some decent things in the
>> toaster oven and it won't burn the house down I'm sick of the Foreman
>> lol.
>>
>> I'm sure there is more you can make but I usually use the foreman for
>> meats...I understand you can make vegetables on it as well but have
>> never done this.
>>
>> To Arielle and others...is there any grocery store websites where I
>> could possibly somehow browse "virtual" isles online almost as if I'm
>> going to shop online and maybe get some ideas ahead of time online
>> then make a final grocery list? I got this idea because I was looking
>> on kroger.com and they have their weekly ads...their ads can be viewed
>> in categories and it reminded me of browsing the store. All I saw this
>> for was the weekly ads but if I could somehow browse a wider variety
>> online...that would help a ton.
>>
>> If it were up to me, I would go to the store and browse all day but I
>> know you can't do that with a shopping assistant. Without going into a
>> ton of details and cluttering up this email more than it already
>> is...I don't have much sighted support...most of the sighted people
>> around here seem to have the typical feel--sorry attitude so I'm sort
>> of on my own.
>>
>> By the way I have to say...I have one pound of ground beef left...I
>> took some out of the package, made it into a patty, put it in the
>> microwave for 4 minutes, turned it over, and fixed it for another 5,
>> put a slice of american cheese on it, fixed it for another
>> minute...and fixed myself a real ground beef hamburger. It tasted
>> exactly as I've had before made on the stove...you would've thought it
>> had been made on the stove...so yes microwaved browned ground beef is
>> good...I will try putting it in hamburger helper next. I found
>> microwave hamburger helper directions! I've been wanting to try making
>> hamburger helper forever now!
>>
>> Kerri
>>
>> On 9/30/10, Katie Wang <bunnykatie6 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi, Kerry and all,
>>>   I'm enjoying this thread and appreciate all the cooking tips from
>>> everyone! I'm a beginner in cooking too so this is very helpful to me.
>>>   One question out of curiosity: I use a toaster oven and a microwave
>>> all the time but don't have a George Forman Grill. Is it similar to an
>>> oven? Does it accomplish the same things? In what situations would you
>>> use a grill rather than an oven? Thanks!
>>>    Katie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 9/30/10, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> There are tons of bottled or packaged marinades you can get for
>>>> chicken. Most customer service clerks I've worked with don't mind
>>>> doing a little browsing, and if you say "I'm looking for a chicken
>>>> marinade" that's specific enough that they should be able to find the
>>>> aisle/section with all the premade marinades. Another quick chicken
>>>> product I really like is "Shake-n-Bake" which is basically just
>>>> coating that you pour into a ziplock bag, shake the chicken breast in
>>>> it, and then bake in the oven (toaster oven will work fine). You can
>>>> get lots of different flavors-I especially like the hot and spicy.
>>>>
>>>> You can also get buffalo/hot sauce, teriyaki sauce, BBQ (as someone
>>>> else mentioned), salad dressing, etc. There's really a limitless
>>>> number of ways to season chicken and many of these only require one or
>>>> two ingredients.
>>>>
>>>> Finally, Kroger/King Soopers has some preseasoned chicken breasts you
>>>> can get that are all ready to be popped in the grill/oven. Look for
>>>> "marinated chicken brests" in the meat section.
>>>>
>>>> Arielle
>>>>
>>>> On 9/30/10, Jacob Struiksma <lawnmower84 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> I grill chicken on my gorge Forman grill all the time.
>>>>> From
>>>>> Jacob Struiksma
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Ashley Bramlett
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 8:23 PM
>>>>> To: Nicole B. Torcolini; National Association of Blind Students mailing
>>>>> list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] some very beginner, basic cooking questions!
>>>>>
>>>>> Tenderloins are user friendly; they're thin and are not as bulky as
>>>>> chicken
>>>>> breasts and therfore easier to serve.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've only seen chicken cooked in the oven except for sliced up chicken
>>>>> for
>>>>> soup.
>>>>> What chicken dishes are cooked on the stove?  Do you have to turn the
>>>>> chicken over?  I would think not with a tenderloin.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Ashley----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Nicole B. Torcolini" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
>>>>> To: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>; "National
>>>>> Association
>>>>> of
>>>>> Blind Students mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 10:56 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] some very beginner, basic cooking questions!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Ditto on the tender loins. If you ever decide to cook on the stove, I
>>>>>> can give you some simple recipes that use the tender loins.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 7:52 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] some very beginner, basic cooking questions!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Kerri,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've never heard of browning beef in the microwave.  Doesn't sound
>>>>>>> like a good idea.  Even with 93 percent lean meat it generates grease
>>>>>>> You need it to sizzle and brown in a skillet!  You need to break the
>>>>>>> lump of meat up and stir while browning!  You cannot do this in a
>>>>> microwave.
>>>>>>> If you can't use the stove, then stick to doing beef on the george
>>>>>>> forman; make hamburger pattys.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About eggs, it depends on the microwave.  I tried microwaved eggs and
>>>>>>> don't like them.
>>>>>>> A table spoon of water or milk?  Doesn't sound accurate to me.  Check
>>>>>>> again!
>>>>>>> Yes you can add milk or water but I'm not sure as I've not measured
>>>>>>> it.
>>>>>>> But I doubt its a tablespoon!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think you should heat the eggs a minute and then check on them and
>>>>>>> then stir, and put them in a little longer, maybe 10 or
>>>>>>> 15 second intervals.
>>>>>>> I don't think you will need two minutes.  When I cooked them this
>>>>>>> amount, they were overcooked!
>>>>>>> No you don't need to cover the bowl.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> About butter its in a stick.  You'll have to ask what the
>>>>>>> measurements are. The butter stick has markings to indicate what is a
>>>>>>> tablespoon etc on the wrapper.
>>>>>>> Ask what a table spoon is.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Generally there are eight tablespoons in a stick of butter.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sound like we have the same taste buds.  I like brown beef including
>>>>>>> meatballs and hamburger and ground beef in other recipies.  But I am
>>>>>>> not comfortable browing beef myself because I don't know when its
>>>>>>> done.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> For the bread crumbs follow the recipie.
>>>>>>> I am no expert but I doubt it would matter what type of bread crumbs.
>>>>>>> However some bread crumbs are seasoned, so if you don't want that get
>>>>>>> plain ones.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I also  really like chicken, and like you get the boneless skinless
>>>>>>> chicken breasts; actually I get the tenderloins if cooking for
>>>>>>> myself; they're smaller.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You can certainly buy a number of sauces or marinades.  Why not do
>>>>>>> barbecue sauce for them?
>>>>>>> I also heard you can cover the chicken in cream of mushroom soup for
>>>>>>> more taste.
>>>>>>> You can ask at your store what is available.  What grocery stores are
>>>>>>> near you?  If they're the same as my area or if I know the store name
>>>>>>> I can check on line and give you some ideas.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Some of this is about what is in your grocery store, personal tastes
>>>>>>> and experimenting.
>>>>>>> I have hardly cooked either; I'm novice.  I learned some at the rehab
>>>>>>> center I went to in state.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I really think you should ask a friend some of these questions.  For
>>>>>>> the sauces question and the butter question its as simple as asking a
>>>>>>> person to read the package and browse the grocery store with you and
>>>>>>> you can figure out what you would like to try.
>>>>>>> Each store is different so without the names its hard to recommend
>>>>>>> stuff.
>>>>>
>>>>>>> I use barbecue sauce mostly to season chicken so that is what came to
>>>>>>> mind first.
>>>>>>> If you need some hands on help why can't you get a rehab teacher to
>>>>>>> come show you some things?  Doesn't your state agency have them?
>>>>>>> Mine
>>>>> does.
>>>>>>> I had one or two as a teen and she taught me some real basic skills
>>>>>>> like pouring and spreading.
>>>>>>> Rehab teachers teach you to cook and other household activities.
>>>>>>> Is there a lighthouse for the blind near you?  Many lighthouses offer
>>>>>>> cooking classes for blind people or can send a teacher out to help
>>>>>>> you.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think its great you asked questions but to be real helpful you need
>>>>>>> to have someone show you what to do and maybe go to the store so you
>>>>>>> know what all is there.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good luck.
>>>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> To: <blind-cooks at nfbnet.org>; "National Association of Blind Students
>>>>>>> mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; "Blind Talk Mailing List"
>>>>>>> <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; "NFB of West Virginia Discussion List"
>>>>>>> <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Cc: <k-r at atlanticbb.net>
>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 9:44 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] some very beginner, basic cooking questions!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi All!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am very basic at cooking as I haven't been taught much but wanted
>>>>>>>> to experiment and try to make a couple of simple-sounding recipes. I
>>>>>>>> had some questions however, as I am a bit confused.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I should first begin by saying I can not use the stove at this time.
>>>>>>>> I have a crockpot, a George Foreman Grill, a microwave, and a small
>>>>>>>> toaster oven. However, even with these limitations, I feel I can
>>>>>>>> make some things. I won't clutter this email with the reasoning. I
>>>>>>>> am also totally blind, and have no residual vision.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> First, when a recipe calls for a table spoon of something, does it
>>>>>>>> mean the measuring spoon (the biggest spoon in the measuring spoon
>>>>>>>> set) or does it mean one of those larger spoons used at the table
>>>>>>>> for eating/ocasionally mixing things?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The first recipe I'd like to try making is scrambled eggs in the
>>>>>>>> microwave. Yes, it can be done, and from the reviews I've read it's
>>>>>>>> pretty tasty, easy and quick. I am confused though because I have
>>>>>>>> read several recipes for microwave scrambled eggs and they all say
>>>>>>>> different things. Some say put the eggs in the microwave for 30
>>>>>>>> seconds, then mix with a fork/whisk, then put it in for another 10
>>>>>>>> seconds, mix again, then keep putting it in for 10 second intervals
>>>>>>>> until the eggs are done. Others however say to put the eggs in the
>>>>>>>> microwave for 2 minutes, and take the eggs out after one minute and
>>>>>>>> stir. I like my eggs very thick, and well done; I don't like them
>>>>>>>> runny. I don't want to overcook the eggs...should I do 30 seconds
>>>>>>>> then stir at 10 second intervals or put it in for 2 minutes stirring
>>>>>>>> at 1 minute intervals?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Also, I like a lot of butter in my eggs. Some recipes say a table
>>>>>>>> spoon, others say 2 teaspoons (I know the teaspoon is the littlest
>>>>>>>> spoon so that doesn't sound like much), and others say a small pat
>>>>>>>> of butter. Do I need to literally measure out a tablespoon or can I
>>>>>>>> just cut a square pat of butter from the stick? Will it hurt the
>>>>>>>> eggs at all or affect the taste drastically if I accidentally put
>>>>>>>> too much butter in?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Some recipes say to put a tablespoon of water or milk into the eggs.
>>>>>>>> Is this a good idea or will it make them more liquidy/runny? I don't
>>>>>>>> want my eggs to taste rubbery but I don't like them liquidy either.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Some recipes also say to lightly cover the bowl with the eggs in it.
>>>>>>>> Does this have to be done? Couldn't I just fix the eggs uncovered?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Another recipe I'd like to try is grape jelly meatballs in the
>>>>>>>> crockpot/slow cooker. These may sound gross, but essentially all you
>>>>>>>> do is take frozen meatballs (you can also make your own), a jar of
>>>>>>>> grape jelly, and a jar of chilli sauce, put it in the crockpot, and
>>>>>>>> let it go. I've been told they are very good. However, some recipes
>>>>>>>> say to dump the chilli sauce, meatballs, and grape jelly  in the
>>>>>>>> crockpot and let it go, while others say the grape jelly and chilli
>>>>>>>> sauce needs to be mixed well before putting the meatballs in. Should
>>>>>>>> I mix the chilli sauce, and grape jelly or just throw it all in?
>>>>>>>> Once the meatballs finish cooking, Does it affect the taste at all
>>>>>>>> whether the sauce is mixed or not?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Speaking of meatballs, sometime I would also like to try baking them
>>>>>>>> in the oven. Does it matter which type of breadcrumbs I use? There
>>>>>>>> are many different types.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Also, I read that browning ground beef is just heating it to a 160
>>>>>>>> degree temperature so the bacteria are killed off. You can either do
>>>>>>>> this in the microwave or the conventional way on a stove. Have any
>>>>>>>> of you ground beef in the microwave and if done properly does it
>>>>>>>> taste the same as browning it on the stove?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> One thing I really like is chicken. I usually get the boneless,
>>>>>>>> skinless frozen chicken breasts. Currently, the only thing I know
>>>>>>>> how to do with them is to put hot sauce on one, put it on the George
>>>>>>>> Foreman grill, and cook it for 7 or so minutes. However, this gets
>>>>>>>> old after a while. Is there any simple marinades or anything I can
>>>>>>>> buy that I can lather on the chicken, and either bake it or grill
>>>>>>>> it? I know marinades can be made from scratch but I'm at a very
>>>>>>>> simple basic level of cooking right now so am just looking for
>>>>>>>> something
>>>>> simple.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Is it a good idea to get a talking meat thermometer? Should I just
>>>>>>>> get the $115 one sold at the Independence market?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am a very literal, over-analytical person who tends to overthink
>>>>>>>> everything. When I look at recipes, and they all say differing
>>>>>>>> things, I get confused. Also, when a recipe says to use a bowl, I
>>>>>>>> can't figure out whether it means a big bowl, a medium-size bowl, a
>>>>>>>> small bowl, or  a mixing bowl. When it says combine something I
>>>>>>>> wonder...does that mean to just put the items in the bowl or does
>>>>>>>> that mean throw the items in the bowl, and mix them? When a recipe
>>>>>>>> says to mix something, I wonder... with a big mixing spoon, with a
>>>>>>>> spoon you eat with, a fork, or a whisk. When beginning to first
>>>>>>>> cook, did you also have these types of problems/questions? How do
>>>>>>>> you get over this...just with practice and experimentation?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks so much!
>>>>>>>> Kerri
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>> 40earthlink.net
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Arielle Silverman
>>>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>>>> Phone:  602-502-2255
>>>> Email:
>>>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>>>> Website:
>>>> www.nabslink.org
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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>>
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