Embracing the ways of the matron

THIS POST IS ABOUT TO INVOLVE A RECIPE OR TWO.

DON'T FLIP OUT.

DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SCREENS. THIS IS NOT A MALFUNCTION. REPEAT: DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SCREENS.

So I just mocked a stranger for posting a recipe. Relax, it was light-hearted. And I know YOU always post recipes, and that's neat for YOU, but most of the time they involve things I can't pronounce and sure as hell don't have around, let alone have the patience to mix with other things to create something edible. I don't make stuff, remember? But now that law school has chilled out (I only have one class and it's with Michelle Obama) and I hang out with our cute new kiddo, I've got the time, so I often make stuff. And many of you reading this may poop your pants imagining me cooking, but seriously friends, I've changed a lot in the last few months. I breastfeed and everything. That's right, BREASTFEED. Also, I got a short mom haircut (not a bob, NOT A BOB, it's totally hip)...I didn't have the patience to wait for an appointment with my regular hair lady so I got a nice $13 chop from a kind Asian woman who had to reach up to cut my hair kept yelling "Welcome to Great Crypts" when people walked in. But all this is my way of saying that this is a big step for me, but I'm going to post a few things I have made twice in the last week and plan on making tomorrow. Laugh it up, but soon you'll breastfeed and cook too and I'll laugh even harder at you than you are at me.

Baked Ziti Wonder
boil 1 lb of noodles (whatever you want. We got a bunch of penne a while back so that's what we use 'round here) and while you're doing that, brown 1 lb of hamburger with some chopped up onion (if you're into that) and garlic (or just garlic powder if you're like me). When the beef is nice and brown, dump a jar of spaghetti sauce in and simmer it for about 10 minutes. In the meantime, drain the noodles and put half of them on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Then put a whole package of sliced up provolone cheese over it (or grated mozzarella if you want), then some sour cream (3/4 a cup), then 3/4 cup of cottage cheese (seriously), then half the meat mixture. Then the rest of the pasta, some more cheese, the rest of the meat mixture and a bit of parm on top. Put some tin foil on it because the pan's probably full by now, and pop it in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes or til everything is warmed through. Then eat up and high five yourself (or a terrorist fist jab, whichever) for making such a satisfying meal.

The other favorite in our easy-stuff-only home is a little thing I like to call
Chicken FIESTA Casserole, or Yo Soy Bonita.
Cook up a couple of chicken breasts and then chop them up. Mix 2 cans of black beans (or one big can), 1 can of corn, 1 can of green chiles, 3/4 cup sour cream and 1 cup of salsa with the chicken. Crunch up some tortilla chips and put them on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan, then half the mixture, then some grated cheese, then some more crunched up chips, then the rest of the mixture, then cheese. Bake half an hour at 350 and mmm mmm! Eat it up with some tortilla chips and some more salsa, and then reward yourself afterwards by cuddling with your cute baby (if you've got one) or surfing the internets, if you don't.

You're welcome. I'll now offer the baby the other teat.