Semi-Homemade with dunkman

Introduction

I know a lot of Goons with Spoons regulars watch plenty of Food Network, and what better way to celebrate our mutual love of Food Network than with an ICSA entry in the style of Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee?! I figured I'd whip up a meal that makes everyone think of what Mom used to make. Hearty, tasty, easy to make food. And maybe since the 70% ready-made and 30% fresh ingredients ratio will encourage some not-so-regulars to work up the gumption to make a Award Winning Entry!

Appa-Teasers

Potato Skins with Ranch is a staple in many American homes. It's delicious, nutritious (containing both your starches and saturated fats!), and a snap to make.

You can't forget to make a Miz-en-place, even if it's a simple dish!

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Carefully lay the potato skins out on a clean baking sheet, and place on the center rack.

While the Potato Skins are cooking, go ahead and get started on your homemade sour cream! Add the packet to a bowl and then add 16oz of sour cream.

What goes better with Homemade Potato Skins and Fresh Ranch Dip than a nice refreshing beverage? Since this is for home cooking and not fancy restaurants, simple do a shot of Whiskey with a Light Beer back! It's Healthy and takes the edge off the end of the day.

Supper

Everyone remembers coming home from chess practice after school, and opening the door to smell that wonderful smell of Salisbury Steak wafting through the house. You throw your backpack down and slide into your seat, just like on TV! That feeling is what I wanted to bring back with this course.

Following the directions on the package, go ahead and put the steak and macaroni and cheese in the oven.

Making a Salisbury Steak and Macaroni and cheese can take a while, so sometimes it's good to have something to tide you over while you're waiting for it to cook.

This is one of my own recipes, something I picked up in Spain. Take 3 shots of Brandy, 6oz of red wine (something good like Yellowtail, after all, you're making Dinner), and about as much Coca-Cola (or your favorite soda!) and pour them into a wine glass. Add some ice cubes, and sip on one or two of these while you slave over the hot stove for the love of your family!

After you've finished your first cocktail, and you're working on your second, you can start to prep and cook the sides that make home cooking so special.

Go ahead and bring some water to a boil under your steamer, and once it's nice and steamy, go ahead and pour half or most of a bag of frozen broccoli into the steamer and put the lid on it.

While that's going, go ahead and get your mashed potatos going! Again, following the package directions, add your milk water and butter together and give it a good stirring over some heat.

Add the Potato Mixture after a couple minutes and beat until you get the desired consistency.

If you did the timing just right, the Steak and Mac & Cheese should be done in the oven, the same time as the Mashed Potatos and Broccoli.

Dessert

I'll be honest, Potatos for Dessert? Who has ever heard of such a thing? I scoured my supermarkets frozen aisle for hours, I must have gone up and down 20 times before my eyes settled on something perfect. Sweet Potato Pie! Just thing to go with some homemade whipped cream.

Go ahead and unwrap that pie, and throw it in the oven at 350, it'll take care of itself.

While that's going, you get to add that special touch to the end of the meal that lets your family know that you really care, and that is by making Whipped Cream!

Add the whipped cream to your mixer, slowly add sugar and whip until you get soft, supple peaks. Make sure to check on it!

Give it the old taste test, and try not to make a mess!

What's better to go with Dessert than something nice and sweet? Simply Mix 6oz of Vodka and 6oz of GroveStand orange juice together in a wine glass, and add some ice! Mmmmm, refreshing.

And there we go, Dinner is Served!

If you're feeling a little tipsy after dinner (it happens to me a lot!) it's okay to sleep it off on the couch.