Today, I'm a vintage homemaker

I'm feeling superior today because I made dinner for tonight last night. Oh yeah, 2009 is starting out just as I planned. Like many of you, I've vowed to cook more at home. So on Jan. 6, I'm doing pretty good. (Are you one of the legions who've decided to cook more at home this year? If so, leave a post. I'd love to get that conversation going.)

Of course, not much of life has happened yet in 2009 meaning Wolverine Jr. isn't in full-throttle baseball mode, which will require quick costume changes in the car going from school to practice to practice. Yes, I have one of those over-scheduled children. Squeezing a home-cooked dinner into that mix seems near-impossible some days.

Anyway, on Sunday we grilled salmon that I served with rice cooked with a cinnamon stick and whole cloves, plus broccoli braised in garlic and chicken broth. On Sunday night after dinner, I made split pea soup with the leftover ham from New Year's Day. We ate that last night. After dinner last night, I made the Rosemary Chicken and Rice recipe I blogged about in October. We are eating that tonight.

Today, I am a home-cooking goddess. I'll let you know when I fall off the wagon. I predict Thursday.

Until then, here's another recipe to try.

Sweet and Sour Pork Stir Fry
1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks in juice, drained (juice reserved)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided use
1 pork tenderloin (about 1 pound), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
6 scallions, white and green parts separated, cut into 1-inch lengths
2 bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), cut into 2-inch pieces
1 package (10 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, thawed and patted dry
Cooked rice, for serving

In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water. Season sauce with salt and pepper.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Cook pork, in two batches, until well browned on one side, about 1 minute (pork will cook more later); transfer to a plate.

To skillet, add scallion whites and bell peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until peppers are crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes.

Add pork (along with any juices), broccoli and pineapple chunks. Whisk sauce; add to skillet. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring, until broccoli is warmed through, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in scallion greens, and serve with rice.

Serves 4.

Source: Everyday Food, January/February 2009

Image from www.papermoonvintage.com

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Comments

[RG]

Yes, we are always trying to increase the number of home-cooked meals. The dish you posted today will come in very handy at our house. Hubby loves Chinese takeout but I don't. Homemade Asian-style food is something we bothe like and it's less expensive. This one looks simple to fix and I can't wait to try it!

[Luby]

I have resolved to cook at home in order to save money too, the weekends will be the toughest for me because of the change from my normal routine.

[Stir Crazy]

Thanks for the input.

What's standing in your way of cooking more regularly? (Time, money, expertise, ideas?)

[Crystal]

We eat lunch and dinner at home almost every day. I want to start fixing healthier meals(we don't eat fish). I would love to see more quick, simple, healthy (and don't forget tasty) recipes!

[Missy]

I am a vintage homemaker nearly every day. I have three busy kids, a busy husband, and a house that won't clean itself. I cook 80% of our meals, and lately have really been involved in making double batches of things to freeze (planning for an upcoming trip where hubby and I will be gone for 8 days, leaving kids in care of Grandad -all he'll have to do is heat and eat).

We do go out to restaurants once in a while, but much less now than previously, due to finances (no surprise). Sadly, after we've had our dinner out, I'm invariably disappointed. I think of the money we spent and the quality of the food and the experience... I usually decide that it wasn't worth it to go out, and it's a long time before we do it again. My kids and husband are "good eaters" and enjoy my cooking, and for a fraction of the cost of a restaurant dinner, I could prepare something really fabulous at home.

So why not always eat at home? Time & planning. Time is always short (as for everyone), and while I have food in the freezer and pantry, I usually lack a plan and end up scrambling around at 6pm, trying to get something together.

So, we go out. We spend upwards of $50 (that's almost half a week's groceries!), and we eat food that's okay, but nothing really special or satisfying. And I'm back where I started, vowing to cook at home more often.

[Sue E. Conrad]

Agree wholeheartedly with the comments regarding restaurant meals - most of the food is mediocre at best, prices are outrageous, and my husband and I come away disappointed. Our biggest complaint is the fish, both in restaurants and supermarkets. How can that be in Florida??