tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post64373582928900551..comments2024-03-22T00:35:19.082-07:00Comments on Casual Kitchen: Casual Kitchen’s Core Principles: #3: Identify and Exploit Simple, Scalable and Minimalist RecipesDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-53822374119106968742014-06-09T11:22:33.290-07:002014-06-09T11:22:33.290-07:00Sally, Melissa, great point on the value of a reci...Sally, Melissa, great point on the value of a recipe that can scale *down.* Hadn't really thought about it that way, but it's a another useful feature of a scalable recipe. Thanks for the insight.<br /><br />DKDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-86360175629718585692014-06-09T10:49:23.016-07:002014-06-09T10:49:23.016-07:00For frugality and simplicity, questions 1) and 2) ...For frugality and simplicity, questions 1) and 2) up there are paramount. I've come to a point where I don't want to spend the time on fussy or complicated recipes nor do I want to make - or post anything on my blog - requiring hard to find or expensive ingredients.<br /><br />If it's not easy and can't be done cheaply, I almost won't even look at it anymore. Bonus for it being easy to scale (halved or doubled).Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12439733116558336290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-40470720300895179512014-06-08T15:51:46.813-07:002014-06-08T15:51:46.813-07:00I also look for recipes that aren't labor inte...I also look for recipes that aren't labor intensive, affordable and scalable, but those I can scale <i>down</i>, not up. If there are no more than four servings, I will make full recipes of soups and stews and a few other dishes.<br /><br />I often repurpose leftovers. Roasts can become many other dishes. I t<br />season them simply initially, freeze in single servings,and add appropriate seasoning to make whatever dish I want.<br /><br />A rice dish is first a side dish, but leftovers can become fried rice or served with a poached or fried egg.Sallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-7650641105251439692014-06-08T08:14:31.874-07:002014-06-08T08:14:31.874-07:00Janet, you have a point.. the second batch doesn&#...Janet, you have a point.. the second batch doesn't help if one eats twice as much. :)<br /><br />Barb, thank you for your thoughts and your recipe ideas. I (and my readers) are always looking for creative, delicious and laughably easy recipes. Those look like really good ones!<br /><br />DKDanielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-285689372918090082014-06-08T07:21:55.134-07:002014-06-08T07:21:55.134-07:00While I love the occasional day long cooking sessi...While I love the occasional day long cooking session (think Julia Child's recipe for Beef Bourguignon), as a single mom it was always important to get good food on the table quick. Making enough for leftovers was critical; we weren't having any of that 'I don't like leftovers' in our home!<br /><br />Two of my favorites? A well known pasta dish by Marcella Hazan combines canned tomatoes, an onion and butter that is served over pasta. It is FOUR ingredients but to die for. Just Google 'Marcella Hazan Tomato Butter Sauce' for the recipe.<br /><br />Next, and hope you don't mind a link to my site, are these chicken thighs. One of the simplest dishes I make, they are SO good that I can barely get a plate to the table without devouring a couple straight out of the oven. Spices, chicken thighs, honey and cider vinegar. Amazing.<br /><br />http://www.creative-culinary.com/spiced-honey-brushed-chicken-thighs/<br /><br />I love the perspective you bring and the help you offer to those who might view cooking as something difficult and unattainable. I had my two girls in the kitchen from an early age and am proud if part of my legacy that both can cook a great meal. But maybe prouder even of helping to do the same for their friends who never had that instruction at home. They are 'hungry' for the knowledge and to a one feel empowered after I teach them some basics. Forget fancy tools; the one thing I suggest for the 'make it easy' kitchen is a crockpot. It is magical. :)Barb | Creative Culinaryhttp://creative-culinary.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37886248.post-79200174512953597312014-06-07T07:40:31.472-07:002014-06-07T07:40:31.472-07:00I hope that you're correct in assuming most of...I hope that you're correct in assuming most of your readers will know that the purpose of making double batches is to freeze half for later consumption, not so they can eat double servings! ;-) But seriously, the Keep it Simple Stupid principle is the only way to go in cooking! Janet C.noreply@blogger.com