As I sit here unable to move due to the enormous dinner I’ve just cooked for myself I’m wondering if purchasing JOY OF COOKING was one of the best ideas I’ve ever had, or the worst. I wonder because, while my goal is to stop 
ordering out so often, the meals that I’ve been making of late are likely to expand my waistline rather than contract it.
Tonight, for instance, I baked a Cornish hen with carrots and potatoes, and chicken fettuccine for a side. However, as small as it is, there is no way that I can eat a Cornish hen in one sitting. Of course, having never eaten one until this evening, I didn’t realize just how much chicken that was for one person until I actually sat down to eat it.
And let’s not forget the pasta. I have never mastered the art of properly measuring pasta and rice. The result is that I always, inevitably, end up making enough for an entire army. The pasta recipe I used tonight called for 1 pound of pasta. Needless to say, I have no idea exactly what 1 pound of pasta looks like, but since it sounds like a lot, I used all of the pasta I had left in my pasta jar… And now I have enough pasta for two armies.
Thus, as I sat at my dinning table with my full Cornish hen, my largely cut vegetables, and my overflowing bowl of chicken fettuccine I wondered, Is this really eating healthier? Now, I know that once I get more experienced at this cooking thing, I’ll be able to better judge my portions but for now, I’m overwhelmed at the thought of just how much leftover chicken and pasta I’ll be eating for the next few days.
Note: That’s a professional picture of a Cornish hen, not of my own meager attempt. I wish.
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Oh boy does it take practice to get portions and such under control. It also helps to try out some healthy cookbooks—the Joy is awesome for learning techniques and such, but it wasn’t written as a healthy cookbook. The trick is to find the GOOD healthy cookbooks; a lot of the ones I end up reviewing are rather bland for my tastes. There are some good ones out there, however.
Comment by Heather (errantdreams) February 22, 2008 @ 12:40 pmFreezer! I always make too much food, but then freeze about half of it. It’s great for when you get home late or don’t want to cook. Like fast food – but better for you and homemade!
Comment by Sarah G February 22, 2008 @ 2:03 pmThat looks absolutely delicious! (Most especially since I’ve given up meat for Lent.) Here’s a hint about pasta and measuring: if it’s spaghetti-type pasta (in other words, long and stringy), the amount of dried pasta that would fit on the head of a quarter if you placed it on end on a quarter is one serving size. One serving size is about 1/8 of a pound.
Comment by Emily Barton February 22, 2008 @ 5:08 pmFirst of all…love the new look!! I love to cook, but I just don’t seem to have the time anymore. I actually make up a couple of entrees on Monday nights and save them for the week. It’s the only way my kids don’t have to eat chicken nuggets and macaroni all week!!
This looks fantastic!!
Comment by Stephanie February 23, 2008 @ 10:53 amMmm, Joy of Cooking sounds wonderful, as does the meal. I’ve only had cornish hen a few times, but I’d like to revisit it.
Comment by Andi February 23, 2008 @ 10:05 pmHeather, I’m going to have to look into a healthier cookbook, or at least a cookbook that provides portions for one because my fridge is too small for such massive layovers. I’m scared something will tumble out when I open the door now.
Comment by J.S. Peyton February 24, 2008 @ 11:38 pmSarah, the freezer is a good idea, but I’m always afraid that I’ll overfreeze it or something and then when I take it out it’ll have that freezer taste to it. How do I avoid that? I could avoid that, I’ll definitely freeze. I hate wasting so much food.
Comment by J.S. Peyton February 24, 2008 @ 11:41 pmEmily, thanks for the excellent tip on measuring pasta! That should help a lot, because obviously eye-balling it isn’t working.
Comment by J.S. Peyton February 24, 2008 @ 11:46 pmStephanie, thanks for compliment on the new look. I wanted to try something even more simple than what I had before. I think this will do for now.
Comment by J.S. Peyton February 25, 2008 @ 12:01 amAndi, I really did enjoy that cornish hen. Although, I must admit that by the end of the week, I didn’t want to look at it again. An entire week of cornish hen is never a good thing, methinks.
Comment by J.S. Peyton February 25, 2008 @ 12:28 amHey there! First time to your site. I, too, like the look. It’s easy to read. As for portion sizes, look at how many people it is serves, then cut the amount of ingredients by the amount. For example, if it says it serves 4, cut the ingredients by a quarter – 1 cup becomes 1/4 cup, etc. When you get to ridiculously small amounts (like 1/8 tsp. of a spice)just put it in pinch by pinch to taste. Hope this helps.
Comment by Erin February 28, 2008 @ 5:45 pmThanks for the advice Erin! I thought of doing that with this recipe but I worried that by not not sticking to the ingredients as strictly as possible would result in disaster. Next time, though, I’ll be a bit more brave.
Thanks for the compliment on the site. Its simplicity is really growing on me as well.
Comment by J.S. Peyton February 29, 2008 @ 8:33 am