Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Ugh, I Wish the Grocery Store Delivered!

Have you ever had those moments, or maybe entire days, where you just don’t have the ingredients for something you were really wanting to make? Or worse, you’ve started making something and don’t have enough of an ingredient? But it’s just not possible, for one reason or another, to make it to the grocery store? What do you do? Do you shelve that idea and figure out something else to make? Do you make it without? Or do you, gulp, use a substitute ingredient? (I suppose the answers to those questions would depend a lot on what ingredient was missing!)

 

Well, this was my dilemma yesterday. Figuring out what to have for lunch is always a struggle for me because most of the time I’m not interested in whatever “kid friendly” meal I have just prepared for my son (and daughter on non-school days). Yesterday I was about to make another boring peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I remembered the new container of turkey slices I had gotten for my husband. Usually, I don’t like eating deli meat sandwiches, but it just sounded too good to pass up. And when I have a turkey sandwich, I love having lettuce on it. I pull out the turkey, but naturally, we don’t have lettuce.

 

Now, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Why didn’t you buy lettuce when you bought the container of turkey?’ And you would be right to ask that. But, like I said before, I’m not big on deli meat. So I don’t eat it very often. And for a while last summer, I was on a salad kick and always had tons of lettuce on hand. But I get sick of eating the same thing over and over. And like everything else, I soon tired of salads and haven’t bought lettuce in…well I guess a really long ass time because I can’t remember how long ago it was.

 

So, no lettuce for my turkey. But rather than let that spoil my craving for a turkey sandwich, I made it without and enjoyed it. For the most part.

 

I was also planning on roasting a chicken in the oven for supper last night. I was getting everything ready for it to go into the oven and I had a moment of panic. “Oh God, do we have chicken broth?” I opened the cupboard and looked on every shelf, even the ones I knew wouldn’t have it. Nothing. Crap.

 

image credit

 

See, I’m not a super cook, but I have found that when I put chicken broth in the bottom of my roasting pan and then baste the chicken while it’s cooking, it turns out pretty good. My husband is incredibly picky and hates when food is “too bland.” The chicken broth helps me with that. (I also rub the chicken, inside and out, with salt, but it’s just not enough on it’s own.) This would be the perfect time to pick up the phone, call the grocery store, and say, “Hi, I’m an idiot and forgot to buy something that I really need right now. Could you please deliver some chicken broth and some romaine lettuce? Thanks!” No such luck.

 

Time to get creative. I had to cook this chicken because it was getting too close to the expiration date for me to put it off any longer and I really, really wanted leftovers for chicken salad sandwiches. I lightly ground some pepper over the chicken and rubbed it and the salt in. I knew I had some beef broth from when I cooked a beef roast last week. I grabbed it out of the fridge and poured it in the bottom of the pan. I added extra water to dilute it some and maybe take away some of the “beefy” flavor. Then I worried I had put in too much water, so more beef broth went in. (I told you I’m not a great cook. “Top Chef” will definitely not be calling me to audition any time soon.) Into the oven it went and I crossed my fingers.

 

After cooking and basting and waiting for my husband to get home, I got the chicken out of the pan and (after letting it sit for an appropriate time) started carving it. And I have to tell you, I did a pretty kickass job at carving. Even if it didn’t taste good, it sure looked good! I dished up the food and got everything on the table. The moment of truth…and it was actually pretty good! The skin tasted wonderful and while the meat didn’t have as much flavor as I would have liked, there were no complaints and no suggestions for improvement!

 

Hurray me! Supper was saved!

 

Have any of you been in this sort of predicament?

7 comments:

  1. know what else solves all those problems...having the flu and absolutely no desire to go anywhere near food! ugh!

    I'm really not a great cook but I make due when it's time to eat. I don't know about you...but grocery stores in my state do deliver. You can order online and they just bring it right over. Crazy, huh!?

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  2. haha, love this! Sometimes you gotta get creative - sounds like it worked out! And I totally wish the supermarket would deliver, too!

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  3. I took some culinary classes in vocational school awhile ago, and cooking is awesome. I've gotten into the habit of checking for the ingredients I need before I start making a certain dish. But seeing as my step dad is insanely picky as to what he has in the house, I can most likely expect to see every ingredient I would need, guaranteed.

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  4. lol! I'm one of those go to the store anytime I need anything people. I'm okay with substituting sometimes, like I'd have no problem subbing beef broth for chicken broth, but if it's a crucial ingredient, I'm going to the store. I don't like doing without!

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  5. @Jewels - I'm sorry to hear you're sick. That's the worst. Since you mentioned grocery stores delivering where you are, I looked at a local store's website and sure enough, they deliver too! I don't know if there are restrictions, but I'll have to remember that the next time.

    @thefitacademic - I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping over and I hope you come back to check my blog out again.

    @Lonely Suitor - I think it is so cool when guys know how to cook. And the fact that you took a class is awesome!

    @Megan - If I didn't have to load a three year old into the truck every time I needed something and then drive ten minutes to get there (I know, that's not really too far) I'd probably go to the store every time too. Maybe I'm just too lazy. lol!

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  6. There are few things I hate more than not having an ingredient, especially when we're in the middle of cooking the meal. I'm happy the chicken turned out well. Occasionally my wife tries to 'wing' certain things and sometimes times it turns out well. Other times.... I'll not say. :)

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  7. @paulsifer - lol! Not everything turns out as well as this one did. I've had plenty of disasters on my hands. :) It's kind of a miracle this turned out.

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