As you all know – I’m participating in the Velveeta Casserole Challenge alongside some much more qualified bloggers. The official page with my picture was launched this week and I find myself even more nervous than I was the last time I mentioned it here. If that’s possible. I wanted to take some time today to tell you a little about my approach to this monumental task that scared the poop out of me. And yes, I’m aware that most of you are going…Really? Monumental? Overly dramatic there, Zoot? But seriously – I CAN’T COOK.
When they first mentioned the challenge to me they said I was going to come up with a casserole that used Velveeta, could be done under $20 and feed 8-12 people. I said “Sure!” on instinct because if there’s anything I know: it’s Velveeta. I have several dips I do in the crockpot on gamedays using Velveeta in one form or another. I have one that would be the closest I have to a “token recipe” I take places, so I felt like I could create a recipe using Velveeta pretty easily. I also said, “Sure!” because I’m a big fan of affordable recipes. Most of my meals are inexpensive and EASY. I think the last reason why I said, “Sure!” was because I was simply honored that they asked. I don’t get asked about that stuff often, and I can honestly tell you my ego may have had a lot to do with how easily I accepted this challenge. “Me? You want ME? REALLY? SURE!”
I decided to start with the only casserole I have made from my own head before…and just kinda edit it to make it better and more recipe friendly. Before, with the family, I always called it Mexican Lasagna. But – by the time I turned in the recipe to the challenge people organizers – I had changed the name as “Mexican Lasagna” no longer seemed to describe it accurately. I don’t want to do my BIG REVEAL of the name until later in the month because I need you guys to vote for me and I want it to be fresh on your mind. But – I will tell you a few things I’ve learned:
- When you’re cooking with Velveeta (and you’re ME), make sure you buy MORE than you need to allow for the snacking you’ll do while you prepare the casserole. Otherwise, when you realize you’re low, you may used sliced cheese as well and THIS IS A MISTAKE.
- Refriend beans do not alway want to come out of their can. Sometimes you have to squeeze the can a little and this will cause your daughter to say, “Wow! You’re STRONG!”
- You know you go to a small grocery store when the cashier starts noticing you come in often to buy the same list of similar ingredients. She may finally ask you, “Um. Do you do this EVERY week?”
- I do not own good knives for cutting tomatoes. I do not know whether good tomato-cutting knives exist outside the 3am infomercials, but if they do, I do not own them.
- It’s really nice when you’re testing a recipe on your family and they all agree what needs to change about certain variations. However, when they all say, “This kinda sucks,” you may suddenly have to fight the urge to throw the crappy tomato knives at their heads.
last christmas my husband bought me a Wusthof tomato & cheese knife. I told him he was an idiot and who needs a tomato cheese knife. I resisted using it for about 3 months. One day when all the other knives were dirty I picked it up and cut a tomato. It was beautiful. It sliced thin. I didn’t have to apply pressure and I think i shed a tear over the beauty. So being all impressed I grabbed some cheese SAME RESULT. Now I’m obsessed with my stupid tomato and cheese knife and I want to explore all the other ridiculously named knives.
also. my husband in a moment of crazy bought the miracle blades THEY ARE AWFUL HORRIBLE TERRIBLE AND DO NOT CUT PAPER or food or cans or pennies!
seeeeeeee
heaven in a knife block
http://www.wusthof.ca/en/database2-classic.asp?id=521
I can’t wait for the recipe and everything!! Velveeta is a total guilty pleasure of mine. I LOVE it on warm, crispy tortillas with hot tea in the mornings
“I do not own good knives for cutting tomatoes. I do not know whether good tomato-cutting knives exist outside the 3am infomercials, but if they do, I do not own them.”
Got a good serrated steak knife? There ya go. That’s what I use and it works like a dream. HTH
I use a bread knife (the kind with the very serrated edges in a knife block) to cut tomatoes. Also, after you do the initial cut, it’s easier to cut flesh side up (if you’re doing chunks… doesn’t work so well for slices, obviously).
Oh! And if it’s not your Velveeta Challenge recipe, can you post the dip recipe you mentioned? Mmmm… dip.
I have one decent knife in the house, and it’s not a fancy one either. I mostly use it cutting up fruit. Most of the time I grab a steak knife for everything. Terrible, I know.
However I am drooling over the Wusthof items. I’ve had them in my Amazon wish list for a while. Maybe one day I will buy them.
Whatever you cook, I think you should be proud. We keep meals very simple in our house. Usually something I can throw together in under 30 minutes. I always tell myself when the baby gets bigger I will get back to cooking good stuff.
Use the canopener on both ends of the refried beans. Even just breaking the seal of the bottom of the can helps them come out much better.
Hi Zoot!
I know you’ll do great in the challenge, you’re a winner/fighter Ms. Marathon runner! Besides I saw the meal you steamed for your family (the fish, carrots and rice..yum). Just the same I wanted to stop in and say best of luck hun even though you won’t need it.
Oh and about the beans. I stick a butter knife on the inside edge and move it all the way around the beans and then plop I got beans in the pot and an empty can.
Oh oh oh! Congratulations on the handsome baby boy! I’ve been offline for over a year and when I saw you had a new baby…well I cried. If anyone deserves two of the cutest kids ever it’s you!
I have one awesome knife for tomatoes and fruit and veggies. I have another awesome knife for cutting meats. Whenever I move, they get packed in special packing and I make SURE I know that they are in the car/van/whatever. Don’t take away my knives. They make me happy.
That said, I would be interested in the various things you make for dinner… I live alone and work and go to grad school and hate relying on pre-made stuff or ordering pizza. What can I throw together in 30 minutes while pretending to watch TV? And leftovers are awesome.
Use a bread knife to cut tomatoes – it works perfectly!
Yes, the bread knife works wonderfully on tomatoes.
I take your word on you not being a cook, but you surely are funny. Love this entry.
I use my Pampered Chef bread knife to cut tomatoes.
Cannot wait to see your recipe. hee!
Pampered Chef green tomato knife. Cheap and sharp. And awesome! I don’t sell PC stuff I promise, but I do love this knife!
I have expensive knives, but usually use a steak knife to cut tomatoes.
I always have huge blocks of Velveeta in stock. Would you please share your signature recipe?
I’m looking forward to your challenge recipe too.
I’m sort of scared of velveeta, so I’m looking forward to the recipe!