TAKE-OUT TONIGHT! - Cookbook Review

Well, this is my very first cookbook review so I am kind of nervous. I am not so good at expressing myself when it comes to books, but I will certainly try.

First off, I have a TON of cookbooks. So many that Joey has forbidden me to buy any more. He really is right. I do have too many. Even worse, I always look up recipes online rather than look in my cookbook library. While that is convenient, there really are a lot of gems in my library that are not online. So I promised that - (1) I wouldn't buy anymore cookbooks; and, (2) I would make one recipe a week from one of my cookbooks. Fair enough!

This week I pulled out one of my Weight Watchers cookbooks, TAKE-OUT TONIGHT! Oh my goodness, this is one awesome little cookbook and I have made many a good meal from this cookbook!

First off, let's talk about Weight Watchers cookbooks. I have many and they are all great. They always call for natural ingredients and are naturally figure friendly. Most importantly, the recipes are delicious! That's the whole point (or points), right?

TAKE-OUT TONIGHT! is divided into eight chapters:

1. Deli Specials
2. Chinese Classics
3. Greek Diner Delights
4. Viva Mexico!
5. Beyond Sushi
6. Now, That's Italian!
7. Totally Thai
8. Treasures of India

Each section features food from that region. Now, I was totally skeptical about this, but I have made several of the Chinese, Greek and Italian recipes and they really were yummy. I so felt like an international chef!


Weight Watchers cookbooks always have a beautiful, easy-to-read layout and TAKE-OUT TONIGHT! is no exception. Each recipe has an introduction and cook's tips. What's better is that the ingredients are in a colored box on the left and the instructions are on the right. This makes it so clear when you are cooking. Honestly, how many times have you tried to cook something out of a cookbook and had to search all over a bland page? That is a sure way to miss something!

What is even better about this entire cookbook is that each recipe is under 8 points. If you don't do Weight Watchers, that is not a lot at all!!! And, while they are figure friendly, they are not skimming on taste. They are simply delicious! As I said, I have made many of these recipes and I have also then searched for the "original" versions. I will tell you most of the time I go right back to the Weight Watchers version.

So, whether you want to spice up your every day meals or just want to have some figure-friendly alternatives, TAKE-OUT TONIGHT! is the cookbook for you!

Padma's Carl's Jr. Commercial

I am so not a fan of Carl's Jr., but I really love Padma on Top Chef. When I first heard about this ad I thought it was a joke. Padma on a Carl's Jr. commercial? You have to be kidding. Well, this is no joke and after you see this, you are going to want a Western Bacon Cheesburger, too.

Sweet Corn Tomalito

Last Saturday we had quite a day. Not only was it Karolyn's birthday but it was, to our joy and surprise, the announcement of her engagement to Kevin. As Joey says, we now have Kevolyn! Wow! I am certainly thrilled! I think we are all!

Since this was a potluck barbecue I wanted to bring something special. Of course, because it was Karolyn's birthday, but also because who doesn't want to bring a yummy dish to a potluck?!! Honestly, doesn't it feel great to have the dish that everyone gobbles up while that jello concoction just sits there? That is exactly why I always make Sweet Corn Tomalito for every potluck I go to. You know, that yummilicious corn thing you get a spoonful of at Chevy's - the one you always hope your dining partner won't eat so you can have it? This is it and I promise you, it will be a hit. It always is. BUT, if you intend to be at a party that I am going to and you dare bring this you are in serious trouble. :-) This is MY potluck specialty inspired from the cookbook I stole from Karolyn.

So, while this isn't hard to make, it's just a bit involved. I think I kind of have it down, so I am delighted to share my tips with you. I do promise this is worth the time and effort.

Ingredients

• 6 cups fresh corn kernels - about 8 ears (or frozen and thawed corn, but boo!)
• 1 cup milk divided (3/4 cup and 1/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup masa (fresh or prepared - see notes)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 250°.
2. Remove corn kernels from cob (see note below for tips)
3. Take 3 cups of the corn kernals and 3/4 cup milk and blend in blender or food processor until smooth. Place in bowl.
4. Prepare masa, if using instant, according to directions (see note below)
5. Place the butter, masa, and sugar in the blender or food processor and blend until light and fluffy. (About 2 - 3 minutes)
6. Add the masa mixture and all of the remaining ingredients, including the remaining 3 cups corn kernals, to the pureed corn and mix well.
7. Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 pan and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
8. Put the pan into a large roasting pan. (see note below)
9. Pour cool water into the roasting pan until it reaches about 3/4 to 1 inch up the outside of the 9 x 13 pan.
10. Bake for 2 - 2 1/2 hours until the mixture reaches 175° on an instant read thermometer. (Time really varies - check it at about 1 hour and 45 minutes. For me it always takes much longer.)
11. Serve hot or let cool and take to your potluck. Reheat at 350°, covered for about 20 minutes.

Notes

Removing corn kernels from the cob has always been a challenge until I figured it out!

• Take a large mixing bowl and place a small dessert bowl in the middle upside down.
• Cut the corn flat on one end, or much easier, buy the corn cobs that are already husked and cut. EASY!
• Place the corn on the dessert bowl and cut with a sharp knife.
• The corn kernels fall neatly in the large bowl! How easy!!!

For most of us finding fresh masa is not an easy task. Honestly, the first time I made this recipe I was determined to get fresh masa and Joey and I waddled all over the Mission District to find some. We ended up with a pound. That is A LOT! Now I am not bagging fresh masa, but I really can't tell the difference in this dish between that and the instant. If I can't tell, I promise Aunt Fanny won't either, so get the instant. I found MASECA Instant Masa fairly easily here in San Francisco, but if you can't find it you can buy it on Amazon from MexGrocer.com.

Here is my recipe for making just the right amount:

• Mix 1/2 cup of instant corn masa mix (loose measure) and 1/4 cup of water (or so) thoroughly for 2 to 3 minutes until dough forms a firm ball. (If dough feels dry add a splash of water at a time until it feel right. You will know.)
• This makes the perfect amount of masa for you. YAY!

I am a total kitchen queen, but I so don't have a roasting pan that accommodates my 9x13 baking dish, so I have my handy-dandy aluminum one from Safeway. The only thing I use this for is my Sweet Corn Tomalitos. I recommend picking one of these up if your roasting pan isn't big enough. It is just perfect.



So there you have it - my potluck success secret! Enjoy being the hit of the party!

Welcome to the New Cooking with Sean & Joey

Hi there and welcome to my new revamped blog! This has been a long time in the making. I have had this blog for over a year, but really got into it again when we did the Master Cleanse in March. I was almost ready to launch this new version mid-March but my mom passed away and I kind of went into a funk. BUT... I know that Jeannie would want me to do what it is I do, as long as it's safe, and do it well. So, here you go! I have an entirely updated snazzy blog!

While it may be all sorts of corny, I do have some thank yous for this. This really was a labor of love for me and I am sincerely excited to share it with everyone.

First, I have to thank my mom because honestly, I wouldn't be here without her. This goes beyond her giving me birth. While she didn't exactly raise me, she was there when no one else was and I really needed her. For such a long time Mommy was there 24/7 for me and never seemed to tire of listening to me. She taught me to love myself and that in itself is invaluable. She will forever be in my heart.

Thank you Karolyn and Greg for all those weekly dinners that really inspired me to try new things. I really do miss those, but treasure that year we really stuck to it. And, Karolyn, thank you for all those "I-Hate-Boys" nights. We sure don't need them anymore, but they really were fun!

Thank you Brenda and Kimeiko for appearing from my past right when I needed it and making my life just that much better for having you back in it! I know I didn't exactly pick the theme you both suggested, but I was so thrilled you were even interested enough to look!

Thank you John and Tom for never giving up on me and sending me to all those classes. I really would have never figured out how to do this or have even have had the energy to if you hadn't always believed in me.

Thanks to the cool people at Zona Cerebral that took this theme, revamped it for blogger and gave such amazing instructions to make the thing work! Muchas Gracias!

Last, but certainly not least, thank you Joey. Words cannot possibly express how much you mean to me. I wished, wished, wished for you and finally you came. It was well worth the wait.

Sean & Joey's Master Cleanse

On March 3, Joey and I started our Master Cleanse. For me, this was one of the most amazing things I have done for myself in my life. It not only taught me that I actually do have the strength and willpower to do this, but also gave me a renewed view of my health. This cleanse changed my life. I eat better, I don't crave red meat or alcohol and am much more aware of how what I put into my body effects my well-being.

Now, before I go on. I am not a doctor and I am not saying this is for everyone. You really should discuss any change of diet with your doctor and take the advice she gives you. Having said that, below are links to my Master Cleanse experience. I hope you find this helpful and hope to hear from you should you decide to undertake this experience.

• Recipe, Equipment, Advice and Resources
• Master Cleanse Preparation
• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6
  
• Day 7
• Day 8
• Day 9
• Day 10
• Day 11
• Day 12
• Day 13
• Day 14
• Days 15 & 16
  

Master Cleanse - Recipe, Equipment, Advice & Resources

There isn't really a whole lot you need for the Master Cleanse. Basically it's just fresh lemons, Grade B Maple Syrup, Cayenne Pepper and Purified Water. That's it!

Now you really do need to read the book. Click here for a downloadable PDF of the original text. (I found this online and am not profiting from it.) Please read it thoroughly. If you would like a more updated version, you can buy this book on Amazon. I only read the original, but the more contemporary book is a good option.

Recipe

I really recommend that you make your entire batch of lemonade for the day. This is the recipe I followed each morning:

• 60 oz water per day (or 10 oz per glass)
• 12 tablespoons Organic Grade B Maple Syrup (or 2 tbsp. per glass)
• 12 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (or 2 tbsp. per glass)
• a little over half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or 1/10 tsp. per glass) or to taste

Making it each morning was really a time-saver and helped me get through the day easily. I put it in a thermos and shook it up each time I needed a drink, which was about every hour. Now you really don't have to have a thermos. If you look at the picture above, you can see that we used Coffee Mate containers to store our lemonade for travel. Whatever works for you. Just make sure it's easy to get to and travels well if you need to travel.



Equipment

There really isn't a lot of equipment involved in this at all, but you DO need a juicer. I have a KitchenAid mixer, so I bought a juicer for that as you can see by the picture on the right.

Joey didn't have a KitchenAid, so I bought him the Black & Decker Juicer you see pictured. You can get it on Amazon or just go to Target. It's only about $20 and I promise you will thank me for this advice!!! Honestly, having a juicer not only saves you money, as you get more juice, but tons and tons of time.


References

There were two websites that really helped me get through this cleanse. The first I had read long ago, but her journal is really helpful. The second is one I stumbled upon and this guy's approach is just so down to earth it really resonated with me.

• Yes, They're Fake - Master Cleanse Journal
• Q-Taro Master Cleanse Journal

Advice

As I have said, this is my own personal experience, but having said that here is some advice I have regarding this cleanse:

1. Do it with someone. Having Joey there doing this with me made all the difference in the world.
2. Tell the world about it. Yes, shame yourself into doing this. I posted it all over Facebook so I was bound and determined to finish this thing.
3. Don't listen to all the ney-sayers that tell you this is bunk. The only person you should be taking advice from is your doctor. Most of the people that object to this no nothing about it.
   
4. Weekends are the worst. It's amazing how much our lives revolve around food. If you can get through the weekend, you have won half the battle.
5. Plan, plan, plan! Plan how you are going to approach this, how you will make it to work, and what you are going to eat when you are done.
   
6. Always remember...This is only TEN days of your entire life. You can do it! If I did anyone can!
   

Master Cleanse Day 15 &16

I am a bit out of sorts, but think this is important to write for the whole master cleanse journal thing. So, yesterday, we finally had our quesadilla. We also had a tostada salad. I know I shouldn't have but I was pretty upset about my mom and I had some wine. On all counts - BOO!

Today I really could feel the yuck in me and I really didn't crave any of that anymore. You know, once you do the cleanse, you need to keep your body clean. At least I do. I feel so much better eating healthy.

I was pretty excited yesterday about everything, and while my mom is gone, I know she would want me to feel this way.