Cookbook Confirmation

They (whoever "they" is) say that the way to a man's heart is through is stomach.  I've also heard it said that men want to marry someone just like their mother.  One conclusion that can be made from these two things is that men want a woman who cooks just like mom did.  In this era of frozen and packaged foods and three ingredient recipes, this is a tall order for modern young women.

I am definitely not a young woman; I'm not sure about the modern part either.  However, I am sure that I was nervous about the first meal that I cooked for Weber.  It was somewhat impromptu and therefore had to be pulled together from ingredients that were already on hand in the pantry.  I decided to grill steaks.  Does the fact that I can grill a steak on an outdoor grill make me a modern woman?  Anyway, steak was easy and a fairly safe bet since I knew that he was not a vegetarian.  As is often the case, choosing a side dish was my big dilemma.  Baked potatoes are the standard with steak but I was out of those. Maybe rice?  What other kind of vegetables did I have?  What kind of vegetables did he like?  I debated with myself for awhile and finally decided on a favorite at our house, broccoli and rice casserole.  It sounds healthy.  It sounds wholesome.  It sounds safe.  It's made with Cheez Whiz.  Cheez Whiz is neither healthy or wholesome.  And I'm not really sure how safe it is.  But, it is good, especially when you don't know that is what you are eating.  How much of a risk was I taking to use Cheez Whiz in the first meal I prepared for this guy?  I took the chance.  It all worked out.

Fast forward a couple of years to today.  As I was looking through Weber's mom's cookbook I came across a recipe for Rice & Broccoli.  It calls for one cup of raw rice cooked.  This means no Minute Rice.  Did I mention that my recipe also uses Minute Rice?  Another abomination in the cooking world.  Her recipe involves both cooking on the stove and in the oven; mine relies solely on cooking in the microwave.  As I continued to read through the recipe I suddenly felt redeemed!  It calls for Cheez Whiz!  Actually it calls for Jalapeno Cheez Whiz.  Is that still available?  It doesn't matter.  I learned that Cheez Whiz had been the secret ingredient of cooks from a generation past.

Here are our two recipes.

No. 1

Rice and Broccoli

from Weber's Mom's cookbook

1 C. raw rice cooked

1 pkg. chopped broccoli thawed

Saute 1 large onion in 2 T. butter.  Add 1 can of cream of chicken soup, ! C. milk, and one can of cream of mushroom soup.  Add broccoli and 1 small jar of Jalapeno Cheez Whiz.  Cook until it bubbles good.  Pour over rice in a casserole.  Heat in oven until good and hot.  350 degrees.

(This recipe was handwritten by someone other than Weber's mom.)

No. 2

Broccoli and Rice Casserole

I can cream of chicken soup

I soup can of Minute Rice

I soup can of water

I package of chopped broccoli

I small jar of Cheez Whiz

Place all ingredients in a microwave safe two quart casserole dish.  Microwave on high for 14 minutes.

(This is also good with chunks of leftover chicken added.  This recipe comes highly recommended by Offspring No. 2.)

In case you find yourself in a cooking bind I offer you this.