Drama In The Kitchen

Millie – The Accidental Cook

It has sorta become the norm for our home on Sunday mornings, early in the morning I attempt to finish up the midday meal. It was sorta scary at first, then it became embarrassing and now it just sorta seems normal.

It does grab attention especially as we try to catch it before the troops arrive. You may have guessed by now that it is that telltale smoke detector. Now, mind you, I am so thankful for it but it just does not understand me. I have attempted cooking for years now, that is, cooking my way. There have to be some short cuts. I am just trying to find them.

My shortcut on this Sunday was to use the same pot to cook the bacon that I was going to use for my string beans. Seems perfectly reasonable to me that you could do this and then you would only have to wash one pot. I do not normally use bacon drippings in my string beans but I was following a suggestion from one of my critics to add a little taste to that can of string beans.

I got out my bean cooking pot and placed two slices of bacon in it, cut the exhaust fan on and covered it so that I didn’t get the smell all over the house. The problem was I got busy on another dish and totally forgot that I had put the burner on high (we have a gas stove). One thing about that smoke detector it is sensitive, loud and clear and so it started buzzing, so much so, that my Mister appeared in the kitchen with a towel trying to get the smoke to clear so that it would stop. It finally did and then I received instructions as to how to prevent it in the future.

For the record, I never even thought about the fact that bean pots are not like frying pans. They are just not made for frying bacon but it was a good thought and would have saved some dishwashing.

My critic was right about the taste, those were some of the best string beans I have ever tasted. You know down under all of that dark heavy black smoke was two of the crispiest pieces of bacon imaginable and it was just what those string beans needed. Of course, I had to change pots to make it happen.

These string beans would be the perfect compliment to Mrs. Mat’s Tangy Chicken recipe, you could add mashed potatoes, rolls and dessert – enjoy!

Mrs. Mat’s Tangy Chicken

2 teaspoons salt
¼ cup melted butter
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic
1 tablespoon grated onion
½ teaspoon red pepper
¼ teaspoon thyme
1 fryer chicken – cut up

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl, except the chicken. Dip individual pieces of chicken in mixture and place in a shallow baking dish, skin side up. Cover with aluminum foil and bake @ 350 for approximately 1 hour, then uncover, return to oven, and allow to brown. Ovens vary, so always check for doneness.

Til next time,

Millie – The Accidental Cook