August 10, 2010 Heather Trim

heatherainetrim@yahoo.com

    When learning to cook, it takes some trial and error. You may find yourself filling the kitchen with smoke and frightening your roommates with the smoke detector, but everyone has done it.
    This recipe comes right off the easy-peasy list — even a monkey could do it. It involves the most basic tasks: boiling water and browning meat. If you’re new to cooking, this is the meal with which to start, and it’s only $2.89 per serving.

    (Based on approximate Wal-Mart prices. Serves 4.)
    1 bag of Cheese Ravioli: $2.27 (Found in frozen section next to garlic bread)
    1 can of Ragu Spaghetti Sauce: $1.82
    1 lb Ground Beef: $2.87
    Parmesan Cheese: $2.42
    Pillsbury Bread Sticks: $2.18 (The cylinder container in the dairy section)
    Total: $11.56

    Spices: $0.99 each (Prices vary according to brand)
    Italian Seasoning (Includes basil, oregano & more)
    Dried Basil (A sweet flavor)
    Oregano (A bitter flavor)
    Garlic Powder (Notice it’s powder, not Garlic Salt)
    Crushed Red Pepper (Seriously spicy taste — beware)

    Grab that big pot and fill it with water. If you’re short on time, fill it with hot water from the tap so it’ll boil faster — a lid on the pot will help, too. Preheat oven for the bread sticks to 375 degrees (or according to package directions).

    Slap the ground beef in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Cut apart with your spatula. Brown on the underside then turn over gently so the grease doesn’t splatter on your clothes. Stay close to the stove when browning meat. Think of it as a high-maintenance friend who needs constant monitoring.

    While the meat is cooking, lay out the bread sticks on a cookie sheet according to package directions. Place on rack for 10 to 13 minutes. Give the sticks extra flavor with butter, garlic powder and parmesan cheese. Yum.

    Once the meat is cooked through, you’ll need to pour out the grease from the pan. Pour it through a strainer into a bowl. Pour off grease as best you can.
    Note: You shouldn’t pour grease down the sink, it’ll clog. So leave it on the counter to cool. It’ll harden to scrape into the trash later. But if you can’t leave it on the counter in your community kitchen, just step outside and pour behind a bush or something.

    Add the spaghetti sauce to meat and heat through. You can add Italian seasoning, or basil, oregano and garlic powder. Make it to your tastes.

    Once your water is boiling, pour in the bag of ravioli. They only take three minutes to cook. Usually you can tell it’s done because they’re floating. Remove from water with a colander or a spoon.
    Serve with the meat sauce, top with parmesan cheese and warm bread sticks. You can do it!

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