Cookie Central

I have been baking cookies like a mad man. I think I gave out about 40 bags of cookies..

http://family.webshots.com/photo/2722843590103476483sSJkfe

I just moved and settled into my new place. Here is part of the kitchen that I love.

Chili tonight

For some reason I had a craving for chili tonight.  I looked at a couple of recipes on Food Network then came up with my own.
I used red onions, much milder then white, half of a green bell pepper, one jalepino pepper (seeds out, not as hot that way).
I large can peeled tomatoes that I cut up perfectly, 2 cloves of garlic. a little white wine and a small amount of white vinegar.
I prefer black beans over kidney beans which is what I used.
The seasoning was basic chili powder, cumin, some hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
With the white rice and a little sour cream on the side it was even better then I expected.
and some fresh Italian Presley since Im not that fond of cilantro, I find it too overpowering of the other favours.

Chicken with rosemary and garlic, mashed potatoes and escarolle

Here is my first example of a great meal for two for 10 dollars.

Just get some bone in chicken breasts, insert fresh rosemary, garlic cloves and some lemon skin under the skin. Roast in 350 degree oven and once it has browned a bit pour some white wine into the pan and also some butter. Continue cooking till internal temperature of 160 about one hour. 

For my mashed potatoes I just mash them with a fork to retain some pieces of potato, I use butter, half and half and kosher salt and fresh pepper. 

For the escarolle, I blanch the escarolle then shock it (place in water and ice) to retain the green color. Then squeeze out all the water, chop and add to saute pan with olive oil and chopped garlic, season with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.

Dinner for 10 dollars

I have been cooking for meals for myself and my room mate for 5 years now and realized that we eat VERY well spending less money then it costs to go to your local fast food establishment.
I have purchased the domain dinnerfortendollars.com and and going to start to work on the content so I can launch the site.
My goal is to show people how much better you can eat for less then the garbage you get from your local take out place. Healthier, fresher, not time consuming and in general fun.