Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Sometimes, being too cheap doesn't work out in the end. The other day I had to decide on jarred spaghetti sauce. Seeing as though I was at Price Chopper, I decided to buy their brand name sauce since it was the absolute cheapest. What a mistake. This sauce has ruined one too many meals for me. It didn't help that I bought the fat-free one, either. I don't know what was wrong with it, but it was foul. The other day I tried it on some pasta, and ended up trying to mask the taste with nooch, chili flakes, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. It didn't help much. Today I was desperate for food, so I tried again. This time I sauteed some garlic first, then added the sauce. Nope. Disaster. I hate to waste, but this time I will make an exception.

Maybe the other jar of PC brand sauce will be better? It is some kind of garlic flavor, so maybe it won't be so bad.

Tonight I also tried to make pudding using some Ghirardelli hot cocoa mix. That didn't work out too well either. I've been making this hot cocoa practically every day since it is delicious (hazelnut hot cocoa!) and every time I make it I think about how it looks a lot like pudding when you make it on the stove. I came up with the bright idea of adding some cornstarch. I added it, cooked and stirred for awhile, but it never got as firm as it should get. I poured it into little bowls anyway and threw them in the fridge. Taking them out later, I found that it hadn't solidified any further. It looked like super thick, cold cocoa or extremely runny pudding. It was also entirely too sweet for my adult palate. Really, I can't eat things that are too sweet anymore - I feel like an old lady. I tried a few bites (or licks?) and I just couldn't do it. I put it back in the fridge for some reason. I tried it again later, and it was no better. I gave up and dumped it into the sink.

So instead of anything semi-nutritious or delicious tonight, I had ziti with earth balance, salt and pepper, two expired fruitabu's, and some trail mix with raisins, sunflower seeds, pepitas, almonds and some other crunchy things. I did have hot cocoa for breakfast and leftover pad thai for lunch, so today wasn't too awful.

3 comments:

Jody from VegChic said...

That stinks about the sauce. Usually I buy some funky sauce from the clearance rack at the back of the store. They've all been pretty tasty though.

That rib recipe at the bottom is one I actually dig. It sounded gross with PB in it, but the finished product is might tasty.

...Saw your post on PPK about Monadnock. I'd totally hike that with you guys sometime. Once I hiked down Monadnock in the dark after a thunderstorm with friends. It is an entertaining and long story.

allicia said...

Jody! I'm so excited that somebody is actually reading my blog!

I would love to go to Monadnock with you sometime. Last time I went, the snow was melting. There was only one trail open, and it was basically like trying to climb up a muddy waterfall.

PS. I love the soap you made. I'm halfway through my second bar and it works so well. Thanks again! Anytime you need butterscotch chips, you know who to go to.

Anonymous said...

next time you try to make any sort of pudding, use arrowroot. It sets better and doesn't taste starchy like corn starch. Also, cornstarch must be heated up to set properly, whereas arrowroot only needs to be warm. be careful to mix it gradually or separately with a little water to prevent clumping.