The Chicken Soup

I've been very sick the last few days, miserable, congested and sick in every way, and to top it off: I have no appetite. Last night I begged my mom for chicken soup and she used this golden opportunity to try and teach me the most popular Persian and American remedy to an illness. She said there's no better time to learn to make chicken soup than when you're sick and desperate for it.

I went down to Ralph's (owned by Kroger) and purchased a twin pack of game hen that were about 2lbs each, marjoram, fresh parsley, a large onion, baby carrots, and chicken bouillon. I looked up several recipes on the web and they common denominator to all of them said to put the greens like parsley and marjoram and bay leaves in last and throw everything in a pressure cooker for 20 minutes.

The game hen was frozen so step 1 was to defrost in the microwave for 10 minutes. Then the grossest part of the recipe, cleaning the bird! The hen needed to be cleaned and its skin peeled back. Fortunately this particular hen had already been cleaned out and I didn't have to deal with the gore and guts.
Step 2 throw it all in minus the parsley, marjoram, and wait 20 minutes with the pressure cooker steaming away! After 20 minutes put the pressure cooker under cold water to reduce the heat and pressure. Take the top off and add the rest of the ingredients and let boil topless for 10 minutes.

I wish I was made healthy from it- but I was rather ill after indulging in its tastiness.

The Meat was Amazing!

I got home from a long day of work, tired and feeling ill, and a sink full of dirty dishes awaited me. I turned on the water and while waiting for it to heat up threw the marinated bowl of meat onto a pan and left it on Medium-High. I washed the dishes, turned the meat over, dried the dishes, and dinner was done! I still was rather hesitant to try the food considering I think that I am genetically erred when it comes to being able to cook well. So I did the ultimate test; I took the food to my fiance who is an incredibly picky eater and has lost his appetite with his recent cold. He looked up at the plate with pleading eyes to not be disturbed and I begged and bribed until he took his first bite.

Once his puckered face started chewing the meat I realized I am on a very lucky streak. I took the next bite and realized that this incredibly easy recipe made the meat tender, juicy, and incredibly savory.

Thank you God!

Saving the Meat

I think I'm getting the flu from my dear fiancé and I haven't had much of an appetite. However, when my mother brought home hamburger meat I was overjoyed at another opportunity to practice my cooking. I marinated the meat in thinly sliced onions, olive oil, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper. It's been marinating and I doubt I will go back to the kitchen tonight. ...I suppose its useless to try cooking if you rarely have an appetite. Here's to tomorrow and hopes that I will try the meat!