Food: Meatloaf results are in

My last column in The Forum will let you know, my meatloaf lost hard to Cristy and Manfriend.

Ah, well. I think everyone can agree the surprise strawberry short cake Jen brought was the best dish of all.

Thanks, everyone, for all your help!

Bulky chicken

This whole not having money thing means I've been eating at home a lot more, which in turn means I'm learning more about the value of knowing how to make something yummy with the food stuff that's been in the cupboard for a smidge bit too long.

For example, adding chicken stock to the water for instant rice. It adds much more flavor and since I usually have some stock in the pantry it doesn't cost anything more. (Thanks, Andrew!)

Or learning the combination of paprika, cayenne and pepper flakes will make salsa just as spicy as the jalapeno pepper I didn't buy. Oh and if I add some cumin I pretty much can make anything taste like Mexican.

And of course, the best trick for getting by when you can't go out is butter. Seriously, just add a little extra butter and the extra richness will make you think you're eating out.

I almost forgot to mention the salt. Ava's cousin said, "If something tastes a little off I just add a little salt and it's better." It's true, kids. Seriously, a pinch of Kosher will you get you far.

Then there's the tested truth of buying in bulk to save money. Sure this means I've eaten chicken for nearly every dinner since last Sunday. Just switch up the spices from the cupboard. One night it's Mexican (paprika, cayenne, cumin) the next it's Italian (oregano, thyme, rosemary and basil) and another it's American (garlic, onion and barbecue sauce) . Thus the monotony of eating chicken is staved off for a few days.

That is until the Cheez-Its I'm eating run out and I'm back to more chicken with lots of butter and a little bit of salt. Maybe, I'll try Japanese chicken tonight. After all I have some soy sauce in my fridge full of condiments.

Boy, boy, boy

So my friend Walt and I have been having this discussion about gross food challenges. You know, like the Gallon Challenge where a person tries to drink an entire gallon of milk in an hour or the Onion Challenge where a person tries to eat an entire onion.

Well, Walt has never actually participated in these challenges, but he likes to bet his friends (a bunch of college boys) that they can't do things like eat four Big Macs in 20 minutes. Last time Walt did this he lost $45.

Have you seen boys eat? Of course, they can do eat vast amounts of food in no time. It's amazing! College boys chowing down is like watching a magician. Food. Just. Disappears.

So about two minutes ago I get a text from Walt, "Twenty-five chicken nuggets in ten minutes. You in?" Uhh...no. I might eat a lot, but I don't eat that much. Last time I checked the best way to pack it in is to eat nice and slow.

Heehee. Anyone else ever eat way more than they should for just a few bucks?

Update: Walt successfully ate 25 chicken nuggets in a half hour. Surprisingly, no one lost any money or their lunch. Amazing what a tummy can take!