Coffee Break with Liz and Kate

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It started in the grocery store yesterday afternoon. I’d decided to fix tacos.

Usually, I keep it really (really) simple: shells, seasoned meat, Mexican cheese. I fill the taco shells prior to baking, making the tacos a tad bit easier to eat. And with only meat and cheese inside, I’m pretty much assured of the kids eating at least one.

But the other day, my brother mentioned his version of taco-making. Frankly, I was impressed. He breaks the shell in two and puts it on a bed of arugula (he has quite the obsession with that leafy green). Then he adds Mexican/Southwestern rice, meat, and continues to pile on cheeses, etc.

This method of taco-making, according to him, is the only way to go. While I didn’t admit it at the time, I bought into his idea. We’d have make-your-own-taco night, complete with arugula, rice and the works.

Until I walked through the aisles.  Granted, I did buy everything necessary. But suddenly, I was out of the mood. And when I say I was out of the mood, I mean that cooking in general seemed an overwhelming thought.

Oh, sure. We could have taco night tonight. But what about the next day, and the day after that? What would we have next week? Or next month?

In less than 20 minutes, I’d become overwhelmed with the thought of having to pour a bowl of cereal.

This is where Kate comes in (God love her).

Kate cooks nightly. She’s married with kids. Her family eats what she fixes and it probably doesn’t seem like a total bust to cook.

For St. Patricks Day, she fixed an all-green meal, which included green chicken, green mashed potatoes, green gravy, etc, etc, etc. I think you get the point.

Counter with my celebration: I carried a green purse. Not on purpose. Light green just happens to be the color of my purse.

So if anyone can come up with a weekly meal plan, I dare say it would be Kate.  That being said, here’s my challenge.

Kate will come up with seven evening meals with three items (burgers, fries and coleslaw, for example). I will pick a day to shop for all seven meals. That way, I break myself of running to the store every single day.

In return, I will also promise to stick to her menus, instead of opting for yet another Banquet chicken fingers meal for the sake of simplicity. I”ll pass along that pie recipe she’s been asking for.

I”ll be the guinea pig for countless others I know are out there, frozen in frustration at the thought of cooking dinner.

Kate, be our culinary wizard. We’re counting on you. I know you won’t let us down.

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