It's been a busy 2012

In case you were wondering what I've been up to the past year, here's an e-card I sent out this holiday season that sums it up. I usually love sending holiday cards, but this year proved to be one of the busiest ever and I had to forgo sending paper cards this year for my sanity. Instead, I made a photo slideshow email card through Smilebox. People seemed to love it some much I might consider doing it again next year.

Happy new year!

Another free slideshow design by Smilebox

Cloth napkins: A virtual shopping spree

The quickest way to class up a dinner on the cheap is adding cloth dinner napkins. Here are some from my online window shopping trip:

JAQSstudio Eco-Friendly (via Etsy) - $3.38 each ($13.50 for a set of 4) 

Aprons: A virtual shopping spree

Holiday time usually means cracking open the wallet, but it doesn't have be a debt-ridden couple of months. Consider giving one or more aprons to your cook or hostess friend.

Aprons make a wonderful gift. In fact, I have three: one made of canvas for cutting meats, a lighter one for baking, and one for just looking cute when serving--guests are bound to arrive early to help.

Here are some suggestions during my online window shopping. (They get more pricey as you scroll down.)

World Market Gratitude Apron - $9.98 

Karen's favorite things on a budget

Some time back, I posted "Gadgets for the tiny kitchen." Now, I'm sharing some wonderful products that friends gave me during my bridal shower or that I bought myself after spending time in other people's kitchens, experimenting with these.

Here are my favorites that I've personally tested and can vouch for. Buy for yourself or another foodie friend:

Ikea tea towels
$0.79!

Yes, that's right. Just pennies. They're not great for drying dishes (because they're not very thick) but are super cute as napkins.

One-dish chicken legs

After a long hiatus, I'm bring back the blog. With the now no-so-new job and the wedding that's since passed, I'm trying to make time to eat right and cook at home more. BrokeAssFoodie helps me stay dedicated to those two goals.

I am a sucker for things called "one-dish" or "one-pot." Who hates cleaning up after dinner? This girl!

I modified this recipe from a bunch of different magazine recipes.

Ingredients:

• Pitted olives (sliced in half)
• Grape tomatoes (quartered)
• Thyme (a few springs)
• Cloves of garlic
• 1 lb. of chicken legs (skinless)
• olive oil
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Why don't my ingredients have amounts? That's because I rarely count (unless I'm baking). I basically think of the stuff I like and add more of it -- it's not at all scientific. I would recommend limiting the thyme (powerful stuff) and same with the cloves of garlic, but if you are on Team Jacob (and not Team Edward), pile on the garlic. Throw the ingredients except the chicken into a roasting pan. This was our roasting pan that's impossible to clean so I line it with tin foil.

Cooking for one?

I recently bought the book, "Serve Yourself: Nightly Adventures in Cooking for One." Kevin wasn't all that pleased that I brought home the book, seen as a giant F-you to him, declaring that I would never cook for him again. He really wasn't upset though. I bought the book mostly to talk to the author, Joe Yonan, food columnist for The Washington Post.

I asked Joe how he got to his dream job, writing about food for the Post. His response: "a lot of practice." I wasn't exactly sure if he meant writing or cooking, but I didn't probe Joe further and left his answer at that. Lots of practice! What wonderful, simple advice!

The premise for his book, though, cooking for one might not even exist anymore. Well, at least, that's what a study from The Hartman Group says. Entitled, "Clicks & Cravings: The Impact of Social Technology on Food Culture," the study says that single people who are "cooking for one" are still connecting with people through texts, social networks, or on recipe sites. In fact, 40 percent of people are getting their food advice from blogs, websites, and apps instead of their mom or family members, UPI reported.

I have mixed feelings about the study. Yes, it's true that social media helps connect people so that people are no longer eating by themselves in a room alone. But it's makes me sad to hear that people aren't going to their family members for recipes as much these days. That's my goal for this blog--to share the advice that I've gotten (and will continue to acquire) from friends and family. Hopefully, it works!

My love affair with the freezer

Yes, I know I've been away for some time. Work, wedding planning, life--although all good things---got in the way. Although I haven't been cooking as much, I've of course been eating during that time. Lately, a lot of food has been family-sized make-ahead meals that I freeze for later.

Here's what the freezer looks like right now. (Don't judge; it's a mess!)