Read Online The Can't Cook Book: Recipes for the Absolutely Terrified! by Jessica Seinfeld - Free Book Online

You can measure and pour, right? That’s the bulk of the work, I promise.
     
    1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes
    2 cans (15 oz. each) kidney beans
    1 yellow onion
    1 bell pepper
    1 T. e.v. olive oil
    1 pound ground chuck or sirloin (85% to 90% lean)
    3 T. chili powder
    1 tsp. ground cumin
    1 / 2 tsp. chipotle chile powder
    2 T. tomato paste
    1 T. cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
    1 T. dark brown sugar
    1 1 / 2 tsp. kosher salt
    1 / 4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
    1 c. water
    Your favorite toppings
    Tools needed: cutting board, chef’s knife, measuring cups and spoons, wooden spoon, can opener, large pot, strainer, kitchen timer.
    * How-to:
    Chop an onion
Don’t Panic: Chopping an onion and bell pepper is the only thing you need to do with your knife. The rest is very easy.
     
    1.   Open the can of tomatoes and drain and rinse the beans.
     
    2.   Chop the onion and push to one side of the cutting board. * Cut the bell pepper into 1-inch pieces. To do this, first cut into quarters from stem to bottom, then cut out and discard the seeds and white part. Cut each piece in half again, then cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces.
     
    3.   Place a large pot (5- to 6-qt.) on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high.
     
    4.   Measure and pour in the oil and heat until it shimmers (1 to 2 minutes). Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the meat and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
     
    5.   Set up your dry ingredients by the stove. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and chipotle powder and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste. Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper (about 12 turns on a pepper mill). Add the beans to the pot along with the water and let come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer (low boil), stirring occasionally, for at least 20 minutes to develop the flavors (you may have to lower the heat if it starts to boil too rapidly).
     
    6.  If the chili becomes too thick, you can add up to 1 / 2 c. more water. Serve as is or with your favorite toppings, like grated Cheddar, sour cream, and chopped red onion.
     

Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf
    ACTUAL WORK TIME: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | SERVES: 4 to 6
     
    I top this ol’-timer with bacon. Its crispy bits and smoky flavor are enough to drive a man (or lady) wild.
     
    Cooking spray
    1 / 2 of a 10-oz. box frozen chopped spinach
    1 / 4 c. low-fat or whole milk
    1 / 4 c. dried bread crumbs
    2 large eggs
    1 small yellow onion
    1 1 / 4 lbs. ground chuck or sirloin (85% to 90% lean)
    1 / 2 c. grated Parmesan
    1 / 2 tsp. garlic powder
    1 / 2 tsp. onion powder
    1 / 2 tsp. kosher salt
    1 / 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
    5 strips bacon
    Tools needed: 8 1 / 2 x 4 1 / 2 -inch loaf pan, strainer, cutting board, chef’s knife, food processor (optional), measuring cups and spoons, cheese grater (if grating it yourself), small bowl, large bowl, fork, kitchen timer, instant-read thermometer.
    * How-to:
    Chop an onion
Don’t Panic: Chopping an onion and getting your hands dirty mixing the meat might scare you, but I bet you’ve faced more adversity than this in your lifetime.
     
    1.   Heat the oven (with the oven rack in the middle) to 400°F. Coat the inside of an 8 1 / 2 x 4 1 / 2 -inch loaf pan with cooking spray. To thaw the spinach, place in a strainer and pass under hot running water until thawed, then squeeze out all of the excess water. In a small bowl, combine the milk and bread crumbs and set aside for a few minutes to soften.
     
    2.   Crack the eggs into a large bowl and beat with a fork. Chop the onion * (you can also use a food processor for this) and add it to the eggs. Add the meat, Parmesan, garlic and onion powders, salt, and pepper (about 24 turns on a pepper mill). Add the milk-soaked bread crumbs and thawed spinach. Using your hands, gently mix all the ingredients until well