Shopping in kilos and grams, but cooking in pounds and ounces.

I am not a cook, never have been. I have never received pleasure from cooking. It was just a chore that had to be done every day at 5 O’clock to feed 4 children and hungry husband. I guess I did all right, the kids all lived. I enjoyed it even less as I went from cooking for 6 to cooking for 2, meals became very simple, even a bowl of chili or soup and sandwiches. I never quite figured out what wine pairs nicely with pancakes, but that was another dinner favorite.

Now I’m cooking for one which is basically snacking or eating out. But there is the occasion pot luck get together that requires bringing something to share, something edible. So off to the store I will use my “go to” pot luck recipe. It requires 2 lbs of meat, which I have to by in kilos. Then the substitutions have to be dealt with. My recipe says Velveta cheese, the store does not have Velveta, but checking on line I find that I can substitute sliced American cheese, or Cheese Wiz. Since I don’t consider Cheese Wiz to be actually food I go with the American cheese. Which in itself is a misnomer because none of them are actually cheese. Then I look for two 15 oz cans of tomato sauce which turns out to be a 1 kilogram carton of tomato sauce, a little over, but close enough. And all this has to be done in a language which I’m only semi familiar with and paid for in a money that adds up to several thousands for a small basket of groceries. All part of the fun in living in Zihuatanejo.

I tip my cab driver generously for carrying my groceries up one flight of stairs to my apartment and then come the fun of trying to assemble these groceries into something edible to share with friends.

This dish is simply called “Mostacoli” and it is Greek in origin and was a family favorite.

I weigh the meat on my luggage scale to change the kilos to pounds, my regular kitchen scale has broken and I haven’t found a replacement here. I realize I’m a little shy on meat but I think it will be OK. I need to brown the meat and onions, but of course I only have one small fry pan so it has to be done in batches. Midway thru this phase I realize it was supposed to be fried in the oil with the spices, quickly I add all that and finish cooking it. Mean time I have the mostacoli noodles cooking. Why I cooked the whole box I-don’t know, as I am only going to use about half or less. The pan I am using is a 7 inch square pan I borrowed as I didn’t have any baking pans.

Now for the cheese sauce. Melt the butter, added the milk and flour. Start unwrapping the American cheese slices, only to discover that I had bought two packages of different weights and now I’m confused as to how much cheese to add. More is better is my thinking. Meanwhile plastic cheese wrappers are being whipped around the room by the fan, I have a sink full of pots pans and utensils to be washed. Oh the joy’s of cooking!

Everything is layered in the pan, I just need to bake it right before I leave for the pot luck. Remind me not to do this again, far too stressful. Next time I’ll bring my standard deviled eggs. Hard boiling eggs is more my style. Signing off, KO