How about a really cool Citroen car commercial? Check out this dancing transformer.
Hurrah for the Sidekick
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not much of a cooking person. In fact, you could say I hate cooking. I hate the kitchen, in general, and my motto is 'a minute spent in the kitchen is a minute wasted', or something like that.
It's mostly because I don't love 'food' all that much, so I see absolutely no point in putting time and effort preparing it. Specially since for most foods, it takes more time to prepare them than it takes eating them. So, it's a totally inefficient process. I also hate cleaning and washing dishes and stuff.
Anyway, of course I do have to eat, and there's only so much take-out one can handle. Recently a friend of mine, who actually sort of enjoys cooking and food, told me about these Lipton Sidekicks. Now, I'm very pessimistic about food that comes in a box or packet. I mean, just because I don't like cooking doesn't mean that I eat junk or processed ready-made food.
So, taking my friend's recommendation, I decided to give these babies a try last week. They're basically pasta, with different flavours, that come in a packet which contains both the pasta and a powderish mixture which later miraculously transforms into a tasty sauce. I started with the Stroganov, since I sort of like beef stroganov.
The result, was actually quite amazing!!! I mean, this sort of stuff is usually bland and tasteless. But this one had quite a taste; creamy, rich and full of flavour. I tried a couple of different ones and they were pretty good too.
Best of all, they're like dirt-cheap, and it takes 15 mins max to make them (you basiclaly add pasta + powder thingy which is in the package to boiling water + milk + butter until the pasta cooks and the water evaporates). Add to that some oven swedish meatballs (also from a box, although a different box!) and you've got yourself a heck of a royal meal.
So ... needless to say, that's what I've been having for the past week, and I thotoughly recommend it to anyone who doesn't really enjoy cooking but doesn't want to eat garbage either. The only bad thing is the 'stir frequently' part, which means I have to actually be in the kitchen for a good part of the 15 mins.
What's next? Self-stirring pots. Add self-cleaning while u're at it too.
.
You're totally right about the efficiency of eating for pleasure. It just doesn't work, that's why I don't do it. However, eating for survival is a pretty good deal: I spend maybe 10 minutes preparing each meal, do that 3 times and I stay alive for another 24 hours. THAT seems worthwhile.
You, on the other hand, should just walk around with an IV drip of essential nutrients.
by deaner at June 13, 2005 12:16 AM
You guys are both crazy!! Looks like you're heading down the path to "scurvey" and "beri beri" real fast!! Not to mention missing out on one of life's joys: food!!
I recommend watching more "Iron Chef" on TV. If that doesn't "stir" your dormant culinary senses, nothing will!!!
arigato gozymus, mushi mushi!! :)
by gooz by bashki at June 13, 2005 06:19 AM
hehehe
by legofish at June 14, 2005 05:38 PM
I used to love Lipton Cup of Soups when I was younger. It sounds like they have really upgraded their cuisine in the past 20 years or so! Actually, I have learned to enjoy cooking. I don't spend a huge amount of time in the kitchen, I put meats and veggies in pots and and let the stove do the rest of the work. Still have to clean up, though. Hey, I recommend Iron Chef, too. That show is great fun!
Btw, thanks for your email. Ehsan has finally posted again!
by David at June 14, 2005 07:54 PM
Yeah, back in school I used to put a lot of effort into cooking... but I think that was just because it was more fun than studying.
Iron Chef? Not so much for me. I prefer the dude that goes Bam.
Bam!
by deaner at June 15, 2005 08:59 PM
BTW, Superman IS a total dick. I never noticed that before. I wonder why Lois and Lana are into him...
Maybe it's the abs.
by deaner at June 15, 2005 09:00 PM
as someone with a couple of years of experience with nasty & powdery ready-made pastas, i can tell you that you'll get tired of the Lipton packs soon + not a good idea if you are working out .. of course, you could spend that 1 hour of cooking in the gym, so :)