30 minutes or less?

[KarenB]

Just made the creamy chicken with mushrooms from the 30 minutes or less section (April 01). It was really good, but it took more than 30 minutes to complete. Seems like I always take longer than the suggested time. Does anyone else have this problem or am I just slow?

[PatLB]

Karen,
You are not alone. It almost always takes me longer. Some of that is because I don't have all the ingredients chopped etc. And also because I'm also preparing another food at the same time or have a phone call or family interruption.

[emilycat]

There's no way I ever finish anything in those alotted 30 minutes -- maybe I'm just a slow with preparations, but it always takes me longer to get my stuff together. Although I must admit that I often make up for it by not cooking things as long...I never cook my onions, other veggies or seafood for as long as suggested.

[lindrusso]

Well, I'm glad to hear it's not just me! Seems to me that many of these recipe don't put in enough time for chopping. For me, almost any quick recipe means that you are chopping no more than 2-3 items!! I'm just not one of those ginsu-knife guys who chop soooo fast you're just sure they're going to add a finger to the mix http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif !!!!!

[emilycat]

I'm with you, lindrusso, on the chopping thing -- my fingers have already had a couple of unfortunate encounters with knives, bagel cutters, etc.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

It must just be that we love to savor the preparation process... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[aka]

I'm with you guys. "30 minutes or less" often means for me that I can expect it to be done in an hour or less. Maybe CL should invite a "regualar person" into their test kitchen to test these times. I'd defintely volunteer for that job!

Speaking of "30 minutes or less", I was home sick yesterday and looking through my pile of CL and came across an CL "special edition" I picked up at a garage sale: "Quick & Easy Weeknights" It has a "sell by" date of October 10, 1995. Anyone have this and if so, any recipe recommendations? Several look good to me...I'll post them as I try them (along with an accurate completion time!)

Lilia

[Ohioan]

Originally posted by emilycat:
my fingers have already had a couple of unfortunate encounters with knives, bagel cutters, etc.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

It must just be that we love to savor the preparation process... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Ah, but how much do our guests savor us when we become part of the prepared product? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif (Just kidding! Just kidding!)

Cuttingly (or sharply? edgily?),
Phoebe

[funnybone]

Didn't I hear recently where someone found the top of a finger in some food in a restaurant? Or was it on a TV show. I can't remember, but it was gross either way.