The First Lesson (OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

In January, I challenge everyone who can cook to help someone who can't, learn to make some dishes. I feel like all adults should know how to cook. And anyone not helping them is doing them a disservice. Well, a lady, whose blog name will be Emma asked what was my goto dish to teach people to make. I actually have two. One for pre-teens for breakfast & lunch and one for ages 13 and older for dinner.

Grilled cheese sandwiches are the simplest hot sandwich known to man. Advance sandwiches add meat and vegetables, but the basic recipe is bread with melted cheese inside. And it's easy peasy.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices white bread
• 1 tablespoon butter, divided in half
• 2 slices American or Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat skillet over medium heat. Generously butter one side of a slice of bread.
2. Place bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add 1 slice of cheese.
3. Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of the sandwich.
4. Grill until lightly browned and flip over; continue grilling until cheese is melted.
5. Serve & Eat Immediately

Contrary to popular belief, every meal is not an elaborate one. Most people who cook will admit to at least to three favorite simple favorites. Ask them. Here is one of mine.

Chicken & Spinach-Lemon Rice

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 (16-ounce) package chicken breast tenders
• 1 teaspoon purchased minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice of your choice
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cups spinach leaves, cut into thin strips

Directions

1. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet; add chicken tenders and garlic. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally until browned and no longer pink.
2. Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.
3. Add all remaining ingredients except spinach to same skillet. Cook over high heat, 2-3 minutes, until mixture comes to a boil.
4. Cover; reduce heat to low. Cook for 10-20 minutes, until all of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Stir in spinach.
6. Serve chicken over rice immediately.

One day I hope those I've helped to make a dish understand I just want them to be self-sufficient in feeding themselves. Especially these two, Alura & CJ, the niece & nephew in my auntiest looking picture to date. (No, I don't drink dark liquor & listen to Jeffrey Osborne while I make the good potato salad. I listen to Dru Hill & drink tea. LoL) The Chinese proverb says, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". Well, a man can't eat raw fish all the time.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!