you don’t get maillard reactions in the microwave

This meal couldn’t cope with that much flavor.

im always looking for cheap ways to inject flavor in my meals from my ramen and pb&j days. the oils used to grill are also extra filling easy calories and i like to use some of the leftover grease from frying the meat to grill the buns, it would just get wasted otherwise.

Justified. But if I add too much flavor on a wife designed meal she says I ruined it. She likes her comfort food bland.

well we wouldn’t want your wife’s socks getting knocked off now would we

You haven’t felt an icy shoulder until you have ruined your spouse’s comfort foods by trying to make them better.

I remember when I knew this would be an ongoing issue. She sat there with a scratch made pierogi on a fork. Just looking at it. “What’s wrong?” “I’m going to taste this and then I’ll never be able to enjoy freezer pierogi again.” “Sure you will.” “No. Those have been great my whole life. But I’m going to taste this and every pierogi I’ve ever had will suddenly suck. And if I eat another freezer pierogi I’ll think about this one and wish I had it.”

I never made them from scratch again.

I put the buns in the microwave for 30 seconds

You haven’t felt an icy shoulder until you have ruined your spouse’s comfort foods by trying to make them better.

I remember when I knew this would be an ongoing issue. She sat there with a scratch made pierogi on a fork. Just looking at it. “What’s wrong?” “I’m going to taste this and then I’ll never be able to enjoy freezer pierogi again.” “Sure you will.” “No. Those have been great my whole life. But I’m going to taste this and every pierogi I’ve ever had will suddenly suck. And if I eat another freezer pierogi I’ll think about this one and wish I had it.”

I never made them from scratch again.

Justified. But if I add too much flavor on a wife designed meal she says I ruined it. She likes her comfort food bland.

I let my wife pick dinner again. I offered her oven fries but she opted for instant mashed potatoes with instant chicken gravy. She regrets that decision. But it was tasty.

Beef was free. Cost per person: $1.30 Cost if you have to buy the beef: $3.55

Bonus pic. Worst miss en place ever is in the comments.

I need to stop asking what they want. Roast me in the comments.

I let my wife pick dinner again. I offered her oven fries but she opted for instant mashed potatoes with instant chicken gravy. She regrets that decision. But it was tasty.

Beef was free. Cost per person: $1.30 Cost if you have to buy the beef: $3.55

Bonus pic. Worst miss en place ever is in the comments.

I need to stop asking what they want. Roast me in the comments.

my wife actually tends to like when i make food better.

I let my wife pick dinner again. I offered her oven fries but she opted for instant mashed potatoes with instant chicken gravy. She regrets that decision. But it was tasty.

Beef was free. Cost per person: $1.30 Cost if you have to buy the beef: $3.55

Bonus pic. Worst miss en place ever is in the comments.

I need to stop asking what they want. Roast me in the comments.

I let my wife pick dinner again. I offered her oven fries but she opted for instant mashed potatoes with instant chicken gravy. She regrets that decision. But it was tasty.

Beef was free. Cost per person: $1.30 Cost if you have to buy the beef: $3.55

Bonus pic. Worst miss en place ever is in the comments.

I need to stop asking what they want. Roast me in the comments.

Smash and mash

Looks amazing! I love simple burgers and fries but we have been eating those instant mashed potatoes lately and they are really good.

Get the baby red Idaho version if you like baby red potatoes. So good and cheap at $1.50.

I normally make my mashed potatoes from scratch. It was my first job in the kitchen. And then one day at a gay club in San Diego I discovered Idahoan made an acceptable quick option that was sometimes cheaper than the real deal. I am not known for my brand loyalty. I will normally buy the generic if it’s the same basic thing. But for over 20 years I have been exclusively Idahoan until last night when I made this with Great Value brand.

The basic butter option worked. They don’t have the red potato option so I will still have to occasionally get the Idahoan.

I will give those a shot. We are always on a time crunch to make dinner, so quick and tasty is usually our go to. Thanks!