Good Fixin's

Many moons ago when we lived at our apartment and eeeeevil Publix was close enough to walk to, I stopped in for some essentials on the way home from work. I only did that when it was one or two items that I didn't want to drive all the way to Wal-Mart for (which is my preferred grocery store because I don't CARE what "bad" things people in big cities or New England say about Wal-Mart!!), even though Publix is ridiculously expensive.

In the back of the store, I noticed free recipe cards, in full glossy color, and pre-hole-punched. As one who values efficiency and needs all the culinary aid I can get, I was totally impressed. The catch -- it would be more convenient if you paid the $7 to buy the binder (with tabbed dividers) to put those nice cards in. But I figured, if the store keeps providing free new cards, basically you've just paid $7 for a nice cookbook.

But these "Apron's" cards, as they are called, have more than just the recipe on them. Each card contains: a shopping list (organized by location in the store), required utensils and cookware, prep time, at least 2 recipes (the entree AND a side dish), the sequence in which to cook each item, suggestions for additional simple side items, nutrition facts for each dish, and shortcuts/tips.

HOW COOL IS THAT. You don't need to think at all about what to serve with your entree! Everything is laid out for you. The recipes, and all the other information, are online, and they even provide video (of someone making it, I assume; I haven't watched it to know).

So a few weeks ago, I made Dijon Thyme Pork with Scalloped Potatoes and Apples. The recipe can be found here. John has never raved about anything I've made as much as he raved about this one. Seriously, it was almost embarrassing. (That's not to say that he doesn't show great appreciation for other things I've cooked, but they're ordinary meals, like meatloaf. I could serve that every day of the week, and he would think he's in heaven.)

I've got quite a collection of recipe cards in my little binder, but now Publix is very far away from our house. I'm not even sure where the nearest Publix is. But I think one is being built a few blocks away, so eventually I'll be able to nip into Publix and score some cards without buying anything.

In the mean time, I've tried not to bite my nails too much over the fact that in the 3 months since I've visited a Publix, who knows how many cards have gone out of circulation that I didn't get. O the perfectionist agony of not having a complete set!