A Recipe Disaster!

The other day, I had to dumpster dive to feed my family!

Well actually I was just looking for the the recipe.

Tristan loves to collect and play with boxes.  Not just any boxes.  He wants the boxes that food came in.  This obsession occasionally causes me problems when I am trying to cook. Last week, Tristan had dumped out the contents of the box onto the counter so he could have the box.   I put everything in a Ziploc bag so it would be all together when I was ready to cook it.

I left the house Sunday morning knowing I would be cooking dinner right after church.  I planned to cook a delicious box meal- Velveeta Cheesy Skillet.  Only the best home cooking for my family!  They deserve a nice hot meal, right?  I began browning some ground turkey.  Then I looked for the box of Velveeta Cheesy skillet.  I could NOT find it.  I then remembered Tristan had “borrowed” the box to play with.

Without the box it was impossible to know if I was to add water or milk and how much.  Was I to let it simmer of 5 or 10 minutes?  It is difficult to cook a box meal without the directions.  I decided to google it.  Google usually knows everything, right?  Google was not producing a recipe fast enough.  I decided to switch tactics.  Tristan emptied the recycling yesterday so I will go dumpster diving in the recycling bin!  I greeted Brian at the door.  He asked me where I was going.  I said I would explain in a minute I am trying to cook lunch.  I know it sounded like an odd response.  How could I be cooking lunch if I am headed out the front door?  Brian’s use to our interesting home.  No questions were asked.  So into the recycling bin I searched for the box.  I did not find it.  I did find another box meal– Hamburger Helper.  I came inside with it.  I explained to Brian I was not sure how to prepare the meal, but I would try my best.  I prepared a Cheesy Velveeta Skillet dinner with the Hamburger Helper directions.  It was almost done cooking and I quietly asked him to look at the meal.  I did not want to upset our teenage son.  I also did not want him to think I could not cook!  Brian looked at the meal and we agreed the powder cheese sauce did look clumpy and it had to much liquid.  Therefore Brian suggested I serve up the meal with a slotted spoon!   Every one ate their meal.  There was a little leftover. I looked at Brian and said, “I do not think I will save this.”  He agreed.

Several hours later…

I notice an empty box between the refrigerator and pantry cabinet.  I bent down and picked it up.  I could not believe it!  I shouted,”I can’t believe it!  I found the box to the cheesy skillet meal.”  I quickly grabbed both boxes.  Of course the meal was soupy I used 1 1/2 cups more liquid!

Enjoy another healthy dose of laughter from our home!