Burnin' Down The House

Isaiah's mom always reassures me that she had plenty of kitchen disasters over the years while she was learning how to cook.  That does little to ease the pain of my latest kitchen blunder.

I decided tonight to make Anderson and Isaiah ham and pinto bean soup for dinner, since I was going out for my monthly girls' night.  I originally wanted to make it in the crockpot, but was running behind on time, so I called my fabulous mother-in-law for her wisdom and advice.  Sure enough, she told me just what to do and I was off and running.  I mean...hey, it's an easy dish.  Throw it all in and cook it.  Right?

Oh, not for me.

Her instructions were, and I quote: "Cover the ham hocks with water and boil the shit out of them."  hahaha.  So I didn't worry about checking on them until I was ready to put the beans in.  I had noticed a slight burning smell, so I got up to do a quick check and yellow smoke came billowing out and filled up my whole house!  (Luckily, Anderson wasn't home).

Here is the spoiled dish.  I guess I have to chalk this one up to paying my dues, right?  (although I wish it had been on something a bit more fancy than ham & bean soup...)

Pretty bad, right?  My eyes are still burning from the smoke.

Sigh.  Please send me lots of reassuring comments letting me know you've done this too.  :-)