The Official What's For Dinner thread:Thursday 1-24-08? Recipe finder in OP. Enjoy! Part 2

[FormrCastMbr]

Ooh, I just picked up a birthday lunch for me and my mom--and yummo! I got a Country Club Caprese--has pesto, tomato, mozzerella, and proscuitto. And then we got a cheese sampler--a mustard seed cheese, one with cranberries and some bleu cheese; came with crostini, fresh fruit and smoked almonds!! Makes up for the hamburger helper tonight

Is is your birthday? Are you hiding something from us? Did I miss something? Maybe its your Mom's bday? Happy Birthday!!!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

There is one catch, though. We love updates....just ask Lauren.... so please keep us posted .

 

[Zandy595]

I have a small dilemma... I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to go to DB & SIL's house for Easter because we are going to the inlaws', but I think we're going to try to do both now. I just asked SIL what I should bring and she said drinks and gravy. Gravy? How do you make gravy if you aren't making the meat? I'm not even sure what kind of meat they're having (waiting on the answer). We also live an hour away. Does gravy travel well? LOL

 

[Nancyg56]

Kady is home ! The Dr found bumps on her esophagus, tummy wall and intestines. It means that there are food allergies, and it has been mimicking her reflux. That is why she has been feeling so lousy lately. It is almost impossible to tell what is causing the reaction, but it is treatable. The Dr is going to check the samples out and get back to my DD. Thanks again for all of the prayers and well wishes. I appreciate you so much .

 

[TigerKat]

Nancy - that is wonderful news, I know how relieved you are!

 

[nucpharm29]

Lauren--Mom's bday not mine--believe me, if it were mine, I wouldn't be cooking tonight and certainly not Hamburger Helper!

 

[Glynis]

Good afternoon everyone!

Last night we had spaghetti and meatballs. I really like Ragu tomato, garlic and onion sauce, but some day I'm going to try making homemade sauce again. I've just never had any luck making a decent sauce. Seems like I am the only one who uses jarred.

Tonight we're planning on going to Red Lobster.

Nope! I use jarred sauce, too! When I can get 10 jars for 10 dollars, that makes it very worthwhile to me!!!

 

[Glynis]

Hi Guys

This is my first week as a SAHM (though DS is still a week or two away, hopefully not more!) so I figured I'd hop on and join this thread. I will be needed lots of dinner ideas. Since DH and I are very used to eating out a lot due to our work schedules this will be a huge change for me. Budget dictates that we eat at home A LOT and also much easier with a Newborn.

I just hope my cooking skills return once the baby is born. I can't seem to multi-task anymore! And I went to culinary school .. !!

Tonight I threw in Spareribs in the Crock pot with 1/2 BBQ sauce and 1/2 Appricot Marmilade. We shall see. I'll cook up some baked beans with a little beer thrown in (the alchol will burn off!) Maybe some rice as well.

I also apologize b/c my spelling seems to have gone out the window as well with this baby ... he should be a smart one, taking all my brains!!

That's what happens once you have kids; the brain starts to go!!! I have very little brain power left, my 4 kids have sucked it all out of me!

 

[Glynis]

Kady is home ! The Dr found bumps on her esophagus, tummy wall and intestines. It means that there are food allergies, and it has been mimicking her reflux. That is why she has been feeling so lousy lately. It is almost impossible to tell what is causing the reaction, but it is treatable. The Dr is going to check the samples out and get back to my DD. Thanks again for all of the prayers and well wishes. I appreciate you so much .

I'm so glad that things went well! Hopefully the food allergy can be dealt with quickly!

 

[sj&k]

Nancy-Glad things went well!

Sandy-I use jarred sauce too, for spaghetti and lasagna, or anything I add meat to, but I add some things in. For meatless sauce, I use McCormick seasoning packets and add tomato paste, water, butter, and garlic powder. DH and DD are not into pasta as much as I am, and have simple tastes, so jarred sauce works for them, and works for me as it is easier.

 

[MinnieM21]

MinnieM, you are making me want pancakes and french toast. That brioche french toast sounds awesome...along with the maple bacon....Yum!

You should definitely try both recipes. I thought I was going to pass out they were so good!

Minnie, are you doing the parmsean chicken with arugula salad on top from Barefoot family style? I'm guessing yes, from the other things you are making. I love that recipe!

That's the one! I can't wait to try it, it'll be my first chicken dish that I've eaten in over a year. (trying to start eat meat again) Except I don't have argula so I won't be making the salad. But I will be making Ina's macaroni and cheese since I have everything for that. It sounds sooo good. Mmmm yum!

 

[HERSEY]

We ended up having spaghetti and sausage, garlic bread. Our great weather went away. We're back in the low 30's with wind chill in the teens, to windy to grill.

DMickey28 I'm still waiting for my brain to kick back in, It's been 12 years. Congrats on your soon to happen little one.

 

[jonestavern]

Hello All!
Hi Hersey! I can sympathize, it's been snowy or rainy & in the 30's here all week!
Enough winter all ready!
Thanks for the brioche recipe MinnieM21! I love Ina's recipes & will try this one soon.
DMickey28 congrats on the soon-to-be-arrival!


Another proud user of Ragu, here. I do add things in: garlic, bay leaf, oregano, basil, occassionally ground pork & beef or turkey, onion, peppers.

Tonite it is Newman's Own coffee(McDonald's), orange juice & deli roast beef on cheap, nutritioally devoid white bread w/mayo, horseradish & 'indestructable' tomatoes(the only kind the supermarket had!). This will all be followed by a luscious dessert of 2 Peeps & 2 sugar free Vines!
DH is away on business & the roads are icy & snowy so no lovely restaurant food.
Nope, it's a night watching girl movies & reading home dec mags--yipee!

Jean

 

[camreesmom]

wow, you all have been busy posting.......I had to read several pages to catch up!

I have a small dilemma... I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to go to DB & SIL's house for Easter because we are going to the inlaws', but I think we're going to try to do both now. I just asked SIL what I should bring and she said drinks and gravy. Gravy? How do you make gravy if you aren't making the meat? I'm not even sure what kind of meat they're having (waiting on the answer). We also live an hour away. Does gravy travel well? LOL

I don't think I've ever asked anyone to bring gravy. I'm with you, it would be kind of hard to make the gravy if you haven't made the meat.

BTW ~ I used jar sauce also. My family likes Prego traditional and I just add some ground beef and DDs all say the my spaghetti is the BEST so I guess they like it (maybe they just don't know any better???).

DMickey28, welcome to the thread, culinary school? You'll definitely have to share some recipes with us. Not for several months at least though, because you're going to have your hands full soon with your new bundle of joy. I hope you are resting a bit before the big day.

Lindsey, I know you'll feel better when you get your car back. I really would have panicked if I had been in the same situation!

Nancy, glad to hear that Kady's problem is treatable. That has to be a big relief for all of you.

We had some good news today. My sister found out she is pregnant!!! This is after many surgeries and fertility treatments. They did IVF this time and it was successful! We should have a new baby in the family before Christmas!

I actually did cook tonight but it was an easy ground beef, potato and tomato sauce mixture that the family loves so everyone was happy!

 

[camreesmom]

MinnieM21, you have me craving french toast now so I guess that's what we'll be eating for breakfast on Friday since we don't have to work!

~julie

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight we are having leftover spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and bread. Mmmm, comfort food

WFD at your house?

ETA: I semi-make my own spaghetti sauce. Like yesterday, for example. I cooked up some pancetta, set it aside. Then sauteed some onions, garlic, and green pepper. Salt and peppered it. Added a splash of red wine and let it reduce a bit. Then I added a big jar of Ragu Old Worldstyle (or whatever it's called). Let it heat up. Add some meatballs and just let it all simmer while I cook the pasta.

So it's a nicely dressed up jarred sauce and it's yummy. Most of the time I would have browned up some ground beef/turkey or Italian sausage, but I forget to get any.

 

[nucpharm29]

Be ready to be impressed with WFD here--Frozen pizza! Bow down to my cooking prowess!!! After tonight, I'm done with cooking until April 18th!

 

[OKWMom]

Nancy, so glad Kady is going to be ok. Thank you for letting us know.

DMickey, I agree with some of the other posters, get used to diminished mental capacity. It doesn't fully return no matter what the doctor and others tell you. If you don't believe it, ask anyone's children how smart their parents are.

Sandy, maybe we should start a jarred sauce support group. "My name is Gretchen, and my spaghetti sauce comes from a jar." Seriously, I can count on one hand the number of times I have made my own sauce this year. The kids don't seem to be able to tell the difference and I don't know if DH can either. Also, I have no idea how you would make gravy if you weren't preparing the meat being served. Good luck with that and let us know how it goes.

Camreesmom, congrats on the new niece or nephew.

Stephanie, at least you have a dinner planned. In my current mental state, I forgot to take anything out of the freezer. Tonight may have to be take out for us.

Sheryl, thank you for the info on the cream sherry. Hope your contractor situation is going ok.

Lindsay, hope your car is fixed today.

Gretchen

 

[sj&k]

Good morning, everyone! DH and I have a dinner date tonight, since DD is spending the night at my mother's house. She has been staying there during the day this week for spring break, but tonight she's staying overnight. There is a pizza place near my office that we both like, so we'll be going there. I was really trying to be good and cook every day this week, but I have to be bad sometimes!

Have a great day, all!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

We are doing great on the South Beach Diet! I am so excited. I have lost 9 lbs since I started working out in March. So, I need to keep this up with the SB cooking...we are having lean hamburgers and a big salad on the side...

Nancy, I am glad Kady did well...

Gretchen, you are right. I am not sure anyone can really tell a difference here whether I make sauce or from a jar...my guys even like frozen meatballs...what kind of Italians are they??? I do not love them but they are OK in a pinch...his Mom would hate me if she knew I was serving sonny boy frozen meatballs!

Stephanie, pizza sounds great! Just think of all the great food you will have on vaca!!!

Have a great day everyone!