The Official What's For Dinner thread:Thursday 1-24-08? Recipe finder in OP. Enjoy! Part 3

[Glynis]

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I haven't posted in forever. I've been cooking and baking a lot and just haven't posted WFD! I've made a lot of Ina Garten's recipes and everything has been AMAZING! If you want any of these recipes, I'd be happy to post them
These are some things I've made recently -

oven fried chicken
chicken stuffed with goat cheese and basil
couscous with pine nuts and currants
lemon chicken with croutons
macaroni and cheese with tomatoes
provencal tomatoes
provencal vegetable soup
orzo with roasted vegetables
potato basil frittata
parmesan roasted cauliflower
california blts
turkey meatloaf
potato salad
sauteed onions and peppers

carrot cake cupcakes
strawberry tarts
lemon meringue tart
berry tart

I'm more into cooking but do enjoy baking sometimes. I took pictures of my first attempts at making tarts. (which I'll post later)

Oh and for dinner I'm having leftover oven fried chicken. YUM! I abandoned my vegetarian ways. I seriously couldn't resist bacon anymore!

I would love the recipe for couscous with pine nuts and currants. Your list of "tries" is most impressive!!!

 

[TigerKat]

Wow, you've been busy. I'll take Kathy's idea... Could you post these recipes please.

Sandy - I saw Ina do the BLT's and I tried them - awesome!!!!!!

 

[TigerKat]

Happy Birthday Kathy!!

Thank so much!! You've been very busy with all those amazing recipes, now we get to try them.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

MinnieM21, Good to see you back! Can you please post the Carrot Cake Cupcakes? Thanks!!!

 

[liamandcaili]

I knew you guys would appreciate this. My birthday gifts from my guys were a new apron and a mandoline. I told them some women would not be thrilled with these gifts but they know anything to do with the kitchen excites me!!

I love kitchen gifts too. Our first year of marriage, DH got me a mushroom brush, which he thought was a joke -- I think it was the least expensive thing in Crate and Barrel. However, I was really happy with it and explained how I would use it all the time. For years, I would get a mushroom brush every Christmas.

Just don't give me an iron or vacuum.

Me either! Not unless you want to be living outside for a week.

Dinner tonight is special, Gail and Chris are joining us before he heads back to Virginia. We are having crostini with tomato, garlic basil and mozzarella; garlic bread; grilled rib eye steak, grilled garlic and herb chicken; steamed broccoli; local corn on the cob; baked potatoes; 'Ohana Cheesy potatoes and a big salad. For dessert I made a fresh Blueberry pie, a derby pie and a peanut butter silk pie.

Yum, Nancy. Your dinner sounds so delicious.

I've made a lot of Ina Garten's recipes and everything has been AMAZING!

Beck really likes Ina Garten's recipes. The ones I have made have all been great too. She is reliable and not too fussy. Thanks for offering to post the recipes!

Our dinner tonight changed because we got home from the rink and discovered there was no gas left in the tank for the grill. I don't like making hamburgers indoors, as it stinks up the kitchen and sets off all the smoke detectors. Instead, we had one of Beck's favorites, Annie's mac and cheese and peas. (I say this jokingly. Beck and I shared an apartment for a year and Annie's was a frequent go-to meal.) I even took a picture for her

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1041/763844413_8c3b3fb0bf_o.jpg

Kathy, I hope you are enjoying your evening and your wine!

 

[MinnieM21]

Of course I'll post the recipes. Here are some of the requested recipes (courtesy of Ina Garten of course!), I'll post the rest later.

I cook and bake a lot when I'm upset, sad, etc. The reason I haven't been posting on the DIS much is because I've been incredibly sad lately. I haven't talked about this but I went on a trip to Florida in May to visit someone. He was planning on trying to move to the US (he's from Germany) and I was SO excited about that. We had been seeing each other for a while and everything was fantastic. Well after the first night I was there, he ignored me and wouldn't speak to me.

I was so upset because I traveled across the country to see him and couldn't believe he could treat me like that. I was alone and had no one to talk to. The only person I knew was Alex (he's Sergio the juggler, we've been friends for a long time) but he was busy with work. My mom flew down to be with me and keep me company. I confronted him on the last day at his work and he basically just didn't have feelings for me anymore. It was really hard to deal with because I haven't dated that many people. (I'm 22 by the way)
Anyway, that's my sad story and I feel like an idiot for talking about it. But oh well.


Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

1 large head cauliflower
3 tablesppons good olive oil (I use Olio Santo. Ina uses the same brand, I'm a copycat)
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
1 cup freshly grated gruyere cheese (2 ounces)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Remove the outer green leaves from the cauliflower and cut the head into florets, discarding the stems. Place the florets on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing once, until the cauliflower is tender and starts to brown. Sprinkle with parmesan and gruyere and bake for 1-2 minutes until melted.


Oven Fried Chicken

This recipe seems so simple but is sooo good

2 chickens (3 lbs each), cut into 8 pieces
1 quart buttermilk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
vegetable oil

Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl, cover with buttermilk. Cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine the flour, salt, pepper in a large bowl. Take the chicken out of the buttermilk and coat each piece wtih the flour mixture. Pour the oil into a large heavy bottomed stockpot to a depth of 1 inch and heat to 360 degrees on a thermometer.

Place several pieces of chicken in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes on each side until light brown. Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a metal baking rack set on a sheet pan. Let oil return to 360 degrees before frying the next batch. When all the chicken is fried, bake for 30-40 minutes.


Here are my attempts at tarts. I'm horrible at taking pictures. Sorry.

Lemon Meringue Tart

Strawberry Tarts It has a pastry cream filling with cognac in it. YUM!

Berry Tart This one has the same filling as the Strawberry Tart.

Sorry for the massive pictures!

 

[TigerKat]

Laura - Yes I am enjoying my evening.

Minnie - Thanks for the recipes!!



I have to say that we have the best group of women on this thread. All of you made me have a very special day today. I've been through hell and back over the past 2 years and I want to thank you all for being here for me every time I've needed a shoulder to cry on and supporting me through some very rough times. YOU ALL made today wonderful for me - THANKS & HUGS to all!

 

[Dislifer]

It's so hot here (CT), I made a simple meal. Grilled chicken over a salad with croutons, marinated mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, etc. It was good.

MinnieM21: I'll try the oven fried chicken one of these days, but I'm not putting that oven on until it cools down a bit here!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

First off, just want to say that I threw dinner together tonight cuz I wasn't in the right mindset to cook. I went to the Endocrinologist for my thyroid and I have to go for more tests...

Anyway, I made Braised Pork Chops, white rice (instant) and broccoli with cheese (frozen broc and slices of american on top - the boys love this). They LOVED the pork. I'll tell ya what I did:

6 pork chops
about 1 cup teriyaki sauce
about 3/4 cup water
2 - 3 TBS honey mustard
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
garlic powder, dry mustard, crushed red pepper flakes

In a hot pan, sear the pork on both sides for about 3 minutes each. Mix together all of the other ingredients and when pork is done searing, pour half of the liquid on the pork. Cover and simmer on low for about 45 minutes.

In a sauce pan, gently boil the remainder of the sauce (add whats left in the pan from braising the pork as well). Serve the sauce over the pork and the rice....Yum!

Gretchen:: From another zoo keeper to outside cats...I hope all is going well. I was never able to catch the other hurt baby but she/he is getting better. I think she'll always limp though. I just opened my window to talk to one of the cats eating and about 5 other cats heard my voice and came running. Usually people run when I talk...I sound like "The Nanny" or Melanie Griffith in Working Girl...very loud too!

Laura: When Andrew was little he loved mac and cheese and peas...me too! Now I'll have to make that soon!!!

MinnieM21: Your pictures are wonderful!!! Lemon Meri...I can't spell that word...is my fav!!!! I am not great at giving advice but sending ...don't be sad.

Kathy: I loved your gifts!!!

OK, I am babbling again!!!!!

 

[liamsaunt]

Becky - Yes I am enjoying my evening.

Happy Birthday Kathy! BUT, I am Becky, she is Laura, remember?

Laura, you forgot the corn! That's right, one of our standard dinners was annies mac and cheese with peas and corn stirred in. The other one was spaghetti with newmans own sockarooni sauce. Better you than me, sis!!

Tonight I am just making a pizza for dinner. Both DH and I are still feeling a little off--kind of upset stomachs and chills. I am also really pale today, with lovely dark circles under my eyes, blerch. If I did not have to stay up for Big Love I think I probably would have just canned dinner entirely.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Happy Birthday Kathy! BUT, I am Becky, she is Laura, remember?

I just almost made the same mistake in my last post!!! I don't know ifyou remember, but I once referred to you guys as the "Liam Sisters"...

I hope you guys feel better....maybe chicken soup is in order...

 

[TigerKat]

Happy Birthday Kathy! BUT, I am Becky, she is Laura, remember?

I am so sorry , every time I go to type one of your names I have to think about it, you guys look so much alike and you're both incredible cooks!!

I hope you and DH start feeling better real soon!

 

[liamandcaili]

I just almost made the same mistake in my last post!!! I don't know ifyou remember, but I once referred to you guys as the "Liam Sisters"...

I think LiamTwins was also mentioned. No worries...I'm not offended, and I know Beck isn't either.

I am so sorry , every time I go to type one of your names I have to think about it, you guys look so much alike and you're both incredible cooks!!

Don't worry about it! Even our husbands have confused us on the phone. You don't hear our voices here, but maybe our posting style is unintentionally similar.

As for incredible cooks, do you think they make boxed mac and cheese with peas too?

 

[TigerKat]

I think LiamTwins was also mentioned. No worries...I'm not offended, and I know Beck isn't either.



Don't worry about it! Even our husbands have confused us on the phone. You don't hear our voices here, but maybe our posting style is unintentionally similar.

As for incredible cooks, do you think they make boxed mac and cheese with peas too?

Oh my, Lauren & I would be up a creek if we had to distinguish between your voices!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight I made pumpkin ravioli and creamed spinach. Both new recipes. They were both good but you know I'm a lazy cook that doesn't like to dirty up very many dishes and both took quite a few and lots of time.

I don't know if I'll make them again due to the time thing - maybe for company =)

They were delicious, though!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I think LiamTwins was also mentioned. No worries...I'm not offended, and I know Beck isn't either.

Don't worry about it! Even our husbands have confused us on the phone. You don't hear our voices here, but maybe our posting style is unintentionally similar.

As for incredible cooks, do you think they make boxed mac and cheese with peas too?

Oh, I am glad...I didn't mean to offend anyone... Now, if my sisters were on the boards, we would be known as the "loud, obnoxious, clueless sisters"...only kidding. They are not all like me!!! but it would be confusing remembering our names since there are four of us. Now throw the brothers in there and there are 7 of us. My Dad called me Muffin all the time (that was our dog)...

Now I am babbling...

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Oh my, Lauren & I would be up a creek if we had to distinguish between your voices!

 

[TigerKat]

Tonight I made pumpkin ravioli and creamed spinach. Both new recipes. They were both good but you know I'm a lazy cook that doesn't like to dirty up very many dishes and both took quite a few and lots of time.

I don't know if I'll make them again due to the time thing - maybe for company =)

They were delicious, though!

They both sound incredible, but I don't do lots of dishes and lots of time. to you for tackling them both!!

 

[THE HAT]

I have had another busy day, but First things first::

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY!!!!!


I hope you had a wonderful day, I know it is hard not having your boy with you, but I know that his phone call was such a great gift to you today!! I had a toast to you at supper tonight, Kris and Ross raised their glasses as well....what can I say my "boys" are good sports to my oddness

I too laugh whenever I see magic shell at the store. I was with Ross at walmart today and chuckled when I saw it and all he said was "I don't even want to know this one".......again the oddness factor, lol!

I spent the day taking care of my grandmother as we had her yearly evaluation for home care and then I had to take her to get her stitches checked and some more X-rays, after that I took her for some lunch and brought her home. Ross and I then ran a ton of errands to get things ready for his karate boot camp this weekend.

Glynis- Happy birthday to your daughter as well, I am sure you all had a fun day!!

Sandy- I love the title for Kathy....errrr I mean "QUEEN" Kathy.....that is what I am known for as well, due to the fact I am a tad bit high maintence, lol....I even have the japanese symbol for Queen tattoo'd on me....Kris has King......uh oh...I have just revealed my wild side to you all..

Gretchen- you and Lauren are the Cat Whisperers.....that is great that you are taking care of them!!

Lauren--I hope that things are "OK" for you health wise....I am sure you are getting worried and a bit frustrated at this point as well. We are all here for you!! Prayers said for you and too!!

Nancy--What a meal you had for them all tonight!! Those desserts sound awesome!!!! I would have had to sampled a bit of each!!!

Becky- I hope you and DH are feeling better!!


Dinner tonight was made 100% by Ross...he kept bugging me when supper would be ready, and I said after I put all the groceries and such away, or when you cook it......so he knew that it would be much quicker to cook it, and he wasn't about to offer to help put things away, as he HATES that..he will haul it all in, and take things out of the bags though, so I am not complaining....................
Nothing fancy or difficult, but a favorite go to meal.....Tacos and the fixings....he even made the homemade guacomole for us!! They were great....even more so as I didn't have to cook!!

 

[LKHomemail]

i saw a recipe page 494 for lemon icing ? i make a good lemon cake but wouldn't mind trying a new lemon cake recipe too. being new here I can't seem to find out ? looked about an hour. if someone knows how to point me in the direction to find it / i'd be very grateful.

i am also searcing for a recipe for those carrot walnut mini bundt cakes they sell at panera bread ? they only make two a day and i seem to arrive to late to score one every day !

any help greatly appreciated. thanks.