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

[shovan]

Dinner tonight will be a new recipe: Curry Cajun Chicken. It sounds yummy! I think I'll make some coconut rice to go along with it. Something fresh from the garden, too. Squash or cucumbers or something!
I'll be gone tomorrow through Saturday night. Taking DD to celebrate her birthday with her best friend. We are going to the Utah Shakespearean Festival to see some plays. They are so excited!

Curry Cajun Chicken?? Sounds different & yummy, if it turns out well would you post the recipe? Have fun with the girls & the plays!

Sheryl - I have printed the recipe and I'm going to try it this weekend. I wasn't going to ask for it because I figured it would be too labor intensive. But that looks like something I can manage within my time schedule.

Kathy - I don't have any shrimp stock and don't have any coming in the near future. When you said you used clam juice, did you mean the bottled kind? (Sorry for the dumb question).

The only time consuming part of the recipe is making the roux & it doesn't need a dark roux, so it didn't take much time at all. You can also buy boxed seafood stock. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to get some, since I'm trying to empty the freezer's a bit, because of hurricane season.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'll be gone tomorrow through Saturday night. Taking DD to celebrate her birthday with her best friend. We are going to the Utah Shakespearean Festival to see some plays. They are so excited!

What fun! Glynis, you are so lucky that they are interested. We are trying ti light Kady's interest and she likes plays, but she could not understand why there was no talking during the Nutcracker Ballet. She knows the story, loves the music but wants the words . We are going to keep it up and hopefully she will be like your DD. Excited for Shakespeare !

I do try to pop in on this thread every day, I really enjoy reading what all of you make for dinner, and I LOVE the pictures too! Our two DD's are older now (22 & 20), so I don't seem to cook as much these days. Our youngest DD will be a Senior at LSU this year, it's hard to get motivated to cook when it's just the two of us at home. I used to take pride in the fact that I cooked a home made meal almost every night of the week when they were growing up, so it's hard to cook for 2 when I wish I was still cooking for 4.

Tonight we are having stir fried chicken with spinach and fried rice with shrimp. Both DD's will be here tonight!

I think that there are more of us here like you than it seems. I know that I use this thread to keep me motivated, it is easy to "let it go". Lots of recipe ideas and lots of help when you are in a slump.

Enjoy your dinner with your DD's, I know I always enjoy cooking even more when my entire family is home.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to get some, since I'm trying to empty the freezer's a bit, because of hurricane season.

That is one nasty word you just used Lady. We are having none of that happen again!

 

[shovan]

I do try to pop in on this thread every day, I really enjoy reading what all of you make for dinner, and I LOVE the pictures too! Our two DD's are older now (22 & 20), so I don't seem to cook as much these days. Our youngest DD will be a Senior at LSU this year, it's hard to get motivated to cook when it's just the two of us at home. I used to take pride in the fact that I cooked a home made meal almost every night of the week when they were growing up, so it's hard to cook for 2 when I wish I was still cooking for 4.

Tonight we are having stir fried chicken with spinach and fried rice with shrimp. Both DD's will be here tonight!

Well, no more lurking for you! You are already like one of our homegirls! My DD graduated from LSU in '04!!!! GEAUX TIGERS!

I only have my one DD, so when she went off to LSU, I took it pretty hard. Stopped cooking for a while, ate junk, I gained the freshmen 15, instead of her! After being depressed for over a year, I finally realized I had gotten fat! So, I joined WW & started cooking again. A very different kind of cooking than I used to do! So now I'm back to trying some of the old cajun recipes. I've gotten away from de-fatting every single thing & just keep our portions small. But I am doing a lot more cooking & a lot of fancier cooking. It's just so much easier cooking for two! In fact, my DD complains that I never used to cook fancy stuff for her! Don't worry, it takes time to adjust to not having them home, but it does get easier. (My DD is a married lady now!)

 

[shovan]

Kathy and Sheryl- Years ago I used to watch Justin Wilson every time he was on TV. Your meals look so much like that food that Buddy and I used to drool over every Saturday. Between his show and Julia's, I learned some of the basics about making a roux and adding layers of flavor. As much as DH whines about me "Nanatizing" his meals, he is always inviting someone to have dinner here, so I guess I learned enough to get by .

Homemade shrimp stock? I thought I was doing well to make vegetable and chicken stocks. I never make any other kind.

Nancy, You flatter me too much! Justin Wilson I ain't!! You are no slouch in the kitchen lady!!!! I think you do a lot more than get by! Of course with your Mom's Acadian roots & watching your Dad, you could Nanatize anything!!!!

The shrimp stock is easy. Just don't boil it, keep it at a simmer or it gets bitter. I don't simmer it as long as Kathy, only about an hour or so.


I have to go dig in the freezer & fridge to figure out what's for dinner tonight.

Have a good day friends!

 

[TigerKat]

Morning all--

Today Ross and I are going over to visit my Martyr in Law....week.


Update on my mother.....Thank you for the prayers and thoughts

Good luck with MIL, hope all goes well and your tongue is still in tact.

Full circle for sure. You are very lucky to have your brother, I had decisions for both Mom & Dad I was not prepared to make and had no one to help. It's very surreal when you realize you are the parent. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[liamsaunt]

Sorry I have not been around as much, I have been really busy at work. But, I am still taking pictures and reading about all your yummy food! Here’s the past two nights:

Grilled sausages and peaches in a black olive vinaigrette:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1105/968612969_1d7758b3f9.jpg

Plated:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1321/968612195_c82d31ed47.jpg

Local tomatoes, all chopped up and tossed with their juices, some garlic-infused olive oil, and lots of basil:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/969466398_cdf64f34e8.jpg

Then tossed with pasta and fresh mozzarella cheese:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1141/969467174_f823571ad7.jpg

Tonight we are having a small chicken I found at the farm—it’s hot so I will do it in the rotisserie again (I can’t believe I had that thing for years and never used it! What was I thinking? With that I am going to make some corn, either on the cob or sautéed with some cumin, and also we’ll have some fresh green peas from the farmer’s market. I am guessing this week was it for the peas. Our growing season is so short, it kind of stinks!

 

[Glynis]

What fun! Glynis, you are so lucky that they are interested. We are trying ti light Kady's interest and she likes plays, but she could not understand why there was no talking during the Nutcracker Ballet. She knows the story, loves the music but wants the words . We are going to keep it up and hopefully she will be like your DD. Excited for Shakespeare !

I'm afraid my kids have no choice. Shakespeare is in their blood! My father started the USF 46 years ago, and we spend all our summers immersed in Shakespeare. About 17 years ago the USF opened a second theater that does modern plays, so the kids get a bit of both each summer. This year the girls will see Twelfth Night, The Matchmaker, and Lend Me A Tenor: the Musical.

Should be fun!!! I will go see King Lear and Coriolanus alone. I wouldn't subject 2 ten year old's to either of those, as yet.

Just keep taking Kady to things and she'll grow to appreciate them. Read out loud to her as well. This will help her to understand things that are spoken to her. My parents read Shakespeare to us from birth. I think I was the only kid in kindergarten who didn't know who the 3 bears were, but could tell you the plot to Romeo and Juliet. Boy did I get teased!

 

[liamandcaili]

You can also buy boxed seafood stock. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to get some, since I'm trying to empty the freezer's a bit, because of hurricane season.

I haven't found a good boxed seafood stock. The last time I used one, I had to throw out all my chowder because it was inedible. I have had better luck with the bottled clam juice or the fish bouillion cubes (or both!)

We are trying ti light Kady's interest and she likes plays, but she could not understand why there was no talking during the Nutcracker Ballet.

I took Caili to see Annie last summer, and she loved it. I bet Kady would too if you ever see a production come around near you. The one we saw was playing at Boston's Opera House, so part of the whole enjoyment for Caili was how fancy the theater was.

My dad was nice and bought Caili a steak today, so we're having grilled steak, the leftover eggplant sticks, sauteed summer and zucchini squash and maybe garlic bread.

 

[liamandcaili]

Oops! I forgot to post the jalapeno cream sauce for Sheryl. I haven't made this yet, Sheryl, but I'm posting what I would have made. The original recipe suggests cooking the fish in the cream sauce and then adding the tomatoes and cilantro at the end. I like sauteing the fish and serving it on top of the sauce.

Jalapeno Cream Sauce (serves four)

2 scallions, white and light green parts, finely chopped
1 tbsp butter
1-2 tbsps jalapeno, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
1/2 c heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
black pepper
1/2 c quartered grape tomatoes
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Melt butter in a skillet and add scallions and jalapeno. Saute until soft. Add heavy cream, salt and pepper to taste. Cook, without boiling, until sauce thickens slightly. Add tomatoes and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in the cilantro, leaving a little for garnish, and serve under or alongside fish.

 

[Nancyg56]

Nancy, You flatter me too much! Justin Wilson I ain't!!

I don't know.....I see the food you ladies turn out and then see some pictures and wonder how that poor woman on that thread a while back missed out on such wonderful food!

I tease the dickens out of my DH but everytime he watched foodtv with me he compares chefs like Emeril and his personal demon Bobby Flay to his hero....Justin.

Sorry I have not been around as much, I have been really busy at work. But, I am still taking pictures and reading about all your yummy food! Here’s the past two nights:


Tonight we are having a small chicken I found at the farm—it’s hot so I will do it in the rotisserie again (I can’t believe I had that thing for years and never used it! What was I thinking? With that I am going to make some corn, either on the cob or sautéed with some cumin, and also we’ll have some fresh green peas from the farmer’s market. I am guessing this week was it for the peas. Our growing season is so short, it kind of stinks!

Only you (or Laura) could make a plate of past and tomatoes look like a fine dining entree!

I have not used my Rotisserie in a long long time. I should drag it out I think.

Our growing season for peas here is generally short, I usually don't see them past the end of June.

I'm afraid my kids have no choice. Shakespeare is in their blood! My father started the USF 46 years ago, and we spend all our summers immersed in Shakespeare. About 17 years ago the USF opened a second theater that does modern plays, so the kids get a bit of both each summer. This year the girls will see Twelfth Night, The Matchmaker, and Lend Me A Tenor: the Musical.

Should be fun!!! I will go see King Lear and Coriolanus alone. I wouldn't subject 2 ten year old's to either of those, as yet.

Just keep taking Kady to things and she'll grow to appreciate them. Read out loud to her as well. This will help her to understand things that are spoken to her. My parents read Shakespeare to us from birth. I think I was the only kid in kindergarten who didn't know who the 3 bears were, but could tell you the plot to Romeo and Juliet. Boy did I get teased!

I envy you, my parents did not see any value in the arts so we were not exposed. Kady loves to go to plays, we take her to the children's theater in Wallingford and she has been to the Bushnell, and we are all going to NYC to Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas show. I think we will take her to the Nutcracker again, and dragging her Pa to that again is going to be harder than dragging her ,but he agrees that she will be so much richer for the exposure.

I am so glad to hear that your kids love books and plays, it is very rare today.

I took Caili to see Annie last summer, and she loved it. I bet Kady would too if you ever see a production come around near you. The one we saw was playing at Boston's Opera House, so part of the whole enjoyment for Caili was how fancy the theater was.

My dad was nice and bought Caili a steak today, so we're having grilled steak, the leftover eggplant sticks, sauteed summer and zucchini squash and maybe garlic bread.

I am hoping that something for her comes around here. We thought about taking her to the city to see Mary Poppins but I was afraid the trip would be too much. We missed Annie and Peter Pan becasue we thought that she was too young, and now I regret it.

We are so lucky that DD and DSIL don't care if we take her, they share her so we get to enjoy things that we could not when ours were young and we were broke.

 

[Glynis]

I envy you, my parents did not see any value in the arts so we were not exposed. Kady loves to go to plays, we take her to the children's theater in Wallingford and she has been to the Bushnell, and we are all going to NYC to Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas show. I think we will take her to the Nutcracker again, and dragging her Pa to that again is going to be harder than dragging her ,but he agrees that she will be so much richer for the exposure.

I am so glad to hear that your kids love books and plays, it is very rare today.



I am hoping that something for her comes around here. We thought about taking her to the city to see Mary Poppins but I was afraid the trip would be too much. We missed Annie and Peter Pan becasue we thought that she was too young, and now I regret it.

We are so lucky that DD and DSIL don't care if we take her, they share her so we get to enjoy things that we could not when ours were young and we were broke.

Well, it takes time to get my kids to appreciate things, but now they think it's really cool. Of course, they get the added advantage of seeing how the theater is run from the ground up. They are very familiar with the whole process. They know the costumers, the set designers, my son has even helped with the props department. That gives them an added appreciation for it.

If you have a chance to take Kady to see Mary Poppins, DO IT!!! My father saw it in London and New York and is adamant that it's one of the finest pieces of family theater he's ever seen!!! I'm trying to figure out a way to get my kids to see it. Unfortunately, Utah is far away from NYC, and even further away from London. If the road company ever comes to Denver we might be able to swing it!

 

[HERSEY]

Nancy Alex was 3 when my stepmom and I took hime to his first play. He was so good didn't move once. We are lucky we have several places that have kid's teathers.

Down on the pier (Navy Pier) there is a very good Shakespearean teather. We haven't been to that one yet. I think Alex is now at a good age for Shakespear.

I have to get dinner going what ever that is going to be. My stomach has decided it's wants to do the exorcist thing on me. I don't think it's the flu just getting older I can hardly wait for the end of mentalpause.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Morning all. My thoughts and prayers to everyone effected by the Minnesota tragedy that occurred last night.

Tonight we are having leftover chicken provencal stoup.

WFD at your house?

 

[TigerKat]

I, too, send thoughts & prayers to those in Minnesota. What a horrible tragedy.

Tonight we're having Chicken Reubens, baked potatoes and green beans.

 

[HERSEY]

Those poor people in MN I feel so sorry for them. In a split second lifes are changed forever. All around.

I'm still planning dinner for tonight.

Lindsay n How did your soup turn out with the kale. My grandmother used to us escarole a lot. I don't know anything about kale except it looks pretty in the fall.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

As hard as I tried, I just couldn't get into the kale. It may be better sauteed up with some EVOO, garlic, salt and pepper, but I just couldn't get myself to like it in the soup.

I added just a little to start out with and ended up fishing it out and tossing it

 

[OKWMom]

Wendie - It looks like the medical staff is trying to get your mother on the right track. Thank heavens you have a sibling to help. As for your martyr-in-law, as you know, there is no help for her. I commend you for being able to keep your mouth shut. I don't think I could possibly have that much restraint.

Nancy - By all means take Kady to see Mary Poppins. I took DD (post-diagnosis) to see the Radio City Christmas special performed in Myrtle Beach when she was just two and we went to see the travelling production of Beauty and the Beast in Charleston. She loved them both, although we only made it to the intermission in B&tB before she was ready to leave. I don't really know what she is getting out of the performances, but she smiles through most of the musical numbers and will sometimes bounce in her chair. Actually, she sits there much better than Kenny.

Laura and Sheryl - I couldn't find a boxed seafood stock yesterday and it sounds like that was for the best. I bought a bottle of clam juice and I also found some shrimp bouillion, any idea which would be better?

Last night's dinner was so-so. There were lots of leftovers, so I am going to try to doctor them up and see where it gets me. I think the original was way too bland and also needed some additional sauce. If I completely ruin it, there is always take-out.

 

[Nancyg56]

Nancy - By all means take Kady to see Mary Poppins. I took DD (post-diagnosis) to see the Radio City Christmas special performed in Myrtle Beach when she was just two and we went to see the travelling production of Beauty and the Beast in Charleston. She loved them both, although we only made it to the intermission in B&tB before she was ready to leave. I don't really know what she is getting out of the performances, but she smiles through most of the musical numbers and will sometimes bounce in her chair. Actually, she sits there much better than Kenny.

If she is enjoying the music and bouncing she is getting enough out of it.
And I bet she was able to to sit better than Buddy...he and the ballet made for one fidgety guy

Dinner tonight id Lindsay's Smoky Kitten Joes with cucumber spears. I may bake.

 

[Glynis]

Morning, everyone! I'm just checking in before leaving with my DD. I hope you all have happy eating over the next couple of days. I'll check back with you on Sunday!

Prayers to all those affected by the Minnesota tragedy.

 

[THE HAT]

Hello friends...
My heart goes out to all that are impacted by the bridge accident in MN. We have some clients from there that Kris is trying to contact today, and check on.

Thank you all for the much needed words in regards to my parents....and for letting me VENT on the whole in law issue....it just keeps getting better....I stayed for 5 hours yesterday....(LOOOOONG HOURS) I bit my tongue as much as I could, only getting a few comments out here and there to make my feelings slightly known. They have a new screen porch added on that they used grandma's money to build, as they say it is for her to sit out on....only thing is, they don't let her leave her chair in her room at all, except to use the bathroom.....Then they complain about how her SS$ isn't enough...the thing is grandma lived on it just fine in her home...while I was there mil had 2 phone calls from collection agencies....nice huh??? They are in their 50's time to grow up.........................then to top it off,this is the worst of it all.... Ross and I left with a promise to be back next week, said how it was a fun time, all smiles etc etc........Kris gets home last night around 11pm, and said that his father called him at 8pm to say that Ross and I had been over for 5 hrs and that we never went down to see Grandma, that he didn't want to start anything but wanted to let Kris know....WTH............................Ok first of all....Grandma has no idea at all who I am....not a clue...if I am with Ross then she knows I am Ross' mom....When I went down to the bathroom, her room is right next to it and I stopped in the doorway and said hello, and asked her about her magazine she was reading...(she was "reading" the STAR...and it was quite cute and sad too, as she would get to the end, turn it over, and start over saying, OOOO a new magazine...) She was having a blast with it, and I didn't want to disrupt her and confuse her by trying to say who I was, I just felt it would mess up her afternoon as she was having a fun with the magazine, and that made me happy to see,..so I just said hi and kept going........I had called Kris while I was there, and my mil heard me say, that when Dad came home for lunch I would have him take Ross in to visit...I knew that my fil would get a kick out of doing it, well I spaced on that as we were all catching up etc with each other, and Ross wouldn't think of it on his own, so no Ross never did get in to say hi to her.
I sent an email to them last night telling them that I was not impressed that they called, and tattled on me to Kris, that neither one of us can figure out what the issue is, and that I did talk to her, and why I didn't stop to talk to her more, and that I spaced on the whole Ross part of it. I made a point of saying that I thought we had a nice visit, and had no idea I left with them upset with me, that this could have just been mentioned to me in person next week when I stopped over......I left it with saying that I am very confused and hurt by how they handled this situation,and that Kris didn't appreciate his father calling him for that reason.....Kris hasn't talked to his dad in weeks and that is all he called him for, never asked how he was doing, etc....just to scold me???? I feel that they are very immature on this issue...maybe I am wrong? I don't know...it just seemed to be handled in a childish way.
Oh, and while I was there she also told me that she thinks it is awful that I would not have a problem putting my grandmother into a nursing home, as the only right thing to do is to take your loved ones in with you......Boy are they in for a hell of a shock when they got old.....(Kris is an only btw).....I would not like to put my grandmother into a nursing home, and I hope I never have too, but I know that her coming here wouldn't do her any good as our home is 4 levels and we are gone all the time.......ARRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!
Ok that felt good..............thanks for listening....sorry I wrote so much.......back on track..............

Glynis---I hope you have a wonderful time, though I am sure you will.....Ross loves the theater, and would do every week of theater camp if we let him. We are very lucky as we have a wonderful theater that has quite a few shows a year at it the next town over. I grew up with my father doing community theater.

Becky---great pics as always....the pasta and toms look amazing...what a perfect summer meal!!

Dinner tonight will be who knows....I took out pork chops, but Ross has a Karate Demo a few towns over at their summer street fair tonight, so it might just be grab and go.

I might not get back on here until Monday, as we are leaving tomorrow morning for Bar Harbor for a long weekend. I still have to pack. I can't wait to escape...and I am making Kris leave his cell behind!!! No business calls this weekend. We will either be sitting on our balcony looking at frenchman's bay, hiking along the coast, or sitting at a outdoors cafe' having a drink!! Ross loves all of it, as long as he gets to go to the improve comedy show, and to the pirates cove mini golf....compromise!

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks again for listening....sorry about all that!!