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

[liamandcaili]

Any advice on getting kids to eat a variety of foods? Heck, I would settle for them eating anything other than carbs--the ONLY meat DS will eat is chicken nuggets--everything else he spits out! Luckily both of them really like fruit b/c the only veggie they'll eat is carrots (and they have to be out of a can )

Don't worry...most kids go through this. Liam used to be a chicken nugget, mac and cheese and PB+J kid. I just gradually added foods to meals he already found acceptable. For example, I served ketchup with his chicken nuggets, and then that expanded to allowing tomato sauce on his pizza and pasta, then I added mushrooms to his pizza. I added broccoli to his mac and cheese. He liked french fries, so I turned that into potato pancakes. Both kids liked hotdogs, so that turned into ham steaks. Since your kids like carrots, maybe try beets. They are sweet and can be similar in texture...plus they also have the awesome purple mouth effect. If they eat that, try sweet potatoes or butternut squash sweetened with a little brown sugar. Since your son likes chicken nuggets, try making your own with boneless chicken breast, butter and crushed cereal (Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies) and bake them. Those are adult-friendly too if served with a mustard sauce. Like Glynis, we do the try a few bites and help make dinner. This doesn't work at all with Caili...she would rather starve than eat something she doesn't want. She is stubborn that way. However, we have a standing policy that if the kids don't like what I make, they can get some slices of cheese from the refrigerator. That holds them over until breakfast when they load up on...what else?...carbs! They are both so active, I don't worry about that.

This has not been one of my better days earlier I had a call from school telling that my son never showed up I kept telling them they were mistaken and to check again with all his teachers. The school then asked if I wanted a call back my answer was YES No call back so I called after waiting for a minute to shorten my story "so sorry we had the wrong child" there are 2 children with the same name in his grade. I need to know if you all think I'm being over the top on this I want to call the school back and let them know I found this very unacceptible to call me after 5 hours has passed to let me know my son is mia. Wwhat do you all think?

That is completely unacceptable. What if, God forbid, something did happen on the way to school? You would be five hours behind! You should call the school, and they should notify parents in a very timely manner if any child is not at school who has not been reported absent by their parent/guardian. My children's school has a policy that absences need to be reported before school begins, so when they get the attendance, they already know what students are expected in class and who is not.

I think you need an EXTRA large glass of sangria tonight! I would have been so panicked.

 

[Nancyg56]

Any advice on getting kids to eat a variety of foods? Heck, I would settle for them eating anything other than carbs--the ONLY meat DS will eat is chicken nuggets--everything else he spits out! Luckily both of them really like fruit b/c the only veggie they'll eat is carrots (and they have to be out of a can )

I would not worry too much about it. Glynis had great ideas, but if the kids are too young for some, just keep offering different things. Your menus are varied and they eat fruit so if they drink milk or something with calcium they'll be fine.

Our kids tested us on this one to begin with. After a few times of staying at the table longer than the rest of the family, and they knew we meant business. Now, they know the rule, and it's hardly ever a problem. This is how my son found out that salmon is his favorite food. At first he thought it "looked icky", but when he tried his 5 bites, he decided he liked it, and scarfed the whole thing down.



If all else fails, my kids know where the peanut butter and jelly is. I am not a short order cook, and so if they've tried their bites of food, and honestly don't like the meal, they can make themselves a peanut butter sandwich. However, they forfeit dessert that way.

Good luck! This is tough!!

You two are tough cookies

Just in case any of you are weather watchers. About 1 hour ago we had a very nasty storm race through. Like I said before, I must live in a blessed area just leaves and a few branches down here. We had more rain which is not what we need and one need rain I'll send it your way.

I need to know if you all think I'm being over the top on this I want to call the school back and let them know I found this very unacceptible to call me after 5 hours has passed to let me know my son is mia. Wwhat do you all think?

First, I'm glad that the storm did not damage. You are truly in a blessed area.

I cannot believe that the school waited so long. Yes, as the others have already posted, call them and ask how they are going to revisit their procedures to ensure that this unacceptable breach never occurs again.

I would definitely ask the school what they plan on doing in the future to make sure this doesn't happen again. And don't hang up until you have an acceptable answer.

What she said!

Nancy, I hunting for your recipe! I'm not sure which one I used now!

Sheryl, don't worry, if it turns up that will be fine.

Hey there WFD friends! I have a dinner idea to run by you. Any and all advice appreciated

I was toying with the idea of a Mexican Lasagna. Tell me what you think. Brown up about 2 lbs. or so of ground beef or turkey. Add taco seasoning (I LOVE Old El Paso!!). Take a casserole dish and layer tortilla shells, meat, black beans, and Mexican white cheese (I have no idea what it's called. They serve it a lot at Mexican restaurants. Please post if you know they name. I've seen it in tubs at our Bi-lo). End with a topping of a shredded cheese of some kind then bake.

Does that sound good? Should I add or take away anything? Please don't suggest salsa, I hate tomatoes (but love sauce, ketcup, soup, etc. I know I'm odd).

What do you think? I'd serve it with Spanish rice.

Lindsay- I make a Mexican lasagna something like what you are talking about. I make the "sauce" by browning ground chicken and onion and adding chili powder, cumin garlic powder or fresh garlic, taco sauce or tomato sauce if you like. Simmer the sauce and then I add black beans and frozen corn. Then layer. I top my lasagna with the wraps and spray them with Pam or brush with olive oil. They turn out crispy that way and so good!


The chicken tonight was okay. I used Kady's spread to make the glaze ans it seemed to just run off the chicken. The butter thickened the glaze, this just broke it down. I'll try a little Dijon mustard as a binder next time. The star of the meal was the curried potatoes. Oh my gosh they were good!

 

[OKWMom]

I would definitely ask the school what they plan on doing in the future to make sure this doesn't happen again. And don't hang up until you have an acceptable answer.

This gets my vote.

All I can say, is keep on trying. They usually grow out of it. Just keep offering new stuff. Make sure they see you enjoying "grown up" food, and hopefully, they'll want to try it out.

This is very true. I had a horrible time with DS. There wasn't one meal he would sit down to eat that he didn't have to quiz me about every ingredient. If it wasn't fast food, he wasn't interested. Complicating matters was that his mother would let he and his sister eat junk every afternoon when they were with her. He would come home for dinner at night and wasn't interested in eating anything. However, I kept plugging away at him and making desserts I knew he would love to encourage him to eat dinner (no dinner - no dessert). Gradually, he began to eat more and more and now he will eat almost anything I put in front of him.

ETA: I'd add sour cream and top with some guacamole or avacado.

Lindsay How about using enchillada sauce? I saw a recipe somewhere like this.

Both of those sound good. Lindsay, I make something like this and DH isn't wild about salsa or anything mexican really. I tried it once with picante sauce and he said it was ok (which is about the highest praise a mexican dish is getting with him). I think you will need a sauce of some kind to keep it from being too dry. If nothing else, I might use a plain tomato sauce and add cumin or chili powder (whichever one doesn't make you sick - I can't remember).

Otherwise, the dish sounds wonderful. Next time I make it I think I will try it with the white cheese you suggested.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I'm working overnight again tonight, and working with a teensy tiny budget this week(I hate the last 10 days of the month!) So I got a rotisserie chicken and a bag of fresh snow peas. Figure they're fairly healthy and I can munch on them all night. I'll microwave some of the peas to go with the chicken for "dinner" and I've got some leftover raspberry vinegrette to dip the raw ones in for a snack. Sooooo....that and a 6pack of diet coke did me in for the week $$ wise. Good thing Rick gets in tomorrow.

Looks like I'll be pantry living for the next week.

 

[OKWMom]

Ok Lauren here is the recipe you requested. This is a kind of throw it together dish. I don't measure everything, so I guessed as to the amount of cheese, etc. Feel free to substitute the meats for whatever you happen to have on hand. I have used ground beef, regular sausage, italian sausage, candian bacon, sliced ham, well you get the idea.

Pizza Casserole

1 lb pasta (I use egg noodles or bow tie)
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
Olive Oil (one turn of pan)
1 lb bulk Italian sausage
2 medium jars pasta sauce (I use a tomato basil)
Italian seasoning to taste (optional)
8 oz sliced Canadian bacon
1 - 1½ lbs shredded mozzarella cheese
Grated parmesan cheese
8 - 12 oz sliced pepperoni

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Cook pasta until just al dente and drain. Meanwhile, heat a little olive oil in skillet. Add garlic and onion and cook until tender. Add Italian sausage, brown, and drain.

If you are going to doctor the pasta sauce with seasoning do so before assembling the casserole. Sometimes I will let the sauce simmer and add the Italian seasoning and sometimes if I’m in a hurry or if I have a good sauce, I will omit the extra seasoning.

Spray a deep 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Put a small amount of sauce in the bottom of the pan - just enough for a light coat.

Layer in one-third of the drained pasta and one-third of the sauce. Top with one-third of the mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Top with sausage mixture.

Layer in half of the remaining pasta and half of the remaining sauce. Top with half of the remaining mozzarella. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Top with Canadian bacon.

Layer in remaining pasta and remaining sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Top with pepperoni.

Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

 

[Glynis]

I would not worry too much about it. Glynis had great ideas, but if the kids are too young for some, just keep offering different things. Your menus are varied and they eat fruit so if they drink milk or something with calcium they'll be fine.



You two are tough cookies

I agree with Nancy. Just make sure their calcium is up there, and the rest will come.

Alan and I weren't able to have kids for a long time. During that time, I watched my sister have her kids, and they would turn up their noses at her dinners, and she would cook a separate meal for each kid. She now has 4 kids, and on any given day she has to cook at least 3 different meals. I vowed I would never do that! Life's too short to be spending it that way!

 

[OKWMom]

I'm working overnight again tonight, and working with a teensy tiny budget this week(I hate the last 10 days of the month!) So I got a rotisserie chicken and a bag of fresh snow peas. Figure they're fairly healthy and I can munch on them all night. I'll microwave some of the peas to go with the chicken for "dinner" and I've got some leftover raspberry vinegrette to dip the raw ones in for a snack. Sooooo....that and a 6pack of diet coke did me in for the week $$ wise. Good thing Rick gets in tomorrow.

Looks like I'll be pantry living for the next week.

Your budget priorities sound like mine. I can't function without the diet coke.

I hope you have Wanna B to keep you company. I can't imagine working in my office overnight by myself. If I didn't collapse face first into the computer, I'd drive myself crazy with imagined noises from 3 am until the sun came up. Be careful.

 

[HERSEY]

It is still raining out there I may have to start building the ark. I already have 2 dogs and 2 cats plus a spare. Somehow I don't think the spare cat thinks I'm too funny.

Thanks for all your support. Alex is 12 in answer to your question. The funny part of all of this is when I told Alex about this when he got home, all the kids knew were the missing same name kid was? He was at a funeral. I knew from when Alex was in daycare the kids always knew what was going on.

Lori If you can swim I'll feed you. I have enough for a small army must be my upbringing have stuff in case . In case there is unexpected company, in case of a snow storm, in case of a nuclear war

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Your budget priorities sound like mine. I can't function without the diet coke.

I hope you have Wanna B to keep you company. I can't imagine working in my office overnight by myself. If I didn't collapse face first into the computer, I'd drive myself crazy with imagined noises from 3 am until the sun came up. Be careful.

Yep, you're my sista from another mother! If I only had enough $ for diet coke OR food, well, I'd be swilling up my Diet Coke whenever my belly growled!

And yes, my little guy's here with me. But I've already closed and bolted the shutters on the doors and put on the padlock. Once it gets later I'll shut out the front lights. The bar mgr at the bistro next door is a friend of mine from way back and I let him know I'm here-so he'll check on us on his way home. BUT, every now and then a drunk will bump into the shutters and I'll jump!

Lori If you can swim I'll feed you. I have enough for a small army must be my upbringing have stuff in case . In case there is unexpected company, in case of a snow storm, in case of a nuclear war

I shoulda sent Rick your way to get you! He drove over to Grand Rapids from Detroit and back to look at a pipeline dig that's- you guessed it!- underwater! He just got back to Detroit and was headed to bed.

And I make it sound bad to eat from the pantry/freezer, but it's not that bad. I think I've got at least 1 of everything in there. I just gotta figure out what I want to do with it.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Gretchen, thanks for the recipe!!! It looks great!

All this talk and I feel blessed that Andrew eats mostly everything I cook. I was upset last night since he would not eat the mesculan (SP) salad or the zucchini and summer squash...those are not normal for me. He ate close to a whole head of broccoli tonight though...

Stephanie, I agree with others, if the kids are not eating what they are supposed to now, its fine as long as they are getting what they need. In time, you can make them try things...bribes usually work!!! I am sure if they were not getting the nutrients they need, the doctor would tell you.

I'm working overnight again tonight, and working with a teensy tiny budget this week(I hate the last 10 days of the month!) So I got a rotisserie chicken and a bag of fresh snow peas. Figure they're fairly healthy and I can munch on them all night. I'll microwave some of the peas to go with the chicken for "dinner" and I've got some leftover raspberry vinegrette to dip the raw ones in for a snack. Sooooo....that and a 6pack of diet coke did me in for the week $$ wise. Good thing Rick gets in tomorrow.

Looks like I'll be pantry living for the next week.

Don't work too hard... Hit Rick up for some rum for that diet coke!!!

It is still raining out there I may have to start building the ark. I already have 2 dogs and 2 cats plus a spare. Somehow I don't think the spare cat thinks I'm too funny.

Thanks for all your support. Alex is 12 in answer to your question. The funny part of all of this is when I told Alex about this when he got home, all the kids knew were the missing same name kid was? He was at a funeral. I knew from when Alex was in daycare the kids always knew what was going on.

Lori If you can swim I'll feed you. I have enough for a small army must be my upbringing have stuff in case . In case there is unexpected company, in case of a snow storm, in case of a nuclear war

I hope the rain lets up? Come to NJ if need be!!!

What is a spare cat? Is it like all these outside cats that I have????

I never told you guys but after the original hurt cat (Seymour), we have had 2 more with hurt legs that I could not catch and now one with a hurt eye...after Andrew starts school I need to start SNRing these babies...spay, neuter, release.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

And yes, my little guy's here with me. But I've already closed and bolted the shutters on the doors and put on the padlock. Once it gets later I'll shut out the front lights. The bar mgr at the bistro next door is a friend of mine from way back and I let him know I'm here-so he'll check on us on his way home. BUT, every now and then a drunk will bump into the shutters and I'll jump!

Oh jeez, you're making me nervous!

 

[OKWMom]

Gretchen, thanks for the recipe!!! It looks great!

What is a spare cat? Is it like all these outside cats that I have????

I never told you guys but after the original hurt cat (Seymour), we have had 2 more with hurt legs that I could not catch and now one with a hurt eye...after Andrew starts school I need to start SNRing these babies...spay, neuter, release.

You're welcome.

Kenny did the SNR thing on the remaining three adult cats about 6 weeks ago. The last adult male comes by infrequently and he is pretty docile, but we haven't been able to get him to the carrier without really spooking him. The other adult male we found a home for. He was the one I think was dumped in the neighborhood. He kept trying to come inside and would have been a wonderful lap kitty, but DD is highly allergic. We also found homes for 7 of the 8 kittens. I would like to find a home for the last one, but DH has a soft spot for this one I think. I catch glimpses of him in the yard holding it while walking around. So I guess four full time and one part time yard cats isn't too bad.

I didn't really want any cats but when DH tried to take the "dumped" cat to the animal shelter they told him they would euthanize on the spot because they were full. The worker actually told my husband to drive the cat in another neighborhood and dump him there if we weren't going to keep him. So, although I wasn't looking to adopt, we still have a yard full.

 

[Nancyg56]

So in other words, mine didn't sound very good?

No, Lindsay....we just can't help tweaking any recipe that turns up Drives my family to distraction!

 

[HERSEY]

Lauren I have 3 cats. My pets are my babies since God only gave me Alex.


I was looking through a catalog I received today in my mail. I think this is going to be my motto

Motto to live by:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!"

what do you think?

 

[Nancyg56]

Gretchen-That casserole sounds so good! Between you and Lauren stray kitties are very lucky. I cannot understand why people drop off cats. They used to do this at the farm and it was a nightmare for them.

Lori- Now I am going to worry about you. Thank goodness for Wannabe.

Hersey- Did my Mom raise you too? I am a just in case person too. I think we could live a year on what I have tucked away, and every time I try to use it up another good sale comes along.

 

[TigerKat]

Hey guys - I'm MIA tonight - my Saints are on TV!!!!!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Lauren I have 3 cats. My pets are my babies since God only gave me Alex.


I was looking through a catalog I received today in my mail. I think this is going to be my motto

Motto to live by:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!"

what do you think?

Janice, I LOVE it! Can I steal your motto? We should put it in our signatures!!!!

We would have alot of these outside cats inside if Tom weren't allergic...our 2, I think I've told you, are hypoallergenic. Tom takes roll call everyday on the outside babies.

You're welcome.

Kenny did the SNR thing on the remaining three adult cats about 6 weeks ago. The last adult male comes by infrequently and he is pretty docile, but we haven't been able to get him to the carrier without really spooking him. The other adult male we found a home for. He was the one I think was dumped in the neighborhood. He kept trying to come inside and would have been a wonderful lap kitty, but DD is highly allergic. We also found homes for 7 of the 8 kittens. I would like to find a home for the last one, but DH has a soft spot for this one I think. I catch glimpses of him in the yard holding it while walking around. So I guess four full time and one part time yard cats isn't too bad.

I didn't really want any cats but when DH tried to take the "dumped" cat to the animal shelter they told him they would euthanize on the spot because they were full. The worker actually told my husband to drive the cat in another neighborhood and dump him there if we weren't going to keep him. So, although I wasn't looking to adopt, we still have a yard full.

I think Tom talks to our outside cats too...he can't get their names straight but loves them all the same...BTW, they are all the same colors!!!

Hey guys - I'm MIA tonight - my Saints are on TV!!!!!

Enjoy your Saints Kathy!!! That's football right?

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Thanks for all the well wishes! It was amazing. I don't really have a great ring pic yet, it scatters too much light and I just get weird flashes. It also doesnt' help that I am not the best photographer.

Anyway, I hope this teaser pic is good for now.

http://www.robkowalski.com/horay.jpg

And Shovan, after those pics, I am definitely coming over! Yum.

 

[TigerKat]

Lauren - I could slap you silly My Saints - the New Orleans Saints!! If you don't know much about football, you now have a favorite team. GO SAINTS GO!!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Thanks for all the well wishes! It was amazing. I don't really have a great ring pic yet, it scatters too much light and I just get weird flashes. It also doesnt' help that I am not the best photographer.

Anyway, I hope this teaser pic is good for now.

http://www.robkowalski.com/horay.jpg

And Shovan, after those pics, I am definitely coming over! Yum.

LuLu, I love that picture!!! The 2 of you look PERFECT together!!! I wish you all the best and if you need a planning buddy I am in NJ! We would love to help with ALL the details!!!

Way to go girl!!!

Lauren - I could slap you silly My Saints - the New Orleans Saints!! If you don't know much about football, you now have a favorite team. GO SAINTS GO!!

I was kidding...kind of. I watch football and go to 1 Giants game a year but I did know who the Saints were...I remember from last year...I am drinking ya know???!!!