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

[Poohnatic]

I'm making Chicken breasts stuffed with basil and goat cheese, simmered in marinara sauce. Rounding it out with a nice salad and angel hair pasta.

Suzanne

 

[Glynis]

I'm making Chicken breasts stuffed with basil and goat cheese, simmered in marinara sauce. Rounding it out with a nice salad and angel hair pasta.

Suzanne

That sounds like a great meal! Mind sharing the chicken recipe? Thanks.

 

[Poohnatic]

It's really easy to make.

Take 4 chicken breasts and butterfly them-then fill each with about 1/2 oz of fresh goat cheese(cream cheese works well, too). Sprinkle with salt pepper and basil. Then simmer them on medium heat, covered with your favorite marinara. Even my picky boy eats this up!

Suzanne

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight we are having leftover lasagna and salad. I love lasagna the second time around.

Ok you guys, I HAVE to share this dessert I made. I got it off Everyday Italian. They are espresso brownies and OH...MY...WORD!!! They were so good!!!

Here's a link to the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_31846,00.html

Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons espresso powder
1 (19.8-ounce) box brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan*** with nonstick spray. Whisk 1/3 cup of water, oil, eggs, and 2 tablespoons espresso powder in a large bowl to blend. Add the brownie mix. Stir until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, dissolve the remaining 2 teaspoons of espresso powder in the remaining 2 tablespoons of water in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vanilla. Add the powdered sugar and butter and whisk until smooth. Pour the glaze over the brownies. Refrigerate until the glaze is set.

Note: I didn't have enough powdered sugar to make the glaze, so I cut the glaze recipe in half and it was perfect!!!! ***Also, the recipe says use a 9x13 pan. Giada used what looked like an 8x8 or a 9x9 pan, and that's what the brownie box said as well, so I used a 9x9 and baked for 35 minutes***


WFD at your house?

ETA: One more thing about the brownies. I couldn't find any espresso powder, so I just bought a jar of instant espresso and it worked just fine. It may be a "potAYto/potAHto" kind of thing

 

[stacy347]

Today I'm going to bake a small ham (I'll glaze it with a brown sugar sauce), steamed broccoli and I'm also making Glynis's fabulous ranch potato salad to go with it! I can't wait for dinner!!

Lindsay, those brownies sound positively sinful ~ can't wait to give them a try!!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Another word of advice about the brownies. BE CAREFUL when you are buying a brownie mix. Make sure you don't get double fudge, extra chocolatey, or anything like that. I got a mix with a fudge sauce packet in it. WITH the chocolate chips, ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it was ALMOST too much chocolate. You will definitely need a cup of coffee or a glass of milk or something to cut the sweet

 

[nucpharm29]

Well, I was going to throw the sweet and sour pork in the crockpot this am, but just realized I have no tomato paste- Fortunately, I have all the fixin's for the Chicken Reubens, so I guess that's WFD. Have a great wednesday all!

 

[Nancyg56]

Another word of advice about the brownies. BE CAREFUL when you are buying a brownie mix. Make sure you don't get double fudge, extra chocolatey, or anything like that. I got a mix with a fudge sauce packet in it. WITH the chocolate chips, ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it was ALMOST too much chocolate. You will definitely need a cup of coffee or a glass of milk or something to cut the sweet

In my home, there is no such thing as too much chocolate .

I use Tastefully Simple brownies because I make the worst brownies ever, but I am going to try these.

I had Glynis's famous pot roast last night. It was amazing! Glynis, you are becoming a legend here.......

I have chicken thighs for tonight, I'm not sure what I am doing with them. DD wants to go back to the Big E and if I can drag DH, I want to go too. She said that there were no crowds Monday night, $20 for an all night pass on the rides, and her DD could walk on all that she wanted. Now if DH comes, we can get him a bracelet, and DD and I can go through the state houses while he goes on the rides with Kady . Wish me luck.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Ok, for all you pot roast lovers out there, I'm going to post my recipe! It's incredibly easy, and DH says it's the best tasting pot roast he's ever tasted! I've tried so many recipes, but this is the one I'm sticking with:

2 boneless chuck roasts (2.5 pounds each)
1 envelope Ranch dressing mix
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1/2 cup water

Place roasts in a slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine mixes and water. Whisk together. Pour over roasts. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours until tender.

I always add some carrots and onions with this.

Very yummy!

Ok, Glynis. Everyone is saying how yummy this is, so I am going to try next week. I have 2 questions though.

1. You use 2 roasts in the crockpot?? Can you just use 1?

2. When do you add your veggies to the crockpot?

 

[TigerKat]

Tonight will be Paula Deen's "Lady and Sons Fried Pork Chops", not very healthy, but OH so good, with mashed potatoes and gravy and a green vegetable(not sure what yet). Last night's Ham & Cheese stuffed chicken was awesome, DS ate so much, we have no leftovers!

Lindsay - when I did Glynis's pot roast I only used one roast and I threw the onions and carrots in with the roast at the beginning, just scattering them all around the roast. It was EXCELLENT!!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Hi Lindsay and all,

Haven't been here in a while, but the weather is turning chilly and the Spaghetti and Meatball Stoup sounds good. Haven't had that for a long time, but tonight's the night. I cna leave it here for the older kids, youngest DD is auditioning for a play at our local theater.

BTW, had to add, Lindsay, there can never be TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE!!

 

[Swimnoid]

In my home, there is no such thing as too much chocolate .

I use Tastefully Simple brownies because I make the worst brownies ever, but I am going to try these.

I use those soemtimes too. Expensive, but they are heaven!

Tonight we are doing chicken parmesan. Maybe salad and garlic bread.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Well, the smothered pork chops last night were also a hit!!! I wasn't really sure how to make them (I just winged it from TigerKat's explanation) but I seasoned flour and then coated the pork, then fried them quick in EVOO. Then I took them out and added the peppers, onions and seasonings to the pan. After cooking them a few minutes I added some flour, then added beef broth stirred and added the chops back in and simmered for 25 minutes...I don't know if that was right but it rated a 9 out of 10...I just started having the family rate dinners so I know if I can make them again...here is what we have so far:

Chicken Ruebens = 10
Pizza Meatloaf Muffins = 9
Smothered Pork = 9

*Everything is a 10 for me since I love food and I guess I make them (seasonings etc to my liking!!!)

Tonight I am making Lindsay's Crockpot Italian Chicken with pasta and steamed broccoli...by the smell of it, it's gonna be a 10!

Have a great day all...Enjoy!

 

[Zandy595]

I'm making grilled garlic shrimp, a green vegetable and angel hair pasta tossed with garlic sauteed in evoo or Pasta Roni Angel Hair Pasta w/ Herbs (depends on how much time I have).

 

[TigerKat]

Well, the smothered pork chops last night were also a hit!!! I wasn't really sure how to make them (I just winged it from TigerKat's explanation) but I seasoned flour and then coated the pork, then fried them quick in EVOO. Then I took them out and added the peppers, onions and seasonings to the pan. After cooking them a few minutes I added some flour, then added beef broth stirred and added the chops back in and simmered for 25 minutes...I don't know if that was right but it rated a 9 out of 10...I just started having the family rate dinners so I know if I can make them again...here is what we have so far:

Chicken Ruebens = 10
Pizza Meatloaf Muffins = 9
Smothered Pork = 9

*Everything is a 10 for me since I love food and I guess I make them (seasonings etc to my liking!!!)

Tonight I am making Lindsay's Crockpot Italian Chicken with pasta and steamed broccoli...by the smell of it, it's gonna be a 10!

Have a great day all...Enjoy!

Smothering is a "to each his own" kind of dish. You did it exactly as I do, I'm glad you enjoyed it. The smothered dishes can be changed to use your favorite seasonings, make more or less gravy, etc. Just throw in whatever you have on hand!!

 

[nucpharm29]

Well, the sweet and sour pork is back on 'cuz had a chance to run to the store.

I have a question for all you cooking gurus--I'm going out of town this weekend and leaving DH with both kids for 2 days (I know scary!) Anyway, would it be okay, in your expert opinions, to cook up some meatballs and then freeze them? That way all DH would have to do would be to defrost them and throw them in some prepared sauce. Thanks!

Oh and Lindsay, I have to agree with the consensus--there is NO such thing as TOO much chocolate!!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Oh and Lindsay, I have to agree with the consensus--there is NO such thing as TOO much chocolate!!

Just quoting you because it's been mentioned already, I said ALMOST too much chocolate I love chocolate in every shape and form, and nothing is ever to chocolatey for me

 

[Zandy595]

... Anyway, would it be okay, in your expert opinions, to cook up some meatballs and then freeze them?

Yes, I used to do that all the time. I'd make a big batch of meatballs, use half that night and put the rest in a freezer bag. I should start doing that again. Lately I've been only making enough for one night's dinner.

 

[Glynis]

Ok, Glynis. Everyone is saying how yummy this is, so I am going to try next week. I have 2 questions though.

1. You use 2 roasts in the crockpot?? Can you just use 1?

2. When do you add your veggies to the crockpot?

I usually make it with just one! It turns out fine. However, I never half the gravy recipe. I love a lot of gravy with my stuff. I also throw the veggies in at the beginning. Good luck! I hope you like it!

 

[Glynis]

Hi Lindsay and all,

Haven't been here in a while, but the weather is turning chilly and the Spaghetti and Meatball Stoup sounds good. Haven't had that for a long time, but tonight's the night. I cna leave it here for the older kids, youngest DD is auditioning for a play at our local theater.

BTW, had to add, Lindsay, there can never be TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE!!

That's what we're having, too! Spaghetti and Meatball Stoup with homemade breadsticks. It's definitely soup weather here, raining all day long! I can't wait to make it.

By the way, the mega meatball pizza was a huge hit with my family! I made a whole wheat crust and it was great too!