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

[Nancyg56]

DS was sick yesterday but seems better today. We couldnt' get his peak flow meter out of the "red zone" yesterday... we saw 2 different doctors (our primary and then we had an allergy testing appt with the allergist- she was appalled at how sick he was..."He is much too sick to be tested." I really felt like mother of the year ) The allergist called his primary right up (we'd just come from there) and talked about his medications. Then she asked if we had a follow up with him and I said "no" and she looked at me like I was nuts and said, "I want to see him next week, whatever day and time is good for you."

Now if I can keep him quiet... not easy to do with a adhd/pdd child. He's already watched "How the Grinch stole Christmas" this morning. The more he races around though, the worse his breathing gets. When I went to fill his prescriptions yesterday, I had to put him in that wheelchair with the grocery basket on it (our pharmacy is in the grocery store).

Poor kid, poor you Honey, you just do the best you can and make your best judgments and hope for the best. I don't have any advice about keeping kids quiet, I had two who were quiet when they were sick and one I had to let do yard work after an hour or so. I hope your little guy feels better real soon, allergies, breathing issues and colds are tough combinations to stay on top of.

 

[Mermaid02]

Poor kid, poor you Honey, you just do the best you can and make your best judgments and hope for the best. I don't have any advice about keeping kids quiet, I had two who were quiet when they were sick and one I had to let do yard work after an hour or so. I hope your little guy feels better real soon, allergies, breathing issues and colds are tough combinations to stay on top of.

My Mom's church is having their Christmas fair today- he really wants to go, the only reason I hesitate is they are making wreaths and I'm not sure he should be around that (although he never tested positive for that allergy). But it would get him out of the house and he could have a bowl of the corn chowder they're selling at their cafe. I guess I'll wait to see how he is later. I wish he was like his sister and would be happy with some movies and a pile of books. He is reading the classifieds from the paper right now...

 

[LindsayDunn228]

We are going out somewhere today. We have to run a few errands and I hate to cook on Saturdays.

WFD at your house?

ETA: I am feeling a LOT better. My voice is back, now I'm just fighting the "first thing in the morning stuffiness." Thanks for all of your good thoughts I just love you guys!

 

[HERSEY]

Lindsay Still rest your voice and get plenty of sleep tonight. Glad you are feeling better.

My maple has finally got with the program and dropped it's leaves. Tomorrow we will bag and bag in time for the FREE pick up .
Today I'm working so no raking today.

I think tonight will be chinese take out. I now have a taste for chinese with all this talk of asian food. We have PF Chang here but no Pei Wei that I know of.

Mermaid I hope your son and you get some much needed rest. That made me laugh when I read he was reading the classified's maybe he is looking for a special gift for you.

 

[TigerKat]

Good morning everyone!

Mermaid - Hoping DS and you have a better day today. Like Nancy said we all just do the best we can and you know your children better than anyone. We just use our instincts and hope for the best.

Gretchen & Nancy - Please don't be impressed with me getting my Christmas stuff up - it was completely out of sheer desperation. I jut know that after vacation I'll be in a funk and we wouldn't even have a tree up. This way when we get home I can feel secure going into my post vacation depression that I'm not letting the family down. OK I'm rambling now....

I'm making a huge pot of vegetable soup today. I'm doing what my Mom always did, I'm putting a whole chuck roast in it, it'll be good & hearty. Got every vegetable I could find going in too!!

Have a good one y'all!

 

[liamsaunt]

Hooray Kathy! One month! That's great.

Lori, sorry about your pet.

Here are some photos from last night. We started with a cocktail I saw Bobby Flay make on the Food Network the other night--it's just four ounces of fresh squeezed orange juice, four ounces of lillet, and 2 ounces of soda water. It's very light and refreshing...I guess the only problem is that it really does not taste like it has any alchohol in it!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2040522554_3d5b8bc0ab.jpg

then we had a crudite plate. From left you can see some pate campagne, carrots in a dijon vinagrette, olives, celeriac remoulade, and some french butter. I served some crusty baguette with this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/2039728261_83adf454e8.jpg

then I fried up some of this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2232/2040522266_94dfa4a916.jpg

and made this salad, it is called frisee aux lardons:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2040523028_aa029efebb.jpg

later we had this cheese plate:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/2039728133_7f1f983511.jpg

Not sure wfd yet...I might make pizza.

 

[ugadog99]

It's another football day, so it's a crockpot meal again. We are having the Tamale Dip, chicken tacos, and spanish rice. I'm really wanting some peppermint ice cream, so that just may be dessert along with some cookies from the TONS of cookie dough in the freezer from band!


And once again:

GO DAWGS!!!!​

 

[TigerKat]

Becky - Who knew eggs & bacon could look so incredible!!!!!!!! You are amazing.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm making a huge pot of vegetable soup today. I'm doing what my Mom always did, I'm putting a whole chuck roast in it, it'll be good & hearty. Got every vegetable I could find going in too!!

Have a good one y'all!

DO you brown the meat or just braise the whole thing as is? I love a beef barley soup and generally start with a beef soup bone and then add browned chuck roast after I cut it. It is a lot of work so any shortcuts would be welcomed!

It's another football day, so it's a crockpot meal again. We are having the Tamale Dip, chicken tacos, and spanish rice. I'm really wanting some peppermint ice cream, so that just may be dessert along with some cookies from the TONS of cookie dough in the freezer from band!

You are making me think of Christmas! Peppermint ice cream....yumm!

Becky - Who knew eggs & bacon could look so incredible!!!!!!!! You are amazing.

I was just thinking the same thing! Becky- your version of bacon and eggs makes me hungry again!

 

[TigerKat]

DO you brown the meat or just braise the whole thing as is? I love a beef barley soup and generally start with a beef soup bone and then add browned chuck roast after I cut it. It is a lot of work so any shortcuts would be welcomed!

I brown it first then put the whole thing in and let it fall apart on its own, of course it takes a while, that's why I do it on weekends only.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

HI All! We may do chinese tonight as well.

I have been looking for new Thanksgiving recipes as well, bought more magazines and "study" them but I will probably do the same things. My family just hates change .

I like the old traditional thanksgiving too...I have to have green bean casserole and turnips...amongst the other traditional items...

DS was sick yesterday but seems better today.

Now if I can keep him quiet... not easy to do with a adhd/pdd child. He's already watched "How the Grinch stole Christmas" this morning. The more he races around though, the worse his breathing gets. When I went to fill his prescriptions yesterday, I had to put him in that wheelchair with the grocery basket on it (our pharmacy is in the grocery store).

I hope he feels better as the day goes on...

ETA: I am feeling a LOT better. My voice is back, now I'm just fighting the "first thing in the morning stuffiness." Thanks for all of your good thoughts I just love you guys!

Glad to hear you are getting better!

Gretchen & Nancy[/B] - Please don't be impressed with me getting my Christmas stuff up
Have a good one y'all!

I'm impressed. I usually do not do any till 2 weeks before. When I went to the store yesterday for some decorations, they didn't have too many thanksgiving ones. So, I just got some more green garland, gold bows, white lights and autumn leaves and that will go on the mantle with some candles. THen all I have to do is replace the leaves with something christmassy and the mantle will be done...

HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!

 

[liamandcaili]

Lori -- I am so sorry for your loss.

Mermaid -- I hope your son is doing better today.

Lindsay -- Glad to hear you are feeling better. Good luck tomorrow!

Greg and I are going to our neighbors' house tonight for a little pizza party. We are making them ourselves, but I think only one can be made at a time, so who knows when we will actually eat. Therefore, I am sauteeing some Cape Cod bay scallops to have before we go. I haven't decided what sauce to put on them yet.

 

[Aimeedyan]

My Mom's church is having their Christmas fair today- he really wants to go, the only reason I hesitate is they are making wreaths and I'm not sure he should be around that (although he never tested positive for that allergy). But it would get him out of the house and he could have a bowl of the corn chowder they're selling at their cafe. I guess I'll wait to see how he is later. I wish he was like his sister and would be happy with some movies and a pile of books. He is reading the classifieds from the paper right now...

My asthma is out of control right now, too. I'm on Prednisone, using my nebulizer daily, and STILL sucking on the Albuterol more than I should. CRazy weather, I guess.

I hope his breathing improves soon.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think we'll do bbq chicken pizza tonight. It's been on my list for weeks and I haven't figured out the best way to cook the chicken but since I'm home all day, I don't have an excuse for not thawing it and getting it cooked!

 

[THE HAT]

Afternoon all--

Mermaid--I hope that your ds is feeling better soon! Like others have said, you know what is best, and can only do what you can do.

Lindsey--I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better!! Please take it easy so that you continue to get over your throat issues! Let us know how you make out tomorrow..I will keep you in my thoughts!

Becky--I have to agree with the others..you b/e looked so gourmet!!

It is pretty chilly here today..right around 30 and super windy out. Kris is setting up staging for a window replacement job he is starting tomorrow, and as soon as the guy who works for us is done at his other job this afternoon they are going to go take out two boatlifts and docks. (one is huge so we hired 2 other guys to lend a hand) These are the last two of the year, as soon as Kris gets home I will stick him in a hot shower!
Ross is outside raking leaves, he just asked if he could take a break after finishing the side yard for some hot cocoa, lol.
I am going to pack for our trip, as we won't be needing shorts or tshirts around here any time soon, and it might warm me up a bit to be packing sumer stuff that we will be wearing in a month!
This evening we are going out to eat at a local place, they have the best rolls!!! (mmmm carbs, lol) Then we will go get some groceries.
Hope you all are having a wonderful sat!

 

[liamsaunt]

Greg and I are going to our neighbors' house tonight for a little pizza party. We are making them ourselves, but I think only one can be made at a time, so who knows when we will actually eat. Therefore, I am sauteeing some Cape Cod bay scallops to have before we go. I haven't decided what sauce to put on them yet.

You found bay scallops???? I WANT SOME!!!!

Dinner tonight is actually going to be something healthy for a change. I am making a huge pot of vegetable soup. It's a good way to clean out the fridge and make room for the Thanksgiving stuff. It's simmering now and so far has white onions, red onions, leeks, garlic, carrots, thyme, rosemary, potatoes, bay leaves, parmesean rinds (for flavor, I am fishing them out later) and chicken stock. Still to be added to the pot are tomatoes, green beans, peas, corn, pasta, and butter beans. Plus I am making some pesto sauce to swirl in at the end with some extra parmesean cheese.

Of course, you know after eating that healthy soup I am attacking last night's cheese plate for leftovers!!

 

[bear74]

I have a question and came to ask all you great cooks.

I like the french vanilla cool whip that craft makes but it is a little bit out of budget. Is their a way to make your own french vanilla or turn the store brand into that taste?

 

[TigerKat]

bear - Sorry I can't help, but I'm sure someone here will!

My vegetable soup so far has in addition to the roast, onions, garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, celery, potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, cauliflower, cabbage and yet to be added corn, peas, green beans and butter beans.

 

[THE HAT]

I have a question and came to ask all you great cooks.

I like the french vanilla cool whip that craft makes but it is a little bit out of budget. Is their a way to make your own french vanilla or turn the store brand into that taste?

Bear--I make a vanilla whipped cream, by using heavy whipping cream and adding extra vanilla extract, and a few table spoons of instant vanilla pudding mix, and sometimes, if I can find them one vanilla bean scrapped into it, while whipping it. I also make a chocolate whipped cream by adding in hershey's syrup as well as a bit of choc pudding mix.
Hope this helps.

 

[liamsaunt]

Hi bear74, I would buy your store brand topping and a box of french vanilla pudding. Try whipping the topping with the french vanilla pudding mix adding 2 tbsp. at a time, until you get the flavor you want. The only thing I wonder about is if that would give you a grainy topping. The solution would be to stir the pudding mix into a little milk, just enough to get rid of the graininess, and then whip that into your topping. You'd have to refreeze the topping before using it in that case.

OK, I had the vegetable soup for an early dinner, and I am already STARVING! Can you say cheese plate? Anyway, here are some photos.

Vegetables cooking:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2041780918_275d9e0b97.jpg

Soup with green veggies added:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2041780570_e758631f88.jpg

Now with the pasta:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2041780712_7e958f459d.jpg

The bread basket:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2040984625_524883871e.jpg

The plated soup with pesto to stir in:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/2040985305_c445181d51.jpg

(wanders off to find more food)