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

[JennyMominRI]

Lindsay. I love what you have done with the 1st page. Great idea..My kids are on vacation one is home sick,one is in Pennsylvania..The 2 that are home and healthy,and I and DH are going to take a bike ride over to the ocean today. When we come back I have a big steak to put on the grill. I think I'll marinade some vegies and make an asian noodle salad to go with it

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Hugs, please! My ice maker panel just blew up. It's toast, and smells awful. Now when I close the refrigerator door WATER comes out!

Did I mention I need to be cooking today not dealing with this? The shut off valve is under the house. I'm not going under there. DH is on his way home.

Lori

 

[bengalbelle]

Hugs, please! My ice maker panel just blew up. It's toast, and smells awful. Now when I close the refrigerator door WATER comes out!

Did I mention I need to be cooking today not dealing with this? The shut off valve is under the house. I'm not going under there. DH is on his way home.

Lori

and that you're able to get it fixed quickly!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Lindsay. I love what you have done with the 1st page. Great idea..

I did this for a reason. There was a chicken (or something) thread awhile back and I hated going through every single page trying to find the recipe I wanted. So I thought I would give this a try

 

[stacy347]

I've been at my sister's most of the week so I haven't been cooking ~ we had Asian Beef Noodle Bowls the first night, then we went to Lonestar and the last night we grilled hot dogs and had pasta salad & mac & cheese.
Yesterday we drove home and had McDonald's for dinner.

Today I am grilling chicken drumsticks smothered in spicy brown sugar BBQ sauce and I'm making a batch of french fries and corn on the cob to go with it.

 

[Zandy595]

... I think I'll marinade some vegies and make an asian noodle salad to go with it

Ooh, Asian noodle salad sounds good. How do you make it?

We're having grilled, boneless, NY strip steaks, baked potatoes, broccoli and Caprese salad drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Ooh, Asian noodle salad sounds good. How do you make it?

We're having grilled, boneless, NY strip steaks, baked potatoes, broccoli and Caprese salad drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

Well,since I can't find the actual asian noodles here,I cook thin spaghetti.. Cook the following in a saute pan with a touch of water. Szechuan (SanJ makes a good one)sauce,garlic soy sauce and whatever veggies I have on hand,Broccoli, cabbage ,clilantro(this is a must) onion ,pepper mushroom, Baby corn(in a can).. Then add the noodles and cook a bit longer...It's good hot or cold. If you want it to be a full meal you can add shaved meat like chicken on beef...Sometimes ,I actually rip up and add sliced roast beef or leftover chicken breast,even pork.
I sprinke with sesame seeds
The Szechuan sauce is hot,if you want it more mild,use a szechuan teriyaki sauce. If you use whole wheat spaghetti it's very healthy and low cal

 

[LindsayDunn228]

On the first page, I said I was making Ritz Parmesan Chicken that night. Awhile later I decided to add the recipe list. I never posted this one. So here you go!!!

FYI: To my husband, I am "Kitten." He names all my dishes himself because he can remember them if he gives them funny names. This one is Original Kitten Chicken (the "original" is there because I have MANY "kitten chickens": nutty kitten chicken, maragrita kitten chicken, mustard kitten chicken, etc. This was the first Kitten Chicken). Anyway....

Ritz Parmesan Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I remove all the extra fat)
1/2 cup grated Parm cheese (pizza cheese)
1 1/2 "rolls" Ritz crackers, crushed (you can also use the low-fat ones)
1 stick melted butter

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine the cheese and Ritz crackers in a bowl. Dip the chicken in the butter, then coat well in the cheese-cracker mix. Place in a 9x13 casserole dish that has been sprayed with Pam (or whatever you use). I sprinkle what is left of the crackers on top of the chicken. I usually cover this in foil because your crackers can burn if you aren't careful. Bake for about 30 minutes or until chicken is done.

*You will NOT need to salt the chicken because of the crackers. I add some pepper to my cracker mix.

*I have also sprinkled some thyme on the chicken as well*

 

[bengalbelle]

On the first page, I said I was making Ritz Parmesan Chicken that night. Awhile later I decided to add the recipe list. I never posted this one. So here you go!!!

FYI: To my husband, I am "Kitten." He names all my dishes himself because he can remember them if he gives them funny names. This one is Original Kitten Chicken (the "original" is there because I have MANY "kitten chickens": nutty kitten chicken, maragrita kitten chicken, mustard kitten chicken, etc. This was the first Kitten Chicken). Anyway....

Ritz Parmesan Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I remove all the extra fat)
1/2 cup grated Parm cheese (pizza cheese)
1 1/2 "rolls" Ritz crackers, crushed (you can also use the low-fat ones)
1 stick melted butter

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine the cheese and Ritz crackers in a bowl. Dip the chicken in the butter, then coat well in the cheese-cracker mix. Place in a 9x13 casserole dish that has been sprayed with Pam (or whatever you use). I sprinkle what is left of the crackers on top of the chicken. I usually cover this in foil because your crackers can burn if you aren't careful. Bake for about 30 minutes or until chicken is done.

*You will NOT need to salt the chicken because of the crackers. I add some pepper to my cracker mix.

*I have also sprinkled some thyme on the chicken as well*

Sounds good! Thanks Lindsay

 

[liamsaunt]

Well dinner tonight is going to be easy. I am making a pizza topped with the leftover sausage from last night, fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes. DH is suffering from a mjor allergy attack and won't be able to taste anything anyway, so there is no point in going all out. Curse you, pollen!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Morning all!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY, a good night's rest! Now I'm

Today me and my hubby are going on a date. We our treating ourselves to diner and a movie. We are going to have an early lunch at the Olive Garden (one of our faves), and going to see "The Sentinel." Afterwards, we are going to get our groceries (not normally part of your average date, hee hee). We will probably munch on popcorn or something for dinner.

WFD at your house?

 

[liamandcaili]

If I can get them defrosted in time, I am making sesame chicken wings. The kids love them.

Here's the recipe (I can't remember what book I got this out of. I've made it so many times, it's memorized):

Sesame Chicken Wings

2 lbs chicken wings, cut into pieces with wing tip discarded or saved for stock
1/3 c soy sauce (I used reduced sodium)
1/4 c sherry
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
3 scallions, chopped
2 tbsp sesame seeds, lightly toasted
handful of cilantro, chopped (I don't use this because the kids don't like having green stuff on their food, but it is good)

Put the chicken in a single layer in a glass baking dish. Mix all remaining ingredients except the sesame seeds and cilantro and pour marinade over the chicken.

Marinate for at least one hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400.

Bake the chicken for one hour, or until cooked through (If I'm coordinated, I will turn the chicken over once or twice during cooking, but most of the time I forget). Sprinkle the sesame seeds over chicken in the last ten minutes of cooking. Once the chicken is done, remove from oven and sprinkle with cilantro for garnish (if using).

Happy Saturday everyone!

 

[liamsaunt]

Tonight I am making pan seared veal chop (for DH only, no dead baby cow for me!), broccoli, green beans, and this awesome macaroni gratin. Try this if you want something different from the usual mac and cheese:

macaroni gratin

3 quarts whole milk
4 druched garlic cloves
1 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. butter
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 lb. penne
2 trays of ice cubes
1 cup grated gruyere (4 ounces)

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Butter a 9x13 gratin dish.

Heat the milk and garlic until bubbling. Remove from the heat and let steep 10 minutes. Discard garlic. Measure 1 cup milk and reserve. Place the rest of the mlik in a pot and set aside.

In a small pan, melt the butter, then whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute--do not let the flour brown. Remove from the heat and whisk in the one cup of milk you measured out earlier. Stir constantly until the sauce is completely smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper. Return the pan to low heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick. This will take about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool slightly, and then stir in the cream. Set this sauce aside.

Add 1/4 cup salt to the milk you poured into a pot earlier and bring to a simmer. Add the pasta and cook, stirring over medium high heat so the milk is just simmering, until the pasta is al dente. Remove from the heat and add the ice cubes to stop the pasta from cooking. When all the ice cubes have melted, drain the pasta and transfer to a large bowl.

Add the sauce to the pasta and toss to coat. Transfer the pasta to the gratin dish. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake for about 10 minutes, until bubbling. Turn on the broiler and broil the pasta until the cheese is golden, about 3 minutes. Let the gratin stand about 5 minutes, then serve.

Serves 8.

 

[liamandcaili]

macaroni gratin

3 quarts whole milk
4 druched garlic cloves
1 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. butter
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 lb. penne
2 trays of ice cubes
1 cup grated gruyere (4 ounces)

I can vouch for this...it's yummy!...and if you're having macaroni and cheese, you aren't really thinking about calories or cholesterol anyway.

I am really posting because I have had to change my menu. My chicken wings are a giant, frozen block, and I know I could defrost them, but I've decided I don't want them tonight. Now I am making pizza with this really great homemade mozzarella cheese from Maplebrook Farms in VT. It is the best fresh mozzarella I have ever had, so the only other things I am putting on my pizza are olive oil, fresh tomatoes and basil...and maybe a little parmesan.

 

[stacy347]

No cooking today ~ we picked up sub sandwiches for dinner

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight we are having a yummy pasta dish. I stole the recipe from 30 Minute Meals, played with it, and made it my own. Here is MY recipe:

Vegetable Pasta Toss
1 lb. mini penne
Salt and pepper
1 10oz. box chopped frozen spinach
EVOO
1 medium zucchini and 1 medium squash, cut into half moons
12 baby bellas, sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 T. butter
2 rounded tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup milk
1 ½ cups part skim ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan

1. Heat a pot of water to a boil for pasta. Salt water and cook pasta. Save a ladle-full of pasta water for later.

2. Defrost and wring dry the spinach. Set aside.

3. Heat a deep skillet over medium high heat. Drizzle w/ EVOO. Add zucchini and mushrooms. Cook 2-3 minutes.

4. Add onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes. Break up spinach into bits and add to skillet. Toss to heat through. Cook for about 2 minutes.

5. Transfer veggies to a separate dish. Add butter and flour to skillet to make a roux. Allow to cook for a minute or 2. Whisk in stock and milk. Bring to a bubble. Let cook for 2-3 minutes on low. Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

[font=&quot]6. Place the ricotta and Parmesan in a large serving bowl. Add the ladle of pasta water and combine well. Drain pasta and toss with milk sauce. Then add to the serving bowl and toss with the other cheese. [/font]

 

[nucpharm29]

I have this recipe I think I'm going to try--it's chicken cutlets that have a bruschetta (stuffing mix, tomato, moz cheese) filling--sounded good--we'll see
Oh, and Lindsay, that hot and cold sesame noodle dish was awesome! I took it to a friend's house on Friday and everyone wanted the recipe!

 

[stacy347]

Sloppy joes, fries and salads tonight ~ doesn't get much easier than that, LOL

 

[liamsaunt]

Today we are having linguini with littleneck clam sauce, arugula salad, and crusty bread. I'll come back and post the recipe later--it's really good!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Oh, and Lindsay, that hot and cold sesame noodle dish was awesome! I took it to a friend's house on Friday and everyone wanted the recipe!

Oh, FYI, when I made these, I served them hot. I just didn't cold shock the pasta. It was delish served hot and the cold leftovers were good, too

Glad you like it!