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

[Glynis]

Thanks Lindsay for the recipe! Oh - and congrats to the lovely couple. I want details on this proposal! My own proposal STUNK so I have to live vicariously through others.

MINE TOO!!!!! I guess Alan didn't do too badly, since I did marry him, but he did end up proposing 3 times to get it right!

 

[Glynis]

Hi guys, got a PM from Wendie and she asked me to pass this on:


I have not forgotten about anyone, miss you all and think of you all daily......Vacation was long but wonderful, not even unpacked from that yet and then Kris and I went to Boston for our anniversary this past weekend......at midnight last night, my phone rang...it was my dad calling to tell me that my mother is in ICU in critical condition on a breathing tube. She was brought in by ambulance at 5pm......we do not know anything at this point.....I didn't sleep all night as I kept waiting for the phone to ring...Thank god it didn't! There is a red flag on her tox screens to the point that the dr asked if she had been drinking anitfreeze..wth? After talking with the Dr, It looks like it is from tylenol, as she takes it lately like a tic tac, and to much causes liver and renal failure etc etc....with her weak state and low weight to much is a critical issue.

I am hoping and praying she can once again fight this and win, but also am being selfish in praying that if she does not live though this, to please make it past the 8th as that is my wedding anniversary and I just don't know how I could handle having her die on that day......It kills me to know I even think that.....

Please any spare prayers or good thoughts you could send her way could be used....thank you all so much........

I have not had a moment until now to get on here...I hope everyone is doing ok....I will send an update when I hear something, and hope to try to catch somewhat up in a day or two......

Thanks for posting this! I'll keep her mom in my prayers. If you hear from her again, please let her know I'm thinking about her.

 

[Glynis]

Ladies, I am an infomercials best customer. I should have meetings for support to stay away from In the Kitchen with Bob on QVC. I have not met a kitchen appliance that I don't want and that I then plunk on the shelf to gather dust. My sister is the opposite. He DH is worse than me but she is not a fan of gadgets so I was floored when she had her treasures out and was using them. The bacon was so good and looked like bacon you see in a magazine and I have never seen a waffle maker that makes them on two sides at the same time, but then I am too cheap to step foot into those fancy stores

This had me laughing!!! Guess what my dad got me for Christmas??? The Magic Bullet!!! He's seen that infomercial for months, and is constantly saying how wonderful it would be to have one. Well, I guess he got tired of hinting around, and bought one for himself. He loves it so much that he bought 2 more sets; one for me and one for my brother in New York. I laughed so hard Christmas morning. I've used it twice since then, once to make smoothies, and once to make ice cream shakes. It worked ok, but nothing spectacular. It does take up less space than my blender, though.

 

[Glynis]

Dinner tonight is pure comfort food for me. I'm still not feeling 100% so I'm making tuna casserole. It sounds good to me, and if my family doesn't like it...that's just too bad!

It's a nice one pot meal, since I include lots of veggies, so I don't have to do too much to round out the meal!

 

[Nancyg56]

This had me laughing!!! Guess what my dad got me for Christmas??? The Magic Bullet!!! He's seen that infomercial for months, and is constantly saying how wonderful it would be to have one. Well, I guess he got tired of hinting around, and bought one for himself. He loves it so much that he bought 2 more sets; one for me and one for my brother in New York. I laughed so hard Christmas morning. I've used it twice since then, once to make smoothies, and once to make ice cream shakes. It worked ok, but nothing spectacular. It does take up less space than my blender, though.

My BIL bought them when they were advertised BOGO free! My sister has given up completely, she says she cannot hold him back, he watches while she is sleeping and he is all alone I have to boycott this one though because my DH keeps watching the commercial and then asking me why I needed the Vitamix when I could have this little wonder instead If I bring this little gadget into the house my poor unsuspecting Vitamix will shrivel up and burn under gaze

 

[Aimeedyan]

MINE TOO!!!!! I guess Alan didn't do too badly, since I did marry him, but he did end up proposing 3 times to get it right!

I have a friend that demanded her now DH repropose and gave him directions on how to do it. I didn't have the guts to do that but sorta wish I had since ours was so miserable. Oh well, we're married now so I guess it worked out!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Tonight's dinner is a ham and cheese twice baked potato thing. Recipe from my Rachael Ray cookbook I bought. We'll see how it tastes!

Think I'll serve it with a salad and bread.

 

[Nancyg56]

I forgot to post dinner. I made a pot of beans and will serve them with hot dogs and something.

 

[shovan]

Hi Y'all,

Wendie, prayers are being said for your Mom & your family.

I haven't read back on everything I've missed lately, so forgive me for not mentioning everyone.

Here's a pic of last night's dinner. It was easy & so yummy. I had ham in the fridge I needed to use up. I made a ham, potatoe and egg frittata with parmesan & monterey jack cheese. We had Becky's balsamic roasted brussel sprouts with it. We'll probably have the leftovers for dinner tonight too.

DH gave me two pasta making attachments for my kitchen aid for my birthday. I haven't told him, but I scared to death to try them out!

 

[shovan]

Hi Y'all,

Wendie, prayers are being said for your Mom & your family.

I haven't read back on everything I've missed lately, so forgive me for not mentioning everyone.

Here's a pic of last night's dinner. It was easy & so yummy. I had ham in the fridge I needed to use up. I made a ham, potatoe and egg frittata with parmesan & monterey jack cheese. We had Becky's balsamic roasted brussel sprouts with it. We'll probably have the leftovers for dinner tonight too.

DH gave me two pasta making attachments for my kitchen aid for my birthday. I haven't told him, but I scared to death to try them out!

 

[Glynis]

I have a friend that demanded her now DH repropose and gave him directions on how to do it. I didn't have the guts to do that but sorta wish I had since ours was so miserable. Oh well, we're married now so I guess it worked out!

Well, I didn't demand Alan re-propose, I think his first proposal really caught him off guard. We were at my apartment, watching movies (ok, we were really making out!), and he just said, "So, you want to get married, or what?" I laughed and said, "Yeah, right!" Then, he got this really sad look on his face and I said, "You're serious??? Of course!!!!!"

Proposal number 2 came after he asked my dad for my hand (how sweet, right?). My parents took us all out to dinner afterward (to celebrate Alan surviving my father), and my dad made him ask me again, in front of all my family.

Proposal number 3 came when he got my ring. We were in a play together, and he showed up to rehearsal with a bouquet of 1 dozen pink carnations with a crimson rose in the center. The ring was wired to the rose. He stopped the rehearsal, got down on one knee and asked me again in front of all our friends.

I think I liked number 3 the best! But I would have married him anyway, even if I only got number 1.

Now, the wedding was a whole other disappointment! Let me just say this: never agree to a double wedding with your older sister who knows she is marrying the wrong man, but is determined to be married at the same time her little sister is getting married!

 

[liamsaunt]

Speaking of bad proposals, my DH proposed to me in a parking lot!

There is some background though. He had originally planned to propose to me while we were on a Disney trip in March, but the ring was not ready before our departure date (he had it made for me). So, he instructed the jeweler to fedex the ring to the hotel, and he figured when he got it he would propose. Well, for whatever reason, the hotel rejected the package and sent it back! Every day he would go to the front desk and look for that ring, and I never caught on! He would always bring back ice, so I just figured the ice machine was really far away! He had a plan all worked out too…he was going to propose at the (long-gone) fountain at the Pirates of the Caribbean since that was our first Disney ride together. But, as it worked out, there was no ring that trip.

Then, on my birthday a few months later, we came into the city for the day. Again, he had planned to propose. This time the plan was to propose at the art museum in front of our favorite statue. But, he forgot the ring in the car! So, we had a very romantic day, walking through the Fens and going to the art museum, etc. But, no ring. I have to admit that I was suspicious at this point. DH was so frustrated with himself for botching his proposal plan for a second time that when we got back to the car (parked in the Alewife parking garage) he just threw open the door of the car, grabbed the box, shoved it into my hand and yelled “Here!” Not even a “will you marry me?” It was actually really, really funny.

Now, here is what I have been cooking lately. This is the cheesy pasta Laura mentioned:

Saturday I roasted a chicken:

that I served with some ricotta-stuffed gnocchi that i sauteed with butter and parmesean cheese:

and, for Zipuzee, here is the sausage pasta recipe. It's really easy!

Sausage, white bean, tomato pasta

2 links sausage (I used al fresco brand roasted garlic chicken sausage), casings removed (optional), sliced into rounds
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 28 ounce can chopped tomatoes with their juice
1 16 ounce can cannellini beans, well rinsed and drained
1 cup chicken stock
¼ cup parmesean cheese
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
12 ounces pasta
Basil for garnish

Cook pasta until al dente and set aside

Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until tender. Stir in the tomatoes, the beans, and the stock and simmer until the tomatoes are softened and the flavors meld, about 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Stir in the pasta and the cheese, garnish with basil, and serve.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Wendie, Prayers said for your Mom...

Kathy, Thank you for passing along the info from Wendie.

Sheryl and Becky, great pics!

Thank you all for your prayers for my uncle. He is doing better and should be transferred to the therapy section of the hospital today/tomorrow. The infection was really bad and he is really sore but looks terrific.

I have not been back to the hospital since my father died and it brought back alot of memories of him so I have been a little sad. My aunt mentioned that a Nurses Aide that my father adored was asking for my Mom. Mom, of course, did not remember her but I did! She took great care of my Dad for years when he was in and out of ICU and cardiac care...it was like my father was flirting with her all the time in a cute old man kind of way (not the dirty way ). I used to joke with my Dad that being in the hospital was like a vacation to him. Well, as soon as Tonya saw my Mom and I come out of the elevator she came right over to us...I was just so happy to see her again and we all broke down in tears. What a special woman.

We didn't go to the nursing home today since my Mom was just there on Saturday but I did bring her shopping for her to stock up on goodies to bring. She brings candies, cookies, chips.

I don't think most of the girls really knew they weren't competing against any other teams, but Caili did, and she was definitely disappointed when she saw the red ribbon instead of blue.

My clothes dryer died yesterday...it was leaking gas ...so I have to get a new one this afternoon and then Caili has skating.

Oh Laura, what a horrible thing to do to the girls. Give Caili a hug. I am sorry about your dryer too...glad you're safe though.

Lauren - prayers said for your uncle. And BTW, I think it is so very kind of your mother to visit people in the nursing home even though your Dad isn't there. And it is sweet of you to go with her.

I think tonight's dinner will be baked ham and colcannon. That is the plan, but today is our kids' first day back at school and that tends to make things a little crazy.

Thank you for the prayers. Mom is such a great person. For as long as I can remember my mother was always taking care of someone. We didn't get to the nursing home today but I will make it a point next time. It will be nice to see the residents that were there with Dad.

Prayers for your uncle. I think your Mom is so sweet to go and visit the folks in the nursing home. Johnny has worked at a nursing home for about three years now and has developed relationships with many of the residents. Some of them are so lonely it breaks my heart. Whenever I make a big pot of gumbo or soup I package up a bunch of containers to take to them and they just love seeing me walk through the door. I think I enjoy it as much as they do.

TONIGHT IS THE BIG GAME!!!!!! GO TIGERS!!!!

Thanks Kat! You're a sweet heart too for doing what you do...not many people do. It is sad to see the residents that do not get visitors...one of my Mom and Dad's friends live there and he actually called my Mom a couple weeks ago because he was worried that she did not show up one day. I really need to get to see him.

I have the game on...I think I am too tire to watch it though. I haven't been sleeping good and having nightmares lately. Even my trusty Ambien CR is not working...

As for the mutual dislike between me and my food processor, I have two words - Homemade Pesto. Trust me when I say it wasn't pretty. I don't think it or I have fully recovered.

I am not good with gadgets either...then again, I am just a klutz and not good gadgets, cars, appliances, etc!!!

Lauren- of course your uncle in in my prayers.

The bacon was so good and looked like bacon you see in a magazine and I have never seen a waffle maker that makes them on two sides at the same time, but then I am too cheap to step foot into those fancy stores

Thanks for the prayers Nancy!

Now I want bacon!

 

[HERSEY]

Nancy I was watching the informercial Sunday morning and saw the Shark steam mop. I've been on the hunt for something to help clean my grout. Someone on the budget board sold me on the Shark ultra steam blaster, now I'll be able to clean my lawn furniture and grill too.

I'm such a sucker for gadets.

Lauren Sorry to hear about your Uncle. I'll keep him in my prayers

Wendie I hope your Mom hangs on. She too is in my prayers.

Laura I'm sure who ever thought up that crazy rule had a good reason but come on what would be the harm in letting the girls feel like the winners they are and celebrate it?

Tonight we had my version of beef and brocoli stir fry. Sometimes I can get it to almost taste better than most chinese restaurants. Tonight the flavor was there but the beef needed more marinating.

It's thundering and lightening here and in the middle 60's. I think it is still January I have to keep checking the calendar.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Thanks Janice!

What do you marinate the beef in? Do you use a recipe?

 

[HERSEY]

I use a little white wine, soy sauce, garlic(minced very fine) fresh ginger also minced. No actual measuring probably that's why sometimes its just good or very good.

For the actual stir fry sauce I like the Iron chef sauces my current fav is sesame and garlic

 

[liamandcaili]

I am glad that Becky told her proposal story, because I was sitting on my hands trying not to write it. Of course, my DH's initial proposal was along the lines of, "So, do you want to get married?" However, once he bought the ring, he took me to a spot on the water, got down on his knee and did it properly.

For all of you who visit or volunteer in nursing homes, that really is a wonderful and sweet thing to do. My mom has been working in nursing homes for probably 25 years, and the residents are so appreciative of your time. They even used to like my pretty horrible piano concerts when I was a teenager. Now, I just have to bring the kids, and they are happy...probably happier!

As for Caili, she is fine. She was a little disappointed, but she has not been too excited about the team this year anyway. It has been a bit disorganized, and she can't stand that. Anyway, thanks for all the hugs for her. Next up is Lake Placid!!

And thanks Beck for the pizza! It was fast and yummy.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Oooh, I love the proposal stories!! So funny. I guess it's true there are rarely movie perfect proposals.

That stuffed potato was really good! I stuffed them with chopped ham, some kind of stinky cheese I had in the fridge leftover from a recipe, and thyme. Course, milk, butter, salt, pepper as well.

Whipped it up, stuff it back into a half of a potato shell, and broiled.

DH loved it - and he HATES the stinky cheese. Guess you couldn't smell it by the time it was baked up.

I was afraid it wouldn't be filling enough but he ate two halves and declared he was full. I ate one, and really want another because it was good, but I think I'll stop for now.

 

[TigerKat]

I am so nervous about this LSU game I'm about to throw up!

 

[shovan]

I am so nervous about this LSU game I'm about to throw up!

I don't think Kathy will be puking tonight!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO GEAUX TIGERS!!! #1 BCS CHAMPIONS