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

[Nancyg56]

Welcome back Stephanie and Lori!

I spent all day sewing Caili's Halloween costume (my Dad said that if there was an opposite for the Latin Semper Paratus -- always prepared -- it would be Semper Lauras) so dinner tonight was pasta with jarred pasta sauce and spinach. It was all I could manage in 15 minutes.

OMG, I just stopped in and caught this Semper Lauras


How on Earth does everyone keep up? I think I have serious time management issues now that I am home because I can't manage as much as when I was working full time???????

Tonight we are having a pasta casserole with ground turkey. I can't remember if I posted the recipe, it sounds terrible but tastes very good and holds well. We tend to have drop in visitors on Halloween night so I need food that can be reheated and still be good. Kady cannot have it but she is not going to eat much tonight so Marisa can fix her something.

We are also having some vegan no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies and Roly Poly Buggy Balls. I am going make a chocolate pumpkin cake if I can squeeze it in.

Laura I found a vegan website that has some interesting recipes that kids will enjoy. I don't have to make my own subs so maybe Kady will like them better than the ones I have tried so far.

Every one have a safe a and spooky Halloween!!!!!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight we are having leftover chicken provencal stoup.

WFD at your house?

 

[FormrCastMbr]

spaghetti meatballs and sausage...salad too.

Will be back later to follow up with everyone...off to the bus!

Have a Happy Halloween!

 

[THE HAT]

Boo all--

Ross won 3rd place in the costume contest last night at his dojo!!

I have P/T this morning, then Ross wants to go back up to school this afternoon for the book fair. We will have a ton of kids here this evening as we are the gathering point for trick or treating in the neighborhood. Kris is bringing home longhorns for supper with some extra kids meals added on, as we are bound to get some early "hangerouters" who didn't eat, lol.

Have a happy and safe halloween!!!!!

 

[TigerKat]

Happy Halloween everyone!!

Shrimp stew out of the freezer for us and I'll make a salad.

 

[OKWMom]

If it turns out good would you post it please?

Thank you so much Wendie!! It sure is good to have you back. I'm two weeks smoke-free!!!!

Congrats on the two week mark. I look forward to celebrating with you in person. By then you will be what, 5 weeks? I didn't make the pork chops last night because the ones I took out of the freezer didn't look too good. I plan on the making the chops maybe Friday night. I'll remember to post the recipe if they are any good.

We had a fun time at F&WF! The Village People were a scream! We sat in the front row and the Indian came over after the show and grabbed my hand and called me Baby Girl! (insert swoon here) Let me tell ya, I haven't been a baby girl in a loooonnnnnngggg time! But I had fun singing along and I think Rick was suprised that I knew all the words (my secret fetish- disco). Could only have been better if it was longer and followed by the BeeGees, but sadly that's not to be!

Party for the Senses was great! The food was amazing! Details to follow when I have the program in hand and can remember everything. My "old-timers" is setting in!

I'm so glad you had a great time! I can't wait to hear some of the details.

I spent all day sewing Caili's Halloween costume (my Dad said that if there was an opposite for the Latin Semper Paratus -- always prepared -- it would be Semper Lauras) so dinner tonight was pasta with jarred pasta sauce and spinach. It was all I could manage in 15 minutes.

Laura I almost sprayed my keyboard with Diet Coke reading this. Thanks for the morning laugh. And for the record - I'm AMAZED at what you get done each day. Especially since you are by yourself most of the time. I don't know if I would have the patience or the stamina.

How on Earth does everyone keep up? I think I have serious time management issues now that I am home because I can't manage as much as when I was working full time???????

It's quite simple really - I DIS at work (shhhhh, don't tell the boss). I'd much rather be DISing than working. I usually can fit 15 minutes here or there, but on busy days at work I get lost here.

Ross won 3rd place in the costume contest last night at his dojo!!

I have P/T this morning, then Ross wants to go back up to school this afternoon for the book fair. We will have a ton of kids here this evening as we are the gathering point for trick or treating in the neighborhood. Kris is bringing home longhorns for supper with some extra kids meals added on, as we are bound to get some early "hangerouters" who didn't eat, lol.

Have a happy and safe halloween!!!!!

Congrats to Ross! And Wendie, it is so good to have you back.

Will be back later to follow up with everyone...off to the bus!

Have a Happy Halloween!

Lauren, are you not out of your mind excited about your trip?!? I didn't realize how close it was until I noticed your ticker this morning.

Last night's dinner did not go exactly as planned. We ended up having cube steak in milk gravy, mashed potatoes and field peas. I've haven't ever fixed this before because Kenny said he wasn't wild about it, but it was a request from one of the kids. Anyway, about halfway through, Kenny said it was the best he had ever eaten and wanted to know how I got the meat so tender.

It seems that his memory of this meal is the way his mom made it - meat cooked to a hard, tough patty with gravy spooned on top.

Tonight's dinner, barring any more defrosting mishaps, is going to be a baked mexican chicken (except I called it spanish chicken - trying to fool Kenny who says he doesn't like mexican). It is a new recipe and I hope it turns out well.

Happy Halloween everyone!

 

[Glynis]

Happy Halloween, everyone! I just got the kids out the door, all decked out in their costumes. Katie as Sacagawea, Jacob as Capt. Jack, Leslie as Snow White (except a last minute rip had us digging through the costume box, and a quick substitution as a glamorous witch), and Mary as a dragon. I'll post pictures later.

The kids decided they didn't want my bat wings for dinner, so we're going to have "finger" sandwiches with "blood" soup. At least they'll have something hot to eat before trick or treating. We'll probably eat early, around 5:00, since they want to go out early.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Welcome back Stephanie and Lori! Please let me know if there is anything that I should not miss. I already have a list of the foods I would like to try.

I am doing a bit better, I even made it to Ross' last football game on Sunday!! I get to take my brace off for a few hours a day so that is VERY nice as well!!

Lauren--I love your tile, it is beautiful!!

Wendie, so glad you are feeling better. It looks like I may have to pick tile for my upstairs bath. Some of the tiles are loose and now the shower head broke.

I'm two weeks smoke-free!!!!

So proud of you my friend!

It's taken me a while to get on today, as I've had to deal with Halloween crap!

Lauren - What costume did you end up with? There were tons of adult size costumes left at Walmart when I went this morning.

Glynis, you are like wonder woman. I can't keep up here and I only have 1 child.

I was actually looking for Riley the dog but I didn't find anything. I will be wearing my pumpkin hat and halloween t shirt.

Party for the Senses was great! The food was amazing! Details to follow when I have the program in hand and can remember everything. My "old-timers" is setting in!

Oh please tell me about your trip before I leave on Sat!!!

Alex and his homework are driving me crazy. He has to find items in our house from different countries He wanted to know where the dogs came from

We are having grilled brats and some kind of side that I still have to decide on.

Brats are German, no?

I spent all day sewing Caili's Halloween costume (my Dad said that if there was an opposite for the Latin Semper Paratus -- always prepared -- it would be Semper Lauras)

Love it!

How on Earth does everyone keep up? I think I have serious time management issues now that I am home because I can't manage as much as when I was working full time???????

I hear ya. I clean and clean and its a mess again in one day. Then I get lost here too and can't keep up.

Ross won 3rd place in the costume contest last night at his dojo!!

Yeah Ross! What did he dress as?

Lauren, are you not out of your mind excited about your trip?!? I didn't realize how close it was until I noticed your ticker this morning.

I actually do not think it hit me yet. I am trying to get done around here before we go so I am a little stressed. I want to make sure the house is decent since the pet sitter will be here for the cats and fish. Riley will go to the kennel. I am sure the sitter will be shocked to see the mess down stairs.

 

[shovan]

Hey Y'all,

Sorry I'm having a tough time checking in, with the remodeling going on I'm a bit crazed!

Lori, I was wondering where you were! I was hoping that maybe you & Rick extended your fooding & wining a couple of days! But no such luck, uh?
I don't know if being the same here & in real life is a good thing or not, but what you read & see is what you get! We had a blast meeting y'all, I just wish I could have seen the Village People with ya! Sounds too cool!

I have to go back to the tile place today with Bob & Mario. The travertine is running darker than usual & the accent tiles didn't blend well, so we have to try to find something & I'm NOT going to blow the budget all by my self!

I've got to get to the grocery & fix two pots of chili (one w/beans) & hot dogs for trick or treating tonight. And try to keep Alexis from putting on her costume as soon as she comes home from school!

Y'all have a great Halloween!

Sheryl

 

[Aimeedyan]

My plan is to make chipotle chicken soft tacos but after the halloween party tonight at church, I may not feel up to eating much dinner and pick up something small for DH on my way home.

I get to go to Target later and buy junk to chow down on with the kids!

 

[TigerKat]

Ross won 3rd place in the costume contest last night at his dojo!!

Way to go Ross!!!

Congrats on the two week mark. I look forward to celebrating with you in person. By then you will be what, 5 weeks?

Hey, we need to set a date, place & time girl!!!! PM me!!


Lauren - I'm getting so excited for you, are your guys getting excited?

 

[Nancyg56]

Wendie- Congrats to Ross! I'm happy to hear that you are on the mend, make sure that you do not overdo though.

Glynis- What a day already! I can't figure out how Halloween became so much work but I know that I am already tired Can't wait to see pics of the kiddies.

Lauren- I did not realize that you were so close! You have got to be excited!!!!!!!!

Sheryl- I almost did not survive one renovation, I know I would not make it through two! It is going to be so worth it when you are finished though.



I have got the cookies done for Kady but I am not sure if I like them. I think I have got to get used to soy milk before I can tell how things taste. The chocolate pumpkin cake seems to have come out okay. I did follow the recipe, although it is very hard for me, and hope that the little dip in the middle is supposed to be there . I am so not a baker unless I start with a box. You cannot screw them up!

I was parent helper in Kady's class today and enjoyed their mask parade but I am a little sad that I am not there for their party. Oh well, back to the kitchen.

 

[liamsaunt]

Happy Halloween everybody!

No photos again last night. I got caught up in a crush at the commuter train because of the Red Sox parade, and so didn't get home until about 8. I made the egg dish that you've already seen, some sliced tomatoes, and some crusty bread, and called it dinner. My DH went to the parade and got some cool pictures though, so that was nice.

Tonight I am making coconut-crusted shrimp with a spicy mango-mustard dipping sauce, pigeon peas and rice, caribbean cole slaw, and cinnamon-cardamom mashed sweet potatoes.

Kathy, I saw you asked about the beef roast, but I did not actually cook that meal--my Mom did. Laura makes roast beef sometimes so maybe she can give some advice.

 

[TigerKat]

Kathy, I saw you asked about the beef roast, but I did not actually cook that meal--my Mom did. Laura makes roast beef sometimes so maybe she can give some advice.

Laura, can you help? My DH likes the "fall apart roast",but he would love one cooked med rare and sliced. Any tips on cooking method and cut of roast would be great!

 

[Nancyg56]

Laura, can you help? My DH likes the "fall apart roast",but he would love one cooked med rare and sliced. Any tips on cooking method and cut of roast would be great!

I also would love the advice. I have not cooked a roast beef in years, although I used to cook them often. I think I used a spoon roast but it has been so long I really don't remember.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I ended up with Wendy's. $4 to feed us both, can't beat that.

Laura - do you have a recipe for the shrimp?

 

[liamandcaili]

OMG, I just stopped in and caught this Semper Lauras
Laura I found a vegan website that has some interesting recipes that kids will enjoy. I don't have to make my own subs so maybe Kady will like them better than the ones I have tried so far.

Glad you liked my dad's joke. It does describe me very well sometimes.

Please send me the link to the website too!

Laura, can you help? My DH likes the "fall apart roast",but he would love one cooked med rare and sliced. Any tips on cooking method and cut of roast would be great!

I will definitely help. I just have to find my roast chart...give me a day.

Laura - do you have a recipe for the shrimp?

It's Becky you want. I don't make shrimp, due to Liam's allergy.

In typical Semper Lauras fashion, I had no dinner materials in the house tonight, so I decided to order out pizza after Caili was done skating. This was a bad idea, since apparently, everyone else in my town decided to order pizza at the same time. I got my order 70 minutes after I ordered it. They said it would be ready in 30. Grr. However, my dad had the foresight to take the kids out, so they ate when they were tired of trick-or-treating. The only problem was that I only got one, pretty bad, picture of them tonight. I will take a better picture in the next couple of days and post it. Liam was a skeleton and Caili was a bunny.

Happy Halloween!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Tonight we are going to my grandmother's house for dinner.

WFD at your house?

ETA: I'm so excited, you guys. I am going to go make some homemade granola for our trip here in a few minutes. It's really starting to feeling like vacation time in our house!!!!! Here's the recipe if anyone wants it. It's quick, easy, and delish!!

Oven-roasted Maple GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts)
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean, split
1 cup oats
1 cup peeled hazelnuts ***Don't feel like you have to use the nuts suggested in this recipe. As long as you have 3 cups of nuts, you are fine. Most of the time I just use a "deluxe mix," it has everything in it.***
2 cups whole natural almonds
1/2 cup golden raisins, a couple of handfuls
1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries, (recommended: Craisins brand) a couple of handfuls
1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
1 cup chocolate and candy coated peanuts (recommended: Peanut M&Ms)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place maple syrup on the stove with cinnamon and vanilla over medium low heat to infuse the flavor. Warm syrup a couple of minutes, remove.

Combine oats, hazelnuts, almonds, raisins, cranberries and seeds in a bowl. Toss with maple syrup and remove the cinnamon stick and vanilla bean. Spread the maple coated mixture out on a cookie sheet and roast 15 minutes. Remove the nuts from oven and transfer to another cold pan, tossing the mix to quick-cool it. Once cool, toss with peanut candy and eat or pack up for a hike!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

ETA: I'm so excited, you guys. I am going to go make some homemade granola for our trip here in a few minutes.

This sounds yummy! I cannot believe you are making this now...I get nauseous (sp) just thinking of getting packed and out of the house in time for my 7:50 am flight! Yes, right now I am sitting here ready to puke from my nerves.

I am not sure WFD...I have alot of last minute stuff to do today: nails, walmart, library, get hair done for me and A...we may have beef barley soup and grilled cheese or maybe chinese. Tom is not feeling well so he may be home today (nasal infection). Good thing is: he got some motion sickness meds from the dr too so I'll be dragging him on all the rides again!

Have a great day all!

 

[TigerKat]

Lindsay & Lauren,

Getting excited for y'all!!!!!

WFD - Roast in the crockpot now, sides will be noodles and broccoli!