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

[Nancyg56]

Is this like having your glasses on your head and searching the house for them

You have no idea what a day being me is like ....that's why I have a glass of wine

 

[shovan]

Morning Y'all,

cajunmommy, Thanks for keeping everyone from worrying!

We did have some really heavy rain yesterday but nothing more! And it brought in cooler dryer & a much prettier day today!

Lauren, Glad you liked the coffee! Samples should be arriving soon to everyone who was on the Christmas card list! (except for my fellow Louisiana gals, CC would only send it out of state)

The Chipotle Tamale Pie I fixed yesterday turned out well. Even though I left the cheese out, cause I was REALLY allowing Alexis to help fix the dish! Following a recipe & cooking with a 5 year old is tough! She really wants to actually cut the veggies herself, put the ingredients in the pot, stir it in the pot, etc.! Keeping her safe & doing a new dish is just too hard! But she loves it, she pretends she is either Rachel Ray, Paula Deen or Linguini from Ratatouille! Can you tell watch TV station is usually on in my house?

As frazzled as I was trying to allow her to help & not get hurt, it was worth it. While we are cooking she stops, looks up at me & says with this really heartfelt expression "Nana, I love you so much!" I said "Why's that sweetie" and she replied "Because you let me really cook!" Aww, what's a Nana to do!

Here's the Chipotle Tamale Pie & Guacamole Salad Alexis & I fixed yesterday:

The cheese that should have gone in the middle, ended up being put on top. I also some on the plate & dished out the pie on top of that. It was really yummy.

 

[liamsaunt]

Glynis, do you bowl regular or candlepin? John and I took Liam candlepin bowling on Sunday. I honestly think that candlepion bowling is an exercise in futility! I was pretty bad...I think my highest score all afternoon was around 76. I've only been regular bowling once since candlepin is so much more popular here, but I think I liked the regular bowling better. At least I could knock all of the pins down once in a while.

One funny aside about the bowling...both John and Liam kept forgetting to reset the pins! They are obviously too used to wii bowling!

I'm not sure wfd yet...I was planning on making dh a shepards pie with the leftover short ribs and their sauce, potatoes, and veggies, but his business dinner last night was at Morton's steakhouse, and I don't like him to eat very much red meat....ideally no more than once per week. Since he had the short ribs earlier this week, and a steak last night, I might try and come up with something else. I did take some chicken out of the freezer last night, but I don't know what to do with it...it's boneless skinless chicken, so basically a blank slate. I also can't remember what vegetables I have at the house.

Here is an easy cheese fondue recipe:

Cheese Fondue

1 clove garlic, halved
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 lb. cheese--I use a mix of half gruyere and half emmenthaler
1 tbsp. kirsch

Rub the garlic clove all around the inside of your fondue pot and then discard

Coarsely grate the cheese and toss with the cornstarch to coat.

Add the wine to the fondue pot and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese, a handful at a time, while stirring in a zigzag motion. As the cheese melts, add more until it is all in the pot.

Add the kirsch, and simmer for at least 5 more minutes, until the fondue is thickened to your liking. If it gets too thick, add more wine.

Serve with crusty bread cut into chunks, blanched vegetables, etc. for dipping.

As you eat the fondue, make sure to stir the mixture with your fondue pot, and dig down towards the bottom of the pot as you do so, to keep things well mixed.

I have heard that you can make this recipe subbing in chicken stock for the wine if any of you don't like wine. I've never tried it that way so can't vouch for how it would taste.

Don't forget: If a lady loses one of her bread cubes off her fork into the fondue, she has to kiss the man sitting next to her. If a man loses a breadcube in the fondue, he has to buy another bottle of wine for the table.

This makes enough fondue for at least 6 people. Leftovers are good melted into an omelet or stirred into mashed potatoes, etc.

 

[shovan]

Becky, You are once again, AMAZING!!! I'm wowed everytime I see your creations!!

Is the gratineed egg recipe posted here? Also how did you fix the mushrooms for the sandwich? It all looks so delicious!

 

[TigerKat]

Hey hey hey, you two. Knock it off or get a room!

As frazzled as I was trying to allow her to help & not get hurt, it was worth it. While we are cooking she stops, looks up at me & says with this really heartfelt expression "Nana, I love you so much!" I said "Why's that sweetie" and she replied "Because you let me really cook!" Aww, what's a Nana to do!

That is soooooo sweet!!!


If anyone is interested I fixed a new meatloaf recipe last night that was the best one I've ever made. Martha Stewart's Mom passed away and Martha did a show featuring all of her Mom's best recipes. This was really good:

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal...a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=meatloaf 101&rsc=header_1

 

[Nancyg56]

Hey hey hey, you two. Knock it off or get a room!

You're feeling sassy today, Lindsay

We are getting the rain today. It is so hard to stay motivated when I really want to curl up with a cup of tea and a book under a blanket.

Your Alexis just melted my heart. When those little Cuties say "I Love You" with their sweet little faces it is all over. What ever they want.......

If anyone is interested I fixed a new meatloaf recipe last night that was the best one I've ever made. Martha Stewart's Mom passed away and Martha did a show featuring all of her Mom's best recipes. This was really good:

I make her Mom's Babka but I never tell Buddy that it is her recipe. He absolutely hates her! He refused to sleep on sheets that had her trademark , and they were nice sheets

 

[Aimeedyan]

Now I'm craving fondue. Wonder how I could make a meal out of cheese fondue... =)

Tonight we're having yet another SparkPeople low cal dinner. Pulled pork sandwiches in the crockpot. If it's good, I'll post the recipe tonight. It got good reviews but you never know. i'm going to make sweet potato fries to go with it.

 

[TigerKat]

You're feeling sassy today, Lindsay

Nancy, did you ever in your wildest dreams think we'd be confused with the Smitten Kittens?

 

[shovan]

Don't know what dinner will be tonight. Have to go get a haircut at 2 and then hopefully my car will be ready as promised & I can pick it up. Which also mean returning the rental car too. So dinner will either be the leftover tamale pie or something take out or maybe eat out!

Nancy, Great way to spend a rainy day, go have your tea & read your book!

Buddy is too much! Won't even sleep on those nice sheets cus their Martha's! I guess you could cut out the insignia & patch the darn things. Would that make him feel better about it?!

Nancy & Kathy, Yeah the child has her Nana wrapped that's for sure.

Aimee, Dipping some bread & veggies into that cheese would be a great dinner to me!

 

[liamsaunt]

Is the gratineed egg recipe posted here? Also how did you fix the mushrooms for the sandwich? It all looks so delicious!

Yes, it is listed on the recipe index as "egg dish." I don't know what page it is on. The way I posted it is the basic method, but I've since refined it to get my eggs EXACTLY the way I like them (fully cooked whites, thick but runny yolks). It has a couple of extra steps but I doubt anyone wants to be as fussy as me! If you make it the way it is posted your yolks will come out fully cooked--not "hard boiled" cooked, but not at all runny either.

The mushroom sandwich is the easiest thing ever! Just slice up some mushrooms (or buy the pre-sliced ones), dice one small onion, melt a little butter, saute until everything is cooked, season with salt and pepper, pile on some bread spread with dijon mustard, top with cheese of your choice, and heat through. Easy as pie!

 

[THE HAT]

Afternoon my friends-----I want to thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and kind and wise words.....I ask that you please keep praying for my mom.....
Not much news to report on as of yet today.......my brother is about 2hrs away from getting there.....I will feel better once I know he arrived there safe, as I know how tired he is and stressed.......my father will do a bit better though having him to lean on for a few days........
My mothers heart rate is up a bit, and they think it is due to her having a low grade temp, that they do not know what is causing it. She had some vent issues today that were taken care of with a minor adjustement, but my dad walked in as she was having some labored breathing, so that threw him for a loop to start the day...her bp and such are fine, and like the nurse said.....on paper she is great.....the answers lie in the eeg report....that is finally in BUT the attending dr and nurses can not read the neurologist's hand writing so the dr is trying to reach him........
I had some issues with the night nurse last night, (to heart wrenching to type, but just cruel) and my dad had an issue with the day one this morning, (again)....my brother called the charge nurse once again, and told her what he thinks of their bedside manner to his family, as they are possible on the last days of his mothers life......should be interesting once Billy arrives there........my brother is 47 yrs old, 6ft tall broad shoulders, and spent 24 years in the army...part of it as a drill sargent.....they have no idea what is coming their way..........

All I want is peace for my mother......whichever way that may be..............just some peace.....

I have nothing to post for wfd.........the boys have been on their own this week, and I have been living on coffee and red bull.....I did eat a piece of corn bread yesterday that Kris picked up at the grocery store for me....wasn't really hungry, but he was so pleased that he stopped and picked up something he thought I might eat, I had a bite of it......nothing really settles well right now.......and trust me I won't wither away, lol...............

again thank you all for listening to me............it means so much!

 

[TigerKat]

Guys - Please keep Wendie in your prayers right now. She is having a very difficult day, she just got a birthday card in the mail from her Mom that was mailed before she went into the hospital. They've also had some horrid nurses they've had to deal with. It's so sad, please pray for her.

 

[Glynis]

Glynis, do you bowl regular or candlepin? John and I took Liam candlepin bowling on Sunday. I honestly think that candlepion bowling is an exercise in futility! I was pretty bad...I think my highest score all afternoon was around 76. I've only been regular bowling once since candlepin is so much more popular here, but I think I liked the regular bowling better. At least I could knock all of the pins down once in a while.

One funny aside about the bowling...both John and Liam kept forgetting to reset the pins! They are obviously too used to wii bowling!

I'm not sure wfd yet...I was planning on making dh a shepards pie with the leftover short ribs and their sauce, potatoes, and veggies, but his business dinner last night was at Morton's steakhouse, and I don't like him to eat very much red meat....ideally no more than once per week. Since he had the short ribs earlier this week, and a steak last night, I might try and come up with something else. I did take some chicken out of the freezer last night, but I don't know what to do with it...it's boneless skinless chicken, so basically a blank slate. I also can't remember what vegetables I have at the house.

Here is an easy cheese fondue recipe:

Cheese Fondue

1 clove garlic, halved
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1 lb. cheese--I use a mix of half gruyere and half emmenthaler
1 tbsp. kirsch

Rub the garlic clove all around the inside of your fondue pot and then discard

Coarsely grate the cheese and toss with the cornstarch to coat.

Add the wine to the fondue pot and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese, a handful at a time, while stirring in a zigzag motion. As the cheese melts, add more until it is all in the pot.

Add the kirsch, and simmer for at least 5 more minutes, until the fondue is thickened to your liking. If it gets too thick, add more wine.

Serve with crusty bread cut into chunks, blanched vegetables, etc. for dipping.

As you eat the fondue, make sure to stir the mixture with your fondue pot, and dig down towards the bottom of the pot as you do so, to keep things well mixed.

I have heard that you can make this recipe subbing in chicken stock for the wine if any of you don't like wine. I've never tried it that way so can't vouch for how it would taste.

Don't forget: If a lady loses one of her bread cubes off her fork into the fondue, she has to kiss the man sitting next to her. If a man loses a breadcube in the fondue, he has to buy another bottle of wine for the table.

This makes enough fondue for at least 6 people. Leftovers are good melted into an omelet or stirred into mashed potatoes, etc.

I bowl regular! I only started bowling 4 years ago, so I'm not very good, but I do enjoy it! At least my average is well over 100. Considering I started with an average of 62, I guess I'm improving!

 

[Glynis]

Now I'm craving fondue. Wonder how I could make a meal out of cheese fondue... =)

Tonight we're having yet another SparkPeople low cal dinner. Pulled pork sandwiches in the crockpot. If it's good, I'll post the recipe tonight. It got good reviews but you never know. i'm going to make sweet potato fries to go with it.

It's easy to make a meal out of cheese fondue. Simply boil some tiny red potatoes, steam some broccoli and cauliflower, and cube some french or italian bread. Presto, dinner is done!!!

 

[Glynis]

Afternoon my friends-----I want to thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and kind and wise words.....I ask that you please keep praying for my mom.....
Not much news to report on as of yet today.......my brother is about 2hrs away from getting there.....I will feel better once I know he arrived there safe, as I know how tired he is and stressed.......my father will do a bit better though having him to lean on for a few days........
My mothers heart rate is up a bit, and they think it is due to her having a low grade temp, that they do not know what is causing it. She had some vent issues today that were taken care of with a minor adjustement, but my dad walked in as she was having some labored breathing, so that threw him for a loop to start the day...her bp and such are fine, and like the nurse said.....on paper she is great.....the answers lie in the eeg report....that is finally in BUT the attending dr and nurses can not read the neurologist's hand writing so the dr is trying to reach him........
I had some issues with the night nurse last night, (to heart wrenching to type, but just cruel) and my dad had an issue with the day one this morning, (again)....my brother called the charge nurse once again, and told her what he thinks of their bedside manner to his family, as they are possible on the last days of his mothers life......should be interesting once Billy arrives there........my brother is 47 yrs old, 6ft tall broad shoulders, and spent 24 years in the army...part of it as a drill sargent.....they have no idea what is coming their way..........

All I want is peace for my mother......whichever way that may be..............just some peace.....

I have nothing to post for wfd.........the boys have been on their own this week, and I have been living on coffee and red bull.....I did eat a piece of corn bread yesterday that Kris picked up at the grocery store for me....wasn't really hungry, but he was so pleased that he stopped and picked up something he thought I might eat, I had a bite of it......nothing really settles well right now.......and trust me I won't wither away, lol...............

again thank you all for listening to me............it means so much!

Wendie - you and your family continue to be in my prayers. Please take care of yourself. Let Kris take care of you. He's got to be feeling helpless at seeing you in this turmoil! I'm so glad that you can come here and talk to us! We are here for you, and want to support you! Know that whatever happens, you are in all of our prayers!

 

[Glynis]

Ok, Lauren, here are all my fondue recipes.

Cheesy Pizza Fondue
Makes 4 cups

1 jar meatless spaghetti sauce
2 C. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 C. shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried, minced onion
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 unsliced loaf Italian bread, cubed

In a 1 1/2 quart slow cooker, combine the spaghetti sauce, cheeses, oregano, onion and garlic powder. Cook for 4-6 hours or until cheese is melting and sauce is hot. Serve with bread cubes.

Note: I like to make this in a saucepan on the stove and transfer it to a fondue pot or small crockpot to serve. I also use breadsticks and meatballs as dippers.


Woodward Cheese Fondue

1 1/2 C. white grape juice
2 pounds Velveeta, cubed
3/4 C. green onion cheese
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 C. butter

Place grape juice in a crockpot and bring to a boil (or get it really hot). Add cheeses and stir occasionally until melted. Add sour cream and butter. Cook, stirring occasionally until smooth. Serve with cubed french bread, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, boiled new potatoes.

Note: If you can't find green onion cheese (you can order it from several dairies), you can make your own by using Monterey Jack cheese and chop up several green onions into the crockpot.


Butterscotch Fondue
Makes 4 cups

1/2 C. butter or margarine, cubed
2 C. packed brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 C. light corn syrup
2 Tbsp. water
1/4 C. English toffee bits
1 tsp. vanilla
Angel food cake cubes and fresh fruit

In a large saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, corn syrup and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in toffee bits and vanilla. Transfer to a fondue pot or mini slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with cake and fruit.


Warm Strawberry Fondue
Makes 1 1/2 cups

1 pkg. frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
1/4 C. half and half cream
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Angel food cake cubes and fresh fruit

In a food processor or blender, combine the strawberries, cream, cornstarch and lemon juice; cover and process until smooth. Pour into a saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Transfer to a fondue pot or a mini slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with cake and fruit.

 

[Nancyg56]

Nancy, did you ever in your wildest dreams think we'd be confused with the Smitten Kittens?

Now I'm afraid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TigerKat]

Now I'm afraid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Afternoon my friends-----I want to thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and kind and wise words.....I ask that you please keep praying for my mom.....

Wendie- no thanks necessary, we are all here for you. Thank God your brother is going to address the nurses. They sometimes are so dispassionate and I just don't get it.

I am praying for your Mom and think you may find a little peace for yourself if you give it up and place her in His hands. Somehow, when I did that I was a little easier. Don't give up though, my Mom was so sick and we thought she was going to leave us but she did not. We had her for another 18 months.

Once again, try to eat a little and get a little rest.

 

[HERSEY]

Still no Chinese for me, But we did get takeout Popeye's chicken for Alex and shrimp for me and fake red beans and rice.


Wendie Please take care of yourself. Red bull and coffee even on a good day is yucky. I'm glad your brother is going to the hospital. Having someone who can take charge and be the spokeperson for the family can be very helpful. I hope your mom gets some nurses who will work with you. They are probably overworked there like they are here. I will continue to pray for your Mom and you.