The What's For Dinner Thread - Feb '09(recipe index in OP)

[Glynis]

Breakfast on the patio? Sounds awesome!

Glynis- I hope your neighbors can find peace in all that. How sweet of you to help them out with meals.

I am happy to help out. I know that my neighbors would be there for me if I needed them. They made sure my kids were fed and taken to school after mom died and I was with my dad. It's part of why I love where I live.

When Richard was diagnosed, the doctor's didn't expect him to live out the rest of 2008, so his wife Michelle asked us to help orchestrate a holiday season in early November. We all pitched in, the husband's strung their Christmas lights, and put up Christmas decorations. We women cooked a Thanksgiving dinner one night and then 2 nights later a Christmas dinner. We did some Christmas shopping for them, and arranged carolers to come to their house. It meant so much to their family. And then, Richard was still around for the real holiday season. They have really learned to live life to the fullest every single day.

 

[portocall]

Glynis: So sorry to hear about your friend. I will say a prayer for his family.

To make things more predictable, I plan out dinners a month ahead and post them on the fridge. Tomorrow night is meatloaf... I hate meatloaf and have never, in my adult life made it. DH loves it and we had 10lbs of ground beef to get rid of in case you were wondering why I put it on the schedule... anyone have any ideas on how to make one that isn't too meatloafy and more hamburgery

The menus are because we are trying to bring down the grocery bill, and I hate throwing away rotten produce that I forget is there... so I plan it so everything gets used....

The NOLA meet was a ball, and the food was yummy too!

 

[Glynis]

Glynis: So sorry to hear about your friend. I will say a prayer for his family.

To make things more predictable, I plan out dinners a month ahead and post them on the fridge. Tomorrow night is meatloaf... I hate meatloaf and have never, in my adult life made it. DH loves it and we had 10lbs of ground beef to get rid of in case you were wondering why I put it on the schedule... anyone have any ideas on how to make one that isn't too meatloafy and more hamburgery

The menus are because we are trying to bring down the grocery bill, and I hate throwing away rotten produce that I forget is there... so I plan it so everything gets used....

The NOLA meet was a ball, and the food was yummy too!

What a great idea! I do a week at a time, and I post the menu on the fridge and keep the recipes in a binder on the counter. Whoever is home at meal prep time starts the meal (it's usually me, since DH works late most nights).

I've been really proud of us, as we've been able to keep our grocery bill down the last few months. We budget 150 dollars a week to feed our family of 6 (Timothy doesn't count), and I've come in under budget most weeks!

As for the meatloaf, I make pizza meatloaf muffins that my kids love and they are really easy to make. The muffin size makes them cook faster, and they are the right portion size for kids. I also have a sweet and sour meatloaf recipe that my DH loves. I think that both of those recipes are on this thread (maybe the last one). If you look through the first page and can't see them (and you want them), PM me and I'll get you the recipes.

 

[shovan]

Laura, I hope you had a better evening!

portocall, Welcome to our WFDT!!

Aren't our NOLA gals a pretty bunch! Truly a nice, nice group of gals!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Hey All!

I am sitting here in the hospital...they just took Thomas to get weighed etc so I am playing. I cannot sleep since I am very sore and swollen. Yesterday I was on morphine and that was great, now I am taking 2 percoset at a time and they are not even putting a dent in the pain...

Here is a pic that I took with my camera phone. We have others on the camera but I do not know how to download them.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I'm making brinner for dinner tonight: apple streusel pancakes and sausage. My husband is so excited it's almost embarassing.

I haven't been sleeping well and am in need of some rest. I hope I can get some today.

 

[lucas]

Lauren - he is so beautiful!

Kathy and Shovan - looks like ya'll had a great time at the NOLA meet. Love being able to put faces with names.

 

[nucpharm29]

Lauren--thanks for the update. He's just beautiful! Get as much rest as you can--and please let those nurses know that you need some different pain meds.

The NOLA meet looked like fun--and also yummy food! I am not doing good with the time change. The fact that it's almost 7 and still dark is not good for me--or for the kids--they aren't up yet and we need to leave in about 20 minutes. Good times. Guess I should go poke them!

 

[Disney Ron]

Lauren, get the rest and meds while you can. I love the new pic, ohhhhhhhh those cheeks I want to kiss them

Glynis, any new pics of your cutie Timothy? He must be changing already.

We are expecting a little more snow tonight around dinner time, so I think I am going to stay home and not go to my parents. Who knows what I will make myself for dinner.

This weather is crazzzzzzzzzzy 60s over the weekend and now snow yet again.

The time change did not effect DS till last night. He just would not go to bed. He finally did around 11pm...but the good part of that was he slept till 7am!!! WooHoo...8 hours of straight sleep were a nice treat.

Ann

 

[KadysMom]

I love your Dad's truck story. Buddy was like that with the last truck. Marisa has nightmares about her travels in that thing. It was one of those Chevy's with the saddlebag gas tanks, he had a rag as a gas cap . I looked out eh window one morning and he was wiring the door shut after Daniel climbed in. It had no ignition so he used a screwdriver to start it. I could go on and on and on!

Dont forget the hole in the floor that splashed you when you hit a puddle....

Hey All!

I am sitting here in the hospital...they just took Thomas to get weighed etc so I am playing. I cannot sleep since I am very sore and swollen. Yesterday I was on morphine and that was great, now I am taking 2 percoset at a time and they are not even putting a dent in the pain...

Here is a pic that I took with my camera phone. We have others on the camera but I do not know how to download them.

REST and take it easy!! Congratulations! I think a road trip is now in order!

 

[Nancyg56]

anyone have any ideas on how to make one that isn't too meatloafy and more hamburgery

The menus are because we are trying to bring down the grocery bill, and I hate throwing away rotten produce that I forget is there... so I plan it so everything gets used....

The NOLA meet was a ball, and the food was yummy too!

The pizza meatloaf that Glynis posted is a hit in my house. I have made the muffins and my family liked them but I admit that I am a little bit lazy and make it like a meatloaf now. If you don;t like meatloaf I would stick with the muffin tins.

I also use an onion soup mix and skip the egg sometimes. Add a little ketchup and use oatmeal for the binder. The texture is different from a conventional meatloaf, we prefer it.

I glaze meatloafs too. Mix a little mustard, ketchup and brown sugar and glaze about 15 minutes before removing from the oven. My family is not fussy about the glazes but I love this one.

I am trying to be more mindful of waste in the kitchen too. My grocery bills were skyrocketing and I don;t want to compromise on the quality of our food so I need to be very careful about using up whatever I buy.

Hey All!

I am sitting here in the hospital...they just took Thomas to get weighed etc so I am playing. I cannot sleep since I am very sore and swollen. Yesterday I was on morphine and that was great, now I am taking 2 percoset at a time and they are not even putting a dent in the pain...

Here is a pic that I took with my camera phone. We have others on the camera but I do not know how to download them.

Lauren- he is beautiful! Please rest and use this time to heal. I hope that the pain meds kick in fast!

I haven't been sleeping well and am in need of some rest. I hope I can get some today.

Where you been? I missed you!

I am not doing good with the time change. The fact that it's almost 7 and still dark is not good for me--or for the kids--they aren't up yet and we need to leave in about 20 minutes. Good times. Guess I should go poke them!

Poor kids . Kady was the same this morning. She could not understand why it was dark when she had to get up. My "clock" is off. I am not hungry at the right times and this will go on for a week.

I am making something with ground turkey tonight. I was thinking meatloaf and something. We have WW tonight so it has to be something that we can all eat at different times. Kady heads straight to dance from WW.

 

[Glynis]

Hey All!

I am sitting here in the hospital...they just took Thomas to get weighed etc so I am playing. I cannot sleep since I am very sore and swollen. Yesterday I was on morphine and that was great, now I am taking 2 percoset at a time and they are not even putting a dent in the pain...

Here is a pic that I took with my camera phone. We have others on the camera but I do not know how to download them.

Just beautiful! I'm so sorry about the pain. Have you asked the nurses/doctor about it? I was able to take percoset, and Ibuprofen 800 in rotation, and that seemed to help. I also used an ice pack on the incision.

 

[Glynis]

I'm making brinner for dinner tonight: apple streusel pancakes and sausage. My husband is so excited it's almost embarassing.

I haven't been sleeping well and am in need of some rest. I hope I can get some today.

Pancake recipe, please? I'll swap you the lemon crumb bar recipe that I made last night.

 

[Glynis]

Dinner tonight will be an oriental beef stir fry. Not sure what we'll have with it. Maybe I'll make some fried rice. Hmmm. It will depend on what we have on hand. My kids are out of school today, so it's bound to be a crazy day here.

I do want to post the recipe for the dessert I made yesterday. So, here you go. For anyone wanting a quick and easy dessert, this is it!

Lemon Crumb Bars

1 pkg. lemon cake mix
1/2 C. cold butter
1 egg
2 C. crushes saltine crackers
3 egg yolks
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 C. lemon juice

In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix, butter and egg until crumbly (I used a pastry cutter for this). Stir in the cracker crumbs; set aside 2 cups of the mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into a 13 X 9-inch greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks, milk and lemon juice. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake 20-25 minutes longer or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.

Now, I'm off to upload some Timothy pictures, since Ann requested them. Hopefully, I can find the cord!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Pancake recipe, please? I'll swap you the lemon crumb bar recipe that I made last night.

It's so easy!

Apple Streusal Pancakes

-Get in car
-Drive to local Target
-Purchase Market Pantry Apple Streusel Pancake mix
-Take home and follow directions

 

[liamandcaili]

You deserve a glass of wine if the kids are still alive

This made me laugh. They did survive, and so did the school superintendent because she didn't cancel school today. Like Ann said, the weather is just crazy here...it poured all night, then it was snowing furiously this morning, and now it is just looking dreary. Yesterday the kids were outside without their jackets.

To make things more predictable, I plan out dinners a month ahead and post them on the fridge.

Wow, you are way more organized than I am. If I am lucky, I plan out the meals for the week, but more often than not, I figure dinner out on a day-to=day basis.

Lauren -- What a beautiful baby! Like others have said, talk to your nurses...they don't want you to be uncomfortable.

I'm making brinner for dinner tonight: apple streusel pancakes and sausage. My husband is so excited it's almost embarassing.

Nice to see you again! This made me laugh too. My kids would be ecstactic if I said we were having pancakes tonight. Get some rest today.

WooHoo...8 hours of straight sleep were a nice treat.

Hopefully, that will continue.

I was surprised Liam and Caili both managed to get up this morning. It was really dark. Dinner will be quick since it is a skating night, so I am thinking tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

 

[Nancyg56]

Pancake recipe, please? I'll swap you the lemon crumb bar recipe that I made last night.

My DH is going to love these!

Now, I'm off to upload some Timothy pictures, since Ann requested them. Hopefully, I can find the cord!

I haven't had my Timothy Pic Fix for a long time!

It's so easy!

Apple Streusal Pancakes

-Get in car
-Drive to local Target
-Purchase Market Pantry Apple Streusel Pancake mix
-Take home and follow directions

I forgot to tell our NOLA women that they are one gorgeous group! I loved the photos, it is nice to put faces to all of your names. It's funny, I never go over to the NOLA thread, I feel like it's "eavesdropping, but when that last nasty hurricane went through I lived on that thread so that I knew how everyone was. Now I feel like I "know" all those women so it's good to finally meet them. Thanks for posting!

 

[TigerKat]

Love the new pic of Thomas!! I agree, talk to the nurses, you shouldn't be in that much pain.

Cara - for planning a month's worth of meals. I do a week at a time and find it very helpful. We also love the pizza meatloaf muffins.

Didn't sleep well last night and I have a migraine. I think it's because I'm worried about my boy. He came in from Pensacola last night sad, he didn't get to pitch all weekend. He was told that he'll get another shot when they play in WDW and if he doesn't do well they're going to redshirt him for the rest of the season.

WFD - Red beans & rice, grilled chicken sausages.

 

[liamsaunt]

I like bulghur ( My spelling must have been making you ) but it has to be soft enough. This time I bought Bob's Red Mill, which was good but "stiffer" than what I was using. I think in a salad it would need to sit overnight.

That is the brand that I had. Maybe you are right-it needed to soak longer. The instructions said one hour, but I guess not.

Becky, I could have made a meal on those dips and pita bread! Yum....do you have a hummus recipe? Since I got a food processor for Christmas, I need to try to make my own.

1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. tahini
2 tbsp. olive oil
handful of parsely
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste

Blend all in a food processor until smooth, adding a little water if needed to get the misture moving. Place in bowl and garnish with olive oil and paprika.

The arancini? Can you post a recipe for that?

Leftover cold risotto, any flavor
one egg
fresh mozzarella cheese
dry breadcrumbs

mix the egg into the risotto. Cut the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes. Scoop up about 1/4 cup risotto, and place a piece of cheese in the center. Use your hands to pat the risotto into a ball shape, covering the cheese completely. Roll in breadcrumbs. Continue until all risotto is used.

place risotto balls in fridge for about one hour to firm up.

Heat 2 inches oil to 375 degrees. Drop in risotto balls and fry, turning frequently, until evenly browned, about four minutes total. Drain on paper towels and serve.

I think I am making indian food tonight.

 

[scotlass]

It's so easy!

Apple Streusal Pancakes

-Get in car
-Drive to local Target
-Purchase Market Pantry Apple Streusel Pancake mix
-Take home and follow directions

That my kinda recipe....

Lauren - Thomas is just so beautiful.

And I love his name.

Its the boys middle name after my dad.
My dad died 9 weeks before I had him and i did think about naming him Thomas.
But I had already told my Dad his Grandson was going to be called Matthew so we stuck with it and gave him Thomas as a middle name.

We had 3 boys born in to family in the 6 months after my dad passed and they all have Thomas as a middle name.

My dad was well loved.