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

[Aimeedyan]

Hi from sunny Orlando! My hotel has free wifi

We are meeting some friends for dinner in about an hour - no idea where we're going yet but it's likely to be somewhere near downtown Orlando. I've been here a million times and have never been this far north

We won't be at the parks until Wed, likely.

 

[liamandcaili]

Spinach Gratin (Mom's Original Version)

2 tbsp butter
1 finely chopped onion
2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 c milk or chicken stock
1 c parmesan - chopped
1 package spinach, cooked and drained
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper to taste

In saute pan, melt butter and add onion. Cook until soft. Add the flour, cook two minutes. Add the milk or chicken stock and stir until thickened. Add the cheese and stir until combined (not all the cheese will melt). Add the spinach and season with salt, pepper and cayenne. Transfer to a baking dish.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

My changes: I think Mom's gratin is a little too liquid, so I only add enough milk to have a thick, but smooth, roux. I always use milk...she usually uses the chicken stock. I don't bother cooking the spinach beforehand...I just chop it and put it in the cheese mix. To me, just a pinch of cayenne is perfect.

 

[TigerKat]

Hi from sunny Orlando! My hotel has free wifi

We are meeting some friends for dinner in about an hour - no idea where we're going yet but it's likely to be somewhere near downtown Orlando. I've been here a million times and have never been this far north

We won't be at the parks until Wed, likely.

We want updates as often as you can, please!

Spinach Gratin (Mom's Original Version)

2 tbsp butter
1 finely chopped onion
2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 c milk or chicken stock
1 c parmesan - chopped
1 package spinach, cooked and drained
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper to taste

In saute pan, melt butter and add onion. Cook until soft. Add the flour, cook two minutes. Add the milk or chicken stock and stir until thickened. Add the cheese and stir until combined (not all the cheese will melt). Add the spinach and season with salt, pepper and cayenne. Transfer to a baking dish.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

My changes: I think Mom's gratin is a little too liquid, so I only add enough milk to have a thick, but smooth, roux. I always use milk...she usually uses the chicken stock. I don't bother cooking the spinach beforehand...I just chop it and put it in the cheese mix. To me, just a pinch of cayenne is perfect.

Laura - I'm sorry if I'm asking a dumb question but is that fresh spinach, if so 1 bag isn't a whole lot after it cooks?

 

[liamandcaili]

Kathy -- I have to say, the girl's program was pretty cute until the end. She skated to "How Much is that Doggy in the Window?" The judges went for the cute, but almost no real skating programs yesterday. One of Caili's teammates did a terrific skate to "The Flight of the Bumblebee" and she ended up third. There is no technical mark in that event.

Laura Here I thought your children were prefect angels

This was the second big fight of the day. This time, not only was Liam mad at Caili because she tackled him after he pinched her, but he was mad at me because Caili didn't get into trouble. I'm not about to tell the girl she can't defend herself.

Aimee -- Have a great trip!

Lauren -- I hope your headache goes away. Becky was complaining about her sinuses all day today too.

Maria -- Have fun tonight! I am glad you are doing a bit better.

 

[liamandcaili]

Laura - I'm sorry if I'm asking a dumb question but is that fresh spinach, if so 1 bag isn't a whole lot after it cooks?

Not a dumb question! The fresh spinach my mom buys is in a box, so that is bigger than a bag. I usually don't make the full recipe because I am the only one who eats it, so I cut the cheese mix in half, but still add most of the spinach. I should go back and edit to reflect that.

 

[TigerKat]

Not a dumb question! The fresh spinach my mom buys is in a box, so that is bigger than a bag. I usually don't make the full recipe because I am the only one who eats it, so I cut the cheese mix in half, but still add most of the spinach. I should go back and edit to reflect that.

Thanks Laura, I can't wait to try it.

 

[Tamarap]

Tonight was White Chicken Chili, cornbread and brownies!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Kathy -- I have to say, the girl's program was pretty cute until the end. She skated to "How Much is that Doggy in the Window?" The judges went for the cute, but almost no real skating programs yesterday. One of Caili's teammates did a terrific skate to "The Flight of the Bumblebee" and she ended up third. There is no technical mark in that event.

That's frustrating!!



We ended up at Cheesecake Factory in Winter Park - I got smart and split the grilled chicken bacon avocado club with my collegue so we could both have cheesecake guilt free

 

[bigmerle1966]

Hello ladies. Spent the weekend at my sisters, no good food to report. She never makes anything to eat when I am there, we usually go out or eat something that is from the freezer.

She did make something for someome from her church though that I will post once I make sure I can do it right. It is a chicken tortilla bake made with chicken, cream of chicken soup, taco sauce, corn tortillas and cheese.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Good Morning!

Sugar and BP are fine this morning. I still have this sinus thing but its moving around and maybe out so that is good. Thank you all for your concerns. I think the Neti is calling my name this morning.

We have some of the furniture being delivered today. One piece is backordered (a chest of drawers)...12 more days!

I am going to do small things here and then relax. Dinner will be cajun pork tenderloin, baked potato and carrots. I think we need some green so maybe a small salad too.

I missed some stuff...I am sorry. Not functioning great lately.

Have a great day!

 

[Nancyg56]

I am so far behind, please forgive me if I miss someone.

Lauren- I hope that today is a better day, your headaches scared me.

Maria- I hope that the Oscar night was fun. I am looking forward to our chatty Maria too.

Laura- Okay, between the book and the cute peeing girl I am ! Marisa used to toss her brothers around when they got fresh too. As you said, a girl has to defend herself....and they might as well practice on their brothers

Aimee- I am jealous, it is cold here!

Scotlass- I hope that your friend sees more of his little guy this way/ It makes me mad when parents take their kids away from each other in spite, no one wins and the children always lose

I never did cook dinner, I was so tired all of a sudden that I napped and then it was too late. We had veggie soup and Buddy had his chicken noodle out of a box, egg salad sandwiches and jello.

Today is a brand new day and a brand new week so I am trying again. Chicken and something for dinner.

 

[TigerKat]

Chicken & sausage gumbo and potato salad.

 

[liamsaunt]

This is a recipe I want! I adore fondue, and love, Love, LOVE gruyere!

It was so easy!

1 lb. gruyere, shredded
1.5 tbsp. cornstarch
1 cup cider (you can use regular or hard cider)
2 tbsp. calvados (it would be just fine to leave this out)
salt and pepper to taste

Toss the cornstarch with the cheese. Bring the cider to a simmer and toss in the cheese, a handful at a time, stirring until melted. Add the cavlados if using, and season to taste with salt and pepper. If needed, thin with extra cider. I served mine with chicken-apple sausages, broccoli, and bread for dipping. I meant to slice up some apples also, but I forgot! This makes ebough fondue for 6-8 people. I used the leftovers in yesterday's potato casserole. Here is a picture:

 

[Aimeedyan]

Hi Friends! I sat through 1.5 hours of the main speaker, looked at my collegue, and we both jetted during the break. Very disappointing and not what we expected. I'm waiting to see if mom can get us into a park today instead. May just go sightsee and hit Downtown Disney. Now if I just knew my way around...

Tonight is a dinner banquet for the conference guests that we plan to head back for. It's at a country club so should be tasty!

 

[bigmerle1966]

Dinner tonight will be my usual Monday night dinner, salmon. Going to have that with some roasted creamer potatoes and either green beans or spinach.

My mother baked a chicken yesterday, I wasn't home for it so there is a lot left. I'll use that tomorrow night to make the chicken bake.

 

[Glynis]

Afternoon, everyone (well, technically it's still morning here, but afternoon for y'all). Things here are plugging along. Alan is feeling much better today. He did stay home from work today (which is throwing a huge wrench in my schedule), so I'm hopeful he'll kick the rest of the bug today. So far, no one else has come down with it. Knock on wood!

Dinner last night was ok, but not really WOW! I'll still post the recipe, but doubt I'll be making it again. There are just too many other recipes to try.

Dinner tonight will be honey mustard chicken, cauliflower in cheese sauce, and some kind of noodle dish.

Oh! I almost forgot! My dessert last night totally ROCKED! And it was so EASY!!!!!

Here it is. I don't even have to hunt the recipe down, it's that easy!

Pineapple-Caramel Sponge Cakes

8 oz. crushed unsweetened pineapple, drained
1/2 C. caramel ice cream topping
6 sponge cake cups
Vanilla ice cream

In a small saucepan, combine the pineapple and caramel topping. Heat for 2-3 minutes or until thickened and bubble. Place sponge cakes on plates, and top with a scoop of ice cream. Ladle hot pineapple-caramel sauce over the top and enjoy!

 

[liamandcaili]

Glynis -- I'm glad Alan is starting to feel better. Fingers crossed hoping the rest of you are spared.

Dinner tonight is one of my five-minute meals, so I am planning sandwiches. I want to make Becky's turkey panini for me, but I can't remember what is in it. I guess I'll go back and see if she posted the recipe at some point.

 

[Disney Ron]

Just letting you know where I have been. My little guy started last night with a fever. Took him to Dr. today and he has an ear infection. The poor thing is so not himself and still had a fever this afternoon. He has laid in my bed most of the day with me and DH. They put him azithromycin and motrin for fever...ugh, I hate seeing him sick.

Hopefully, I will be able to read tomorrow. Miss y'all!

Ann

 

[Aimeedyan]

Just letting you know where I have been. My little guy started last night with a fever. Took him to Dr. today and he has an ear infection. The poor thing is so not himself and still had a fever this afternoon. He has laid in my bed most of the day with me and DH. They put him azithromycin and motrin for fever...ugh, I hate seeing him sick.

Hopefully, I will be able to read tomorrow. Miss y'all!

Ann

I struggled with ear infections as a child and it's so painful. I'm sorry.



I had the BEST day. We ran away from our conference and spent the afternoon at Animal Kingdom. It was GORGEOUS here. No humidity, no clouds, no heat - lovely. I have never spent much time at AK so we did all the treks and stuff that I skip over. Had lunch at Flame Tree, which is a new spot for me (I was a Tusker House fan until they went buffet) - YUMMY ribs.

We left right before the parade to beat crowds/traffic, zipped by the Mickey Ds near All Stars for my crack in a cup, and are resting until our banquet.

I think we're doing Epcot tomorrow afternoon/evening I thought I'd only do parks Wed night-Fri morning so this has been unexpected for me!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Just letting you know where I have been. My little guy started last night with a fever. Took him to Dr. today and he has an ear infection. The poor thing is so not himself and still had a fever this afternoon. He has laid in my bed most of the day with me and DH. They put him azithromycin and motrin for fever...ugh, I hate seeing him sick.

Hopefully, I will be able to read tomorrow. Miss y'all!

Ann

Hoping he feels better when the meds kick in...