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

[liamandcaili]

Glynis -- You always have such fun ideas.

Aimee -- I am glad Ace did well. I hope your colleague says yes.

Liam is driving me crazy this week with a school project. This morning, he forgot the things he was supposed to bring in today. I saw them as soon as I walked back into the house from the bus stop, so I drove over to the school and intercepted him as he was getting off the bus. He gave me this look and when I showed him the bag and said he forgot his homework, he sighed, took the bag, rolled his eyes and stomped off. No thank you! No smile! Grr...I will be glad when this week is over. At least Caili was happy to see me and came over and gave me a big hug.

Would it be mean of me to serve Liam's least favorite food for dinner?

It can't happen anyway. Caili has skating, so I'm probably making them mac and cheese.

 

[liamandcaili]

I bought a chicken and would like to brine it before roasting it in the oven. Can anyone help me with the brining process?

I usually just rinse the chicken, pat it dry, and cover it with kosher salt inside and out and let it sit in the refrigerator covered with plastic for a couple of days. I have done a wet brine (just water and salt) as well, but I like the dry brine better. Plus, I don't have to worry about dropping the heavy water and chicken-filled bag on the floor, having it break and then having a huge, raw chicken, watery mess to clean.

ETA -- Make sure you rinse the salt off the chicken really well before roasting. You can then season it as desired.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Hello all. I'm in paper folding Hell this morning! Have to get the forms ready for the next school years registration.

Dinner tonight is going to be raviolli and asparagus.

Back to folding!

 

[liamsaunt]

I bought a chicken and would like to brine it before roasting it in the oven. Can anyone help me with the brining process?

Laura already explained it, but I wanted to add a couple of things: if you want to do a wet brine, you can do equal amounts of salt and sugar in the brine, plus add seasonings that you like--I have added bay leaves, peppercorns, etc. I usually do the dry brine now, because it is less messy, and I think it makes the chicken skin crisper.

A brined bird cooks a little faster than one that is not brined, so keep an eye on it. One time Laura and I brined a turkey for a dinner at her house, and we just cooked it for the usual non-brined roasting time. Well, when we took it out of the oven to check, it was overdone! If I remember correctly, the legs fell off! We just made lots of extra gravy, and carved the bird in the kitchen.

Not sure what is for dinner yet, I am still sick. I ended up making corn chowder last night, so maybe I will do the chicken marsala this evening. I have been taking pictures, by the way--I just have not gone down to the computer to upload them.

 

[Nancyg56]

I bought a chicken and would like to brine it before roasting it in the oven. Can anyone help me with the brining process?

The only brine I have used is Alton Browns. It was good and a bit of work. I checked on Recipezaar for a few and both of these look good. The first is a simple brine and the second is the one I saved to use (but never did)

I generally season my birds well and park them in the fridge until I am ready to cook. I am a bit of a last minute cook so brines are hard for me, I would actually need to have a plan ahead of time

All-Purpose Mild Brine for Poultry and Pork Recipe #66414

This is a simple all-purpose mild brine for chicken, turkey and pork. It is fabulous used when grilling chicken pieces. The meat will never be dry.
by Kirstin in the Couv
5 min | 5 min prep
1 quart

• 1/4 cup kosher salt, like diamond crystal (or 3 tbsp Morton's kosher salt or 2 tbsp table salt)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 quart water

1. Mix cold water, salt and sugar and stir to dissolve.
2. In a non-reactive container, immerse food in brine, seal and refrigerate.
3. Use 1 quart of brine per pound of meat, not to exceed 2 gallons.
4. Brine for 1 hour per pound (when brining multiple items, time is based on weight of a single item), but not less than 30 minutes or more than 8 hours.
5. WILL NOT WORK IF MEAT IS FROZEN.

© 2009 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com​

Mean Chef's Apple Brine Recipe #23687

I adopted this recipe from Mean Chef. "Mild brine for turkey, chicken or pork."
by ~Bekah~
50 min | 30 min prep
6 quarts

• 2 quarts apple juice
• 1 lb brown sugar
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 3 quarts water
• 3 oranges, quartered
• 4 ounces fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 15 whole cloves
• 6 bay leaves
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed

1. bring apple juice, sugar and salt to a boil over high heat, skim foam, let cool to room temperature.
2. Add remaining ingredients.
3. Brine turkey for 24 hours.
4. Quantity is sufficient for a 14 pound turkey.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hey all! Quick flyby,
Glynis- I wish I had thought of that, I made my pizza stuffed peppers yesterday, I would have loved to spoof Kady with this. I did "short sheet" her bed

Lauren- I hope your Brother is up to your visit.

Laura- KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Becky- are you feeling better?

Gretchen- glad to see you come up for air!

Sheryl- how did everything work out?

I realize that your DD was not getting her dream job but dang! What a way not to get a job! DE friend is the way to go!

Dinner last night was stuffed peppers with the pizza meatloaf muffin filling, mashed potatoes, corn and salad.

Tonight I plan on roasted chickens, mashed potatoes, a green veggie and salad. Gravy because Kady was disappointed there was none yesterday.

I am going through bins of Kady's clothes for Nola. Marisa lent them out and I swear some do not even look like they were washed before they were returned. I can tell the bins that stayed home. I am going to do them up and send whatever is nice enough to Nola and Marisa will donate the rest. I have a thing about things matching and they were all tossed in so many bins that I have a headache!

 

[JC2]

Wow you guys are such a big help! Thank you so much!

 

[shovan]

Hey Y'all,

I have to spend more time here! Checking in once a day leaves me so far behind!

Urgent prayer request! Angelina worked a charity event this weekend & ended up with an interview this morning that looks very promising! The owner of the company said "This all looks good & I think we can do this." She needs to meet with the general manager.

The insurance company is giving her trouble setting up the surgery on Friday. She overnighted the check for Cobra coverage last week & her company re-enrolled her, but Blue Cross says they don't have it! She feels if they hold this up, it could effect her getting this job. So she would have to put off the surgery.

Aimee, Glad that Ace did well on his interview! I hope they adopt him!

Glynis, You always have such good ideas! Glad Mary isn't getting sick!

Lauren, More prayers for Charles, you & the whole family. I hope you get to visit with him.

JC2, Tigerkat (Kathy) had suggested wet brining chicken breast & it works great, makes them a lot juicier. When I bring home a big pack, I seperate them & package them in the brine, let them sit a day or so & then stick them in the freezer in the brine. I thaw them, wash off the brine & then use them in any kind of recipe.

Liam is driving me crazy this week with a school project. This morning, he forgot the things he was supposed to bring in today. I saw them as soon as I walked back into the house from the bus stop, so I drove over to the school and intercepted him as he was getting off the bus. He gave me this look and when I showed him the bag and said he forgot his homework, he sighed, took the bag, rolled his eyes and stomped off. No thank you! No smile! Grr...I will be glad when this week is over. At least Caili was happy to see me and came over and gave me a big hug.

Would it be mean of me to serve Liam's least favorite food for dinner?

It can't happen anyway. Caili has skating, so I'm probably making them mac and cheese.

Laura, Hang in there, this evening he'll probably say something very sweet to make up for this morning! If not tomorrow you should make his least fav dinner!

Not sure what is for dinner yet, I am still sick. I ended up making corn chowder last night, so maybe I will do the chicken marsala this evening. I have been taking pictures, by the way--I just have not gone down to the computer to upload them.

Becky, So sorry you're still feeling bad! Sending good thoughts & wishes that you get better soon!

Sheryl- how did everything work out?

I realize that your DD was not getting her dream job but dang! What a way not to get a job! DE friend is the way to go!

Dinner last night was stuffed peppers with the pizza meatloaf muffin filling, mashed potatoes, corn and salad.

Tonight I plan on roasted chickens, mashed potatoes, a green veggie and salad. Gravy because Kady was disappointed there was none yesterday.

I am going through bins of Kady's clothes for Nola. Marisa lent them out and I swear some do not even look like they were washed before they were returned. I can tell the bins that stayed home. I am going to do them up and send whatever is nice enough to Nola and Marisa will donate the rest. I have a thing about things matching and they were all tossed in so many bins that I have a headache!

Nan, Sorting through bins of stained clothes is not a fun day!

As you or Janice said, the "friend" will get her's one day. Unfortunately the company that hired her, will probably suffer 1st. She had just started the job she was in a month before & quit for this one.

Nan, I briefly mentioned that the aide showed up & it went as well as can be expected. Bob was as comfortable as he could be with it. Just hoping she shows up again tomorrow & we can get used to working with one person.

Dinner last night was chicken fajitas. Alexis really thought she did something by eating a fajita. Her Mom came in while we were eating & Alexis asked us "Aren't you all very proud of me for trying the fajitas?" And that was a fajita without the peppers & the guacamole!

 

[Nancyg56]

Hey Y'all,

I have to spend more time here! Checking in once a day leaves me so far behind!

Urgent prayer request! Angelina worked a charity event this weekend & ended up with an interview this morning that looks very promising! The owner of the company said "This all looks good & I think we can do this." She needs to meet with the general manager.

The insurance company is giving her trouble setting up the surgery on Friday. She overnighted the check for Cobra coverage last week & her company re-enrolled her, but Blue Cross says they don't have it! She feels if they hold this up, it could effect her getting this job. So she would have to put off the surgery.


As you or Janice said, the "friend" will get her's one day. Unfortunately the company that hired her, will probably suffer 1st. She had just started the job she was in a month before & quit for this one.


Dinner last night was chicken fajitas. Alexis really thought she did something by eating a fajita. Her Mom came in while we were eating & Alexis asked us "Aren't you all very proud of me for trying the fajitas?" And that was a fajita without the peppers & the guacamole!

Hoping that the aide works out for you and Bob.
Prayers on the way for DD! Has her HR dept gotten involved on her behalf?

Well, that says something about the company that hired the friend.....

Gotta love your little adventurer!

 

[TigerKat]

Not sure what is for dinner yet, I am still sick. I ended up making corn chowder last night, so maybe I will do the chicken marsala this evening. I have been taking pictures, by the way--I just have not gone down to the computer to upload them.

Sorry to hear you're still sick, hopefully you'll kick this soon.

Urgent prayer request! Angelina worked a charity event this weekend & ended up with an interview this morning that looks very promising! The owner of the company said "This all looks good & I think we can do this." She needs to meet with the general manager.

The insurance company is giving her trouble setting up the surgery on Friday. She overnighted the check for Cobra coverage last week & her company re-enrolled her, but Blue Cross says they don't have it! She feels if they hold this up, it could effect her getting this job. So she would have to put off the surgery.

Prayers that the job comes through and her insurance troubles are resolved.

Just wanted to mention in case I'm MIA, we've been experiencing internet, cable and phone outages off and on the past few days.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Not sure what is for dinner yet, I am still sick. I ended up making corn chowder last night, so maybe I will do the chicken marsala this evening. I have been taking pictures, by the way--I just have not gone down to the computer to upload them.

I hope you feel better soon!

Urgent prayer request! Angelina worked a charity event this weekend & ended up with an interview this morning that looks very promising! The owner of the company said "This all looks good & I think we can do this." She needs to meet with the general manager.

The insurance company is giving her trouble setting up the surgery on Friday. She overnighted the check for Cobra coverage last week & her company re-enrolled her, but Blue Cross says they don't have it! She feels if they hold this up, it could effect her getting this job. So she would have to put off the surgery.

She just can't catch a break right now, can she?

Just wanted to mention in case I'm MIA, we've been experiencing internet, cable and phone outages off and on the past few days.

How come? Is it city wide?



Well, I kissed my POS Volvo goodbye this morning. I had my mechanic look at it and he confirmed what my uncle said - it's not worth dumping money into at this point. With DH working daily as a sub, he didn't have time to mess with selling pricey parts off it and neither of us have time to try and sell it privately. My mechanic runs this FANTASTIC ministry that he and some other local mechanics started last year. They accept donated cars in decent shape that they fix up and then give to people needing reliable transportation. Since he actually uses the vehicle, I am able to write off the entire value of the car - not just what the charity got off it through auction (which is typically a few hundred dollars). Since we pay TONS of taxes, it seems to be the easiest thing to do. I cleaned it out last night in case he said it was eligible so I told him to just keep it. I do need to bring the title to him and do some paperwork, plus clean out the glovebox, but it won't be coming home with me again. I really did love that car... even amidst it's issues. Drove it 7 years, which is a record for me!

Dinner tonight for DH will be leftovers. I will be eating leftovers here at work, since I was bad and went to Taco Bueno for lunch.

 

[TigerKat]

How come? Is it city wide?

No, not city wide. They're doing some street work in my subdivision and I guess they screwed up the cable stuff.

 

[shovan]

Aimee, on the loss of your car! At least you will be getting a good tax deduction! Did you hear anything about Ace & his possible adoption?

Nan, HR is working on it!

Kat, Good thing you told us about the net, & phone! If you go MIA we'd all be freaking out!

Thanks all for the prayers!

Dinner is probably going to be salad, I'm feeling lazy.

 

[TigerKat]

Hate to go O/T here but I'm afraid I'll forget if I don't ask now. We're having a get together with some DISers in October, a BYOB kinda thing around 9/9:30 in the evening. We're having dinner at Flying Fish at the Boardwalk before. We'd like to have a bottle of Rosa for the meet but can we get on Disney buses with alcohol and bring it in the restaurant? If not where can we buy a bottle, chilled, in the EPCOT resort area?

 

[OKWMom]

Thanks, but I did not make this one. I just went to the party store, bought a hat and I'm giving him an old black jacket to wear. I was not a. making a black suit or b. buying a black suit, so this will have to do. It looks a bit ridiculous because the hat is too big and makes Liam's ears stick straight out, and the jacket is mine, so it doesn't fit right. Oh well. I am so done with this project and it isn't finished. How come so many school projects become more my problem than my kids' problem?

I don't know, but that is the way of it here too. I don't remember having so many outside projects to foist off on my parents when I was in school.

Good to "see" you again. What kind of floor are you getting put in?

I realized I missed the 100 day mark on number of days left in my lease. I'm down to 91. Guess I'd better figure out what, exactly, I'm doing as of July 1!

I'm not really sure yet Bethany. We would love to do a Pergo type tile for the durability issues but that may be out of the budget. We're still deciding.

I guess kind of like you with the move.

Nan, I briefly mentioned that the aide showed up & it went as well as can be expected. Bob was as comfortable as he could be with it. Just hoping she shows up again tomorrow & we can get used to working with one person.

Prayers for Angelina's job as well as for you and Bob with the aide. As you come to know the aide, it will get easier and easier, so I hope this one works out.

Well, I kissed my POS Volvo goodbye this morning. I had my mechanic look at it and he confirmed what my uncle said - it's not worth dumping money into at this point. With DH working daily as a sub, he didn't have time to mess with selling pricey parts off it and neither of us have time to try and sell it privately. My mechanic runs this FANTASTIC ministry that he and some other local mechanics started last year. They accept donated cars in decent shape that they fix up and then give to people needing reliable transportation. Since he actually uses the vehicle, I am able to write off the entire value of the car - not just what the charity got off it through auction (which is typically a few hundred dollars). Since we pay TONS of taxes, it seems to be the easiest thing to do. I cleaned it out last night in case he said it was eligible so I told him to just keep it. I do need to bring the title to him and do some paperwork, plus clean out the glovebox, but it won't be coming home with me again. I really did love that car... even amidst it's issues. Drove it 7 years, which is a record for me!

I'm glad that worked out. I hope the home for Ace works out that well.

Becky - Sorry you are still sick. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Maria - I don't know exactly when the flower and garden festival ends, but when we were there two years ago in early May it was still going on.

Nan - I feel your pain. I hate sorting through the bins for the seasonal clothing swap. Trying to figure out what to keep and what to donate is a major pain.

Ladies, I need to ask you to add me, well my father really, to the prayer list. He was just diagnosed with lung cancer and we are all devastated. He is undergoing some more tests, particularly to see if it has spread before the doctors prescribe any course of treatment. But today the doctor told us that if it has not spread and is just in his lungs we are looking at a time frame of 6 months to 2 years depending on how well he responds to treatment.

I'm really lost right now and would appreciate any prayers you could spare for me.

 

[TigerKat]

Gretchen - I am so very sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis. My heart just aches as I know how you are feeling. Please call me if you want to talk anytime and know that I will keep you and your entire family in my prayers.

 

[Glynis]

Glynis -- You always have such fun ideas.

Aimee -- I am glad Ace did well. I hope your colleague says yes.

Liam is driving me crazy this week with a school project. This morning, he forgot the things he was supposed to bring in today. I saw them as soon as I walked back into the house from the bus stop, so I drove over to the school and intercepted him as he was getting off the bus. He gave me this look and when I showed him the bag and said he forgot his homework, he sighed, took the bag, rolled his eyes and stomped off. No thank you! No smile! Grr...I will be glad when this week is over. At least Caili was happy to see me and came over and gave me a big hug.

Would it be mean of me to serve Liam's least favorite food for dinner?

It can't happen anyway. Caili has skating, so I'm probably making them mac and cheese.

Oh, that sounds so familiar! I get the same reaction from Katie. Now, I wait for her to let me know she's forgotten something, then I charge her for the gas and the time it takes me to get to the school. It's forcing her to take responsibility. She can either pay me cash, or work it off in extra chores around the house. Since we started doing this, she's much more responsible for her things. Of course, today she forgot her conflict manager shirt, which she has to have. She called me from the school and said, "Mom I forgot my CM shirt. It's in my room on my desk. Could you please bring it to me? There's a dollar in my bank, just take it out if you decide to bring my shirt." No tantrum, no attitude. She knows it takes about a dollar to drive to the school, so she offered to pay up front. It's such a difference from the "if you loved me, you'd do it for me" attitude she used to have. We had to have a serious discussion when she was forgetting things every single day!

As for my April Fool idea, I can't take the credit. I subscribe to Family Fun magazine, and that's where I get my ideas. The kids are getting faux fish sticks for an after school snack: wafer cookies smeared with peanut butter and rolled in crushed Corn Flakes.

 

[Glynis]

Sheryl - I'm sending major prayers and pixie dust for Angelina! I really hope this comes through (and the insurance stuff, too!). It's her turn for some good news!

Gretchen - I'm so sorry to hear your bad news! Prayers coming your way, too!

I guess this is a day for bad news. I just got a phone call from my dad. He's in Paris right now, with a tour group he put together. They are people who visit his Festival every year and donate money to it. Anyway, one of the ladies on the tour had a heart attack and died in Paris. They've had to go through tons of red tape in order to get her body shipped back to the States. Dad really isn't handling it well. I just wish that I could be there for him.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Hate to go O/T here but I'm afraid I'll forget if I don't ask now. We're having a get together with some DISers in October, a BYOB kinda thing around 9/9:30 in the evening. We're having dinner at Flying Fish at the Boardwalk before. We'd like to have a bottle of Rosa for the meet but can we get on Disney buses with alcohol and bring it in the restaurant? If not where can we buy a bottle, chilled, in the EPCOT resort area?

As long as you don't walk onto the bus holding it in your hand. You could always put it in a gift bag to carry it.

As for where on site, I don't know if any of the resorts have bottles of wine in the coolers where they have soda's.

Ladies, I need to ask you to add me, well my father really, to the prayer list. He was just diagnosed with lung cancer and we are all devastated. He is undergoing some more tests, particularly to see if it has spread before the doctors prescribe any course of treatment. But today the doctor told us that if it has not spread and is just in his lungs we are looking at a time frame of 6 months to 2 years depending on how well he responds to treatment.

I'm really lost right now and would appreciate any prayers you could spare for me.

I guess this is a day for bad news. I just got a phone call from my dad. He's in Paris right now, with a tour group he put together. They are people who visit his Festival every year and donate money to it. Anyway, one of the ladies on the tour had a heart attack and died in Paris. They've had to go through tons of red tape in order to get her body shipped back to the States. Dad really isn't handling it well. I just wish that I could be there for him.

 

[lucas]

Sheryl, positive thoughts for your dd!