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

[Nancyg56]

Hi All!

Hi! Where you been????? I missed you!

Hey.......

Welcome back! Are you feeling better?

Haven't caught up but just got a call from Gretchen, great news, her Dad's cancer isn't what they thought, it's TREATABLE, she's so excited!!!!!! She'll call me back tomorrow when they get the results of the scan.

Wonderful news!

We have some out of control wildfires - so far, my house isn't in danger but they are spreading like, um, wildfire. The air is smokey and hard to see/breathe in. Families have lost their homes already - please keep the firefighters and families affected in your prayers.

Of course. I hope all are safe

Nancy -- I hope you weren't offended by my comment earlier...I was just referring to some of the funny stories you and Marisa have posted about expiration dates and such.

You could never offend me! I know you better than that so don;t worry

Dinner was a baked spaghetti and salad.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Ellen~ Welcome!

Scotlass, I hope your feeling better! Missed seeing you.

Gretchen what terrific news! Please keep us posted.

Lauren, thinking & praying for all of you. Charles' little girl brought me to tears today as I was driving. The thought of a little girl not having "Daddy" just breaks my heart.

Kat, I'm thinking of you......

There was actually cooking tonight. We had steak, asparagus & parmesean crisps.
I had a field day today in Williams Sonoma.....bought 2 pans for Easter baking., one is flowers for little cakes & the other is mini-cupcakes...colored sugar & little candy butterflies & flowers. I will try to remember to take pics.

 

[Glynis]

Lauren - You are in my heart and my prayers! I know this is so hard. Please let your boys take care of you.

Lindsay - I'm glad that Jan seems to be doing so well. Please keep us updated!

Lori - Long time, no see! We've missed you! I hope real life slows down so we can have you back!

Scotlass - I'm glad you are feeling well enough to post. We miss you when you are not here!

Ellen - Welcome to our family! I hope you stay out of lurkdom and really join us! As you know, we chat about a lot of stuff, and dinner is just a part of it! I look forward to getting to know you.

Dinner tonight was pizza. We have eggs to dye, and I didn't want to have a messy kitchen from dinner, and then eggs. So, pizza is easy. Since Alan works late, it is a good deal all around!

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon to spend Easter and Spring Break with my dad. He got back from his trip last night, and we are preparing to descend on him! My kids are so excited. I will be back on Wednesday. So, keep the boards hopping, and I hope that you all have the best Easter ever!

 

[Disney Ron]

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon to spend Easter and Spring Break with my dad. He got back from his trip last night, and we are preparing to descend on him! My kids are so excited. I will be back on Wednesday. So, keep the boards hopping, and I hope that you all have the best Easter ever!

Glynis, happy travels...have a Happy Easter!

Ugh.........can't sleep so I am DISing.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Glynis ~ Have a safe trip, Happy Easter & enjoy your family

Lindsay, such good news about Jan, your all in my prayers for her continued success with treatment.

I'm going to do eggs tomorrow with DM, haven't done them in years & I'm trying Martha Stewart Easter eggs...it uses silk fabric so I pulled out all my old scarves & old ties of Gregs.

 

[Disney Ron]

I'm going to do eggs tomorrow with DM, haven't done them in years & I'm trying Martha Stewart Easter eggs...it uses silk fabric so I pulled out all my old scarves & old ties of Gregs.

Aren't you just the artsy crafty one!!!! Take pics and let us see the results.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

.

 

[Rogue26]

Morning everyone.

Maria- I saw the eggs with the silk on Martha too, it looked really neat. I was wondering if it would work on blown out eggs so you could keep them.

Glynis- have a great visit with your dad!

Gretchen- I'm so glad you got the appointment moved up so you could get the wonderful news earlier!

Aimee- Stay safe, a good friend of mine works the fires but she usually ends up further west. I worked with another girl who was a smoke jumper- not for me. How are things with Ace?

Don't know what's for dinner. I was going to make french toast, but like Laura I'm turning my family into food snobs and they only want it with homemade bread and I don't think I have time for that today. Maybe I'll make a ham, we always have an Italian Easter dinner anyway so it won't be ham overload- and they are cheap now.

 

[Disney Ron]

So what is everyone doing on Easter? We are going to my DB's for brunch and Easter Egg hunt. DSIL told me to take it easy this year and just bring bagels but I feel guilty. Entertaining my family is not easy or cheap because there are so many of us (approx. 40-45). Some of my SILs just don't have a clue on how to help out the hostess. I feel so bad because so far she just has people bringing donut, muffins, juice, bagels, and easter eggs for the hunt. Noone offered to cook a main dish other than my mom of course, because my brothers love to eat and muffins and bagels won't cut it. I think in addition to the bagels I am going to make Paula Dean's French Toast Casserole. It calls for a Pauline topping but we have nut allergies in the family so I have to leave it off.

Baked French Toast Casserole

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
Butter, for pan
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt


Directions
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.

 

[TigerKat]

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon to spend Easter and Spring Break with my dad. He got back from his trip last night, and we are preparing to descend on him! My kids are so excited. I will be back on Wednesday. So, keep the boards hopping, and I hope that you all have the best Easter ever!

Have a safe trip and a wonderful Easter!

We are heading to Nashville in a little while to spend the day. If you take a lot at a weather map of TN, you'll see we are in for quite a drive. Please pray for safe travel.

Prayers said.

So what is everyone doing on Easter?

I'll start cooking tomorrow, we're having:

Crawfish/corn soup
Mimosas
Glazed ham w/raisin sauce
Pineapple casserole
Chipotle sweet potatoes
Asparagus bundles
Paula's lemon blossoms


WFD -Takeout, I'm meeting Bethany and some of our NOLA gals for lunch today, so probably won't be too hungry for dinner.

 

[Disney Ron]

I'll start cooking tomorrow, we're having:

Crawfish/corn soup
Mimosas
Glazed ham w/raisin sauce
Pineapple casserole
Chipotle sweet potatoes
Asparagus bundles
Paula's lemon blossoms


WFD -Takeout, I'm meeting Bethany and some of our NOLA gals for lunch today, so probably won't be too hungry for dinner.

Menu sounds great!

I read you were meeting Bethany, when I lurked on the NOLA thread. Sounds like fun. Have a nice lunch.

 

[lucas]

Speaking of making Easter eggs, did anyone see Paul Deen last evening? She made Easter eggs out of day old mashed potatoes (that she added another stick of butter to) and mixed that together with a huge bowl of confectioners' sugar. Then she shaped it into eggs and dipped them in chocolate.

 

[lucas]

WFD -Takeout, I'm meeting Bethany and some of our NOLA gals for lunch today, so probably won't be too hungry for dinner.

Sounds like fun, have a great time. We want a full report!

 

[nucpharm29]

I think I'm heading to Kathy's for easter! Yummo! Not sure what my parents are fixing for Easter dinner, but I was told we would be having "real" food. For those around at Thanksgiving, we had tofurky (with a little real turkey as a side) My dad has gone vegan on us, so food at their house is a bit odd at times. Apparently, my dad also has some surprises in store for us as well. He dressed up as a pilgrim for Thanksgiving (actually bought the costume), so no idea what could happen this time!

Scotlass--glad to see that you're well enough to post again

Lauren--continued thoughts and prayers for the whole family

Lindsay--safe travels, if the weather is anything like we had go through last night be careful. Was a wicked storm! Glad to hear that MIL is doing well with treatment

Gretchen--what wonderful news. Please keep us posted!

Okay, need to get to the gym. Hope everyone has a great Friday. As for WFD, who knows right now. We normally have soccer or church group on Friday nights (or both) but b/c of Good Friday all have been moved/cancelled, so I'm not prepared to cook tonight. We'll see; probably end up going out.

 

[Nancyg56]

So what is everyone doing on Easter?

Baked French Toast Casserole

.

I have made this before and it is delicious! You can make the topping, just leave the nuts out. It really makes the dish. Did you see the Krispy Creme bread pudding/Fr toast casserole she has made? Holy Moly! It was sugar overload!

I was going to have Brunch but my MIL is not up to the Easter VIgil Mass and I don't want her going to the early one on Sunday so we are now having a luncheon buffet. I am still planning the food but so far we have:
Ham
kielbasa and hard boiled eggs (Donny's GF has this at her house....she is in charge of it here)
Fresh Polish Kielbasa
deviled eggs
mashed potatoes and gravy (after intense lobbying and backup reservation threats by Buddy and Daniel )

sugar peas and carrots
corn ?

jello salad of some kind
green salad or Fire and Ice
pineapple cole slaw
pineapple bake
fruit salad

asssorted bread and rolls
pineapple lush cake
cookies ( again Donny's GF has been baking up a storm) she is a keeper
punch
coffe and tea
wine

we have 14 for dinner and 3 more stopping by at one time or another that I know of

WFD -Takeout, I'm meeting Bethany and some of our NOLA gals for lunch today, so probably won't be too hungry for dinner.

Kat- my Mom always made a raisin sauce for ham and I miss it terribly. I am the only one ion the family who likes it so i usually don't bother but I love it

Have fun today and give Bethany, my FB chatting buddy, a big hug for me please

Speaking of making Easter eggs, did anyone see Paul Deen last evening? She made Easter eggs out of day old mashed potatoes (that she added another stick of butter to) and mixed that together with a huge bowl of confectioners' sugar. Then she shaped it into eggs and dipped them in chocolate.

OMG! I am embarrrassed to say tha tI would probably eat thise things!

Apparently, my dad also has some surprises in store for us as well. He dressed up as a pilgrim for Thanksgiving (actually bought the costume), so no idea what could happen this time!

What fun!

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon to spend Easter and Spring Break with my dad. He got back from his trip last night, and we are preparing to descend on him! My kids are so excited. I will be back on Wednesday. So, keep the boards hopping, and I hope that you all have the best Easter ever!

Have a safe trip adn enjoy having your Dad back home!

I'm going to do eggs tomorrow with DM, haven't done them in years & I'm trying Martha Stewart Easter eggs...it uses silk fabric so I pulled out all my old scarves & old ties of Gregs.

Have a great time decorating eggs with your Mom. I'm glad that you and she do so many nice things together.

Lindsay- stay safe traveling! I am glad to hear that Jan is making good progress

I'll stop back in later, I am supposed to be cleaning but keep getting sidetracked. I have done no preperation for Easter and am in the weeds here. SOmehow I just keep gettin deeper

 

[liamsaunt]

Speaking of making Easter eggs, did anyone see Paul Deen last evening? She made Easter eggs out of day old mashed potatoes (that she added another stick of butter to) and mixed that together with a huge bowl of confectioners' sugar. Then she shaped it into eggs and dipped them in chocolate.

REALLY??? Um....ick!!

Scotlass, I hope you are feeling better!
Gretchen, that is GREAT news about your Dad! Keep us posted.
Lori, welcome back! How have you been doing?
Ellen, hello, and post whenever you like!

For dinner last night I ended up making a variation on huevos rancheros. I had some poblanos in the fridge that I roasted and combined with some diced tomatoes, chiles, and the juice of one lime. Then I poached the eggs in the sauce and served them on crisped tortillas with some goat cheese. I made some refried beans too, but I think I put too much epazote in them because they were a little bitter. The eggs got a little overcooked because right when I was ready to serve them my cleaning lady called to tell me why she did not show up yesterday. They still tasted good though.

Not sure on dinner yet. I am either going to stop for some fish after work, or else do something really simple like make a pizza or reheat some stew that I have in my downstairs freezer.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Nancy pineapple lush cake? Where do I find that recipe?

 

[Nancyg56]

Nancy pineapple lush cake? Where do I find that recipe?

This is from REcipezaar You know I may tinker with it but this is the basic recipe

Pineapple Angel Lush Recipe #114445

I got this from the Sunday paper coupon inserts. This is the perfect dessert for a warm evening when you just want something light. The hardest part was cutting the angel food cake! This is super easy to prepare but looks and tastes great! I hope you enjoy! Note: Cooking time is refrigeration time.
by Troop Angel
1¼ hours | 15 min prep
SERVES 8

• 1 (3 1/2 ounce) package instant vanilla flavor pudding and pie filling (I used Jello-o brand, use fat-free, sugar-free if desired)
• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
• 1 cup thawed whipped topping (I used Cool Whip brand, use light if desired)
• 1 (10 ounce) package prepared round angel food cake (I bought a prepared one at Wal-Mart that was 15 oz and it worked out fine)
• 10 small strawberries, for garnish (optional)

1. Mix dry pudding mix and pineapple with juice in medium bowl.
2. Gently stir in whipped topping.
3. Cut cake horizontally into 3 layers.
4. Place bottom cake layer, cut side up, on serving plate.
5. Spread 1 1/3 cups of pudding mixture onto cake layer.
6. Cover with middle cake layer.
7. Spread 1 cup of the pudding mixture onto middle cake layer.
8. Top with remaining cake layer.
9. Spread with remaining pudding mixture.
10. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
11. Garnish with strawberries (optional).
12. Store in refrigerator.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Thank you everyone for the wonderful welcome.

I will be back! I will properly introduce myself on Monday. I work for our Church and am SUPER busy today!!

Happy Easter to all of you!

Ellen

 

[liamandcaili]

Glynis -- Safe travels and Happy Easter!

Lindsay -- Take it easy out there and stay safe.

Speaking of making Easter eggs, did anyone see Paul Deen last evening? She made Easter eggs out of day old mashed potatoes (that she added another stick of butter to) and mixed that together with a huge bowl of confectioners' sugar. Then she shaped it into eggs and dipped them in chocolate.

That sounds...gross.

The kids have the day off today, so I invited Caili's friends over for a tea party. I made tea sandwiches (cucumber and cream cheese, cheese and butter, and jam and peanut butter), scones, strawberries and clotted cream, and carrot cake. Instead of tea, they had hot chocolate. It was hysterical. The girls were all impressed with the fancy plates I used and were thrilled with having real teacups. They pretended they were adults and displayed their very best manners...all while completely devouring everything! I don't know how they fit it all into those little bodies.

We're having pizza for dinner tonight...no telling whether Caili will actually eat again.

Oh, for Easter the kids and I are going to my parents. Becky and John won't be there because they are visiting his family, so mom is making her usual meal for when Becky isn't there...roast beef, gravy, oven potatoes, and I don't know what vegetables. Tomorrow we are going to my ILs, and she is making turkey.

ETA: I just heard from Greg and he passed the first phase. Yay!