The What's for Dinner Thread- June 2012 (recipe index in OP)

[dgbg100106]

Good morning all,

t-daniels ~ I really need to try tofu again. The few time I have tried it I didn't care for it at all.

Brandi ~ I have to admit - I used to not like Kale, but with your prodding I have tried it a few ways and am starting to really like it. How do you prepare your garlicky kale? I love garlic!!

to everyone else. I miss everyone!! Hope you all are ok.

Elizabeth wasn't able to get Ethan to the game last night. As the wrestling camp said that if he left then he couldn't come back. Silly rule I think, but whatever - he stayed. I was a bad Nana and didn't go. I haven't heard if they won or not.

I HAVE to go grocery shopping tonight. I played last week end and I need a few things. I hate to go during the week, but we are working on the house this weekend and I know I won't want to go then. So tonight it is - and besides if I go without Doug my bill is always a LOT lower. He is worse than a kid!!

WFDT ~ Chicken salad stuffed tomatoes, wheat thins and sweet tea. Doug will eat at the Country Club.

Make it a great day!

Your dinner, is exactly what David really likes on warm summer nights! Except he drinks his tea unsweetened

here is the Garlicky Kale recipe... David can eat a whole bunch of kale this way...

Inspired by the Whole Foods salad bar
Author: Eating Bird Food
Recipe type: Salad
Ingredients

1 bunch raw kale, washed, de-stemmed and dried
2 Tablespoons tahini
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or water)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons Bragg's liquid aminos (tamari or soy sauce would work too)
4 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons minced garlic (1 - 2 cloves of garlic)
sesame seeds, to taste as garish (optional)

Instructions

Break or cut kale into bite size pieces and place in a large bowl.
Puree all ingredients except kale and sesame seeds in a blender or food processor to blend the dressing.
Pour dressing over kale and massage into the kale with your hands until all pieces of kale are coated.
Let the salad sit in the fridge for an hour or so to marinate. You can skip this step if you need to eat right away, but allowing some time to marinate will wilt the kale a bit and make it a little more palatable - particularly for those who are skeptical of eating raw kale.
Sprinkle on some sesame seeds before serving if so desired.

 

[dgbg100106]

Well we weren't totally successful with our move yesterday. We got the cabinet in the truck, and the truck is in Long Beach, but the cabinet is not yet in our house. We also hope that the truck is in the location we left it last night and it has not been towed.

We can't park commercial trucks outside our house as per the CC&Rs. So we need to go get the truck this morning. Last night we were so tired we just ordered chinese. I was surprised to find a place that delivered to our new house, but it was pretty good food.

Tonight shoukd be sloppy Joes finally.

I hope the truck was still there... Sorry you have been working so hard on this move, I think a trip to WDW should be the reward for finishing the move!

 

[dgbg100106]

Yum!! I've never had butternut squash...

I just peel it, Cube it about a inch square, pop in the oven at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes until soft... The squash is very sweet and tender

 

[dgbg100106]

I have mainly had it as a scramble. I always like that. Some times with baked or fried tofu I don't like it. But scrambles can taste crazy close to eggs!

I like the scramble, and I like it baked. To me it puff's up and is soft in the middle, I like it... David LOVES is a mousse.

 

[dgbg100106]

I truly am building an ark - NOT kidding!!

We got another 1" last night and more on the way today. Flooding is starting - even in my town, which doesn't happen very often. This is getting serious.

Kimmar ~ That alternative sounds really good to. Nothing better in the summer than a nice salad. Thanks.

Allison ~ OH my I sure hope it hasn't been towed. Hopefully by now it is safely in your house. That is just scary.

t_daniels ~ I will have to take your word for that.

I am so sad today We have tickets to Lady Antebellum tonight. I have waited 3 years to see them, 2 years ago they sold out before we got tickets, last year I had tickets and they cancelled as she was pregnant so this year we got our tickets the very first day. And tonight is suppose to be severe storms, lightening, hail, high winds and torrential rain. This is an outside concert!! I think I am doomed to ever see them. Doug is going out today and get us rain jackets. Last year (if your remember) we saw Toby Keith in the rain. We got soaked to the skin. Hopefully the storms will hold off until later - but I really don't think that will happen.

WFDT ~ something at the fair grounds - maybe another elephant ear. Yea, that will be dinner.

Make it a great day (NO RAIN) and a wonderful weekend.

I hope the concert was fun and you enjoyed it, and that the rain held off for you?

 

[franandaj]

Hi ladies!

Well the truck was safe and sound. Ive got to do an update on the house thread this weekend as this was a pretty major move. We almost have all the furniture in place in the house.

Is everyone preparing their rolled dinner this weekend? I made mine last night and hope to have pictures up by yhe end of the weekend.

Ellen, I hope your concert went OK. Why do they plan outdoor things in your area when there is so much of a risk of cancellation?

Tonight I hope we are going out to dinner. We are going to a concert with a friend of mine.

 

[franandaj]

So this is “Rolled Dinner” weekend. I had many ideas in my head. I was thinking of making my seafood crepes, or my Enchiladas Rancheras, but when it came down to it, I really had a hankering for Canneloni. It had been a while since I had made some and decided that this was the week.

I started out my preparation early in the week by stuffing the pasta tubes. Here’s how I did it. One package of Manicotti tubes boiled in hot water and then flash cooled.





I made my filling from about ¾ pound of ground beef, a pound of mild Italian Sausage, and 2 cups of shredded Mozzarella Cheese.



I mixed them all together.



And then stuffed the cooked pasta tubes with the meat mixture. I made quite a few extra as we only need one pasta tube each for our meal. I froze all these individually and then later wrapped them in plastic wrap in pairs. I put all in a gallon Ziploc bag and they are ready for quick dinner preparation in about an hour.



Last night when I cooked the Canneloni for dinner, as much as I wanted to make a tomato sauce with the freshly picked tomatoes from my garden, I had to face facts. At 7PM I was still running errands and dropping off my cleaning lady. Since I needed more Mozzarella cheese from the grocery store, I just decided to pick up already cut onions and mushooms, and a premade jar of spaghetti sauce. So here were my starting ingredients.



I sautéed the onions in some butter.



Then added the mushrooms.



In my starting ingredients, I forgot to mention garlic. Chopped finely. Now that I think about it, I had some of this in the refrigerator too!



I added the garlic last so as not to burn it.



Then the sauce.



As much as they try to make me believe they have the seasonings in there, I always need to add a little more of my own basil, oregano and black pepper.



Place the rolled pasta in a baking dish. Cover with sauce and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Then add some grated Mozzarella and cook another five minutes.



Serve. I had mine with a slice of Texas Toast. I was too exhausted to even throw together a quick salad. But we did have strawberries and ice cream for dessert!

 

[maslex]

WFDT?

Marinated grilled chicken breast, baked potatoes (in the crock pot) and haven't decided on a veggie yet.

 

[kimmar067]

....I had mine with a slice of Texas Toast...

TOAST....yum!

 

[dgbg100106]

Alison your rolled dinner looked yummy...

 

[amberg93]

We had barbecue biscuits, a recipe that's simple and my wife had never heard of before me so I thought I'd share too if anyone is looking for something quick and simple

I don't have any pictures though, sorry.



Barbecue Biscuits

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef or pork
1 bottle of barbecue sauce (I use original, but it's personal preference)
1 can of Pillsbury rolls

Makes about 10 biscuits (adult serving size is usually 3 or 4).

Steps:

1) Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C)

2) Brown ground beef.

3) Drain beef and return to pan.

4) Add in barbecue sauce. There is no proper amount exactly, but I've found a quarter of a bottle works well. You should mix it in until all the beef is covered by barbecue sauce.

5) Take out biscuits and put them into a cupcake pan (be sure to put non stick spray in). Push down the center so that there is a bowl like shape. Add in barbecued meat to the center area of the biscuits.

6) Put biscuits into oven and bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until golden brown.

7) Take out biscuits and enjoy

 

[EJ4Disney]

....oh Ellen....hey, you can borrow my beach umbrella, ella, ella, ella....

Lady, you are SO good for my soul. You just make me smile - and that is a good thing.

Brandi ~ Thanks so much for the Kale recipe. I love Kale and I can't wait to try this.

Alison ~ Your dinner looked amazing. I love cannelloni! Yours looked so good I wanted to lick the screen.
Glad the truck was still there and now you have more settled. It will happen my friend. You are doing so good.

amberg93 ~ I used to make those when my kids were at home. We all loved them. Thanks for the reminder - I need to make them again. Thanks for sharing.

maslex ~

My rolled up meal was on Saturday. I fixed enchiladas. Nothing to fancy or hard. Used hamburger, cheese, green chilis, onion, rolled in flour tortillas and topped with red chili sauce and lots of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Bake in 350 until cheese is bubbly. We ate almost 1/2 the pan - they were really good. What's next month?? Doug is loving this!!


We got to North Platte (for the concert) at 7:30 (it was to start at 8) and the clouds were vicious. Warnings abound!! We sat it out in the car. We just laughed at the "stupid" people that parked and took off. Really people!! The lightening was frightening and the rain poured so much that we couldn't see the car parked in front of us. We sat there for 1 1/2 hours and watched the "stupids" run back to their cars like drenched rats. They got in their cars and left, yep they left. Around 9:15 the sky cleared up and we ventured into the stadium. They kept saying that the concert would start at 9:30. Well it started about 9:45 and Lady A was on the stage. David Nails was to open, the did bring him out for 3 songs - which was really great. They sang till almost midnight. It was AWESOME!!!!! We were in the "Golden Circle" on the floor and let me tell you - it was muddy. So muddy that if you stayed in one place too long you couldn't move. But it was SO worth it. We have probably been to 50+ concerts and I can say it was my favorite. Just wonderful.

Ethan's baseball team took first in the tournament. I was so happy and proud of those boys. They so deserved it. What a great group of kids, parents and coaches.

WFDT ~ grilled chicken salad for me and Doug will eat at the Country Club - he has league play tonight.

Make it a great day!!

 

[kimmar067]

Lady, you are SO good for my soul. You just make me smile - and that is a good thing...

 

[franandaj]

Ellen,
I'm so glad you got to enjoy the concert!

 

[amberg93]

Ellen, not a problem And sounds like a fun experience! I'm hitting my first concert in October and every time I read a concert story I get excited

WFDT - Currently undecided between BLTs or grilled chicken with rice.

 

[kimmar067]

....no-brainer...BLT!

 

[EJ4Disney]

Happy Tuesday all!!

Amber ~ I am so glad you popped in here. I have been reading your and Maries trip reports. I love them.
You are getting ready for a cruise - have fun!! You SO deserve the time away - how are you feeling?

Alison ~ Thanks!! How is the un packing going?

Kimmar ~ I agree - no brainer - BLT's!

to all

Well tonight is birthday night. Jay got home yesterday - it was their Anniversary, so that was nice. He had been gone for the whole month in California for Guards. So even though we didn't get to celebrate Ethan's birthday last week at least this way his Daddy will be there.

What are all of your plans for the 4th? I am so glad it is on a Friday as we get a 3 day weekend.

WFDT ~ Birthday meal - pizza and brownies. YUM!!

Make it a great day all!

 

[franandaj]

Hi ladies!

Things are progressing. I will have another update on my house thread, not sure how soon, we're still busy. Sunday night I made a turkey. I wish I'd known last Thanksgiving that our cat would switch to a roast turkey diet 50% of her meals. I'm down to my last turkey and its only July. Have you priced turkeys when it's not Thanksgiving??????

Needless to say we had Turkey and stuffing plus squash on Sunday. Last night was open faced turkey sandwiches with mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans.

Tonight is band so a drive through. Im actually thinking about McDonald's. Must be all that advertising.

Ellen, you asked what was the meal for July, I think we agreed on lasagne, but not limited to the traditional sort. I already know what I'm making. So what weekend will we be doing this? I'm hoping the 27-28, thats actually the only weekend besides the upcoming one that I will be around this month.

One more week and that kicks off a very busy four weeks. Thats one reason we had to move when we did. It was either early June or end of August and we couldn't stand another day in the old house. The kitties are all settled so when we take off for four nights next week they should be OK. We aren't going out of town again for two weeks, but we have lots of Disney related plans in those two weeks, including park time and a Disneyana convention.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[dgbg100106]

Hi all....

 

[kimmar067]