The What's For Dinner Thread - March '11 (recipe index in OP)

[HERSEY]

Princess enjoy your day. I am pooped after mine I am ready for bed.

I just did some yardwork since it looks like it is going to be a rainy weekend. I want to get the major part done.


WFD is pasta with sauted veggies and a salad.

Tomorrow night I am going out with my neighbor. We take one another out for our birthdays. We are going to try out a new organic restaurant in the area. I am excited it the menu sounds very interesting.

 

[Goofyluver]

I would be so curious as to how you make it, my Doctor told me I could eat Beef Jerky on my diet!

Recipe cometh soon.

And happy anniversary!

When we were kids my Mom saved her bacon fat and cooked all kinds of foods in it. I remember her home fires So good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My DBIL made jerky once. He was so proud if it but none of us got to try it. They had a dog who loved any people food and she ate anything not nailed down. He turned his back on her and she wiped out every last bite.
He had established a good relationship with the butcher and had just picked up some custom cut Steaks. He ran into the hardware store and left her in the car. When he got out she had eaten the entire package I don't know how this dog survived, she would somehow get into the Easter eggs, swallow up the chocolate and later Gail would find chewed up pieces of foil all over the house. She was a sneaky pup..............

BAAAAAAD dog!

Bacon popcorn? OMG. UncleR would drool over that.

Thanks, everyone, for your honest feedback. Alan called yesterday afternoon, on a break, and we were able to really talk it out. He didn't HAVE to do the overtime shoot, because there were enough photographers available, he just felt like he SHOULD, because we need the money. I explained to him that I understood that and would support whatever he decided to do, but that the kids really need to see him for more than 2 hours per week. I also told him that when he is at home, he needs to BE here, mentally. Not on facebook, or playing computer games. Homework is one thing, and we all understand that, but playing games, and ignoring the kids just won't cut it.

The upshot was, we came to an understanding, and both felt better for it! He called his work, explained the situation, and they let him come home 2 hours early, if he would cover a story later in the evening. He was home in time to help with the kid's homework, and then, after dinner, we all went with him to the story (it was neat for Jacob! The story was about a troop of Boy Scouts that are all physically or mentally disabled. One "boy" is 52, and has just earned his Eagle). Once the story was done, it was only 8:00 so we took the kids for ice cream! It ended up being a really great night! The kids have not been that happy in ages!!!

Dinner was really good! It was a WW recipe, and I'll post it in a little while. Everyone liked it, except my picky Jacob, and I even managed to get several bites into him (as long as he could pick out the onions and the tomatoes, first).

No idea about dinner, tonight. I have bowling this morning, and then I'll think about dinner. I'm leaning towards my soup and sammie idea, though!

Glad you guys had a good night and I'm glad you guys talked everything through.

WFD? We're going to Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Hotel. We're celebrating both of our wedding anniversaries which were earlier this week.

Yummy! Enjoy.

And happy anniversaries!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm home. It's Friday. And I'm thankful.

Dinner tonight will be steaks. Yummy.

But, right now I'm eating beef jerky.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup liquid smoke
3 cups soy sauce
1/2 lb. brown sugar

Mix the above. Place with meat in bowl and let marinate overnight.

We make our beef jerky in the dehydrator. And we use rump roast, cut against the grain.

We also make a beef jerky where we marinate the meat in italian dressing.




Did I say beef jerky makes me happy?

Y'all have a good weekend!

 

[Nancyg56]

Glynis - I am glad that you worked out the problem with Alan

We had dinner at Welby's house. Nola invited us for Lasagna. It is not on my diet so I brought a salad and some pot roast for me and Buddy had his gynormous serving of that delicious meal. he also had some apple pie and apple cake that Welby made. I had some Italian Brunello that she made. It was delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Saturday afternoon over here and we've finished all the chores!! Which means that we have the rest of the weekend to ourselves. DS is organising a playdate with a friend; so that may mean that DH and I have a free afternoon today.....nothing too exciting....we both want to do some gardening later.
But tomorrow...weather permitting, we may be heading to the Royal Melbourne Show! Its like one of your State Fairs.


Finally catching up on the news! And pumpkin puree is on my shopping list....I just need to head to the USAFoods store.

Glynis - Glad that you and Alan worked it out. There is nothing worse than trying to juggle work, life and $$.

Alison - Happy Anniversary to you and Fran! I know you're enjoying your food coma at Napa Rose and I would so hate you if it weren't for the fact that you share food porn!

Aimee - Saffron @ $4 a bottle is a steal. Enjoy! How was the paella?

Laura - Calli as dance understudy with the bigger girls is great! Such an honour to be picked out to learn with the bigger girls.

Marilyn - you'll have to post pics of your crafty handiwork!

Janice - I'd love to know how the organic restaurant was and what the name is.

Kat - Join the queue! There are a number of us in line for the Alison Jealousy forum.

Ellen - your weekend at home sounds great. Hope you enjoy it.

Nancy - I've been a little bit inspired by you. I have aims of being good, doing exercise and trying to lose some weight over the next 2 weeks and more.

Jen - I'm not really a beef jerky gal..but that recipe sounds delish!

Keep well everyone.




ps. Hope I haven't missed anyone!

 

[bigmerle1966]

Well our boys did it, they won!!!! 21-14!

It was raining right until about 15 minutes before the game, the forecast was for showers all evening, but it stopped and we got this...

I think it was a good luck charm...

 

[PrincessInOz]

What lovely pictures of a lovely rainbow and clouds!

 

[bigmerle1966]

Marilyn - you'll have to post pics of your crafty handiwork!

Here are some that I've made in the past.

 

[bigmerle1966]

What lovely pictures of a lovely rainbow and clouds!

Thank you. I was so glad I had the real camera with me. That is the second rainbow I've seen in the last two weeks and last time I had to use my cell phone which did not do it justice.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Marilyn - Your quilting is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

 

[franandaj]

But, right now I'm eating beef jerky.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup liquid smoke
3 cups soy sauce
1/2 lb. brown sugar

Mix the above. Place with meat in bowl and let marinate overnight.

We make our beef jerky in the dehydrator. And we use rump roast, cut against the grain.

OK I'm confused. Is the beef raw or cooked? If you don't have a dehydrator can you still make it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Marilyn - what beautiful pictures of the rainbow and the quilts!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back from dinner, not quite in a food coma, we were a little restrained (only four courses but everything was split) and everything was wonderful.

 

[Goofyluver]

Saturday afternoon over here and we've finished all the chores!! Which means that we have the rest of the weekend to ourselves. DS is organising a playdate with a friend; so that may mean that DH and I have a free afternoon today.....nothing too exciting....we both want to do some gardening later.
But tomorrow...weather permitting, we may be heading to the Royal Melbourne Show! Its like one of your State Fairs.

Enjoy your afternoon!

Well our boys did it, they won!!!! 21-14!

It was raining right until about 15 minutes before the game, the forecast was for showers all evening, but it stopped and we got this...

I think it was a good luck charm...

I saw these on FB, but I'll tell ya' here...they are so beautiful!

Here are some that I've made in the past.

UncleR has a love for all things pink flamingo.

This one is our favorite!

OK I'm confused. Is the beef raw or cooked? If you don't have a dehydrator can you still make it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Back from dinner, not quite in a food coma, we were a little restrained (only four courses but everything was split) and everything was wonderful.

Sorry, the reason I wrote the recipe that way is because you can use several different cuts of meat to make jerky. It's up to you which you use, and the meat is raw when you put it in the marinade, sliced thinly.

And you can make jerky at home in the oven. Set the oven to 225-250 and let the meat go for about 4 hours or until the meat is dry to the touch like jerky. You can go longer if you want it dryer. We like ours a bit chewy.

Hope this clears it up!

 

[TigerKat]

Aimee – Have fun at the retreat, but I still worry you’re not 100% recovered yet. Take care.

Ellen – Enjoy your beautiful weather and your Husker party tonight!

Alison – I hope y’all enjoyed your celebration at Napa Rose!

Janice – Have fun at dinner with your neighbor.

PIO – Enjoy your weekend and the Royal Melbourne Show!

Marilyn – Congrats to the boys on the win! Beautiful pics of the rainbow and your quilting. You are very talented!

WFD - Grilled steaks, baked potatoes and spinach gratin.

I probably won't be back here until Monday. We're going to the Saint's game tomorrow and it's usually an all day affair. Who Dat! Geaux Saints!

 

[bigmerle1966]

I saw these on FB, but I'll tell ya' here...they are so beautiful!



UncleR has a love for all things pink flamingo.

This one is our favorite!

Thank you.

There is a group of us at work who like flamingoes too. I made that as a granny gift for my boss. I had made her a larger version of that for Christmas a couple years ago and decided to make her that so she and her GD could cuddle on the couch together.

 

[bigmerle1966]

stupid cell phone made it post twice.

 

[Goofyluver]

I probably won't be back here until Monday. We're going to the Saint's game tomorrow and it's usually an all day affair. Who Dat! Geaux Saints!

Have fun, Kat!!!

Thank you.

There is a group of us at work who like flamingoes too. I made that as a granny gift for my boss. I had made her a larger version of that for Christmas a couple years ago and decided to make her that so she and her GD could cuddle on the couch together.

We love it. UncleR said she absolutely loves the colors of it.

I'll be real honest and say that I cannot sew to save my life, and to see what you can create and quilt...

You're very talented!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We're having the steaks we were supposed to have last night, tonight. We just didn't want them yesterday, because we were snacking on too much beef jerky.

I have printed off a whole load of new recipes today to try over the next few weeks. I don't know how you guys do it, but I do a menu in advance for about 2 weeks and then shop accordingly.

We've got some good ones over the next few weeks, including Aimee's green chile enchiladas, a strawberry sheet cake for dessert, and some carne guisada. I can't wait.

It's Saturday. It's going to be a laid-back weekend. I hope...

Everyone make it a great weekend!

 

[Goofyluver]

Okay, I made a pie.

Aimee, thank you so much for the link to the Homesick Texan.

I made her buttermilk pie recipe tonight. I didn't take a good pic, so I'm going to post the pic from the blog.

Great-grandma Blanche’s buttermilk pie

2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or 1 tablespoon flour, 1/2 tablespoon cornmeal)
8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), softened
3 large eggs, beaten
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 piecrust

Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the piecrust into the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Combine the sugar with the flour and cornmeal, if you're using. Cream the butter. Add the sugar mixture to the butter and then stir in the eggs, salt, buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla extract and vinegar.

Pour filling into the partially baked piecrust and bake in the oven uncovered until brown on top and the custard has set, about 45-50 minutes.

Yield: 8 servings

I will note that the cooking time listed on the recipe was not long enough for the custard to set. I had to bake it for an additional 15 minutes or so and even now, it's still very soft. The top browned up, so I covered the pie towards the end so that the top wouldn't burn while I was waiting for the pie to finish.

This was so good and so easy and UncleR has been raving about it all night.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Home from the bull and oyster roast, food was good, there was great music and it was lots of fun. Off to bed now, lots to do tomorrow.

 

[HERSEY]

We had an amazing meal last night. We kept seeing all these young couples and it finally dawned on us that it was homecoming night.

I wish I had taken pictures but I didn't so you will have to suffer through the verbal dictation. We went to a restaurant called Prasino. If you want to see the website here it is. http://www.prasino.com/home.php. If you ever come through Chicago you need to find them.

We started note me with Kung Fu Girl Reisling (I could not resist the name) my friend had an ice tea. Yeah I do have friends who are nondrinkers.

Starters where the most amazing mussels I have had in a long while. they were served in a white wine, cilantro chili butter broth will grilled bread. I had grilled chicken breasts with chick pea falafel and arugula marinated olive and curry oil salad the chicken breasts were laying on a yogurt and harissa sauce. My friend had a portabella ravioli in a pesto broth. Needless to say we almost licked our plates both were so good. Oh yeah this was washed down with more reisling.

And cause you only live once, we moved on to dessert. I had a molten chocolate cake with strawberries and vanilla gelato. My freind had a chocolate peanut gooey butter cake with a chocolate hazelnut drizzle with a vanilla gelato.

We waddle back to the car. I don't think I will be hungry at least until later this morning.

I will be back later when I can think about food again.

 

[Goofyluver]

We had an amazing meal last night. We kept seeing all these young couples and it finally dawned on us that it was homecoming night.

I wish I had taken pictures but I didn't so you will have to suffer through the verbal dictation. We went to a restaurant called Prasino. If you want to see the website here it is. http://www.prasino.com/home.php. If you ever come through Chicago you need to find them.

We started note me with Kung Fu Girl Reisling (I could not resist the name) my friend had an ice tea. Yeah I do have friends who are nondrinkers.

Starters where the most amazing mussels I have had in a long while. they were served in a white wine, cilantro chili butter broth will grilled bread. I had grilled chicken breasts with chick pea falafel and arugula marinated olive and curry oil salad the chicken breasts were laying on a yogurt and harissa sauce. My friend had a portabella ravioli in a pesto broth. Needless to say we almost licked our plates both were so good. Oh yeah this was washed down with more reisling.

And cause you only live once, we moved on to dessert. I had a molten chocolate cake with strawberries and vanilla gelato. My freind had a chocolate peanut gooey butter cake with a chocolate hazelnut drizzle with a vanilla gelato.

We waddle back to the car. I don't think I will be hungry at least until later this morning.

I will be back later when I can think about food again.

Sounds devine!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good morning all.

It's Sunday. Hope everyone has had a great weekend so far!

Tonight's dinner is pork schnitzel and german potato salad.

Tomorrow it's back to the grind!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hope everyone had a great weekend. From the silence, I will assume so.

We've had a busy weekend ourselves. The Royal Melbourne Show was a long day for us. We ended up being there for about 8 hours....think Disney commando; with no air conditioned rides. At least the weather was decent. It was low 70's, blue sky with a mild breeze. Perfect for the show!
Still have pictures to load up...and I will get round to posting some, if you're interested. But as things have turned out, I'm heading back to the Show again tomorrow....SOLO. We ended up having a spare ticket and the boys are otherwise busy tomorrow. And then the list for a mini-Fall photoscavenger hunt appeared on the photo sub-forum today......well.....there are a couple of items on the list that I know I can easily get from the Show.

I'm definitely in holiday mode. Haven't done ANY cooking at all in the last three days; strictly take-away. And DH is still planning on baked potatoes for dinner tomorrow night. Might not be til Thursday before I look in the kitchen!
Although, I did make some Bircher Muesli...so I'm going to post those pics next.

Hope you're all well!