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

[Aimeedyan]

We have a leak at work so the water is shut off today so I stayed home. I went grocery shopping and am working on a few work projects that take more concentration than I can give them in the office.

Tonight I'm making chile-honey glazed salmon with black bean sauce and some roasted green beans.

 

[vicb]

Laura- What a nice birthday! You had me chuckling about the recorder, Dan started playing the trumpet in the 5th grade and he was TERRIBLE! Marisa used to pay him her popcorn if he would practice outside. Imagine my surprise when he entered the middle school and told me he was trying out for the jaxx band....he made it and was lead in a year. I still remember that bleating we listened to for a year thoughn

Both my kids started out in 5th grade on clarinet (DD quit after 8th grade and DS switched to sax and is still playing in 10th) one of the first songs they were taught was "Ode to Joy" but when they both played it, the song sounded like a funeral dirge! We still laugh over that today... it was definitely not joyful!

Laura- I thought Liam enjoyed band, I hated it but the trips in highschool were great. My daughter plays sax, and she's really good at it but is getting bored. I really hope she sticks it out though. Her teacher is giving her some more challenging music so I hope that helps.

As mentioned my DD quit clarinet after 8th grade to pursue soccer and volleyball in HS. She eventually dropped v-ball and I think always had a bit of regret for quitting band. Her friends in band had a blast. She encourged DS to try HS band in 9th grade and he loves it. Band is his whole social world really, he is in so many extra music groups and they always have fun. He wanted to quit after middle school too but now is sooooo glad he didn't.

We have a leak at work so the water is shut off today so I stayed home. I went grocery shopping and am working on a few work projects that take more concentration than I can give them in the office.

That is sort of the grown up equivalent of a kids snow day!

Worked this morning then took DS to a dr appt this afternoon. We stopped at the mall near that dr office so I could shop at a special candy store. I wanted to get something chocolate to put at each place on the table for easter dinner. I got these great eggs that are stuffed with something different, some milk chocolate some dark and wrapped in 6 different pastel colors. I think it will be fun for people to pick their spot by what filling they like best or swap them around.

WFDT = breakfast food! French toast, bacon, cut up citrus fruits.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Marilyn- Hope the weather passes quick, stay safe.

It moved really quickly and apparently last night part of these storms came through at about 80 miles an hour.

Right now it's really windy out and it has stopped raining for the moment. Hard to tell if it's going to start again, it's gotten sunny then dark, back and forth for most of the day now.

Dinner tonight will be meatloaf and whatever else DM makes.

 

[HERSEY]

Change in dinner plans. We are having spicey turkey wraps instead of chicken. I forgot I had ground turkey that I didn't freeze so that needs to get cooked. We will have rice on the side.


Marilyn the storms we had on Sunday night were pretty scary. I hope the winds die down soon.

This weekend we are supposed to have a warm up again and then more thunder storms. I think poor Minnie is going to have a heart attack one of these days, she does not do well with noise. Since she is so little I don't want to medicate her either. It never worked with my other dog.

 

[Aimeedyan]

This was delicious!

Chile-Honey Glazed Salmon with Black Bean Sauce and Jalapeno Crema
Black Bean Sauce:
1 (15 ounce) can of black beans
1 small red onion, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
Kosher salt

Salmon:
1/3 cup honey
1 tbs ancho chile powder
1 tbs Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper
Four (8 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on (I used steelhead trout)
2 tbs cooking oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced

Jalapeño Crema:
1/2 cup crema, or sour cream
1 large jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
Salt and pepper

For the black bean sauce: Preheat a medium sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil, then saute the onion and garlic until softened. Add the black beans, chipotle, and cumin. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir together for a few minutes to let the flavors marry. Using an immersion blender, puree the black bean mixture. Keep warm until serving.

For the salmon: To make the glaze, whisk together the honey, ancho chile powder, and mustard in a small bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat a grill pan (or your grill, which is what we used) over high heat. Brush the salmon with oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper. Place the salmon in the pan, skin side down, and cook until golden brown and a crust has formed, 3 to 4 minutes. Brush the top of the salmon with some of the glaze, flip over the fish, and continue cooking until a crust has formed and the salmon is cooked to medium, about 2 more minutes. The salmon will be pink in the center.

For the Jalapeño Crema: Combine the minced chile and the sour cream in a mini food processor. Puree until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To serve: Spoon some of the black bean sauce in the center of your plate. Drizzle with some jalapeno crema. Set the salmon in the center, glazed side up, and brush with more glaze. Drizzle some more crema, if desired, and garnish with the scallions.



I redid my blog, changed the name and font and stuff, over the weekend. Got bored, I guess http://seeaimeecook.blogspot.com/

 

[TigerKat]

Marilyn – Good luck with the WW!

Janice - Poor little Minnie, I feel sorry for her.

Aimee – That salmon looks amazing! I really love the new look of your blog!

WFD - Either ballpark food or fast food. We'll be heading to Thibodaux, LA for the game tonight. This will be Kyle's first collegiate start and I am already a nervous wreck!

 

[Rogue26]

Kathy- Don't worry about Kyle, you know he'll be fine. Easy for me to say, I'm sure I'd be nervous too.

Aimee- That salmon/trout looks awsome. My husband will be away for dinner a few nights next week so I think I'll go over to my parents and make that for them. My dad has a bit of heart trouble but would never eat salmon, of course he won't be rude if I make it for him! It looks nice and healthy but still flavorful, just what he needs. I think I'll only use one chipolte though, two is an awful lot. Was your blog easy to set up? I was thinking once construction starts on our house a blog would be a great way for my brother to see since he lives so far away from me.

Janice- I'm sorry minnie is having such a hard time. My dog doesn't care for thunder either, but fortunatly we don't get it very often. My parents last dog was scared of fireworks, to bad for him they spend 3 months at fort wilderness and he had to listen to the Magic Kingdom fireworks every night. He was a 120 pound german shepherd trying to hide in a laundry basket!

Marilyn- We had the same weather, but our wind probably only got up to about 60. A shelterd cove had waves, it looked more like the ocean.

Vic- The social reason is the main reason I want her to stay in band. She has a hard time fitting in and she doesn't seem to mind now, but I think it might bother her down the road. The band kids always seem like a good group of friends. That, and she's very good. She reads music as easily as reading a book and she can also play by ear. She's been whistling the Harry Potter theme song for so long, she was able to just play around on the saxaphone and figure it out. She sure doesn't get that from me.

Tonight we are having leftover gnocchi. I'm going to top it with sauce and cheeze and bake it like a ziti. Have a great day all!

 

[liamsaunt]

Aimee, that fish looks great! I am going to have to check out your blog.

Kathy, how did Kyle do last night?

Here are some food photos. Laura brought me some brie from the cheese shop so on Monday we had brie sandwiches with some olives and grapes:

BB in a bit with the rest, have to do a quick project

 

[liamsaunt]

OK that was a really quick project!

Last night I got home too late to make the summer rolls. They are easy but take time to assemble. So instead we had asparagus and fontina stuffed chicken that was wrapped in proscuitto, some orzo with lots of cracked black pepper, and grape tomatoes:

It was fast and easy, plus tasty.

Tonight I am going to Laura's for dinner and we are having linguini with clams. Have a good day all!

 

[Glynis]

Hi, all! Sorry I didn't make it over here yesterday! It was run, run, run! Didn't help that Katie was home sick with a sore throat!

Anyway, dinner last night was a hamburger/veggie soup. Very easy and tasty. I picked up some crusty rolls to go with it, and the kids were happy. Alan worked late, so he didn't have any last night. He'll take the leftovers for lunch today.

Dinner tonight is up in the air. Katie has her young women meeting at church, and Jacob has a merit badge class. I'm thinking we'll just do some kind of sandwich or wrap. Maybe we'll do Sheryl's po boy's! I always keep the fixin's on hand, as it's become a favorite of the family!

Kathy - I hope Kyle did well last night! I'm sure you were a nervous wreck to begin with, but I hope you were able to relax enough to enjoy yourself.

Aimee - I love your new blog! Looks really good!!!

To all of you with band kids - Band is HUGE here! I mean really huge!!! The band kids really stick together, and take care of one another! Katie chose to go the orchestra route, but Jacob really wants to take up the sax. We'll see what happens in the next year.

Vic - Your candy idea for Easter dinner sounds really great! I wish we had a candy store like that that I could go to. However, since I don't, maybe I'll use our local cupcake bakery, the Sweet Tooth Fairy. They make wonderful cakebites in seasonal flavors. This months flavors are banana and peach and honey. Those are covered in milk, dark or white chocolate, and would look fun on the table! Thanks for giving me the idea!!!

I guess it is time to start thinking about Easter dinner. I know we've still got a few weeks, but I like to plan early. I know we'll do a ham, but that's about the only "for sure" that I have so far. I just got a recipe for bacon and maple scalloped potatoes that sounds really good. Anyone else got any fabulous menu items planned?

 

[vicb]

Vic- The social reason is the main reason I want her to stay in band. She has a hard time fitting in and she doesn't seem to mind now, but I think it might bother her down the road. The band kids always seem like a good group of friends. That, and she's very good. She reads music as easily as reading a book and she can also play by ear. She's been whistling the Harry Potter theme song for so long, she was able to just play around on the saxaphone and figure it out. She sure doesn't get that from me.

Yes, my son is a quiet guy as are some of the band kids too. They would never be in the A list of popular HS jocks. They call themselves "band geeks" proudly (the orchestra kids call themselves "orch dorks"). At our school band and orchestra kids mingle pretty well. I doubt my son would even go to Friday night football games if he wasn't in marching band, but he has a blast with the band.

Vic - Your candy idea for Easter dinner sounds really great! I wish we had a candy store like that that I could go to. However, since I don't, maybe I'll use our local cupcake bakery, the Sweet Tooth Fairy. They make wonderful cakebites in seasonal flavors. This months flavors are banana and peach and honey. Those are covered in milk, dark or white chocolate, and would look fun on the table! Thanks for giving me the idea!!!

I guess it is time to start thinking about Easter dinner. I know we've still got a few weeks, but I like to plan early. I know we'll do a ham, but that's about the only "for sure" that I have so far. I just got a recipe for bacon and maple scalloped potatoes that sounds really good. Anyone else got any fabulous menu items planned?

The candy store I went to is Sanders which is a local detroit based co. When I was in HS I worked at a Sanders lunch counter... ok I'm not that old it was in the late 70's. I also bought a box of dark chocolate sea salted caramels for my MIL for mother's day.

I think I am going to get a Honey Baked ham and serve that for sandwiches along with some turkey as we have a few that won't eat ham. I have one (DD's roommate) who is vegetarian but will make a sandwich with guac or hummus instead of a meat then add the other fixings. I plan to make baked beans, scallop potatoes and fruit salad as well. Then my two bundt cakes for dessert. I know 2 cakes is over kill but again I like to give a choice (chocolate or lemon) then there will be extras to send home with my parents, my sister's family and the 2 college girls!

 

[shovan]

Hey y'all, I can't believe it's Wednesday & I'm just checking in here. I don't know where the time goes! I've just been busy, but not accomplishing much.

I made that onion tart from Cooking Light last night. Using Aimee's experience & cooking the onions a bit more. (Thanks Aimee!) It was yummy! I'd post a pic, but I'm really fighting with my pic program (Picasa). I can get them on the computer & onto FB, but not here.

Aimee & Becky, Those look fantastic!

 

[Nancyg56]

Both my kids started out in 5th grade on clarinet (DD quit after 8th grade and DS switched to sax and is still playing in 10th) one of the first songs they were taught was "Ode to Joy" but when they both played it, the song sounded like a funeral dirge! We still laugh over that today... it was definitely not joyful!


.

Dan chose teh keyboard in 4th grade. It was not offered as a class but the instructor took teh kids before and after school as well as during lunch. There was the annual concert adn they played Ode to Joy. Dan wanted it becasue I loved it. Holy Smokes..............yours was a funeral dirge adn Dan's version was a polka! He finished long before anyone else

Laura- In our school the HS kids have a madrigal group which features recorders, trumpet and I forget what else. Dan was offered the trumpet position and they performed during one concert. Someone in the audience was shocked that we did nto have a "real" recorder so he donated his..............a beautiful wood instrument worth much money. Lovely!

We were pathetic last night. Buddy was dropping off seed to the farmer who is raising our plants and we were going to eat out after that. We were so sad sack.....the weather was gloomy and we ended up falling asleep during tgeh afternoon and never really waking up........ DInner was Mcdonalds!

We are trying again tonight and I think Erica is joining us.

 

[shovan]

Sheryl - I had to tell you about my dream last night.

You posted on here that you would not be around for a while because you were going to trek the Sahara desert.
Much to my surprise you knocked on my door because it was on your way,I did argue that NOLA-BONNYRIGG-SAHARA seemed like the long way round but hey !!
You did bring me Drew Brees's phone number so when you asked me to do the trek with you I could not say no......well,you,me, John McEnroe and Joey from Friends!!!
Dont know what was funnier,us eatin Gumbo in the desert or playin doubles with Mac and Joey !!!!!

I love it!! Of course if I was going to trek the Sahara, I'd stop by Bonnyrigg first! and bring you Drew's phone number! I could eat gumbo in the desert! lol! BUT PLAYING DOUBLES WITH JOHN McEnroe & Joey!!!!! Not that is strange!!!!!

Oh ma friend, that is some wild dream! Did you go off your diet of junk food that evening? Did you go and eat something healthy?!

 

[liamandcaili]

Robin -- Liam did enjoy band, but the new school doesn't have one. I offered to get him lessons, but he looked at me like I was crazy. He was happy when band got him out of ELA and singing in the chorus, but he wasn't going to pursue it as an extracurricular activity. Too bad...he was pretty good. I hope your daughter sticks with it!

Both my kids started out in 5th grade on clarinet (DD quit after 8th grade and DS switched to sax and is still playing in 10th) one of the first songs they were taught was "Ode to Joy" but when they both played it, the song sounded like a funeral dirge!

I'm glad your son is enjoying band now.

Aimee -- That salmon sounds delicious!

Kathy -- Good luck to Kyle tonight! I am sure he will do great. I certainly understand about the nerves though!

Someone in the audience was shocked that we did nto have a "real" recorder so he donated his..............a beautiful wood instrument worth much money. Lovely!

That was very generous! I do agree that the real wood recorders can sound beautiful. I hope you get out tonight.

Like Beck said, she is joining me for dinner and we're having linguine and clams. Should be good!

 

[Aimeedyan]

WFD - Either ballpark food or fast food. We'll be heading to Thibodaux, LA for the game tonight. This will be Kyle's first collegiate start and I am already a nervous wreck!

I hope they do great!!!

Aimee- That salmon/trout looks awsome. My husband will be away for dinner a few nights next week so I think I'll go over to my parents and make that for them. My dad has a bit of heart trouble but would never eat salmon, of course he won't be rude if I make it for him! It looks nice and healthy but still flavorful, just what he needs. I think I'll only use one chipolte though, two is an awful lot. Was your blog easy to set up? I was thinking once construction starts on our house a blog would be a great way for my brother to see since he lives so far away from me.

Yes! Very easy. I used Google's Blogger program and it's user friendly. If I understood HTML better, I'd add more elements to my blog that I see on others but until I do, I think it's good for what it is. The house construction would be a GREAT way to use a blog!

I guess it is time to start thinking about Easter dinner. I know we've still got a few weeks, but I like to plan early. I know we'll do a ham, but that's about the only "for sure" that I have so far. I just got a recipe for bacon and maple scalloped potatoes that sounds really good. Anyone else got any fabulous menu items planned?

I'm still undecided. I think I did a ham last year but the year before may have grilled steaks? Whatever I pick, it has to be something I can do after a very FULL morning of church!


Another 12 hour day - working late. Will figure out dinner later.

 

[Aimeedyan]

These were sinfully delicious. And SUPER easy.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Passion Bars
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 pouch chocolate brownie mix (they suggest Ghirardelli triple chocolate)
1 cup peanuts, chopped
14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oil and eggs. Add the brownie mix and peanuts; stir until moistened. Press half of the brownie mixture into the pan (use your hands - it's way easier); reserve the other half for the topping.

To make the filling, stir the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Spread it evenly over the brownie layer in the pan.

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of the reserved brownie mixture over the peanut butter layer.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is set. Cool thoroughly before cutting.

 

[Nancyg56]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Kyle! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Privateers!

 

[shovan]

Laura, A very belated Happy Birthday!! Sorry I missed it!

Enjoy your dinner with Becky.


Aimee, :faint

 

[shovan]

I haven't posted food porn in ages! So here is last night's onion tart.

Plated with arugula salad & Dijon vinaigrette:

I know these pics will probably be huge, but I have been fighting with the computer just to get them loaded.