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

[Where'sPiglet?]

Becky- Not a Red Sox fan???????????????? And you are still allowed to live in Boston??????

Nancy I am a HUGE Red Sox fan!!! That was Bethany I was quoting!!

Oh NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry! I could not imagine a Yankees or Mets fan in Boston

Hahahahaha!!

And this little exchange explains SO MUCH to me! I have spent precisely ONE WEEKEND in Boston. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was that I didn't like about it. I blamed it on how unnervingly clean the place is.

We got our settlement check from the Insurance Co. on Monday. Doug called me at work and asked me if I was sitting down - ah yea - Why? He told me the amount of the check and let's just say everything will be fixed right up. We are so relieved!! Now to get it all finished in the next 5 weeks.

That is GREAT news! I am so glad they came through for you! Now to have reputable companies do the work and get you all fixed up!

I hope your trip to Panama is amazing!

Our heat wave is coming to a screeching halt. Tomorrow is going to be 30 degrees cooler, only 66. What is going on with the weather

I heard the jet stream is moving south of you, so you'll get the Canadian side of it tomorrow. I don't know about you, but I think I'd be wearing long sleeves and a sweatshirt tomorrow if it was going to be high of 66!

We got caught downtown yesterday in a severe thunderstorm. Lightning, thunder, pouring rain, HAIL, winds, the whole bit. I ended up on the bridge over the river during it. Fortunately people were driving only 15 mph. We made it home safely and it appears that the hail was small enough to not ding my car up like swiss cheese.

I went to the dentist for the first time since "sometime pre-Katrina" as measured in New Orleans time. It wasn't as bad as I was fearing! All the people were really nice, and my teeth are fine. And yes, I'll go back in 6 months this time!

Oh! Remember a few months ago I asked about books to read? Well, I finished 3 books this week:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
I thought this book was going to be a beast for me to read; I have a terrible time following books with multiple characters. This book is written in the form of a series of letters that are sent to and from several different people. I ended up loving this book, and read it in about a day!

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
This book took me the longest to read; it was the hardest for me to really get into. This book is written from the point of view of different people in vignette form. It was well-written, but I didn't really care for the story line, set in the 1940s Mississippi Delta. I found it unsettling to read.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
This is YA book, so it's an easy read. This was set in 1960s Long Island. Half the class had Jewish classes on Wednesday afternoons, and the other half had Catholic classes. One student was Protestant and had to stay with the teacher by himself. It wasn't a bad read, but it's not a book I would read again. I like it while I was reading it.

I checked out 3 more books from the library yesterday. We'll see how these are.

 

[MrsHerbie53]

Julie- Pizza casserole? Would you share the recipe?

Here you go Nancy. I ad-libbed it a bit. I used all Pizza sauce as my son is convinced he can't eat spaghetti sauce. Also regrettably I didn't use onion or mushrooms (son again) and I only had 2 pounds of pasta.

Pizza Casserole
16 Servings Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min.

Ingredients
3 cups uncooked spiral pasta
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (8 ounces each) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the mushrooms, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, tomato paste, sugar and seasonings. Drain pasta; stir into meat sauce.
Divide half of the mixture between two greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dishes; sprinkle each with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top each with pepperoni and Parmesan cheese.
Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through. Yield: 2 casseroles (8 servings each).

Dinner last night turned out to be grilled but not grilled pork chops noodles and fruit.

The pork chops started as grilled but the tank went dry. I thought perhaps the heat outside would cook them the rest of the way but I didn't want to risk our health

Julie Maybe if you go really fast you can catch a breeze. I know not a Harley but that all I have to work with

Janice, I HATE when the propane tank kicks in the middle of dinner!
I did go pretty fast at times on the Harley. It surprises me how there are very different pockets of air next to each other (temp wise) It was warmer on the mountain instead of cooler, but overall a nice day to ride.

We got our settlement check from the Insurance Co. on Monday. Doug called me at work and asked me if I was sitting down - ah yea - Why? He told me the amount of the check and let's just say everything will be fixed right up. We are so relieved!! Now to get it all finished in the next 5 weeks.

Ellen, Your trip sounds exciting! Is it pleasure or work? HOORAY for Insurance to fix the house RIGHT! Makes those premiums worth it all!!!!!!


Those of you on FB, I am looking forward to seeing you there.

Julie

 

[PrincessInOz]

TigerKat - Hope things work out for the best with MiL.

Aimee - That indian chicken and mac & cheese looks great.

Becky and Laura - Hope your Indian dinner went well.

Ellen - Glad you're still checking in and that the insurance company is checking cash for you . Have a great trip to Panama....I'm envious. I really wanna see the Canal.

Bethany - those books sound interesting. I'm reading a set of Fantasy books by EE Knight at the moment with dragons. I borrowed them from the library...and I like the genre but I don't think I'm going to finish them. I'm waiting for the next Janet Evanovich book to come out soon.


Hersey - Its freezing here for Melbourne. We're barely into the 50s during the day. Snow on the nearby mountains (3 hours away) and that's very early in the season!


Julie - that pizza casserole sounds great! I'm going to try it next time DH (who is vegetarian) is away.


WFDT - No idea. DS wants sushi so we may well end up with it. I've still got a low grade cold/virus so I totally don't feel like cooking tonight.

 

[HERSEY]

Julie My son doesn't like spaghetti sauce much either. He prefers his pasta plain. He will eat gravy aka spaghetti sauce on Italian sausage sandwiches.

We are in between thunderstorms right now. It has been a noisy morning. Minnie is not happy though she can hear the thunder in the distance. I hope my sump can keep up.

No dinner plans all I can think about right now is more coffee.

 

[Nancyg56]

Julie- thank you for the recipe, I am going to try it!

Bethany-You should have been at a party we went to several years ago. My sister's Sis IL....(I am not her fan) was tending bar, it was her restaurant and she is "opinionated". My SIS IL is also an opinionated woman and was in the bar watching a SOx vs Yankees game. Holy Baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a commotion !

 

[LBKB]

Hi everyone I've been reading but not posting my bad sorry everyone been down in the dumps.

Kat you all are in my thoughts and prayers ((HUGS))

Janice you sure are right we have had some crazy weather. 60 mph winds last night again.

Ellen I'm glad things worked out for the good with the ins co.

Bethany glad your ok with the thunderstorm yesterday.

I'm done for the summer. I really would like to get some weight off before I have to have to have my other hip replaced. Anyone up for a challenge here with me?

 

[liamsaunt]

I'm going to grill rum glazed shrimp (skewers) and sliced pineapple along with coconut rice. And probably mojitos, because I have some mint.

That sounds amazing! Did you take pictures? I need to check your blog, I seem to have lost the link.

Hi everyone I've been reading but not posting my bad sorry everyone been down in the dumps.

I am sorry I hope things look up soon.

Ellen, I am glad the adjuster gave you a good settlement! And I am sure you must be so excited about Panama. I remember you going some time ago--how many times have you been there? John and I looked into visiting a couple of years ago, but the flights to get to the area we wanted to be were really time consuming. It does look beautiful.

WFD: greek salad with grilled chicken, and pita bread.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm done for the summer. I really would like to get some weight off before I have to have to have my other hip replaced. Anyone up for a challenge here with me?

MEMEMEMEMEMEMMEME!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying to focus on healthy eating to lose weight but I am not succeeding. I would love a Buddy!

 

[EJ4Disney]

Peanut dipping sauce for Ellen-
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup soy sauce
Pinch brown sugar (I leave out)
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar (I use more)
½ teaspoon sesame oil
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 cup water (I use hot so it comes together easier)

Combine all ingredients.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Good Morning! I am so sorry that I have not been keeping up, once again we are drama filled. Or we were drama filled. I had enough and had a little Come to J meeting Sunday and all is well.

You just have to do this once in awhile huh?? I just love ya!!

Good luck with the mulch...we just remulched our flower beds and Doug put WAY to much on. When I asked him why he put so much on, he said "Well this way you won't have any weeds." Well yea, but no flowere either. Geez - MEN!!!!

Ellen, Your trip sounds exciting! Is it pleasure or work? HOORAY for Insurance to fix the house RIGHT! Makes those premiums worth it all!!!!!!
Julie

Julie, we go down to Panama every year as missionaries. This will be our 6th year. It is for work, but there is a LOT of pleasure also.

You are so right about the insurance. We have paid premimums for overy 30 years and this is only the 2nd time we have filed a claim.

Julie My son doesn't like spaghetti sauce much either. He prefers his pasta plain. He will eat gravy aka spaghetti sauce on Italian sausage sandwiches.

We are in between thunderstorms right now. It has been a noisy morning. Minnie is not happy though she can hear the thunder in the distance. I hope my sump can keep up.

No dinner plans all I can think about right now is more coffee.

Matthew and Doug both don't like sauce or at least red sauce on their pasta either. Weird boys IMHO!!

Poor Minnie, and I also hope the sump keeps up.

Hi everyone I've been reading but not posting my bad sorry everyone been down in the dumps.

Kat you all are in my thoughts and prayers ((HUGS))

Janice you sure are right we have had some crazy weather. 60 mph winds last night again.

Ellen I'm glad things worked out for the good with the ins co.

Bethany glad your ok with the thunderstorm yesterday.

I'm done for the summer. I really would like to get some weight off before I have to have to have my other hip replaced. Anyone up for a challenge here with me?

So sorry to hear you are in the dumps. I hope you start feeling better soon.

Sure I am up for a challenge with you. I have lost 28 pounds in the last year. But I am at a plateau right now. I haven't been able to get the scale to move in the last 6 months. So Yea - I am with you. Together we can do this!!!

Ellen, I am glad the adjuster gave you a good settlement! And I am sure you must be so excited about Panama. I remember you going some time ago--how many times have you been there? John and I looked into visiting a couple of years ago, but the flights to get to the area we wanted to be were really time consuming. It does look beautiful.

This will be our 6th trip. We love Panama, and are seriously thinking of buying property there as a second/vacation/retirement home. We got really lucky this year as we are flying out of Omaha to Houston then right on to Panama City and the same for the return. We have in years past taken some strange ways to get there. But in the end it is so worth it.

Aimee ~ I am so glad to see you didn't let the mint go to waste.

Bethany ~ I so agree. That is our biggest fear that we will find someone who is not reptuable. This roof is only about 5 years old and we really feel that part of our problem was the last roofer. But in our little town we are so limited and if we go out of town we don't know them.

I am really into the Beverly Lewis books right now. She writes about the Amish and they have always intriqued me. I just have finished her Rose Trilogy. I have them on my Kindle and need to download the new ones.

Princess ~ I hope you start feeling better.

Doug is SO mad !! It is Thursday and it is only 55 degrees, windy and rain is in the forcast. It is Men's night at the CC and it looks like no golfing tonight. He has mowed for the last 2 nights (we do have 3 1/2 acres around here) so he would be able to go and now it looks like he can't. I really do feel sorry for him - and me - I look forward to my evening to myself. He has only been able to golf 4 times this year so far. It seems it can be beautiful all week, but come Thursday the weather is rotten.

WFDT ~ grilled ribeyes, steamed zucchini & culiflower & homemade shortcakes with strawberries.

Make it a great day my friends.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Here is a recipe that is a real keeper. It was in last months Cooking Light. We had this over the weekend and everybody just loved it.

Maple-Mustard Chicken

1/3 cup spicy brown mustard
2 T brown sugar
3 T maple syrup
2 T yellow mustard
1 T grated onion
1 T cider vinegar
2 teas. soy sauce
1/2 t black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
8 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned (we used chicken breasts)
1/4 t kosher salt (you can use just reg. or sea)
Cooking Spray

Combine first 9 ingredients. Place half of mixture in a zip-top plastic bag; reserve remaining mixture. Add Chicken to bag; seal. Chill 2 hours.
Preheat grill to medium hight heat.
Remove chicken from bag. Sprinkle chicken with salt. Place chicken on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 8 minutes on each side or until done. Serve with reserved mustard mixture.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Well, I have no idea what is for dinner.... maybe a bucket of ice?

Going up to 100 degrees today. It's already 93 degrees in Philly at 11AM. They say it already feels like 105, according to wunderground.com.

So, what, that means it is going to feel like 112, in 3 hours?

On top of all the heat, we haven't had rain in a month. Our lawn has already turned brown. And the plants I have in containers are taking it very hard. Well, except for the hot pepper plants which love it like this.

 

[HERSEY]

Well, I have no idea what is for dinner.... maybe a bucket of ice?

Going up to 100 degrees today. It's already 93 degrees in Philly at 11AM. They say it already feels like 105, according to wunderground.com.

So, what, that means it is going to feel like 112, in 3 hours?

On top of all the heat, we haven't had rain in a month. Our lawn has already turned brown. And the plants I have in containers are taking it very hard. Well, except for the hot pepper plants which love it like this.

I am sending some of this rain your way. We have had more than our fair share of rain. I just looked at the radar and more is coming. The ground is soaked here.

 

[Aimeedyan]

WFDT - No idea. DS wants sushi so we may well end up with it. I've still got a low grade cold/virus so I totally don't feel like cooking tonight.

I hope you feel better soon!

That sounds amazing! Did you take pictures? I need to check your blog, I seem to have lost the link.

I did... but it was 9pm before we had dinner so the natural light was gone. The pics aren't great but I'm going to use them on the blog anyways. I'll post the pic/recipe once I get that all done! The link is http://seeaimeecook.blogspot.com

Doug is SO mad !! It is Thursday and it is only 55 degrees, windy and rain is in the forcast. It is Men's night at the CC and it looks like no golfing tonight. He has mowed for the last 2 nights (we do have 3 1/2 acres around here) so he would be able to go and now it looks like he can't. I really do feel sorry for him - and me - I look forward to my evening to myself. He has only been able to golf 4 times this year so far. It seems it can be beautiful all week, but come Thursday the weather is rotten.

Augh, I'm so sorry for him! I live with a golfer so I feel your pain It's been 100+ for days now and DH went golfing out in it the other night after work. Big moron. He said it wasn't "that bad." Whatever, fool.

Well, I have no idea what is for dinner.... maybe a bucket of ice?

Going up to 100 degrees today. It's already 93 degrees in Philly at 11AM. They say it already feels like 105, according to wunderground.com.

So, what, that means it is going to feel like 112, in 3 hours?

On top of all the heat, we haven't had rain in a month. Our lawn has already turned brown. And the plants I have in containers are taking it very hard. Well, except for the hot pepper plants which love it like this.

Thank goodness for sprinkler systems, our grass is looking gorgeous! But those around us that don't water are turning brown already. We've gotten some rain on and off (ie, crazy storms) but not enough to offset the temps. Hope y'all get some rain soon!!



I took my car by for an appraisal this morning - $4k-$6k in damages. BUT, the guy took me to the back and showed me some cars that looked like someone had beat them with hammers. Windows broken and everything. One was a brand new car - guy hadn't even paid his first payment yet - and it had $11k worth of hail damage.

It's going in the shop next week.

Tonight's dinner... I'm thinking grilled chicken of somesort with scalloped zucchini and hot crash potatoes. And if my peaches are ripe, some grilled peaches over ice cream for dessert.

 

[Aimeedyan]

These are A-MA-ZING. And so easy!

Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars
For the shortbread base:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

For the topping:
6 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1½ cups toffee bits

Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. Line a 9 x 13″ baking dish with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. To make the shortbread, combine the flour, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl; stir to blend and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugars and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Blend in the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Stir in the chopped chocolate until evenly distributed.

Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish and press into an even layer covering the bottom of the pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the shortbread is bubbling. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer to a wire rack.

Sprinkle the 6 ounces of chopped chocolate evenly over the top of the cookie base. Cover the pan with foil and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and use an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the crust in a thin layer. Immediately sprinkle the toffee bits over the melted chocolate and press down gently to adhere. Let the bars cool to room temperature. Once the pan has cooled, you may speed chilling by transferring to the refrigerator or freezer. When the topping is set, remove from the pan, transfer to a cutting board and slice into bars.

 

[Nancyg56]

Aimee- you are KILLING me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THose bars are making this fatty drool!

Ellen- I cleaned out my back beds and moved plants around this morning. It is soooooooooooooooooo hot all of a sudden so I called it a day. Buddy will mulch it for me but I am the one in the dirt moving it and pointing to the exact place I want him top put it. If I turn my back he branches out on his own and starts pulling things out. Last week my casualty was my mini bleeding heart. He is the perfectionist in the family though, I just toss it on, spread it out and then let the water smooth it out. He wants it all even, no lumps and just look out if I plant flowers after he puts it down. he redid the front beds after my flowers went in I think he will need to get more, it is all but gone in the back yard.

BCB- we are hot today but not that hot!

I am not sure about dinner. I need to go to DMV today and have no idea how long it is going to take.

 

[MrsHerbie53]

Julie My son doesn't like spaghetti sauce much either. He prefers his pasta plain. He will eat gravy aka spaghetti sauce on Italian sausage sandwiches.

Matthew and Doug both don't like sauce or at least red sauce on their pasta either. Weird boys IMHO!!

Janice and Ellen, does that drive you a little crazy too??? Maybe it is just me. Funny thing is I have pictures of my son at 1 with spaghetti sauce all over his face...he loved it then... I can't believe I can "fake" mine out with pizza sauce.... plus he LOVES ketchup and tomato soup.....

Julie, we go down to Panama every year as missionaries. This will be our 6th year. It is for work, but there is a LOT of pleasure also.

This will be our 6th trip. We love Panama, and are seriously thinking of buying property there as a second/vacation/retirement home. We got really lucky this year as we are flying out of Omaha to Houston then right on to Panama City and the same for the return. We have in years past taken some strange ways to get there. But in the end it is so worth it.

Ellen, that is so COOL!!!!! If you ever post pictures, I'd love to see them!!!!!

Julie

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sneezed, spluttered and sniffed my way through work today. I sounded worse than I felt! But there was no way for me to be sick today...I needed to be at work. Glad it's the weekend. Still can't afford to be sick....I'm going to see the Dalai Lama tomorrow.

Maybe, I can be sick on Sunday....but that would mean that I won't be able to cook and share my recipe for the week.


Aimee - those chocolate bars?


...but my hips don't thank you!

 

[HERSEY]

Princess I hope you feel better soon.

Julie It makes me crazy that my son like the blue box mac n cheese better than the homemade stuff. I blame the day care I had him in for his like of processed food. I didn't have that stuff in my house.

Tonights dinner will be out or carry out. I have errands to run hopefully they will be quick.

 

[KadysMom]

Good Morning Everyone! I am filling in for Nan today. We went to the DMV last night and while we were waiting, a huge storm came in. I had just finished registering my truck... literally just handed the woman my check, when the power went out and fried their computers. So Nan didnt get her farm equipment registered.

It was the worst winds I have seen in a long time, and Nans neighbor had a huge tree that was uprooted and fell on the power lines. No dising for nan today She wanted me to let everyone know she is fine, just a little withdrawl.

Have a great day!

 

[liamsaunt]

Good morning. Marisa we had bad thunder and lightning last night too, but not nearly as violent as you and Nancy experienced! Yikes.

Aimee, thanks for the link to your blog.

Princess, I hope you are feeling better today for your event with the Dali Lama!

WFD: some kind of fish, and a bunch of vegetables. I picked up my first CSA delivery yesterday. I was impressed with the variety and amount in the box considering how early in the growing season we are. Here is a picture: