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

[EJ4Disney]

Hi friends,

Gretchen ~ It is so good to see you among us again. You have been so missed lady. Have a wonderful time on your trip - I know you will.

Vic ~ I love the pictures of the remodel. It is coming along great.
Sorry I don't have a lemon cake recomendation except - drive to store and buy a Duncan Heinz Lemon pudding in the mix Cake. That's what I would do.

Kat ~ Have a wonderful time with your Boy!!! I had to laugh at your dinner, mine is almost exactly like yours.

Bethany ~ You are such a busy girl.

Sheryl ~ I am so glad your Nanna shower went so well. What a wonderful idea. You are right you have some great friends.

Laura ~ I can remember when I thought 30 was ancient. Oh what I would give to be 30, heck even 40 again.

Becky ~ How is John feeling today. Poor guy - you do spoil him though.

Aimee ~ how are you feeling? any better? Love the Thai Chicken - looks yummy!!

Ann ~ congratulation on the promotion. We miss you but do understand.

Wow, Monday came and went and before I knew it, it was 5:00 - I get off at 4:00. I had a TOTAL Monday. What could go wrong did. Sorry I didn't get on and post dinner, but it is just as well because by the time I got home I was starving and just fixed us chicken salads with cranberries. Was really good and fast.

We had a really fun weekend with Ethan. We just love having him with us, but the only drawback is the house is SO quiet when he leaves. We baked Glynis' chocolate cake in the crockpot. It was REALLY good and we had so much fun thinking what it was going to be like. This was the first time I have ever tried anything like this.

I haven't seen the sun in 5 days. 5 DAYS!!!!! This girl, is a sunshiney kind of girl. The mood is going down hill really fast. They say it won't be sunny for at least another day or two. All I've got to say - everyone better not get on my bad side - I just may blow. Cold, drearey, snowy, icey and foggy - I just know thay are going to play Jingle Bells on the radio anytime now!! Ok enough said - but REALLY!!

WFDT ~ Lemon shrimp pasta, green salad with garlic bread.

Make it a great day everyone.

 

[liamsaunt]

Everyone has been chatty!

Sheryl, your party sounds like so much fun, I have never heard of a nana shower before!

Kathy, enjoy your time with Kyle!

Gretchen, I still don't have my new oven. I am not going to be able to get it this weekend either! I am too busy to get to the appliance store. I am muddling through with my range and my tabletop oven for now.

Maria and Ann, I am glad you had a nice visit together. Newport is beautiful.

Vicb, I don't have a lemon bundt cake recipe, but I do have a lemon chiffon icebox cake recipe if that sounds appealing. I made the angel food cake for it from scratch but I bet you could use a box mix and it would still taste really good. Let me know if you want the recipe.

Speaking of recipes, Glynis, here is a link to the meyer lemon gnocchi recipe:

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/meyer-lemon-gnocchi

As written, I find the dough a little too sticky to work with, so when I roll out the ropes, I do it on a well-floured surface. That little extra bit of flour is all you need to get a good shape.

And Aimee, this is the naan recipe. I did not put the stuffing in this time, though I have in the past and it was very good that way. It is too cold to grill here so I did the naan stovetop on a cast iron griddle:

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/grilled-naan-filled-herbs-cheese.aspx

No pictures of dinner last night, I just made panini.

WFD: fried chicken and I don't know what else yet!

 

[HERSEY]

Vic I have a good Lemon bundt cake recipe I will post it when I get home tonight.

 

[shovan]

Dinner last night was not light & healthy, like I had planned. Bob brought home some fresh trout fillets that our friend caught. Fish healthy right? No Bob guilted me into fixing his fav Trout Amandine. The fish is lightly breaded pan fried in butter. Then more butter at the end to finish the pan sauce. Yes it was yummy but light & healthy? I think not!

Maria & Ann, I'm happy that you both had a great time!

Gretchen, So happy to see you back here! Prayers that Kenny & the girls will be perfectly fine while you are gone. ( Yes I weather people were wrong as usual.

Aimee, That basil chicken sounds good! I'll have to wait until I can find basil at the garden store & get my herbs growing. ( I'm too cheap to pay for them in the grocery!)

Ellen, Sorry there's no sunshine! Very happy that you had Ethan this weekend! I understand the quiet after. I FINALLY am getting Alexis some mornings & after school again. ( Her Daddy has been able to go back to work, so that's great too! ) I really lucked out too because they are testing this week, so we won't have homework!

 

[Rogue26]

Vic- Here's my favorite lemon bread recipe

Lemon Rosemary Tea Bread

1/2 pound butter
2 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons FINELY chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Cream butter, lemon zest, rosemary, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add sugar. Add vanilla and eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in flour, don' over mix.

Bake in 3 greased mini-loaf pans at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and poke with a toothpick. Heat sugar and lemon juice just to dissolve sugar, spoon on hot breads.

For a bundt pan, you would probably need to double the recipe. It really needs the lemon juice to soak in for a real lemon flavor, I leave it in the pans so I don't loose any juice. You could probably reserve a tablespoon or so and mix it with confectioners sugar for a glazed look. I always make sure people know it has rosemary so they aren't wondering what the green specks are.

 

[Rogue26]

Sheryl- I'm glad you had fun at your Nana shower. I've never heard of one either but it sounds like a fantastic reason for a party.

Ellen- I'm sorry your no getting any sunshine, I can deal with the cold but not the grey.

Gretchen- Have a fun trip. We only fly southwest and it's always been fine. I haven't been on another airline since highschool, so I really can't compare. The price has always been right and the staff friendly.

Beer braised italian sausage and potatoes for dinner. Have a great day!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I guess it goes to show that if we live long enough we do become our parents.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!



Hope you have fun on your trip!! I've flown Southwest on and off - due to some stupid law here Southwest can't fly direct outside of the states bordering TX so I don't fly them unless I'm going somewhere within TX usually. I think it's fine. I dislike the cattle call but if it keeps the prices low, I guess it's okay. I have flown with my kids on Southwest several times and they are always great with them. I especially appreciate the no bag fee BUT since I can't really fly them anywhere far, it doesn't usually affect me much.

Aimee ~ how are you feeling? any better? Love the Thai Chicken - looks yummy!!

Thanks for asking! The bronchitis seems to be kicked thanks to the drugs so I'm feeling MUCH better. I can handle one or two issues at a time but when it's 3+ I start to get worn down!

And Aimee, this is the naan recipe. I did not put the stuffing in this time, though I have in the past and it was very good that way. It is too cold to grill here so I did the naan stovetop on a cast iron griddle:

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/grilled-naan-filled-herbs-cheese.aspx

Thanks!!


I made chicken salad last night so we're having that in sandwiches along with a salad and some strawberries. Yes, I realize it's tea party food but DH will just have to get over it

 

[Glynis]

We had a really fun weekend with Ethan. We just love having him with us, but the only drawback is the house is SO quiet when he leaves. We baked Glynis' chocolate cake in the crockpot. It was REALLY good and we had so much fun thinking what it was going to be like. This was the first time I have ever tried anything like this.

I'm so glad you tried it! It's so yummy!!! I am planning on trying out different variations of flavors! I've done the chocolate/chocolate pudding, and chocolate/cheesecake pudding. I'd love to try a spice cake/butterscotch pudding and see how that is. Oh, the experimenting!!

 

[Glynis]

Becky - Thanks for the gnocchi recipe! I really want to try them!

Dinner tonight is salad of some kind. I'm thinking either Caesar, or chef. I have all the ingredients on hand to make either, so I'll let the kids choose.

 

[OKWMom]

I haven't seen the sun in 5 days. 5 DAYS!!!!! This girl, is a sunshiney kind of girl. The mood is going down hill really fast. They say it won't be sunny for at least another day or two. All I've got to say - everyone better not get on my bad side - I just may blow. Cold, drearey, snowy, icey and foggy - I just know thay are going to play Jingle Bells on the radio anytime now!! Ok enough said - but REALLY!!

Bless your heart. That always gets me too. I think it is why I battle with a semi-depression most of the winter. We obviously don't have the snow/ice problem, but I get so used to bright, sunny weather that the winter greys just blah me.

Gretchen, I still don't have my new oven. I am not going to be able to get it this weekend either! I am too busy to get to the appliance store. I am muddling through with my range and my tabletop oven for now.

Well, I hope you find just the stove you want. You certainly deserve it.

Dinner last night was not light & healthy, like I had planned. Bob brought home some fresh trout fillets that our friend caught. Fish healthy right? No Bob guilted me into fixing his fav Trout Amandine. The fish is lightly breaded pan fried in butter. Then more butter at the end to finish the pan sauce. Yes it was yummy but light & healthy? I think not!

No, definitely not light, but boy that does sound good! And thanks for the prayers for Kenny and the girls. I'm afraid that he is going to need them.

Gretchen- Have a fun trip. We only fly southwest and it's always been fine. I haven't been on another airline since highschool, so I really can't compare. The price has always been right and the staff friendly.

That's nice to know. I'm not really worried because it is just me and my mother so it's already much less stress than I'm used to on vacation. My mother's only concern was sitting together since she has a fear of flying. I figure I'll bribe someone if necessary. Or once she turns green and grabs the airsickness bag, the bribe may not be necessary.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I feel the same way.

I hope I get to check back in before I leave, but if not ladies, I'll see you all next week.

 

[vicb]

Vic I have a good Lemon bundt cake recipe I will post it when I get home tonight.

Yes Please!!

Vic- Here's my favorite lemon bread recipe

Lemon Rosemary Tea Bread

1/2 pound butter
2 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons FINELY chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Cream butter, lemon zest, rosemary, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add sugar. Add vanilla and eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in flour, don' over mix.

Bake in 3 greased mini-loaf pans at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and poke with a toothpick. Heat sugar and lemon juice just to dissolve sugar, spoon on hot breads.

For a bundt pan, you would probably need to double the recipe. It really needs the lemon juice to soak in for a real lemon flavor, I leave it in the pans so I don't loose any juice. You could probably reserve a tablespoon or so and mix it with confectioners sugar for a glazed look. I always make sure people know it has rosemary so they aren't wondering what the green specks are.

Thank you. This sounds very similar to a lemon bread recipe I have baked before but haven't used rosemary...

Heading to grocery store shortly. I got off track with the return of the electrician (yay lights, dishwasher and garbage disposal now!) and my sister who has been vacationing for a month! She was in my town for a dr. appt. and stopped in to see my kitchen. Then we went and got omlettes for lunch so I am way behind in my day.

WFDT = Italian pasta soup with turkey sausage, garlic bread and fruit.

 

[TigerKat]

Bethany – I found the pound you lost!!!! I only had one more to go, argghhh……

Gretchen – We are in for some severe weather sometime this evening/tomorrow morning. Maybe what you saw was the forecast. I fly nothing but Southwest when I can, LOVE that airline. I will be praying for Kenny & the girls. I, too, find myself saying and doing things my Mom said and did.

Ellen – Hoping you get some sun soon!

 

[scotlass]

Bethany – I found the pound you lost!!!! I only had one more to go, argghhh……

Gretchen - Its great to see you back wi us,how are your beautiful girls ?

vicb - I wasnt around much when you joined in here so you wont know but cookin + kitchens + me =
Your does look very nice tho.

Sheryl - Nanny shower...too cool.
Was there a Bobster shower ? I would have loved to have gone to that one.
We dont have baby showers ower here...

I can believe some of youse are still havin such bad weather.
Scotland is very much a four seasons in one day country but we have had it a wee bit milder recently.....you do know now Ive said that it will be baltic tomorrow !!

I think I told you that the boys class have been workin on a Movies project.
They wrote and made short films and they are havin an Oscars ceremony at school tomorrow.
The boy had some troubles with this assignment but this week its all came together and he is soooo excited....I do think his nomination in 5 categories and the thot of an acceptance speech ( ma boy loves an audience ) has more than a little to do with that !!

We got formal invitations had to RSVP and have to dress like Hollywood glamour.
Im kindae excited maself.
Its also Colins birthday but we are waiting till the weekend to celebrate.....we cant have anything takin The boy lime light now can we !!

 

[HERSEY]

I found 2 lemon cake recipes I have used and liked

Lemon pound cake

1 c butter
6 eggs
2 3/4c sugar
3c flour,sifted
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 c sour cream (I sometimes sub lemon yogurt)
1/2 tsp lemon extract
1/2 tsp vanilla

cream butter and sugar. Add beaten eggs and extracts mix well. Alternate adding sour cream and sifted flour.

bake 350 1 hr 15 min.

7-up pound cake

3c flour
1/4 tsp salt
1c softened butter
1/2c vegetable shortening
3 1/2 c sugar
1 tsp each vanilla, almond extract
1 tsp butter extract or another tsp of vanilla if desired.

5 large eggs
1 1/4 c 7up

sift flour and salt together set aside. beat butter,shortening,3 c sugar and extracts until light and fluffy. add eggs 1 at a time beating well after each. continue beating 2 minutes. Alternately add 1 c 7up and the flour mixture mixing well.

Pour batter into Floured and greased bundt or tube pan bake in 300 degree oven until when toothpick inserted comes out clean about 1 hr 50 min to 2 hrs . Combine remaining 1/2c sugar and 1/4 7up in a small pan heat to boiling and cook until sugar dissolves. Pierce top of cake with long skewer and slowly pour liquid over cake. Cool completely before serving.

 

[HERSEY]

I forgot to post dinner grilling flank steak and fingerling potatoes and a salad.

The salad is ungrilled

 

[scotlass]

1/2c vegetable shortening

bundt or tube pan .

.....nope,no idea !!

 

[HERSEY]

.....nope,no idea !!

What is confusing? The shortening is like crisco (not lard) or is it the type of pan that is confusing.

 

[TigerKat]

Vickie – How exciting for the boy and for you & Colin!!!!! Please take pics and tell him good luck at The Oscars. That is one of the cutest ideas I’ve ever heard!

We are having very strong thunderstorms with hail and are under a tornado watch. I’ll be OK once Kyle gets home, I hate when he’s driving on the interstate in this weather.

 

[HERSEY]

Kathy Stay safe. I hate thunderstorms,heavy snow storms. Ok any storms

 

[TigerKat]

Kathy Stay safe. I hate thunderstorms,heavy snow storms. Ok any storms

OMG I've never heard hail like this in my life. Kyle is pulled over on the side of the road waiting it out.