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

Good morning! I am off today, since we worked all weekend, and since we're getting some more severe weather it's nice to be home.

Dinner may be oven risotto since I have a ton of ham to use and don't really just want to eat ham again on it's own. We'll see.

I'm posting a few recipes in the next post.
 
These deviled eggs may be my new favorite:

Bacon-Balsamic Deviled Eggs
12 eggs
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Place the eggs in a large pot in a single layer and fill with water to cover by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil; immediately remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Drain. Cool the eggs under cold running water in the sink. Peel and halve lengthwise. Separate the yolks from the whites, placing the yolks in a ziptop sandwich bag. Arrange the egg whites on a serving platter.

Add the bacon, mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, celery salt, and pepper to the ziptop bag of egg yolk; zip the top and squish until it's all well combined. Cut the corner off and squeeze the mixture into the egg whites. Garnish with parsley.

----

This salad was REALLY good - from the April CL mag:

Baby Greens with Beets, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese
Plenty for 5 first-course servings
3 medium beets (I ended up only using 1.5 of them)
1 cup water
4 cups mixed baby salad greens
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon EVOO
Crumbled goat cheese (I used a lot - because I like it)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
4 slices crumbled cooked bacon

Preheat oven to 375.

Leave root and 1 inch stem on beets; scrub with a brush. Place beets and 1 cup water in a 13x9 baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until tender. Cool; trim off roots and rub off skins. Slice beets into small pieces and allow to cool completely.

Place the greens, bacon, and parsley in a large bowl; toss. Combine vinegar, pinch of salt, and a few cracks of fresh ground pepper and stir with a whisk. Gradually drizzle in oil, stirring constantly with the whisk. Drizzle dressing over the greens mixture and toss gently.

Arrange greens on each plate and top with sliced beets, goat cheese, and nuts.

------

Our potato dish, very good! I used russet because I had them; the original calls for yukon gold.

Gratin Dauphinoise
makes 8 servings
8 small-medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4″ slices
2 cup heavy cream
10 garlic cloves, slightly crushed, divided
2 sprig thyme
2 sprig of rosemary (I used minced rosemary, which I left in the dish when it baked)
2 sprig of parsley
salt and pepper
freshly ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp. butter
4 oz. grated gruyere cheese (I used smoked)

Preheat the oven to 350

Place the potatoes in a pot and add the cream, 8 of the garlic cloves, and herbs. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat and discard the garlic and herbs.

Use the two remaining cloves of garlic to rub around the inside of a 9x13 casserole dish, then butter the gratin dish so it's evenly coated. Pour the potatoes and cream into the baking dish and top with the grated cheese. Cook for 40 minutes or until the potatoes are brown and bubbling. Let sit 10-15 minutes before serving.
 
A belated Happy Easter Y'all!

We had a nice Easter weekend. Saturday was busy with Chris' baptism, confirmation & communion. Her & I had a long rehearsal early in the day, then a long church service that evening. We were so nervous about messing up, since she was first in line for all of it. But it all went well & was a beautiful moving service.

Yesterday was easy & relaxing. My aunt & uncle had the annual crawfish & shrimp boil with all the fixings. I made a mac & cheese, since Angelina can't eat too much spicy food since she's nursing. My mom brought a homemade red velvet cake! We were shocked over that. My mom hasn't baked in many years. I asked her what made her decide to bake again. She said " I'm a Great-Granny now, it's my job! Great Grandmothers are always known for something, cooking or baking. So I'll bake. " :laughing:

Becky & Princess, BEAUTIFUL FOOD!!! :worship:

I have to run, need to peel, devein shrimp & make a shrimp pasta to take to the new Mom. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

My prayers are ongoing for Wendie & her family.


edited to add: Finished a shrimp & artichoke pasta scampi. I just need to make some sauteed spinach & then I can get myself over there to hold that baby!
 

Sheryl -- Congratulations to Chris!

Aimee -- Those recipes sound great.

Dinner last night was beef and broccoli stir fry with PW sesame noodles. Liam had his first game last night. They lost 12-4. The team played pretty well, but there were SO many walks. Liam did not pitch. He played shortstop.

Tonight he has batting practice (which he needs!) so we'll eat dinner a little earlier. The kids will have regular homemade pizza and I am going to have the pizza rustica Beck made Sunday. Have a good day!
 
Good morning ladies,

Aimee, those devilled eggs sound really good. I am going to make them soon!

Sheryl, that is so sweet about your great-grandma baker! I bet the cake was delicious.

Last night we skipped the pizza rustica in favor of sandwiches, so dinner tonight is the pizza and an arugula salad.
 
Hi all! Sorry I haven't posted sooner. The weekend was really busy, and I felt kind of off yesterday. Easter dinner was nice, but I don't think I'll do the cherry-currant sauce again. It just didn't taste the way I wanted it to. Guess I'll stick with the glaze that comes with the ham.

The scalloped cabbage was incredible!! I will definitely be making it again. PW's potatoes were wonderful, as always!

Last night's dinner was simply beef tips in gravy over brown rice. Nothing fancy. I have no idea what I'm cooking for tonight. I need some inspiration, and nothing is coming to me.

Our weather is really yucky right now. The sky is covered in black clouds, and they are so low, it's pretty ominous! We were supposed to wake up to snow, but that didn't happen, so I'm just holding my breath to see what's going to happen. I hope y'all have great days!!
 
/
Good morning all, hope everyone enjoyed their Easter

Glynis- I hope you don't get snow! We were supposed to have awful weather this week, but it's actually not to bad.

Becky- I think you could have that pizza everynight for a week and still have some left it's so big.

Sheryl- That's funny (and sweet) about your mom. I think I'd panic if my mom started baking, she doesn't even have flour in the house.

Aimee- The deviled eggs sound good, but I just can't mess with tradition on them!

Last night we had spaghetti and meatballs. I wish I measured the ingredients because they were the best meatballs I've ever made. At least I made a big batch so I have some in the freezer. I'm not sure what we are having for dinner. I need to go to the store and I'm hoping they have hams marked down. We didn't have ham for Easter so it won't be too much in one week.
 
Morning Y'all,

Back to the regular routine here. Busy week & weekend coming. A's school fair is this weekend. She's in the "dinner theater" play on Sat. evening. Several play practices this week. Her class will sing on Sunday. Chris will be working the class booth on Sun, but I wasn't about to volunteer for that! It's the ice-cream booth! Way too much work!

But school should be much more pleasant for rest of the year. The Wicked Witch of a teacher has FINALLY gone on maternity leave!!:cool1::banana:

Tomorrow I get to go to the pediatrician with Jude (& his Mommy) !!!! :yay::dance3::banana: I need smileys that show more excitement!! :laughing:

Laura, I will tell Chris you said congrats! She is very happy about it. So much that she went to church again on Sunday morning! ( being a Catholic Easter vigil Mass suffices.)

Becky, The cake was good! But she kept telling us that she "makes no guarantees! " I haven't baked a cake in years & years!" :laughing:

Laura & Becky, I wish I had that Pizza Rustica, it looks delicious! Looks complicated to prepare though. Was it difficult?


Have to go dig in the freezer, figure out WFD. The shrimp scampi pasta turned out very good. I added lemons & cajun seasoning to the pasta water, really added a lot of flavor to the dish.
 
Good morning all, hope everyone enjoyed their Easter

Glynis- I hope you don't get snow! We were supposed to have awful weather this week, but it's actually not to bad.

Becky- I think you could have that pizza everynight for a week and still have some left it's so big.

Sheryl- That's funny (and sweet) about your mom. I think I'd panic if my mom started baking, she doesn't even have flour in the house.

Aimee- The deviled eggs sound good, but I just can't mess with tradition on them!

Last night we had spaghetti and meatballs. I wish I measured the ingredients because they were the best meatballs I've ever made. At least I made a big batch so I have some in the freezer. I'm not sure what we are having for dinner. I need to go to the store and I'm hoping they have hams marked down. We didn't have ham for Easter so it won't be too much in one week.

Robin, :laughing: That is funny!

My mom baked a lot when I was a child. I was a lucky little girl. She made cakes, pies, candied & caramel apples, fudge. All the kids were happy to see my Mom on Penny Party Days. (Any of you remember Penny Parties?!)

Of course once she started working that fell off. After my Dad passed, she stopped cooking much less baking. So it was quite a surprise that she brought cake. I'm begged her to try her lemon meringue pies that I loved as a kid, they were also my Daddy's favorite.
 
But school should be much more pleasant for rest of the year. The Wicked Witch of a teacher has FINALLY gone on maternity leave!!

:thumbsup2

Back to the grind today; I ended up making ham and spinach oven risotto last night. Great way to use up stuff I had on hand and was easy and tasty!

We are going to a Texas Rangers game tonight so we'll eat at the ballfield. :yay:
 
:thumbsup2

Back to the grind today; I ended up making ham and spinach oven risotto last night. Great way to use up stuff I had on hand and was easy and tasty!

We are going to a Texas Rangers game tonight so we'll eat at the ballfield. :yay:

Oven risotto? I think I need that kind of recipe please! :) Have fun at the game.

We are under tornado watch here in MI today. Very windy, warm and ominous, weird clouds. Looks like the line of storms is just forming over Lk. Michigan. Hopefully I can get my DS home from play practice and my DH home from work before it all gets crazy tonight!

Got my haircut today, that feels good! Needed a spring trim.

WFDT = baked pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon (meat fest my DS calls it), corn on cob, applesauce and a nice loaf of crusty bread.

Baking lemon bars and pumpkin muffins to put in the freezer for mother's day weekend when my in-laws will be here visiting.
 
It's too early for even breakfast! But it's back to the Salt Mines today and it's Wednesday here. WFDT - I have no idea except that it will be at MUM'S, with rice. :cool1: :cool1:

princess::upsidedow
 
It's too early for even breakfast! But it's back to the Salt Mines today and it's Wednesday here. WFDT - I have no idea except that it will be at MUM'S, with rice. :cool1: :cool1:

princess::upsidedow

So did the Bulls and the Hawks win? Just kidding. Have a great day.


WFD is leftovers.
 
Oven risotto? I think I need that kind of recipe please! :)

It's really good, I think. And super easy!

Last night, I used stuff I had on hand - chopped ham from Sunday, baby spinach, and a mixture of smoked guyere and asiago. Yum!

Oven Chicken Risotto
2 tbsp butter
2.5 cup chicken broth
1 cup Arborio rice (short grain)
1/2 small onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups chopped deli roasted chicken (or any other cooked meat)
8 oz shredded mozzarella (or any cheese)
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (I never use)

1. Preheat oven to 400. Place butter in 9x13 pan and bake 5 minutes or until melted. Stir in broth and next 4 ingredients.

2. Bake, covered, at 400 for 35 minutes.

3. Remove from oven, fluff rice with fork. Stir in chicken, cheese, tomatoes, and spinach.

4. Return to oven for 5-10 minutes to warm through.
 
It's really good, I think. And super easy!

Last night, I used stuff I had on hand - chopped ham from Sunday, baby spinach, and a mixture of smoked guyere and asiago. Yum!

Oven Chicken Risotto
2 tbsp butter
2.5 cup chicken broth
1 cup Arborio rice (short grain)
1/2 small onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups chopped deli roasted chicken (or any other cooked meat)
8 oz shredded mozzarella (or any cheese)
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (I never use)

1. Preheat oven to 400. Place butter in 9x13 pan and bake 5 minutes or until melted. Stir in broth and next 4 ingredients.

2. Bake, covered, at 400 for 35 minutes.

3. Remove from oven, fluff rice with fork. Stir in chicken, cheese, tomatoes, and spinach.

4. Return to oven for 5-10 minutes to warm through.

This sounds really good! How many people did it feed? My family loves risotto, and this sounds right up our alley!!!
 
So did the Bulls and the Hawks win? Just kidding. Have a great day.


WFD is leftovers.

Are.....you.......by...chance.....talking about Aussie Rules? :faint:

The Bulldogs won; but my team, the Cats, beat the Hawks! :yay: :yay:
 
Are.....you.......by...chance.....talking about Aussie Rules? :faint:

The Bulldogs won; but my team, the Cats, beat the Hawks! :yay: :yay:

I was referring to the Chicago teams. Chicago Bulls and Chicago Black Hawks.
I heard this morning that the Chicago Bulls won but the Hawks lost to Vancouver.

Aimee I am going to have to try that risotto. I tried years ago to make some and it turned into a gross mess so I gave up.

No idea yet about dinner. I will return later when the fog in my head clears.
 
Good morning everyone! It’s been crazy busy here but I’ve managed to get both Kyle & Johnny into new(er) vehicles, both pick-ups. We’re now waiting on the insurance adjuster to come out and check our roof & gutters. Going to do my best to get caught up here, sorry if I miss anyone:

Laura – Sorry Liam’s team lost, they’ll get better with every game. When is their next one?

Glynis – I need to chat with you soon. I’m thinking of having some dental work done similar to what you had.

Robin – I never measure anything with my meatballs either and when they come out really good, I feel the same way.

Sheryl – WooHoo! I’m so glad the witch is on leave!!! Enjoy your time with Jude today.

Hoping all of you with bad weather stay safe. I’ve been thinking of Stephanie (nucpharm) a lot the past few days, they have been getting hammered.:sad1:

WFD – Apricot pork tenderloin, wild rice and sautéed asparagus with Dijon vinaigrette.
 
Sheryl, the pizza rustica was easy to make. The recipe is on epicurious. I left out the proscuitto because I thought it would be plenty rich without it. This was a vegetarian version. The traditional pizza rustica is filled with lots of different meats. Here is a picture of the slice I had last night:

5660531813_a9709e479d.jpg



I did not eat the back crust--too much crust! Otherwise I liked it.

WFD: pasta with an asparagus-cream-prosciutto-chicken-lemon sauce.
 













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