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

[liamsaunt]

Kathy, I am glad your MIL is improving! Your father's day meal sounded incredible!

Nancy, I think the menus for both the shower and the wedding sound lovely. What a nice gift you were able to come up with!

Glynis, I am glad the documentary is finished. Hopefully you and Alan wil get some relaxing time in the coming weeks.

Hi to everyone else! My brain is mush today and I am forgetting some stuff I wanted to say. Here are some pictures. Friday we had tuna with bell pepper ragout:

Saturday we had grouper with thai red curry sauce, rice, and mixed veg:

Yesterday I went to my inlaws, they grilled chicken.

WFD: grouper sandwiches

 

[EJ4Disney]

Dinner today was grilled mahi-mahi with mango salsa, grilled summer squash, wild rice and green beans.

Laura could you please share your mango salsa recipe please. Doug loves mangos - me not so much but I would like a salsa. TIA

Janice ~ do you have a recipe for coffee ice cream? I can't find one and I knew you had a new ice cream maker and wondered if you could help me. Oh and by the way if you like peanut butter the one in the book is to die for - try it!!!

Kat ~ I am so glad to hear that MIL is doing better.

Glynis ~ Yea on the documentary. I knew it would be a hit. Good for you and Alan.

Bethany ~ So glad you are having a good time with your friend.

Nan ~ your cookout sounds like so much fun. I love my new ice cream maker. We are having a ball with it. I have bought freezer containers and have made different flavors in the freezer. We have used Truvia, FF milk and FF 1/2 and 1/2 so the calories are very few.

P in OZ ~ busy busy weekend my friend.

Julie ~ oh sweetie, keep busy and friday will be here before you know it.

BCB ~ your block party went very well. Even thou there could have been more there, it really sounds like the ones that did come had a good time.

Aimee ~ for your FIL. I hope he recovers quickly.

Becky ~ as always your pictures are screen lickilious. Your grouper looks so yummy.


Yesterday was a beautiful day. We went to another Church as Doug was asked to sing. It was very nice and he sang wonderful. I was so proud. We went out for brunch after and when we got home Matthew was sitting in the Living room What a suprise. He wanted to suprise his Dad and that he did.

Marty & Stephanie came in the afternoon and we all hit the Country Club for 18 holes. Jay had Guards this weekend and Elizabeth was waylayed again with morning sickness - poor thing - so they couldn't join us.

We went out to the the marina for pizza and salads and back to the house for home made Peanut Butter ice cream. Yum!!

The storms hit about the time everyone was heading home. I am so tired of this rain and severe storms. I am never going to get our roof fixed if the sun won't ever shine long enough to dry things out. The flooding is really getting very scary here!!!

WFDT ~ homemade chicken fingers, sweet potatoe fries and pasta salad.

Make it a great day my friends.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Hello all. I am so behind again. I've tried to keep up but too much going on and my brain is mush.

Spent the weekend at a lacrosse tournament out in the hot sun watching teenagers beat up on each other. It's like football with sticks. This was a pretty big tournament with kids from all over the US and little kids to teenagers.

Yesterday we were at a middle school, Saturday was at a park, and the only place we could sit for his two games was between two fields which were no more than 10 feet apart. Little scary to see two 6 ft boys flying at you at a high rate of speed with one trying to shove the other out of bounds. During the first game there was a 10-12 yo league on the other field and, oh my stars, those parents were horrid. Cussing and screaming at these little kids.

Dinner tonight will be chicken livers, potatoes and squash.

 

[Glynis]

Glynis -- I missed what the documentary is about??? It sounds like a huge project whatever the content....

The documentary is really a bit of family history for me. 50 years ago, my mom and dad started a summer theater which has grown into the Tony award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. Because it's the 50th anniversary, they wanted a retrospective documentary made. My husband is a videographer, so they came to us for his talents, and my behind the scenes access to get it done. It's been a huge project, going through 50 years worth of interviews, photos, etc., but it's done, and they like it!

 

[Glynis]

Actually, it never really became a street party. About 20 - 25 people showed up so we decided to have it all on my property. We expected 45. That said, IMO, this was way better. We invited everybody to bring their bathing suits.

It was kind of funny. Every guy but one got in the pool with their kids. Not a single mom even brought a bathing suit. Most of the women just sat around and drank A LOT. People didn't even eat much, though it was a 7 hour event. I brought out my DJ gear, and put it in auto mode as I didn't want to DJ. Some folks danced under the moonlight.

I also set up a video projector and we showed the newest Harry Potter movie on an 80" screen.

Food was just OK. Well, except for my BBQ, which was pretty darn awesome! It was the only thing that was 100% gone at the end of the night.... but then again, the rest mas mostly hot dogs and frozen hamburgers, so no great food.

I made a Strawberry - Chipotle BBQ sauce. That went over pretty well. I usually make a blueberry chipotle sauce. I also made a simple North Carolina style vinegar based BBQ sauce. That one didn't go over as well, but it never does, as people in PA really don't even know it is for the pulled pork! But I keep trying to "educate" them.

Would you care to share your BBQ sauce recipes??? We love to try new sauces.

We do a similar party in our neighborhood in July. The turnout varies each year, but we always have a good time!

 

[Glynis]

Things have quieted down here today! Alan, Katie and Jacob got off at 5:00 this morning for their Pioneer trek. I got up to feed them breakfast and shove them out the door. After that, I went back to bed, and slept until 9:00! Timothy, Leslie and Mary didn't wake up until closer to 9:30. We decided to run some errands in what was left of the morning. We started out at the library, which we all love, and had a great time browsing books, and flopping on the big bean bag chairs to read for a while. Timothy is very into "Cars" so he was thrilled to find a book with Tow Mater on the cover. He hasn't let go of it yet!

Next stop was the grocery store for some things for dinner tonight (the girls decided on nachos for tonight, and chili cheese chips for tomorrow night. Gourmet, huh?). While there, we bought sandwiches for a quick lunch in the car.

After a couple more errands, we ended up at my favorite bakery, the Sweet Tooth Fairy, for cupcakes. Mary chose a Toasted Coconut, Leslie chose a Grasshopper, and I shared a Root Beer Float cupcake with Timothy. We enjoyed those a lot!!!

We took the scenic drive home, and the girls had a great time looking at houses, and picking out the ones they want "when they are grown up." Once, home, we put Timothy down for a nap, and the girls have been playing in the backyard. However, I've just been informed that it's "the hottest day of the year!" and they can't be outside anymore. We may end up going to Snoasis, our local sno cone shack to cool down. We'll see.

I think they are really enjoying not sharing me with Katie and Jacob! I'm enjoying it, too! We are really just relaxing, and not worrying too much about chores, etc.

Sounds like everyone here is doing well. I like that! Make it a great afternoon/evening, everyone!

 

[TigerKat]

Ellen – How sweet of Matthew to surprise Doug! I’m hoping your weather calms enough for you to get your roof and I will keep everyone in your area in my prayers regarding the flooding.

Marilyn – God bless you for being out in the heat all weekend.

Glynis – You amaze me! How on earth you managed to put in all the work on the documentary and take care of your family is beyond me.

 

[Aimeedyan]

The documentary is really a bit of family history for me. 50 years ago, my mom and dad started a summer theater which has grown into the Tony award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. Because it's the 50th anniversary, they wanted a retrospective documentary made. My husband is a videographer, so they came to us for his talents, and my behind the scenes access to get it done. It's been a huge project, going through 50 years worth of interviews, photos, etc., but it's done, and they like it!

That's awesome!!



I relished last week's slower pace but I'm wishing I had done more to prep for this week instead of relaxing! I have a mini camp that starts Thurs so I'm frantically trying to get all that prepped. I bought curriculum but then started to go through it this morning and it's utter crap. So, I've been rewriting all day... augh!!

We have activities every single night this week, sadly, which means little cooking. Tonight I have a late meeting so I will pick up something on my way home. Otherwise, we'd be eating dinner around 10pm and that doesn't make anybody happy!

 

[shovan]

Hey y'all!!

I was craving the WFD chatter & food pics!!! Not disappointed! I am so far behind, impossible to get caught up, so I'll just jump in.

It sounds like everyone had a good Father's Day. Our's was very nice. My SIL Josh boiled crawfish with all the fixings. We hung out by the pool, ate & drank. Doesn't get much better than that!

Becky, Now I'm craving fish!

Glynis, The documentary sounds like quite an accomplishment. Congrats!

Ellen, Very happy Matthew was able to come home for a surprise visit!

Marilyn, The game seating sounds downright frightening.

Kat, You really spoiled Johnny this weekend. It all sounds so good! Bob & I are so happy for y'all that your MIL is doing better! Prayers will continue.

Well I didn't get to read very far back, so that's all I have for now.

I haven't been cooking much. We're trying to up our fruits & veggies. I'm not complaining though, it's creole tomato season! Dinner tonight will be salad topped with boiled crawfish.

I've sure missed y'all!!

 

[Glynis]

Ellen – How sweet of Matthew to surprise Doug! I’m hoping your weather calms enough for you to get your roof and I will keep everyone in your area in my prayers regarding the flooding.

Marilyn – God bless you for being out in the heat all weekend.

Glynis – You amaze me! How on earth you managed to put in all the work on the documentary and take care of your family is beyond me.

Well, if you ask my kids, they'll tell you that they haven't seen Alan or me for the last month or so. We promised to make it up to them, though. They've got a trip to Disneyland on the horizon, so they are waiting for that! Mom and Dad's undivided attention, and Disneyland! They are up for that!

 

[bigmerle1966]

Marilyn – God bless you for being out in the heat all weekend.

Luckily there was time between games for us to get under shade and have an adventure or two. On Saturday we had to run to a lacrosse store to get him a mouth guard, left his at home, and passed the store twice before we finally got there. All the while whining about the fact that we had to pass the Amish Market and we were hungry. And we had already gone the wrong direction leaving the field so the whole trip ended up taking an hour when it should have been 30 minutes.

We did get to go back though between his second and third games.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Seafood Risotto


My starting ingredients:

• Arborio Rice, 1.5 cups
• White Fish, about 450 g (I used Rockling), cut into cubes
• Raw prawns, about 250 g, peeled and deveined
• Leek, 1 large, sliced
• Baby Spinach leaves, 3 generous handfuls
• Dill, 1 bunch
• White wine, 1 cup
• Stock, hot or boiling, 3 cups
• Saffron, generous pinch
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt, pepper
• Oil

Use a pan large enough to hold the entire ingredients.

Panfry the prawns for about 30 seconds on each side or until the prawns just turn colour.

Do the same for the fish – roughly a minute on each side.

I like a bit of colour on the fish.

Add more oil to the pan and cook the leeks until translucent.

Add the Arborio rice to the pan and cook for 3 – 5 minutes, constantly stirring.

Add the white wine and allow to bubble and simmer.

After most of the moisture has evaporated, add the hot stock (I was lazy and heated my stock in the microwave rather than having a pot bubbling away next to my risotto) – a little at the time and allow to simmer down again before adding more stock.

I should have fried the saffron with the leeks – but I forgot. I know that most people recommend soaking the saffron in hot water to release the colour but there are regions in India that prefer to fry the saffron first before adding liquid. I only wish I had remembered to fry first!

Continue to add the hot stock a little at a time and simmer down. It should take about 12 – 15 minutes cooking time to get to this point.

Add the fish back to the pan to finish cooking….

….and the spinach…..

…then the prawns….

….and finally the dill; all the time making sure that there is still sufficient liquid in the risotto and stirring to mix the ingredients in but also to ensure that the rice isn’t sticking to the pan.

The risotto is ready when the rice is ‘al dente’ (or as you prefer it – my family prefers it “just soft”). Add a generous measure of parmesan, salt and pepper to taste, and stir in. You could add a dollop of butter at this stage, but I chose the less fat option.

My dinner! (Without parmesan)

 

[PrincessInOz]

Poached Pear


My starting ingredients:

• Pear, 1 per person.
• Sugar, 1 cup
• Water, 2 cups
• Honey, 1 generous tablespoon
• Star Anise
• Cinnamon
• Lemon

Peel the pears and soak in a bowl of water with just from about ½ lemon. This keeps the pears from oxidising and turning brown whilst you prepare the other pears.

Core the pear, removing the center section and cut in half.

In a pan big enough to hold all the pear and deep enough to cover them, heat the sugar, water, honey, star anise and cinammon together. You could add some alcohol or red wine to the poaching liquid if you were serving adults only. I added a slice of lemon to the liquid.

Place the pear into the hot (but not bubbling) liquid….

…and cover with kitchen or baking paper. You need to ensure that the water is covering the pear.

Allow to gently simmer for about 12 – 15 minutes. Check that the pear is tender using a knife.

Take some of the poaching liquid (I allowed for about 4 tablespoons per person) and reduce down to a syrup on high heat.

Put 2 halves in a bowl and spoon some of the reduced syrup over the pear. You can choose to serve with crème or ice cream….or as is. I was too busy scoffing this down; so you only get to see...Half of My Dessert!

 

[liamsaunt]

The documentary is really a bit of family history for me. 50 years ago, my mom and dad started a summer theater which has grown into the Tony award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. Because it's the 50th anniversary, they wanted a retrospective documentary made. My husband is a videographer, so they came to us for his talents, and my behind the scenes access to get it done. It's been a huge project, going through 50 years worth of interviews, photos, etc., but it's done, and they like it!

That is so cool!!

Hey y'all!!

I was craving the WFD chatter & food pics!!! Not disappointed! I am so far behind, impossible to get caught up, so I'll just jump in.

Hello and welcome back! I've been loving all the pictures of Jude on facebook. He is so cute!!

Princess, nice looking risotto.

Here is a picture of last night's grouper sandwich. It was too big with the bread so I ended up taking mine apart and just eating the inside of the sandwich:

WFD: grilled chicken salad with whatever vegetables are left in the crisper drawer.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Good evening everyone....I've had a busy weekend; but nothing compared to my normal week!


I've been participating in the Summer Scavenger Hunt on the Photo subforum of the Dis.

Here are some of the photo's I've taken around Melbourne...hope you don't mind me sharing these...but I'm hoping to entice some of you to think about visiting...should the Chilean Volcano Ash cloud ever clear!


After 4 failed attempts (that I'm aware of) at creating a central "square" or European style Piazza, Federation square finally hit the mark with us Melbournians. It isn't strictly a square...but it's a great meeting place and a spot to people watch.

We're celebrating Winter Solstice here...

People enjoying their "Outdoor Dining" in the square.

These are my two takes on the "Angel" category. This one shows some of the ornate Victorian architecture that can be found in the city...

...this one shows the street art. This sculpture is called "Angel". I hit two categories with this picture - Angel and Ferris Wheel.

Melbourne is full of shopping arcades. Here are two of the arcades (fitting the categories of Historic and/or Mosaic).

We also have a fantastic selection of "Gardens" right in the heart of the city. This was taken at the Royal Botannical Gardens, with the city skyline in the background.

Hope you'll think about coming DownUnder....

 

[PrincessInOz]

Here is a picture of last night's grouper sandwich. It was too big with the bread so I ended up taking mine apart and just eating the inside of the sandwich:

I'm not surprised you took yours apart....how on earth are you supposed to get your mouth around that food tower?? Even with a flip-top jaw...it's nearly impossible!

 

[Rogue26]

Ellen- Here is the recipe I use for cofffee ice cream. It's a slight variation of the Barefoot Contessa's espresso ice cream. I needed to tweak it a bit to use things I already had in the house.

3 cups half and half
6 egg yolks
2/3 cup sugar
pinch salt
2 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso
1 teaspoon vanilla

heat the half and half until bubbles form around the edge and steam starts to rise. In a bowl mix the egg yolks, sugar, and salt really well. I mix it until it gets lighter in color. Slowly add half and half while mixing. Pour back into pan and cook over med low 5-10 minutes until thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Strain through a fine strainer then add espresso. Mix well and chill completely.
Freeze in the ice cream maker.

I have the best luck when I use my basement freezer to freeze the bowl. It gets much colder and makes better ice cream. I can't wait to try the peanut butter ice cream, I wonder if you could add magic shell to it while it's mixing.

 

[Rogue26]

Princess- Love the pictues! I was going to make a shrimp risotto last night but I didn't have any parmesan and I just can't have risotto without cheese. I made shrimp scampi instead.

Glynis- Glad things are going so well with the documentary. What a great reward for the kiddos!

Sheryl- So good to see you here. I have been wondering where you were and hoping you have just been very busy.

I am so behind here, school is out on Thursday so hopefully things will slow down a bit. The school has crammed so much into the last few weeks.

I think I'm just going to grill chicken for dinner and have a big salad. After all the butter in last night's scampi I should make something somewhat healthy.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Ellen- Here is the recipe I use for cofffee ice cream. It's a slight variation of the Barefoot Contessa's espresso ice cream. I needed to tweak it a bit to use things I already had in the house.

3 cups half and half
6 egg yolks
2/3 cup sugar
pinch salt
2 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso
1 teaspoon vanilla

heat the half and half until bubbles form around the edge and steam starts to rise. In a bowl mix the egg yolks, sugar, and salt really well. I mix it until it gets lighter in color. Slowly add half and half while mixing. Pour back into pan and cook over med low 5-10 minutes until thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Strain through a fine strainer then add espresso. Mix well and chill completely.
Freeze in the ice cream maker.

I have the best luck when I use my basement freezer to freeze the bowl. It gets much colder and makes better ice cream. I can't wait to try the peanut butter ice cream, I wonder if you could add magic shell to it while it's mixing.

Robin, Thank you so much for the recipe. Oh YES, you have to try the Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream. It is soooooooo good and very rich. I think it would be even better with the magic shell. Oh yea baby!!!
Last night we tried the fresh strawberry and it was really good also. Real light and refreshing. As you can tell we are having a ball. I have bought freezer jars and have frozen the left overs. It is so much fun opening the frezzer and seeing all sorts of ice cream flavors. And more so knowing what is exactly in them .

Sheryl ~ Hey Lady, it is so good to see you here. You have been missed.

Kat ~ did you get to the gym last night? I got to Zumba in between all of the storms.

Princess ~ I have been to your beautiful city. And yes I agree it is a very enchanting place. I loved it. Still eat beets on my Hamburgers. I was there on my birthday. Flew back to LA that night and it was still my birthday. We had a 17 hour layover so of course I went to DisneyLand. So cool birthday celebrated in 2 of my favorite places.

Glynis ~ enjoy you day and your kids. You so deserve it. Your Documentary sounds really interesting.

Becky ~ Love the sandwich. I bet I would have no problem getting my big mouth around it.


What a bumpy ride we had yesterday afternoon. Tornadoes all around us. We even had to take cover a few times. The town next to us (9 miles east) has 5 houses completely destroyed and many have no roofs today. This is just plain getting frightening. We are so swamped with water that last night we have water spots on our living room ceiling. We have a 2 story house and Matthews bedroom is above the living room. We are just sick. We still have no shingles on the roof and the paper is now gone. I called the roofers this morning and there is a small break in the rain so they are going out today. Hopefully by the time we get home tonight we will have a new roof. I sure hope so, because each rain gives us way more damage.

WFDT ~ BBQ chicken pizza on the grill, green salad and fresh sliced peaches.

Make it a great day everyone!!!

 

[Glynis]

Ellen - How frightening! I hope that there's a major break in storms. I just hate that this is happening to you!

Princess - I've always wanted to visit your city! Now, I just have to work on the money issue. I think DH would love it, too, so that's money times 2. Great pictures, by the way! They are gorgeous!!!

Becky - Your fish sandwich looked yummy! I, too, would have taken the bun off. Wow! What a work of art!

Today is going to be a scorcher! The kids and I are heading to the school library day. The twins are going to sign up for the Newberry reading challenge. They have from this summer, until they finish 6th grade (in 2 years) to read 50 books that have won the Newberry award. They do a small report to the librarian to prove they have read it, and then on to the next book. If they get it done, they will win 50 dollars from an anonymous donor. They saw Katie do it a few years ago, and that has really motivated them. We'll see!

After the library, we are heading to our new park so the kids can play in the splash pad. I will sit in the shade and read a book while they cool off in the water.

A quick trip to the store for a new broom, and then we'll stop at Snoasis for sno cones. I think we'll really need them this afternoon.

Dinner tonight will be chili cheese chips. Easy, and the kids will eat it.

Have a great day, everyone!