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

[TigerKat]

I sure do miss Lauren & Gretchen!

Aimee – Sounds like you gave a very hectic schedule for this week, hopefully you’ll manage to get some rest and not run yourself down. I worry about you.

Sheryl – It’s great to have you back chatting with us! Your Father’s Day sounded perfect to me. How did Josh enjoy his first Father’s Day? I’m sure he was a very proud Daddy.

Princess – Vacationing in Australia has always been a dream of mine and after seeing your pics it’s definitely going to the top of my bucket list! Beautiful!!!!!!!

Ellen – Yep, I made it to the gym yesterday but not looking good for today. Had a migraine all night last night and couldn’t make it to work today. I continue to pray for you and all of those in your area, you’ve had way too much.

WFD - Burgers on the grill and sweet potato fries.

 

[Aimeedyan]

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!!!

I'm so sorry about all your damage! I hope the roof guys can get things secure before more storms come through.


Princess, loving your pics!!! I've always wanted to visit Australia... I had a deep love for koalas when I was a kid and collected them. Wish it were closer!!


I forgot that we are going to the Rangers game tonight with a bunch of people from church. We'll have dinner there. Should be fun!

 

[EJ4Disney]

Here is the recipe we tried over the weekend. They were VERY good and very healthy. You gotta eat'em with the coleslaw. YUM!!!!

Black Bean and Beef Sliders

1/4 cup cooked black beans

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 pound ground beef

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

8 mini-hamburger buns

Grilled Crunchy Coleslaw, recipe follows

Preheat the grill. In a medium bowl, mash the black beans, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and garlic powder with a potato masher or fork until very creamy. Gently mix the black bean mixture with the ground beef. Season the mixture liberally with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture into 8 equally portioned thin patties. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the outside of the patties with mustard. Lightly brush the grill with the oil and place the burgers on the hot grill. Cook the burgers until a golden crust is formed, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Slice the mini buns in half and brush with the remaining oil. Place the buns on the grill until nicely toasted with grill marks. Serve the sliders on the toasted hamburger buns, topped with crunchy Grilled Crunchy Coleslaw.



Grilled Crunchy Coleslaw:
1/2 head red cabbage, cut into 4 wedges, leaving core intact so wedges hold together

2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

1 tablespoon sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 green onion, chopped

Preheat a grill. Place the cabbage wedges on a baking sheet, and drizzle with the vegetable oil on both sides. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper, and then toss to coat. Grill the cabbage for 4 minutes each side, or 8 minutes total, turning once or until the edges begin to wilt, but the bulk of the cabbage remains crunchy. Remove the cabbage from the grill and allow to cool a few minutes. Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette in a medium bowl by whisking the orange zest, Dijon mustard, and orange juice with the olive oil until it emulsifies. Add salt, and pepper, to taste. Chop the grilled cabbage, removing the core, and place in the bowl with the dressing. Add the parsley and green onion and toss to coat.

 

[shovan]

Happy Tuesday Y'all,

I probably have just a few minutes to check in. Jude's been asleep about an hour, did some laundry & dishes. This is highly unusual! Hope it continues.

P in Oz, That risotto looks delicious! Your city is so beautiful!

Robin, Just knee deep in baby duty! Sent Alexis off to daycamp yesterday, so that has gave me just a little bit of time to check in with gals!

Ellen, I'm so very sorry about the house! Glad you are safe.

Kat, Josh insisted on boiling seafood for his 1st Father's Day! Boiled seafood is what he loves! Although he loves Jude so much more!

Becky, I love grouper! I would have taken the sandwich apart, but still would have wanted to eat all of the bread! Thanks for the Jude compliments, I do think he is the cutest little guy!

Sorry, he's making noise & the girl will be back any minute too.

Dinner tonight will be tuna steaks, asparugus & something!

 

[HERSEY]

Sheryl Hopefully as Jude gets older he will sleep better for you.

Ellen They just showed a video of one of the toranados from yesterday I think it was outside Omaha. All I can say is WOWser! I never want to see one that big around here.

Princess Beautiful pictures, I would like to visit one day but that is one looong flight. I had a hard time sitting on a Hawaii nonstop.

I need to figure out what is for dinner. I am not sure if we are going to get rain or not. From the weather peeps we are in between tornado watches, glad it does not include us.

Kathy sorry you are having a migraine , I thought I was getting one yesterday but luckily I was wrong.

 

[HERSEY]

I forget to post dinner

orange chicken, rice and broccoli

 

[Nancyg56]

Sheryl- I am a bit envious of you and your beautiful Grandson. Enjoy this time with him and Alexis and don't worry about chatting..........every one of use would be doing the same!

Princess- Thank you for sharing your lovely city with us! I am also enjoying the food porn. I have been slacking in the cooking department so the pics that all of you share are making my day!

Ellen- I was so worried about you! We saw one of the tornadoes on the news this morning and it was vicious! Thank the Good Lord you all are okay.
Dinner was pizza. I was supposed to cook because Donny was coming to fix Welby's computer but her DSIL was coming in to visit so we all stopped in there to say hi and have pizza. She also made a jello cake but I skedaddled before I ate that too!

 

[Nancyg56]

This is the coconut cake that Jeannie made Sunday. It was delicious and is even better the next day. I cannot remember if this is the same one tha tKat posted a while back

COCONUT CAKE



1 Yellow, White or Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 15 oz Can Cream of Coconut (Coco Lopez)
1 7 oz Bag of Coconut
1 Container Cool Whip

Bake cake according to package directions in a 13x9 pan.

While cake is baking, mix condensed milk & cream of coconut, set aside.

When cake is done, poke holes in it and pour the milk mixture over cake while warm, let cool completely.

Frost with cool whip and cover with coconut, refrigerate till ready to serve.

 

[Glynis]

This is the coconut cake that Jeannie made Sunday. It was delicious and is even better the next day. I cannot remember if this is the same one tha tKat posted a while back

COCONUT CAKE



1 Yellow, White or Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 15 oz Can Cream of Coconut (Coco Lopez)
1 7 oz Bag of Coconut
1 Container Cool Whip

Bake cake according to package directions in a 13x9 pan.

While cake is baking, mix condensed milk & cream of coconut, set aside.

When cake is done, poke holes in it and pour the milk mixture over cake while warm, let cool completely.

Frost with cool whip and cover with coconut, refrigerate till ready to serve.

This sounds delicious!!! What kind of cake did she make it out of? I think I'll try it with chocolate this weekend. We're heading to dad's again, and I want to make a special Late Father's Day meal for him. Yummo!!! WFD to rescue, again!!!

 

[liamandcaili]

I can't believe I am on the computer after being on one all day at work, but here I sit. I like work, but I don't like all of the sitting!

BCB -- I would love the recipe for the sauces too.

Laura- does this mean you slow down?

Sort of. We don't have evening activities now, so that is a plus. The kids are still busy though. When I am not working, I will be shuttling.

My son is off to camp this morning.

How old is he? I have not sent either of my two off to camp yet. Caili would not have it, but Liam might be ready for a little mother/son separation. I hope you get to do something for yourself.

Laura could you please share your mango salsa recipe please.

Sure, I'll do it in a separate post. I'm glad Matthew was able to surprise Doug for Father's Day! Stay safe in that weather!!

and the only place we could sit for his two games was between two fields which were no more than 10 feet apart.

Sounds challenging! That really makes me mad to hear about the parents yelling at their kids. There were a couple coaches in Little League this year who I did not like.

Glynis -- Disneyland definitely is a great reward for the kids! They probably would have forgiven you anyway.

Aimee -- Good luck this week! You always seem to be busy.

Princess -- Beautiful pictures!

Dinner tonight was brie and baguette and a big salad.

 

[liamandcaili]

Mango Salsa

2 ripe mangos, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 sweet red pepper, seeds and cores removed and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1-2 jalapeno peppers (depending on size and heat), seeds and cores removed and finely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
1 lime
Salt

Gently mix the mango, red pepper, onion, jalapeno and cilantro (if using) in a glass or ceramic bowl.

Squeeze the juice of the lime into the mixture and stir again. Season with salt, if desired.

NOTE: You may need to tweak the flavors by adding more heat (hot sauce or jalapeno), more sweet (sugar or fruit juice) or more sour (lime juice) depending on your ingredients.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Evening everyone. I was so happy to read that you all liked the pictures of Melbourne. I love my city but there is definitely one thing wrong with it.....it is WAAAAAY too far from a Disney site!


Ellen - you take care. I hope that the weather settles down long enough for you to dry out and get the repairs done to your home. If you ever decide to come my way again, let me know. And I love my burger with the lot - beetroot, pineapple, egg, bacon, onions, burger pattie, lettuce, tomato and loads of sauce!


Kat and Aimee - please come visit anytime. I'll have to see if I can grab a shot of a Koala at some stage. I already have a couple in my collection but they don't really show the Koala well at all...we'll see.

Glynis - I'm reading about your scorcher whilst living in my outdoor freezer. It is cold and mizzly here and likely to stay that way for the rest of the week.



Two days down the salt mines and I'm ready for a bit of me time tomorrow. I've decided that after I drop DS off at school, I'm heading back into the city and going to the Tutankhamum exhibition in one of the museums. Who knows after that? Zara has finally decided to set up shop in Melbourne and I just might go QUEUE up and see what's in the store.

Dinner was at mum's tonight. Rice, stir fry and curry. My mum made an interesting curry tonight - salted fish, prawns and eggplant. It was quite nice.

 

[Nancyg56]

This sounds delicious!!! What kind of cake did she make it out of? I think I'll try it with chocolate this weekend. We're heading to dad's again, and I want to make a special Late Father's Day meal for him. Yummo!!! WFD to rescue, again!!!

She used a while cake. It was delicious. Her Mom said this cake is the on the most wanted list in FL right now

Marilyn- you amaze me!

CHecking to see if Janice has stopped by. Wicked weather in teh Chicago area, according to this mornings news

 

[HERSEY]

We had a wild night, one that I don't want to repeat. 70mph winds and tons of water. I just finished walking around the house just a few branches down but no other damage. Thank God.


I have to get in the car now to go to work. I try to get back on tonight.

 

[TigerKat]

Janice – I saw that monster tornado video too. I’ve never experienced one before and am scared to death of them. Thank God Ellen is safe.

Nan – That coconut cake recipe is similar to the one I use except instead of condensed milk mine uses regular milk & sugar.

Laura – Hopefully your schedule is a bit easier. Hug I think Liam would love summer camp. Kyle started going around age 6 and LOVED it!!!!!

Janice – Thank God you are OK. I can’t imagine how scary that must have been.

WFD – Pork scallops with a tomato cream sauce, rice pilaf and green beans.

 

[liamsaunt]

Ellen and Janice, you both have been dealing with such bad weather! Ellen I am so sory about your house. Can they at least stretch a tarp over the roof to prevent more leaking until the weather clears?

Here is last night's dinner: arugula salad with roasted beets, maple pecans, carrots, vidalia onions, spicy grilled chicken, and goat cheese in a lemon dressing. It was tasty.

WFD: not sure. I still have a motley assortment of stuff from last week's CSA box (garlic scapes, beet greens, dill, lettuce) and I can't think of anything that uses all of those things. I also have some leftover grilled chicken from last night, and about 7 ripe mangoes and 6 ripe passion fruits! If anyone has any suggestions on how to use everything up I am all ears! I am picking up another CSA box tomorrow and I am really trying not to let the vegetables get ahead of me.

 

[HERSEY]

Becky I saute the my beet greens and garlic in a little butter and finish with a splash of balsamic vinegar. Sometimes I toss them in pasta. The mangos are easy make ice cream or margaritas

I made it to work just lots of branches down I think most of the big damage was nearer to Ohare and north and a little east of there. Okay back to work.

 

[Rogue26]

Well I've decided my daughter needs another year of 5th grade, I'm just not ready for her to graduate elementary school. Today they had a little end of the year show, I wish I had known to bring tissues! Tomorrow is graduation, wish me luck.

Janice- so glad you didn't have any damage, how did your dogs manage through the night?

Becky- I like dill in chicken salad with slivered almonds. I would think the mangoes would freeze well if you need to. I love passion fruit, maybe a passion fruit fool. I think people use it in martinis. Maybe over vanilla ice cream.

Laura- I don't like all the sitting at work either. I'm at my desk about half of the day and it drives me crazy sometimes. Thank goodness I have a swivel chair so I can move a bit, but I think the person I share the office with wishes I didn't.

Nancy- That cake sounds really good, and mostly stuff you can keep on hand. We are big coconut fans here.

Sheryl- Glad it's just that your busy, and a good busy too! I hope Alexis is coming around to the idea of Jude.

Ellen- Glad you are all okay but sorry the problems continue.

Off to the store to figure out dinner.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Ellen - you take care. I hope that the weather settles down long enough for you to dry out and get the repairs done to your home. If you ever decide to come my way again, let me know. And I love my burger with the lot - beetroot, pineapple, egg, bacon, onions, burger pattie, lettuce, tomato and loads of sauce!

Two days down the salt mines and I'm ready for a bit of me time tomorrow. I've decided that after I drop DS off at school, I'm heading back into the city and going to the Tutankhamum exhibition in one of the museums. Who knows after that? Zara has finally decided to set up shop in Melbourne and I just might go QUEUE up and see what's in the store.

Oh now I am craving one of your wonderful hamburgers. I turned up my nose at them but after I tried it I was hooked.

Did you say Zara??!!! Oh my gosh that is one of my favorite stores. We first went to one in France and then found one in Vegas - LOVE IT!!!! You lucky duck!! Think of me as you walk through the door.

We had a wild night, one that I don't want to repeat. 70mph winds and tons of water. I just finished walking around the house just a few branches down but no other damage. Thank God.


I have to get in the car now to go to work. I try to get back on tonight.

Oh sweetie, please stay safe. These storms are nothing to fool with. Your night sounds like our last week - EVERY NIGHT!!! I am SO finished with this weather. Stay safe!!!

Janice – I saw that monster tornado video too. I’ve never experienced one before and am scared to death of them. Thank God Ellen is safe.

Nan – That coconut cake recipe is similar to the one I use except instead of condensed milk mine uses regular milk & sugar.

WFD – Pork scallops with a tomato cream sauce, rice pilaf and green beans.

Thanks Kat hopefully we are on the downhill stretch. Those torandoes were within miles of us - sacry stuff. But afterall we do live in tornado alley and June is our worst month, so hopefully it will calm down.

I would love your recipe with just the milk. Nan's sounds heavenly but less calories is good too.

I would love your recipe of pork scallops with tomato cream sauce. My mouth is watering just thinking of this.

Laura ~ I so hear you on the sitting all day and especially at a computer. That is why if I don't pop in here during the day I won't at night. Once I get home I just hate to get back on a computer.

Thanks for the recipe. But another question - now don't laugh at me please - but how in the heck do you peel mangos? Those are the slimiest/most akward things. Is there a trick? There just has to be!!

Becky ~ That salad looks amazing.

Robin ~ bless your heart!! You will make it - you will think your heart is going to break - but it won't - I promise. I so feel for you!!


Well my dear friends we have a roof!!! When I went home last night it was finished and it looks so nice. It is a beautiful day today and the sun is shining. As Doug and I were having coffee this morning he remarked, "Now that the roof is fixed we probably won't have another drop of rain the rest of the summer". he's probably right!!

I am having a Scentsy party tonight. Stephanie is now a consultant so I am having a party for her. I sure hope it goes well.

WFDT ~ snacky stuff for the party. I am shooing Doug out of the house right at 5:30 so he is on his own.

Make it a great day everyone!!

 

[HERSEY]

Becky I found this recipe for pesto made with garlic scapes http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2009/06/garlic_scapes.html
Also my grandmother would make green bean soup using lots of dill. It is just chicken broth, fresh green beans,dill and paprika. You can easily dry dill for later uses too. Just tie it with twine and hang upside down.