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

[dgbg100106]

for CNY we are ordering food tonight!!!!

 

[HERSEY]

WFD PF Chang's Dan Dan noodles

Nice and spicy for the sicky I think this is his first sick day in 3 years. I am trying to keep as far away from the germs as possible.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Glynis Happy Birthday

Lindsay I hope your grandmother has a great birthday


WFD is Italian beef in the crockpot

This sounds so good - I would love the recipe please. You know I love my crockpot.
How is Mr. A feeling today?

Glynis ~ Happy Birthday!! I know it is late, but I hope your were able to enjoy the day.

Jen ~ your food porn was wonderful. That pasta is amazing. What a great job you did!!

Brandi ~ Oh sweetie, you come and complain all you want. That is what we are here for. I can't imagine the pain you are going through. Bless your heart.

Nan ~ Reapeat after me - I Will NOT be sick - I will NOT be sick. Stay well and hydrated my friend.
I ALWAYS copy before I hit post. I lost to many posts so now it is a habit!!

Merle ~ I sure was thinking about you during the game last night.

Alison ~ Good luck on your next remodel. Doug and I are remodeling our Master Bedroom clean down to the studs. Oh what we do for fun around here.

I had a very quiet but really nice weekend. Elizabeth and the boys and I went and did a bit of shopping on Saturday. We ate at our favorite Mexican place. It was so nice to have her be out and about again. We had so much fun and yaked up a storm.

Yesterday Doug and I played hookey from Church. That doesn't happen very often but it was nice to just be home. Doug worked on the bedroom all day. All the plaster is down from the walls, now the ceiling and then the lathe. What a process but it will be so nice when it is finished.

WFDT ~ Tomato Basil soup (in the crockpot) and a loaf of crusty wheat bread (in the bread machine). I baked my Momma's Cinnamon cake yesterday so that will be dessert.

Make it a great day everyone.

 

[bigmerle1966]

for CNY we are ordering food tonight!!!!

Me too. I thought about making something but after all my cooking yesterday I am a little cooked out.

 

[liamsaunt]

I caught up, talked to everyone and hit a button and lost all my post. !

This happens to me all the time! Like Ellen I have started copying before hitting post.

PIO, lovely ratatouille! It is cold and snowy here, and that dish looks like a breath of summer air.

Jen, nice job on the pasta!

Brandi, I hope you are feeling a little better.

Janice sorry to hear about the flu hitting Mr. A. I hope he is better today.

This was a big weekend foodwise. I don't have any photos uploaded yet except for Friday night--I made panini. I had a caprese:

John had a meatwich--Italian deli meats and pepperoncini:

Saturday I made chicken parmesean, pasta, and foccacia with homemade ricotta cheese.

Yesterday I served a brunch before the game. I made a quiche, a strata, bacon and sausage, a fruit plate, etc. Then I made pizzas for the game, but nobody could eat because they were too nervous! The amount of screaming and general mayhem at my house yesterday afternoon was just incredible. Of course we were all excited that the Patriots won but it was a nervewracking game to be sure.

WFD: chicken parmesean subs--using up the leftovers from Saturday.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Saturday I made chicken parmesean, pasta, and foccacia with homemade ricotta cheese.

Did you really make your own ricotta cheese? WOW!! I had a friend who made her own butter and saltine & graham crackers. I am duly impressed.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Saturday I made chicken parmesean, pasta, and foccacia with homemade ricotta cheese.

Yesterday I served a brunch before the game. I made a quiche, a strata, bacon and sausage, a fruit plate, etc. Then I made pizzas for the game, but nobody could eat because they were too nervous! The amount of screaming and general mayhem at my house yesterday afternoon was just incredible. Of course we were all excited that the Patriots won but it was a nervewracking game to be sure.

Is the ricotta easy to make? I have been wanting to do make some but am a little worried about it turning out right.

For sure it was! To top it off I had to take my DN home after and they were calling for icy road conditions. By the time the game was done I thought I'd have a heartattack I was so stressed.

Thankfully the roads were fine, it was just a little misty out.

 

[liamsaunt]

Yes, I made it from scratch. It was very easy! Here is the recipe:

Ricotta Cheese

4 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp. kosher salt
3 tbsp. white wine vinegar
cheesecloth

Dampen a double layer of cheesecloth and use it to line a sieve. Place the sieve over a large bowl and set aside.

Combine the milk, cream, and salt in a heavy bottomed pan and bring to a roliing boil. Keep an eye on it so the pot doesn't boil over. Once it boils, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow to sit for five minutes, or until curds form.

Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow to drain for at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave it, the firmer the cheese will be. When the ricotta is at the desired consistency, discard the liquid in the bowl, remove the cheesecloth, and serve. This makes 2 cups of cheese.

 

[dgbg100106]

Yes, I made it from scratch. It was very easy! Here is the recipe:

Ricotta Cheese

4 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp. kosher salt
3 tbsp. white wine vinegar
cheesecloth

Dampen a double layer of cheesecloth and use it to line a sieve. Place the sieve over a large bowl and set aside.

Combine the milk, cream, and salt in a heavy bottomed pan and bring to a roliing boil. Keep an eye on it so the pot doesn't boil over. Once it boils, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow to sit for five minutes, or until curds form.

Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow to drain for at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave it, the firmer the cheese will be. When the ricotta is at the desired consistency, discard the liquid in the bowl, remove the cheesecloth, and serve. This makes 2 cups of cheese.

This sounds awesome... So a silly question, how much does the ingredients cost versus the cost of buying it? I have not done the math but just wanted to ask, I love making things and half the time I could buy it cheaper but I still make it anyway.

 

[Goofyluver]

If it the same recipe that I pinned it is SOOO good.

The Asian places around here don't sell Boubon Chicken...Not even in the mall.

I had to reduce it a while longer than it said to(and add more cornstartch) to get that gooey, sticky sauce though.

I'm about to drag my behind out to start making it. I'll keep the cornstarch in mind!

P.S.~ I didn't recognize you with your new avatar.

Yesterday Doug and I played hookey from Church. That doesn't happen very often but it was nice to just be home. Doug worked on the bedroom all day. All the plaster is down from the walls, now the ceiling and then the lathe. What a process but it will be so nice when it is finished.

WFDT ~ Tomato Basil soup (in the crockpot) and a loaf of crusty wheat bread (in the bread machine). I baked my Momma's Cinnamon cake yesterday so that will be dessert.

Make it a great day everyone.

Is the tomato basil soup the one with the parmesan? If so, we had that a few weeks ago. YUMMY!

Also, where are you sleeping while your bedroom is under construction?

Yes, I made it from scratch. It was very easy! Here is the recipe:

Ricotta Cheese

4 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp. kosher salt
3 tbsp. white wine vinegar
cheesecloth

Dampen a double layer of cheesecloth and use it to line a sieve. Place the sieve over a large bowl and set aside.

Combine the milk, cream, and salt in a heavy bottomed pan and bring to a roliing boil. Keep an eye on it so the pot doesn't boil over. Once it boils, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow to sit for five minutes, or until curds form.

Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow to drain for at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave it, the firmer the cheese will be. When the ricotta is at the desired consistency, discard the liquid in the bowl, remove the cheesecloth, and serve. This makes 2 cups of cheese.

Oh my dear. I am doing this. I wish I had the cream. I'd do it today. I also have to figure out if we have a sieve.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good afternoon food lovers!!!!

Hope your days went well. I was uber-busy at work, but it makes the day pass quicker.

I hope to come back later and report on some yummy, bourbon chicken. Y'all have a good one!

 

[Glynis]

Hi, everyone! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I got hit with an extreme cough and chest cold on Saturday, and by 3:00 Saturday until 3:00 yesterday, I didn't get out of bed. I've been miserable! I'm coughing so hard, I'm afraid I'm going to crack a rib. If I don't see improvement soon, I'll be heading to the doctor!

Saturday, Alan ended up taking the kids away so I could rest quietly. They were gone almost 6 hours. It was awesome!!! I never get that much time to myself, I was just sorry I was too sick to really enjoy it.

Yesterday, I stayed home from church, and slept... again. When the family got home, Alan put a beef stew in the crock pot, and had Katie make PW's Texas sheet cake. We celebrated my birthday quietly, by enjoying stew over rice, and chocolate cake for dessert. Alan got me a cast iron cornbread skillet that I can't wait to try. I told him he should have broken it in for me, and make cornbread to go with the stew, but he just doesn't think that far ahead!

Dinner tonight will be takeout Chinese. I was going to make pot stickers, but I'm just not feeling up to it. It was all I could do to call the Chinese place for delivery! I did manage to make a couple of loaves of bread, and I think I'll just call that good!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I am overwhelmed by friendship! I hope you all have a great CNY!!!

 

[franandaj]

I caught up, talked to everyone and hit a button and lost all my post.

I hate when that happens to me! I can't copy when I'm posting from my phone.

I have been CRAVING some scampi...I have to figure out how to lighten it up.

Try making it with half butter and half Extra Light Olive oil.

Jen,

All of your food porn looks amazing...

We had Venison burgers, he made them all by himself and grilled them, they were great....

I am doing ok.... I am just tired of this already. I go to the Dr on Friday and hoping that I am getting a walking cast...

I am sore all over and my foot hurts. I sound like I am whining, so i will stop...

Venison burgers sound real good. And don't worry about griping to us, you're in pain.

Hello all! Very sad ending to my busy weekend. The Ravens lost. That was the most nerve racking game I have ever watched in my life. And right now my co-worker is probably jumping up and down excited, the Giants just won.


I went and got my DN's Friday night. Got home in plenty of time before the snow and ice started. Yesterday I went to a dessert party at my bosses house. Today was game day and I had one DN, BFF, her two sons and a friend of her sons over to watch. My DM took my youngest DN home, she had a party to go to.

Have to tell you all a funny. My DM said they were driving down the highway at about 60MPH when my DN suddenly starts yelling about not having banana's. Scared the crap out of her. My DN was playing a game on my DM's Kindle Fire.

Sorry your team lost. I scare Fran like that all the time. Just a few minutes ago we were driving through a shopping center, and I shreiked. One of my favorite shoes stores had closed and they were packing up the store.

Morning, all! It's a stormy day today and I'm making my grandmother's beef stew and cornbread. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm, one of my all-time favorites!

Everyone have a great day!

Sounds yummy

WFD PF Chang's Dan Dan noodles

Nice and spicy for the sicky I think this is his first sick day in 3 years. I am trying to keep as far away from the germs as possible.

Keep healthy!

Alison ~ Good luck on your next remodel. Doug and I are remodeling our Master Bedroom clean down to the studs. Oh what we do for fun around here.

Yesterday Doug and I played hookey from Church. That doesn't happen very often but it was nice to just be home. Doug worked on the bedroom all day. All the plaster is down from the walls, now the ceiling and then the lathe. What a process but it will be so nice when it is finished.

WFDT ~ Tomato Basil soup (in the crockpot) and a loaf of crusty wheat bread (in the bread machine). I baked my Momma's Cinnamon cake yesterday so that will be dessert.

Make it a great day everyone.

Thanks! We're not actually doing the remodel, we're paying the contractor to take care of it! Sounds like you two have your work cut out for you!

This was a big weekend foodwise. I don't have any photos uploaded yet except for Friday night--I made panini. I had a caprese:

John had a meatwich--Italian deli meats and pepperoncini:

Saturday I made chicken parmesean, pasta, and foccacia with homemade ricotta cheese.

Yesterday I served a brunch before the game. I made a quiche, a strata, bacon and sausage, a fruit plate, etc. Then I made pizzas for the game, but nobody could eat because they were too nervous! The amount of screaming and general mayhem at my house yesterday afternoon was just incredible. Of course we were all excited that the Patriots won but it was a nervewracking game to be sure.

WFD: chicken parmesean subs--using up the leftovers from Saturday.

Those sandwiches look great! It sounds like you did a lot of cooking Sunday. What do you put in your strata?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good afternoon food lovers!!!!

Hope your days went well. I was uber-busy at work, but it makes the day pass quicker.

I hope to come back later and report on some yummy, bourbon chicken. Y'all have a good one!

Glad your day flew by. I hope the bpurbon chicken came out good.

Hi, everyone! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I got hit with an extreme cough and chest cold on Saturday, and by 3:00 Saturday until 3:00 yesterday, I didn't get out of bed. I've been miserable! I'm coughing so hard, I'm afraid I'm going to crack a rib. If I don't see improvement soon, I'll be heading to the doctor!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I am overwhelmed by friendship! I hope you all have a great CNY!!!

Sorry you were not feeling well, and on your birthday no less! Get some rest and I hope you feel better soon.

----------------------------
WFD? No clue! Not because I haven't decided, we are going to a meeting tonight and the hostess is providing dinner.

 

[Goofyluver]

Hi, everyone! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I got hit with an extreme cough and chest cold on Saturday, and by 3:00 Saturday until 3:00 yesterday, I didn't get out of bed. I've been miserable! I'm coughing so hard, I'm afraid I'm going to crack a rib. If I don't see improvement soon, I'll be heading to the doctor!

Saturday, Alan ended up taking the kids away so I could rest quietly. They were gone almost 6 hours. It was awesome!!! I never get that much time to myself, I was just sorry I was too sick to really enjoy it.

Yesterday, I stayed home from church, and slept... again. When the family got home, Alan put a beef stew in the crock pot, and had Katie make PW's Texas sheet cake. We celebrated my birthday quietly, by enjoying stew over rice, and chocolate cake for dessert. Alan got me a cast iron cornbread skillet that I can't wait to try. I told him he should have broken it in for me, and make cornbread to go with the stew, but he just doesn't think that far ahead!

Dinner tonight will be takeout Chinese. I was going to make pot stickers, but I'm just not feeling up to it. It was all I could do to call the Chinese place for delivery! I did manage to make a couple of loaves of bread, and I think I'll just call that good!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I am overwhelmed by friendship! I hope you all have a great CNY!!!

I hope you feel better soon, Glynis!

WFD? No clue! Not because I haven't decided, we are going to a meeting tonight and the hostess is providing dinner.

Hope it's good!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bourbon chicken update:

Dang! That stuff is good! Pictures and recipe to come at a later time!

 

[dgbg100106]

I hope you feel better soon, Glynis!



Hope it's good!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bourbon chicken update:

Dang! That stuff is good! Pictures and recipe to come at a later time!

Yummy.... Looking forward to it..

 

[Goofyluver]

Bourbon Chicken:

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ginger
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon corn starch

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. Remove chicken.

Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium heat until well mixed and dissolved. Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. Remove a few tablespoons of the liquid and place in a bowl, stir in corn starch and mix well to form a slurry. Return the slurry to the skillet and mix. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing sauce to reduce and thicken.

Serve chicken over rice.

 

[franandaj]

Bourbon Chicken:

Where's the bourbon?

 

[Goofyluver]

Where's the bourbon?

You serve it on the side...over ice.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Morning, everyone. I just thought I would throw that in for all of us under the weather. I'm not sick, per se, just feeling the joys of being a woman, if you get my drift. Since going off the pill 2 years ago (LONG story), periods can really knock me off my feet. My mom is coming by this morning on her way to work. If don't get with it, I am going to lay back down for awhile after she leaves.

It's leftover stew for us today. I am SO glad I don't have to cook today. Although I've been thinking about whipping up some pancakes for Scott to have with his breakfast this week. They are easy so I think I might.

Take care of yourselves, everyone.

Forgot to add a recipe:

Swiss Chicken

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 6 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 (8 ounce) package herb dry bread stuffing mix
• 1/2 cup melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2. Arrange chicken breasts in the baking dish. Place one slice of Swiss cheese on top of each chicken breast. Combine cream of chicken soup and milk in a medium bowl, and pour over chicken breasts. Sprinkle with stuffing mix. Pour melted butter over top, and cover with foil.

3. Bake 50 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

 

[PrincessInOz]

For everyone under the weather and on that 'crimson tide'.....



My kind of comfort food porn coming up.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Chinese New Year Eve Dinner - Steam Boat


It is a tradition on Chinese New Year's eve for anyone of chinese descent to head 'home' to the oldest family member's home for dinner. Usually, this means Mum's home and Mum's cooking.

I suspect that over the years, most Mum's of chinese descent have long worked out that cooking two big meals in a row (NY Eve and NY 1st night) is an absolute PITA and have, by sheer convenience, settled on the old favourite Steam Boat for the NY Eve dinner.
I don't know if all mum's do this...but certainly in my circle of Asian friends, 80% of them were heading home for a steam boat dinner of sorts.

You might also know steam boat as Chinese fondue or Shabu shabu or lok lok....most asian cultures will have a variation of this meal.

The beauty of a steam boat is that everyone cooks their own dinner. Mum just needs to provide the raw ingredients....most of which is available at Asian grocers as is...or is simple to assemble at home.

I ended up being the first one there; so that meant that I needed to help with the table organisation.

As you're cooking your own meal, you'll need appropriate fishing implements.

For convenience, we use the rice cooker as the steam boat. Just add stock and let it boil.

This is what my Mum put on the table for CNY Eve dinner.

The seafood selection...

Mum assembled these two...

Tofu puffs stuffed with fish paste.

Seafood wontons.

The pre-made stuff.

Fish balls...

...and tofu skin 'rolls' with fish paste.

Mum did offer some chicken and I don't think I saw this again till the end of the night. The kids just 'hogged' it all!

We normally like lots of vegetables and there were 5 kinds of vegetables on offer. The one that might not be so commonly available is the water spinach...pretty much a weed in Asia; but is an amazing peppery tasting veg.

We also had water cress..

...standard chinese spinach...

....and broccoli...chinese and conventional (not pictured).

When you're ready to eat, dump a whole heap of stuff into the rice cooker.

Close the lid, wait a while and when the pot is steaming.....start fishing!

Some of my bowls of food...

At the end of the night, the broth would have completely 'sweetened' up from the cooking. I normally like to finish with some noodles at the bottom and poach an egg....and have lots and lots of broth!

Enjoy! I know I did.