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

[EJ4Disney]

Hi everyone,

Jen ~ I sure hope your start feeling better. You haven't felt good for awhile - get thee to the Doctor sweetie.

Glynis ~ your Valentines Dinner away and at home sounds just perfect. Good for you!!

Alison ~ Welcome home. I so hope you had a good time in DL.

PIO ~ The trainer was for some training on a new program here at the Church and yes I was sore - at least my head was - after she left. But at least now I know or at least should know what I am doing.

Nan ~ Bless your heart. You and Bud are sure in my thought sweetie. Your plate is so full right now.

Lindsay ~ Thanks for the meatloaf recipe those look really good.


We had a very nice but LONG day yesterday. I had to be at the Dr. at 9am. Had to sit and wait for over an hour. Unexcusable!!! What can you do though?!!

Did a bit of window shopping then went to the Cheesecake Factory. YUM!!!!! We split the turkey avacado sandwich, I had edamame, Doug had a bowl of the Mushroom soup (man I wish I could get that recipe - but they don't share). We then split a piece of Kulaha, coffee Cheesecake. Oh MY Goodness - it was super good. And well worth the extra calories.

We then headed back to Lincoln and spent the rest of the day with Matthew. We didn't leave Lincoln till 9:30 pm and got home at midnight. We are both pooped this morning but it was so worth it.

WFDT ~ grilled hamburgers, sweet potato fries, and watermelon pickels

Make it a great day my friends.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Three days down, the worst three to come.

Finally made the rice last night and while it was good it was still not cooked right. It came out a little chewy. I was expecting it to have a recipe for plan old rice in the box with the cooker but the only instructions were to use whats on the rice package. Which probably wouldn't have been a problem if I still had the package.

So I look it up online and the recipe I found gave non specifics, ie cook 5-10 minutes, fluff, cook 10-15 minutes. Dude! Seriously! I halved the recipe, cause I didn't need that much rice, and cooked it the smaller amount of time. Next time I will try it for a little longer and see what happens. I do have to say that by doing it in the microwave it was still moist as opposed to when I do it on the stove and it would dry it out.

 

[franandaj]

Hi Everyone,
We had a wonderful dinner out last night!

Glynis - that sounds so cute that your kids all went out on a date!

Nancy - sorry you have deal with so much with Buddy's mother and her care, but at least she is getting some care.

Marilyn - I find that I end up making the rice worse in the rice cooker.

Ellen - sounds like even though you had a long day, for the most part, it was a good one!

Lindsay - have fun at lunch.

WFD? I thought it was going to be turkey and dumplings, but now I have no idea.

 

[Goofyluver]

Morning, everyone! Cold and wet here. We've been having scattered rain and snow showers for the last couple of days. Not enough to put anything white on the ground in our valley, but my mountains are just covered in the white stuff!!!

Alan surprised me last night and took me out to dinner instead of going to his class. Bad student, good husband. He did go long enough to take his test, and arrange to get the notes from another grad student, so I guess he covered his bases. We went to little diner called Johanna's Kitchen. It was pretty good. They had a Valentine's special of prime rib, and it was very enjoyable!

The kids stayed home and enjoyed "cracker pizza". Tortillas topped with pizza stuff and baked in a 425 degree oven for 10 minutes. Apparently, Timmy was so obsessed with the idea of going on a date, he insisted that he and the rest of the kids dress up. Katie decorated the kitchen table for a Valentine's restaurant, and they all went on a "date" with each other. I'm really lucky that my eldest is camera savvy, because she videotaped the whole thing! It is darling!

Dinner tonight will be quesadillas. Something fast, easy and filling as my family runs in different directions tonight!

Have a great day, everyone!

Your evening sounds wonderful.

And your kids are so cute and sweet. That's probably because they learned that from their amazing mama!

Hi all! I just caught up

Jen- How are you feeling today? I was sorry to see you were sick but glad you got some doctoring from Uncle R!
Glynis- sounds like a great meal! We ordered Chinese for our valentine meal. I usually try to make a special dinner and decorate some pretty Valentine dessert but that never happened, we had appointments until 3 in teh afternoon so the plan was a bust. Good night but no cooking and a bakery cake. Oh well

I am not sure what I am going to so with my chicken tonight. We want to have a meeting with Bud's old partner, he has called several times to "kiss and make up" and it really is our financial best interest to do that so we'll see.

I am spotty here and on FB lately, we are up to our elbows in decisions for Buddy's Mom so I am shattered lately.

I've been thinking of you a lot! Hope things settle down soon for you guys.

Hi everyone,

Jen ~ I sure hope your start feeling better. You haven't felt good for awhile - get thee to the Doctor sweetie.

We had a very nice but LONG day yesterday. I had to be at the Dr. at 9am. Had to sit and wait for over an hour. Unexcusable!!! What can you do though?!!

Did a bit of window shopping then went to the Cheesecake Factory. YUM!!!!! We split the turkey avacado sandwich, I had edamame, Doug had a bowl of the Mushroom soup (man I wish I could get that recipe - but they don't share). We then split a piece of Kulaha, coffee Cheesecake. Oh MY Goodness - it was super good. And well worth the extra calories.

We then headed back to Lincoln and spent the rest of the day with Matthew. We didn't leave Lincoln till 9:30 pm and got home at midnight. We are both pooped this morning but it was so worth it.

WFDT ~ grilled hamburgers, sweet potato fries, and watermelon pickels

Make it a great day my friends.

I'm feeling a bit better, I promise!

Sounds like your day was long but good! Hope the doc went well.

Three days down, the worst three to come.

Finally made the rice last night and while it was good it was still not cooked right. It came out a little chewy. I was expecting it to have a recipe for plan old rice in the box with the cooker but the only instructions were to use whats on the rice package. Which probably wouldn't have been a problem if I still had the package.

So I look it up online and the recipe I found gave non specifics, ie cook 5-10 minutes, fluff, cook 10-15 minutes. Dude! Seriously! I halved the recipe, cause I didn't need that much rice, and cooked it the smaller amount of time. Next time I will try it for a little longer and see what happens. I do have to say that by doing it in the microwave it was still moist as opposed to when I do it on the stove and it would dry it out.

Hope your next 3 days go well. Take some time to rest!

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

Hi y'all. I'm feeling better and things are calming down around here, so I'm jumping back in.

Work has been busy but good!

I went grocery shopping after work today and I came home to bacon for BLT's. Have I said I love my wife?

Hope everyone has a great tomorrow!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Three days down, the worst three to come.

Finally made the rice last night and while it was good it was still not cooked right. It came out a little chewy. I was expecting it to have a recipe for plan old rice in the box with the cooker but the only instructions were to use whats on the rice package. Which probably wouldn't have been a problem if I still had the package.

So I look it up online and the recipe I found gave non specifics, ie cook 5-10 minutes, fluff, cook 10-15 minutes. Dude! Seriously! I halved the recipe, cause I didn't need that much rice, and cooked it the smaller amount of time. Next time I will try it for a little longer and see what happens. I do have to say that by doing it in the microwave it was still moist as opposed to when I do it on the stove and it would dry it out.

Is this just a normal rice cooker?

I'm going to have to take pictures of my rice cooker....but it should just be a matter of washing/rinsing the rice in the container and then roughly adding about twice the amount of water to rice. The old wives way of measuring it is to stick a finger into the rice and gauge a level....then put the finger on top of the rice and make sure the water come up to the level. Otherwise, I was also taught to add water to the knuckles. Place your hand flat on the rice and the level of the water should come up to under your knuckles or thereabouts.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Mediterranean [Protein]


I made this the other day out of desperation...still trying to clear zucchini from my fridge.

My starting ingredients:

• Onion
• Carrot
• Zucchini
• Tomato
• Olives
• Capers
• Garlic

My protein consisted of Spanish Mackeral for DH.

Chicken tenderloins for DS and myself.

Saute the onion with some oil and the garlic.

After 2 minutes, add the carrot, zucchini and crushed tomato (or pieces). I can't remember...I may have added some herbs and seasoning at this point.

Cook for another 3 - 4 minutes to reduce the sauce before adding the capers and olives.

Place a little sauce in the middle of double thickness foil.

Then lay the protein over the sauce and top with more sauce.

Cover with more foil and bake in a preheated oven at 200 C for 10 - 15 minutes.

This turned out a little bit more watery than I liked...maybe I'll cook the tomato down a bit more next time.

DH's dinner.

My dinner!

It was really tasty.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Various meals I've had lately....


This was the grilled beef (bought from the market) and veg from a couple of weekends ago.

DH and I went out to see a concert last week. We shared these dishes. Calamari Salad, Turkish bread with dips and a fresh green salad.

There were some bands playing in the local park near us....free concert in the park. I opted for a beef quesadilla.

Enjoy!

 

[Glynis]

Yay! Food porn from PIO!!! It all looks wonderful!!!

Nancy - I hope that things calm down with Buddy's mom, soon! I know what a toll that can take on your mental health. Please make sure you take some time for yourself.

Jen - Glad to see that you are feeling a bit better. BLT's sound wonderful! I was planning on those last Monday, but didn't feel like messing around with bacon at the end of the day. I need to plan better, and cook the bacon in the morning while I'm still feeling fresh! Maybe I'd actually get my BLT! Tell Linda a happy birthday from me!

Dinner tonight is rapidly becoming a regular here at our house: cream cheese baked spaghetti. I'm using the Philadelphia sauce, instead of cream cheese, though, and sausage instead of hamburger. Yum! I can't wait! If I get really motivated, I'll make some breadsticks, or garlic bread to go along with it.

Becky - Tell Laura that I'm thrilled that things are going so well with her new job.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Edit: Well, I had a request from Jacob to not have the spaghetti. He's the one of my kids that doesn't like red sauce. So, to keep my little guy happy, I'll make chicken and dumplin' casserole tonight, and do the spaghetti bake tomorrow night while he's gone on his Scout campout. Everyone will be happy!

 

[bigmerle1966]

Is this just a normal rice cooker?

It's a microwave cooker. I think the problem was just cooking time. It had plenty of moisture it just wasn't completely cooked.

Dinner last night was a bacon and egg sandwich, tonight might be shrimp in a tomato sauce. I was supposed to use the sauce for my fish this week but forgot and did a panko, parmesan crust instead. I have to use that up tonight.

 

[Glynis]

It's a microwave cooker. I think the problem was just cooking time. It had plenty of moisture it just wasn't completely cooked.

Dinner last night was a bacon and egg sandwich, tonight might be shrimp in a tomato sauce. I was supposed to use the sauce for my fish this week but forgot and did a panko, parmesan crust instead. I have to use that up tonight.

I've never had good luck with microwave rice cookers. However, we have an electric cooker that is FANTASTIC! We use it 3 or 4 times a week!

 

[Nancyg56]

I am so glad PIO is posting porn again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Food porn that is

Glynis- I had to bite the bullet and just cook my bacon that last time I craved BLT's. I am so not organized that I never get it cooked early. I think it will be better when Bud goes back to work, at least I tell my self that.

Can you remind me what that casserole was?

Dinner last night was cheesy chicken casserole, it was posted here a while back. Corn and roasted chicken thighs and a salad. I had thawed a lot of chicken out and had to cook it. I used bone in thighs in the casserole so the cooking times needed to be adjusted but it was really moist. If you make this in the slow cooker I think the thighs would be perfect, they hold up well without drying out.

We will have leftovers this evening, as soon as Brian picks up my little Whirling Dervishes we have to head out so it is a good thing I have food to reheat.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Hi girls,

This has to be a real quick fly by as my day is getting away from me, but I just had to check in.

Oh I am so excited for today. I am taking the afternoon off!! Stephanie has a Dr. appt. today and Marty is out of town so I get to go. She is winding down and seeing the Dr. every 2 weeks. After today she now has to go every week. Oh it is getting so close. I am getting SOOOOO excited. Then after her appointment she wants me to meet her Day care provider that they have choosen. They really like her - oh I so pray I do too. Then tonight she is having another shower. This one is all of the Doctors and nurses where she works. Should be so much fun. I can't wait.

WFDT ~ Doug, is on his own with the frig stocked with sandwich stuff or the dreaded left overs. Me, I have no idea, but I do know the shower is at a great Mexican food restaurant.

Make it a great day everyone!!

 

[Glynis]

I am so glad PIO is posting porn again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Food porn that is

Glynis- I had to bite the bullet and just cook my bacon that last time I craved BLT's. I am so not organized that I never get it cooked early. I think it will be better when Bud goes back to work, at least I tell my self that.

Can you remind me what that casserole was?

Dinner last night was cheesy chicken casserole, it was posted here a while back. Corn and roasted chicken thighs and a salad. I had thawed a lot of chicken out and had to cook it. I used bone in thighs in the casserole so the cooking times needed to be adjusted but it was really moist. If you make this in the slow cooker I think the thighs would be perfect, they hold up well without drying out.

We will have leftovers this evening, as soon as Brian picks up my little Whirling Dervishes we have to head out so it is a good thing I have food to reheat.

This is a new chicken and dumplin' casserole recipe. I am excited to try it. Here's the link:

http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/11/chicken-dumpling-casserole.html

I'm just starting the chicken cooking, now.

 

[Nancyg56]

Ellen- I am so excited for you!!

Jen- thanks for keeping me in mind. Honestly, if Buddy was not so conflicted it would be easier. His Mom's wishes are in direct contrast to what he believes so this is really hard. He had to authorize the hospital to allow food and drink and was so upset that he "signed her death warrant". She may be silently aspirating and refused the barium swallow test so they would not give her even a drink of water. I had to tell him she may be aspirating on the feeding tube. He is worried that since she is suffering from dementia that she is not lucid enough to make this decision. She has since spoken to me, Bud;s older sister, the Dr, the nursing home social worker and the hospice nurse. She knows what she is saying............she wants a darn donut and a cup of coffee. Today I need to discuss her wishes in regards to Hospice. He is coming but I know he does not want the discussion. His sister..................who took such good care of her before....................told him "she does not have her mind so he should not listen to her". So anyway, thanks for the good thoughts, we really need them right now.

 

[Goofyluver]

PIO~ It's so nice to have your food porn again!

Glynis~ I saw that Plain chicken recipe...looks delish!

Ellen~ It's getting close!

Ellen- I am so excited for you!!

Jen- thanks for keeping me in mind. Honestly, if Buddy was not so conflicted it would be easier. His Mom's wishes are in direct contrast to what he believes so this is really hard. He had to authorize the hospital to allow food and drink and was so upset that he "signed her death warrant". She may be silently aspirating and refused the barium swallow test so they would not give her even a drink of water. I had to tell him she may be aspirating on the feeding tube. He is worried that since she is suffering from dementia that she is not lucid enough to make this decision. She has since spoken to me, Bud;s older sister, the Dr, the nursing home social worker and the hospice nurse. She knows what she is saying............she wants a darn donut and a cup of coffee. Today I need to discuss her wishes in regards to Hospice. He is coming but I know he does not want the discussion. His sister..................who took such good care of her before....................told him "she does not have her mind so he should not listen to her". So anyway, thanks for the good thoughts, we really need them right now.

As an SLP, I've worked with lots of patients with swallowing orders and dysphagia. I think it's often the hardest for families and loved ones to understand, that sometimes, a person just wants and has the right to request the foods they want to eat.

I know, in a very small way, how difficult this must be for you.

You'll continue to be in my thoughts.

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

Today is a good day in the Goofyluver/Uncle Remus household. And we'll have a nice dinner to go along with the day...

I'm making sour cream chicken enchiladas and a homemade tres leches cake.

Can't wait for tomorrow! Hope everyone has a great rest of their Thursday and an even better Friday!

 

[franandaj]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the food porn PIO! I heard fairly similar things about the amount of water from some of my other Asian friends. I've followed the "stick your finger in" method for sometime with good results.

Ellen, you must be getting so excited! Have fun!

Glynis, you sound like such a great mom to keep your kids so happy with dinners they like. When I make bacon I bake a whole pound. I have a special baking sheet that has wire rack that fits perfectly inside it. I bake 20 mins at 350, and 30 mins if I want it crispy.

Jen, you are so lucky to have someone to take care of you.

Nancy, I know how hard it is. My MIL wanted to die almost as long as I knew her. Towards the end of her life she should have died but my FIL had dementia and didn't understand her wishes on the advanced directive. He kept her around because he couldn't let go. I know this is a different situation, but it is tough when you are places in a position to make decisions for others.

WFD? I was thinking Chicken Parm, but we've been in the waiting room for an Ultrasound for an hour now. It's warm and stuffy and I want a nap now. Also, if we are lucky a couple will turn in an application on the 3 bedroom tonight. I won't get my hopes up, everyone says they're going to do it, but usually only one actually does.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Sorry I haven't been around ladies. I have been hardcore dieting(3 more lbs yay! Too bad I am plateauing) so I haven't been trying or making any great recipies.

I DID do the PW's meatballs(from the mini meatball slider recipe) with pasta and they came out good again.

I also made this cheesy, burger, bake thing from Pinterest that wasn't very good.

Jen-I just caught all upon your blog and I am LOVING it! I really appreciate food blogs that show the how-to pictures. They really help someone like me.

Hope all is well with everyone else! Going to go through the thread and see if I missed anything good.

 

[Goofyluver]

Jen, you are so lucky to have someone to take care of you.

WFD? I was thinking Chicken Parm, but we've been in the waiting room for an Ultrasound for an hour now. It's warm and stuffy and I want a nap now. Also, if we are lucky a couple will turn in an application on the 3 bedroom tonight. I won't get my hopes up, everyone says they're going to do it, but usually only one actually does.

I am very lucky.

Good luck and crossing fingers for a new renter!

Sorry I haven't been around ladies. I have been hardcore dieting(3 more lbs yay! Too bad I am plateauing) so I haven't been trying or making any great recipies.

I DID do the PW's meatballs(from the mini meatball slider recipe) with pasta and they came out good again.

I also made this cheesy, burger, bake thing from Pinterest that wasn't very good.

Jen-I just caught all upon your blog and I am LOVING it! I really appreciate food blogs that show the how-to pictures. They really help someone like me.

Hope all is well with everyone else! Going to go through the thread and see if I missed anything good.

I am so proud of you and your success with your dieting. You're doing so well!

Thanks for the compliments on the blog. I love the blogs with the pics too. I'm much better at seeing rather than reading.

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

OMG. I just made Homesick Texan's sour cream chicken enchiladas for the second time. My tummy is so happy right now.

In a bit, I need to go whip some cream for the tres leches cake.

I love good food days.

for everyone else!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I am so proud of you and your success with your dieting. You're doing so well!

Thanks for the compliments on the blog. I love the blogs with the pics too. I'm much better at seeing rather than reading.

Thank you...I am really trying my hardest. It's starting to get discouraging since I have hit this plateau.

I can't wait to eat REAL food again!

 

[bigmerle1966]

I've never had good luck with microwave rice cookers. However, we have an electric cooker that is FANTASTIC! We use it 3 or 4 times a week!

I thought about getting one but it would just be another electric "toy" cluttering up the house that barely gets used. The micro one can go in the cabinet with the pots and pans. And I can make a chocolate lava cake in it.

Dinner tonight is on the run as I am headed to my sisters for the weekend.