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

[pigletgirl]

Thanks for the warm welcome! : I'm Emily and my husband Ryan and I got married back in April of this year. Its been a whirlwind 8 months, but we couldn't be happier!

It is unseasonably cool here! I drove to work today (early) with the heater on and that rarely happens. I treated myself to a skinny peppermint mocha from starbucks...yum yum! But we take it when we can because before long it'll be back to 115 again.

Goofyluver - Feel better! That kind of sickness is just the worst. I would rather have almost anyhting that that. So far this season, I've avoided any major illness. upsidedow) If you haven't ever used a netti pot or the squeeze bottle made by the same company, its awesome. It helps get all the crud out of those spaces.

Dinner last night was "whatever you can find in the frig/pantry" but DH wasn't having it. He ordered chinese instead. As for myself? I made "tuna cakes" -- something very similar to crab cakes and almost identical ingredients. I also made a side of edamame and sprinkled them with some sea salt and fresh lime.

Tonight we're having creamy cheese enchiladas with refried black beans and a fruit salad. I was thinking of a corn medley too, but not sure as DH isn't always the fondest of corn.

Hope you all have a fantastic tuesday!

 

[bigmerle1966]

Snowflakes? I love all your creativeness! And we'll be needing pictures!

Not too creative, I have a Cri-cut die cut machine. It does all the cutting, I add glitter glue. Feel better.

Welcome to the newbies.

Ellen- glad everyone is okay.

Lindsay- about the framboise, that's a new one to me. Makes as much sense as the state of MD not allowing wine to be mailed here.

 

[liamsaunt]

Linsday, yes, you could use sauce instead of chopped tomatoes. In fact, that is what I did! I used crushed fire roasted tomatoes.

That is so strange that you can't buy framboise. I wonder why? Are all liqueurs outlawed in Tennessee? It's not like it is the kind of thing that people are going to sit around and slug a whole bottle of! BTW, I have made trifle without any added alchohol and it is very good. If you have to leave out the framboise it will be OK.

Brandi, I am with everyone else--an experience, rather than a "thing." When John asks me for gift ideas, I always say plane tickets! Sometimes it works What about a long weekend away someplace? If you don't want to fly maybe you could find a romantic inn within driving distance that has a nice spa or hiking trails, etc.

I am home from work again today. I figure better safe than sorry. My Mom came over yesterday and listened to my lungs and said they were clear, which is what I thought, so I am pretty sure it is just a bad cold. I feel bad for saying John had the mold last week, because this is a bad one!

Marilyn, that is sad news about delswife. I always loved her trip reports--she was such a funny writer. I lost track of her right around when they moved to Florida.

Welcome to the new folks! I look forward to sharing recipes with you.

WFD: herb-roasted chicken, homemade dinner rolls, roasted beets, and brussel sprouts.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Good morning my friends,

Thanks so much for the welcome to Liam. He is just precious. The news just keeps getting better and better. He is completely off of oxygen and breathing on his own. They also have taken out his port in his belly button. So Elizabeth and Jay got to hold him last night. Elizabeth said it felt like a little piece of heaven. Bless her heart!! It has had to be so hard not to hold him. I know I can't wait!! She should be getting out of the hospital today but will stay in town to be close. Liam will stay in the NICU until he is sucking good. So far he hasn't caught on. But he will. Again thanks for all the prayers and welcomes.

I am going to do my best to catch up with all of you - ya'll have been very chatty and I feel that I have missed alot -

Ok after all that, I didn't post WFD at our house, lol. It is raining canines and felines here so I am making chicken noodle soup.

Oh my goodness I chuckled out loud at this. Thanks you made my day!!
You are such a good Auntie - I loved your pictures of the party.

Becky ~ Thanks for the FB message - I knew you would love it as well as Larua.
Thanks for the black beans - I really need to try them as we LOVE them.

PIO ~ Your lettuce looks so amazing. And I love your Chocolate tree, what a neat idea. I might just steal it.

Alison ~ So how did last night go? I sure thought of you and Fran. I hope she got along ok.
I can't wait to see pictures of your new addition. Good for you!

Robin ~ I was wondering when the rosemary rolls would make the rotation again.
Good luck with your construction. Please remind me -What are you doing?

Aimee ~ Bless your heart for thinking of me. And yes today I am the most sore. Everyday there are more bruises. The one on my hip is a big as a dinner plate and very sore.
My thoughts and prayers are so with you my friend.

Vic ~ DON'T EVERY GROW UP LADY!!! NEVER!!! We so love you.

Milliesmummy & Pigletgirl ~ Welcome and just jump right in. I'm Ellen, married to my best friend Doug, we live in Nebraska. I am the mother to 3 grown children and Nanny to 2 1/2 grandbabies - Elizabeth (Jay), Ethan - 7 & Liam 2 days old. Stephanie (Marty) new grandbaby in March and Matthew is a senior at the University of Nebraska.

Jen ~ Oh sweetie, I so hope you start feeling better real soon.

Brandi ~ Just a suggestion - for our 25th wedding anniversary I kidnapped Doug. I took him to Vegas for a week. He had NO idea where we were going until we got to the airport. It was a hit and something we still talk about. I have a Trip report that explains is all if you are interested - just PM me. But David sounds a bit like Doug so it might be something fun to do.

Kat ~ Slow down lady. You are just too busy. Have a good day.

Merle ~ Your snowflakes sound so cute. I wish I had more time to do crafty stuff.

Janice ~ Hoping your day is a good one my friend.

Phew I hope I got everyone!! You all are very chatty lately


It is fridged cold out this morning. -12 is the temp as I type. The sun is out so it looks warmer but isn't. We had a fog last night and everyting is beautiful this morning. As I drove to work it looked like a picture out of a magazine. So beautiful.

WFDT ~ Chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and angel food cake.

Make it a great day everyone.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Do you think this would be good with another type of bean? We're not the biggest fan of black beans in this house. What about pinto or kidney beans?

This would have been good for today!

Sure! I think either would work.

Aimee - I think work from home should be compulsory for at least one or two days a week!
Thanks for sharing that chicken enchilada soup recipe. We don't have Rotel diced tomato and jalepeno in the supermarkets here. But I think it would work if I used a tin of diced tomato and added jalepenos? I might think about making a half serve. No one else in the house will have it with me.

I think that would definitely work

Your Christmas meal sounds delicious!!!

Thanks for the warm welcome! : I'm Emily and my husband Ryan and I got married back in April of this year. Its been a whirlwind 8 months, but we couldn't be happier!

Welcome, Emily!

Thanks so much for the welcome to Liam. He is just precious. The news just keeps getting better and better. He is completely off of oxygen and breathing on his own. They also have taken out his port in his belly button. So Elizabeth and Jay got to hold him last night. Elizabeth said it felt like a little piece of heaven. Bless her heart!! It has had to be so hard not to hold him. I know I can't wait!! She should be getting out of the hospital today but will stay in town to be close. Liam will stay in the NICU until he is sucking good. So far he hasn't caught on. But he will. Again thanks for all the prayers and welcomes.

That is so hard to leave baby behind at the hospital I'm glad she'll be close. It sounds like he's making great progress so hopefully he won't have to stay as long as most preemies.



We're going out tonight

 

[bigmerle1966]

Marilyn, that is sad news about delswife. I always loved her trip reports--she was such a funny writer. I lost track of her right around when they moved to Florida.

I had read some of her blog right after they moved there but hadn't been on there in a long time. Funny thing is I think about her quite often and have never met her in person.

 

[Rogue26]

Jen- You have to try the rosemary rolls, they are so good. Sometimes I make my own dough, but usually I just buy a ball of pizza dough from the bakery section of the grocery store. I divide it into nine pieces (because there are 3 of us) and put it in the baking dish. The other night I used a small polish stoneware dish, it looked so pretty. Let the dough rise, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with sea salt and finely chopped rosemary. Bake 400 for 15-20 minutes.

 

[Rogue26]

Aimee- Do you add red or green enchilada sauce? They don't sell the green sauce here so I'm hoping you say red, the soup looks tasty.

Ellen- I know it will be hard for Elizabeth to leave the little guy, but at least she'll be able to get a good nights rest. As far as our house goes, we have a one floor ranch that will become a two floor cape.

Jen- I can't believe how cold it is by you, it's 60 degrees here! Hope your feeling better.

PIO- Your Christmas menu looks fantastic. I vote for tiramisu, I haven't made that in a while, I'll have to soon. I really don't have much to do for Christmas or Christmas eve. Usually I do Christmas eve but this year we're going to my inlaws. We're going to my aunts for Christmas day and I'm bringing a huge amount of the above mentioned rosemary rolls baked in what I call my paella pan.

Dinner tonight is just a quick grilled honey mustard chicken, veggies from the freezer, and rice pilaf from a box.

 

[Goofyluver]

Thanks for the warm welcome! : I'm Emily and my husband Ryan and I got married back in April of this year. Its been a whirlwind 8 months, but we couldn't be happier!

It is unseasonably cool here! I drove to work today (early) with the heater on and that rarely happens. I treated myself to a skinny peppermint mocha from starbucks...yum yum! But we take it when we can because before long it'll be back to 115 again.

Goofyluver - Feel better! That kind of sickness is just the worst. I would rather have almost anyhting that that. So far this season, I've avoided any major illness. upsidedow) If you haven't ever used a netti pot or the squeeze bottle made by the same company, its awesome. It helps get all the crud out of those spaces.

Dinner last night was "whatever you can find in the frig/pantry" but DH wasn't having it. He ordered chinese instead. As for myself? I made "tuna cakes" -- something very similar to crab cakes and almost identical ingredients. I also made a side of edamame and sprinkled them with some sea salt and fresh lime.

Tonight we're having creamy cheese enchiladas with refried black beans and a fruit salad. I was thinking of a corn medley too, but not sure as DH isn't always the fondest of corn.

Hope you all have a fantastic tuesday!

You'll have to share that enchilada recipe!

Stay warm!

Not too creative, I have a Cri-cut die cut machine. It does all the cutting, I add glitter glue. Feel better.

I ended up selling my Cricut after I didn't ever use it. Kept all my other scrapbooking stuff, but I sold my Cricut plus all of my cartridges. I regret doing that!

Good morning my friends,

Thanks so much for the welcome to Liam. He is just precious. The news just keeps getting better and better. He is completely off of oxygen and breathing on his own. They also have taken out his port in his belly button. So Elizabeth and Jay got to hold him last night. Elizabeth said it felt like a little piece of heaven. Bless her heart!! It has had to be so hard not to hold him. I know I can't wait!! She should be getting out of the hospital today but will stay in town to be close. Liam will stay in the NICU until he is sucking good. So far he hasn't caught on. But he will. Again thanks for all the prayers and welcomes.

I am going to do my best to catch up with all of you - ya'll have been very chatty and I feel that I have missed alot -

Such good news on Liam! I hope he gets to come home very soon.

Stay warm!

Jen- You have to try the rosemary rolls, they are so good. Sometimes I make my own dough, but usually I just buy a ball of pizza dough from the bakery section of the grocery store. I divide it into nine pieces (because there are 3 of us) and put it in the baking dish. The other night I used a small polish stoneware dish, it looked so pretty. Let the dough rise, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with sea salt and finely chopped rosemary. Bake 400 for 15-20 minutes.

Mmmmmmm...sounds heavenly.

Do you always use fresh rosemary or have you ever used dried?

Jen- I can't believe how cold it is by you, it's 60 degrees here! Hope your feeling better.

It's 35 degrees out. I'm so glad that I stayed home today and I'm not out in this. Tomorrow we'll be having a heat wave of 48.

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

Since I'm home I decided to make myself useful. I wrapped ALL of the Christmas presents.

Go me!

 

[Goofyluver]

Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

4 strips hickory smoked bacon
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups heavy cream
3 Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and diced
6 ears of fresh corn cut from the cob or 2lbs. frozen kernel corn
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cayenne (optional)
1/4 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

Cook bacon in large stock pot until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels and reserve for later. Add 1 T of butter to pot and add the onion. Saute till translucent before adding garlic and then saute for 1 more minute. Add flour and stir. Cook off the flour for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly so nothing burns.

Whisk in 1 cup of stock at a time and bring to a boil. Add the potatoes and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.

Add the cream and corn to the soup and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.

Ladle soup into bowl, top with bacon and shredded cheese.




YUMMY! (I think...because actually my taste buds aren't working so well.) UncleR gave it good reviews!

If y'all haven't looked at Smoky Mountain Cafe...y'all need to! She has great recipes!

http://smokymountaincafe.blogspot.com/2011/10/corn-chowder.html

 

[Aimeedyan]

Aimee- Do you add red or green enchilada sauce? They don't sell the green sauce here so I'm hoping you say red, the soup looks tasty.

Red! I went with mild, because I'm a big baby, but if you like spice you could go hotter.

 

[dgbg100106]

Brandi - Firstly, I wish you all the best for your surgery. I hope things go well and you have a speedy recovery. As to what to get David for his big 5-0....I'm with Alison. If you have enough stuff, then go with an experience. For me...what could be more 5-0 than Hawaii and Aulani? Otherwise, I would pick an experience that he's never done before e.g., hot air ballooning...a day at the day spa...zipline....or is there a television program he really likes? Is there anywhere that offers something along those lines?


************

Well....my cards...ALL of them....are in the mail. I just need to wrap the presents, plug the gaps and then think about food.

What are you all serving for Christmas?


We usually go to my parents on Christmas Eve; so I'll need to think about what curry to make for that meal.

But on Christmas Day, my parents come round to me. We will have 4 adults and 1 child on Christmas Day....possibly my brother and his GF might come for lunch as well.
For lunch, I'm contemplating the below...it might seem like too much food...and it is. But I like to know that I don't really have to cook for a couple of days after Christmas!

For proteins:
I've ordered a turkey breast roll (I think I've mentioned that before) and will cook the stuffing recipe in the muffin trays.
I'll also do some stuffed salmon cutlets for the pesky-vegetarian in my household.
I think I'll get some chicken tenderloins and crumb them as well. This one is optional. I really think I have enough proteins with the fish and the turkey.

Sides:
(the stuffing)
I'll grill some red bell peppers and marinate them in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
If it is hot, I'll do a potato salad and a green salad. I'll also toss/stir fry some snow peas and cherry tomatoes in sweet chilli sauce.
If it is cold, I'll do a potato dauphinoise (I think we worked out this was scalloped potato in US speak), the snow peas and maybe a third vegetable side...which I've yet to work out.

Dessert:
I'm thinking of making a trifle. I did an English trifle last year...I'm probably gonna make Tira Misu this year.
Plum Pudding, which I buy rather than make. A local shop makes the most divine plum puddings and I don't even try to compete. I did the price comparison one year where I made my own. By the time I added up all the ingredients, there was probably about $10 in it. Admittedly, I end up with a smaller plum pudding than if I make my own...but my hips prefer it that way.
Fruit platter....almost mandatory to have in summer.


With Coffee:
Bourbon Fruit Cake. Already made.
I might get a selection of biscuits as well.
We have plenty of chocolate on the tree. I usually send people on a chocolate hunt and they can find and pick their own!

Everything sounds wonderful.... I have no idea what I will have... David and I fly out on the 21st to my Dad and Step Moms, in Mission Texas... I think my Step wants to cook, but she can't do it on her own so I am sure that I will be doing most of it...

 

[dgbg100106]

As I said on the AKL thread.... I think experiences are better at our time of life than gifts... I suggested a biking trip (since I know you just got a hot new bike, and I don't mean the bicycle built for two type) where you stay at a romantic location, but maybe the ladies here might have some other ideas to throw into the mix since they are more in the cooking vein, could you do a culinary thing? I know that Napa has some awesome cooking schools, but obviously that isn't nearby, do you have any MD, WA or NYC things where you could do a romantic cooking class? I know I would love a Napa cooking thing, hmmmmm maybe I should have a 49 years present and then the big 50 present! You're giving ME ideas!

Alison.... Thanks for the suggestions.. I like the cooking idea for me, but David would do it, it is just not him, but I like the way you are thinking.... I just of something. He would love a Napa wine tour. Oh I have to check on that.

Brandi - Firstly, I wish you all the best for your surgery. I hope things go well and you have a speedy recovery. As to what to get David for his big 5-0....I'm with Alison. If you have enough stuff, then go with an experience. For me...what could be more 5-0 than Hawaii and Aulani? Otherwise, I would pick an experience that he's never done before e.g., hot air ballooning...a day at the day spa...zipline....or is there a television program he really likes? Is there anywhere that offers something along those lines?

PIO - Thanks the surgery will be ok.. I try not to think about it much.
hawaii sounds like fun too, and I love the way you think.

Brandi- that goes double for me! I somehow missed quoting you, but I didn't forget you! (slinks off to refill coffee so I can think clearly)

Thanks

I agree with Alison. I'd do an experience rather than a gift. Although since I'm not familiar with your hubby, I don't have any recommendations.

Thanks

Brandi, I am with everyone else--an experience, rather than a "thing." When John asks me for gift ideas, I always say plane tickets! Sometimes it works What about a long weekend away someplace? If you don't want to fly maybe you could find a romantic inn within driving distance that has a nice spa or hiking trails, etc.

He is a special kind of guy.... Always wanting to have fun and hang out with his wife, of all the crazy things to do... I will look into the napa wine thing, that might be wonderful for him, or maybe a Tuscan Wine Tour !!!!!!

Brandi ~ Just a suggestion - for our 25th wedding anniversary I kidnapped Doug. I took him to Vegas for a week. He had NO idea where we were going until we got to the airport. It was a hit and something we still talk about. I have a Trip report that explains is all if you are interested - just PM me. But David sounds a bit like Doug so it might be something fun to do.

Oh this is a great idea.... David has never been and when he thought he was going last year he was all excited. A culinary tour of Vegas would be right up his alley!
I would love to see your TR... I will PM

 

[bigmerle1966]

I ended up selling my Cricut after I didn't ever use it. Kept all my other scrapbooking stuff, but I sold my Cricut plus all of my cartridges. I regret doing that!

 

[pigletgirl]

For our wedding both sets of parents put together a recipe book. This one in particular I think originated *I think* from Junior League.
Creamy Cheese Enchiladas
- Six flour tortillas(I used eight tonight because we love the leftovers)
- 3 cups of Shredded Monteray Jack Cheese (again, you can use more or less depending on how much cheese you like, and because i used eight tortillas i used closer to 4 cups)
- 6 Thsp of green onion chopped (feel free to sub anything you like, I've done black beans, chicken, spinach, ect -- whatever you have on hand is fine)

Sauce
- 1/4 C butter
- 1/4 C flour
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth (this gives it depth)
- 1 C Sour Cream
- 1 4oz can chopped green chiles (if you don't like any heat, you may omit)

Directions
- For each tortilla, add 1/2 C cheese and 1 Thsp green onion as filling. Roll the tortilla and place into 8in square pan (again if making more, using a 9X13 pan)

- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and stir constantly. Whisk in chicken broth to make a thick sauce.

- Remove from heat and add sour cream and green chiles. Stir until completely combined.

- Pour sauce over tortillas and bake at 350 for 20min.

- When done, the sauce will bubble along the edges, and everything is heat through.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Lindsay I want to you to know you are a special person. I love that you are making sure Ryan feels special. I really believe every child needs that.

Thanks

Linsday, yes, you could use sauce instead of chopped tomatoes. In fact, that is what I did! I used crushed fire roasted tomatoes.

That is so strange that you can't buy framboise. I wonder why? Are all liqueurs outlawed in Tennessee? It's not like it is the kind of thing that people are going to sit around and slug a whole bottle of! BTW, I have made trifle without any added alchohol and it is very good. If you have to leave out the framboise it will be OK.

Thanks for the tip! The actual tomato makes me gag. *shudder*

They said something about it being a beer and couldn't carry it. They have every other kind of liqueurs you can think of. I don't know. You also can't have wine shipped here either.

Tonight is dinner at church so I am off today. I hope everyone has a great day. It's still raining and junk here and I'm going to get drenched when I go out today. Hee hee, my mother always gives me a gift just from her for Christmas, usually it's a new pair of jeans. While shopping this year, I wanted to look at coats. I found a rain jacket I loved and she asked if I'd like that to be my jeans this year, lol. So I guess I get to try it out today

 

[PrincessInOz]

Lindsay - that trifle recipe looks great! How strange that you can't get framboise! Can you get Frangelico instead?
I'd also be inclined to add some raspberry or strawberry jello in that trifle bowl; but that's because I'm just a weak-jellied jello freak!

And I think we're expecting canines and felines this weekend as well.

Ellen - glad to read that Liam is getting stronger. I bet you'll just melt when you hold him for the first time.

Robin - After reading Lindsay's trifle recipe, I almost changed my mind about the tira misu. Now I'm thinking of making a trifle for Christmas eve and the tira misu for christmas day!


Jen - I'm envious. Wish I could get more motivated about wrapping presents. But I've just decided I need a little hiatus from all the Bah Humbug stuff. I'll have it wrapped by the weekend, I think.





***************

Well...another busy day at work. Most days, I come home mentally tired. But after the bench, I'm as happy as a pig in ....that black stuff....

It's Wednesday here...dinner was at mum's.

Have a great hump day everyone.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks


Thanks for the tip! The actual tomato makes me gag. *shudder*

They said something about it being a beer and couldn't carry it. They have every other kind of liqueurs you can think of. I don't know. You also can't have wine shipped here either.

Tonight is dinner at church so I am off today. I hope everyone has a great day. It's still raining and junk here and I'm going to get drenched when I go out today. Hee hee, my mother always gives me a gift just from her for Christmas, usually it's a new pair of jeans. While shopping this year, I wanted to look at coats. I found a rain jacket I loved and she asked if I'd like that to be my jeans this year, lol. So I guess I get to try it out today

Enjoy your new pair of jeans!! I hope it fits well and you don't get too wet.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I forgot to add:

Brandi- I totally agree with an experience instead of a gift. I can tell you that's what my husband would like.

Ok the framboise. I ended up getting raspberry Schnapp's instead. I think it will work fine

The jacket is awesome! Not only is it a raincoat, it's fuzzy inside so it will keep me warm. I love it! Jackets always fit me weird so I was very happy when I found one that worked.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

*Double post!*