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

[dgbg100106]

Morning Lindsay. Hope you get your Greek spags and meatballs!





Okay ladies. I'm in mourning....

My Magimix of over 25 years is officially dead and I was totally lost without it today.
I kinda knew that "Magi" was kinda sick and no amount of Frankenstein was going to keep it going. Well...today was the day I admitted that it was gone.

We'd been talking about getting the second Magi, probably with OTT bells and whistles. DH had planned to get me Magi II for Christmas. Yeah. Like I couldn't see THAT coming! I'd talked him into waiting until AFTER Christmas, when our sales are on.

I don't need one with bells and whistles and I had kinda wanted the version that had the little bowl inside the big bowl.

But I'm gonna need 'something' like yesterday. So, I'm thinking of going out to get the baby Magi tomorow.

Here's my issue. I know KitchenAid does a similar model.....and it's about $120 CHEAPER than baby Magi.
If I go get the little KitchenAid, I'm highly unlikely to go get the top of the range Magi.

Should I get the baby Magi? Should I get the little KitchenAid? Should I just settle for some other brand?

What do you have in your kitchen?

I love my kitchenaid. It is the second from the top and I wish Everytime I use it that I had got the next one up... Mine has plenty of power to make sausage and pasta with the attachments but my head raises up and down and the next one up ( commercial grade ) the bowl moves and down.

To me it is one of those times that you have to do what you want... Get the power you need, get the bowls that you want.

I use mine all the time and you do more cooking than I do, so I sure you will get the uses out of it...

 

[PrincessInOz]

Rum Balls

I’ll apologize now for any offence I might or might not cause with this post. I’ve hit that silly season wall with a bang harder than Hurricane Bawbag I or II could slam me. And just ignore the references to that Hurricane....They are for scotlass, who is keeping count and I'm just being a little naughtier than normal tonight.

So, without further ado…nor filters….here’s the rumballs I made using a recipe a 3D friend shared with me.
I loved all the options that you ladies provided…but in the end, I needed something egg and nut free and this one fit the bill perfectly!


My starting ingredients:

• Milk Coffee Biscuits (or any sweet biscuit), 2 packets
• Drinking Chocolate, 1 cup
• Cocoa, 1 cup
• Desiccated Coconut, 1 cup
• Condensed Milk, 1½ tins
• Rum, ½ - 1 cup
• Coconut – for rolling; you can either use the desiccated or use the soft flakes like I’ve done

Place the desiccated coconut in a large bowl and add the rum. I used ½ cup of the Yo Ho Ho ambrose....my 3D friend tells me that she is up to 1 cup in hers; but the balls do not hold their shape with 1 cup in the mix.

Mix well and allow to sit whilst preparing the biscuits. Let’s just say that this was the starting amount….it definitely was NOT the amount that ended up in the rum balls by the time I finished preparing the biscuits. *hic*

I cannot remember if you get these type of biscuits in the US. I think you do….

To crush the biscuits, I rolled them in a clean tea towel and bashed them with a rolling pin. (And because I really wanted to get this reference in particularly for a certain Hurricane….a sledgehammer would work just as well )

Finish them off in a blender. (Yes, it’s the Hi Ho Silver workhorse!!)

Add the biscuits, cocoa, drinking chocolate to the mixing bowl…

…and pour the condensed milk over the dry ingredients. The smell of rum, milk and chocolate was intoxicating!

Mix well. I got to this stage….

….and decided that fingers needed to play.

I highly recommend that you make finish the job by yourself. If you end up with fingers in the mix, they’ll end up rather gooey. But I kept it clean…..only my tongue was involved.


Using a teaspoon, scoop some of the mix and place between your palms. Roll them into those luscious balls shape….I made mine about bawbag size.

I made this on a Monday…but really I kept thinking that Turdsday before Christmas would be more appropriate.


By rolling them in between your palms, the balls should be marginally warmer; enough that when you roll them in the coconut, the topping will stick.

I ended up with about 60 – 70 Rum Balls. My 3D friend told me she gets about 80. I guess perhaps my balls are a little bigger than hers!

I’ve stored mine in a container with paper in between the layers. They are currently sitting in the refrigerator and I’ll probably (baw)bag them up on Friday or so.

Enjoy!

ps. Contrary to the written imagery, the rumballs are delicious! *hic*

 

[dgbg100106]

ps. Contrary to the written imagery, the rumballs are delicious! *hic*

They look amazing!

 

[dgbg100106]

Dinner was...

That looks really nice. Something David and I would eat..

 

[dgbg100106]

Well everyone....after 25 years, I'm pleased to report that my DH has learnt a few things!

He found a way for me to get that Magimix BEFORE Christmas without me feeling bad about spending the money.
You may remember that we celebrated our silver wedding anniversary in November? Well....I had kinda decided "no presents"....we have a good life together, have a house full of 'stuff', didn't really need anything; plus I had booked the Hong Kong trip.

Anyway, DH told me that we should consider the Magimix as our present to each other for the anniversary...and to go out and get the silver/chrome finished model.
BRILLIANT IDEA!

And to cap it off??? I went into 3 stores today to go shopping for it. The 3rd store price matched the 1st store (which had the cheapest price) and also gave me 15% discount immediately....because that was going to be the discount on the Magimix AFTER Christmas.

One very happy little Vegemite here!

Very cool!!!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Buy...

in bulk.

The latter site has a frequent buyers' program and is famous on the Internets for starting the bulk cereal marshmallow fad. Maybe if you order quick, you can have a giant, like 12-lb sack for x-mas.

His weight sounds normal for his age though.

Oh boy.... Bulk mallows....we're in trouble.

He is VERY tall and thin...and then I see like 2 year olds who are 30 lbs...He just seems so small to me.

 

[dgbg100106]

So dinner last night was a taco pizza...

made the dough, par backed it on the stone.

Added beans, beef, cheese, tomato, sour cream and salsa, I wanted lettuce on top but DH did not....

Oh well, it turned out really nice, reminded me a beef chalupa (sp?)

 

[cornflake]

Oh boy.... Bulk mallows....we're in trouble.

He is VERY tall and thin...and then I see like 2 year olds who are 30 lbs...He just seems so small to me.

If you order the 95 lbs., that's trouble. The 12 lbs, that's just planning ahead!

I've read a number of things discussing how people's perceptions of weights in this country are getting farther and farther from reality. Both for themselves and their kids.

There was just something the other day saying American women now said the 'correct' weight for their height was like 5 or 10 lbs higher than the same survey had them saying it was 15 years ago, showing how our perception of healthy weight is getting skewed by the obesity epidemic.

And iirc something close to HALF of parents of kids who were clinically obese said their kids were about the right weight.

I'm not suggesting your son is overweight or anything or that you're not perceiving him right. The people not understanding their own actually obese kids are overweight at all is obviously a problem but in general, the more people who are overweight, the more someone normal weight will appear thin, even if they're at a correct weight if you know what I mean. Though a close to 30-lb toddler isn't so far off either, toddlers are supposed to be chubby, then they thin right out at that 3-4 age range when they shoot up.

Did you see Frontier House? Like Gordon Clune's obsession with that he and the boys were so underweight despite a dr. telling them they were all actually at a healthy weight. Well, besides that Gordon was completely bananapants.

 

[pigletgirl]

Long time no "see"!

Well, we had a crazy weekend to say the least. DH's car died after work on Friday. It turned out to be the starter, but we're at the tail end of his warrenty, so we don't have to pay the bill. I ended up having to pick him up, and we were a one car family until this morning!

Friday night we went out to dinner to a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. They have the best homemade taquitos and flour tortillas. Heaven on a plate!

Saturday I finished up Christmas shopping, and people were insane to say the least. Also quite rude.

Sunday I baked some goodies and we went to breakfast. I had whole grain banana granola pancakes and a side of bacon.

Today DH is working, the car will be ready at 300pm (it should of been done on Sat. but they didnt have enough help....), and dinner is going to be just some simple BBQ pork chops, baked potato, steamed broccoli and salad.

Hope you all have a great start to the week!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

If you order the 95 lbs., that's trouble. The 12 lbs, that's just planning ahead!

I've read a number of things discussing how people's perceptions of weights in this country are getting farther and farther from reality. Both for themselves and their kids.

There was just something the other day saying American women now said the 'correct' weight for their height was like 5 or 10 lbs higher than the same survey had them saying it was 15 years ago, showing how our perception of healthy weight is getting skewed by the obesity epidemic.

And iirc something close to HALF of parents of kids who were clinically obese said their kids were about the right weight.

I'm not suggesting your son is overweight or anything or that you're not perceiving him right. The people not understanding their own actually obese kids are overweight at all is obviously a problem but in general, the more people who are overweight, the more someone normal weight will appear thin, even if they're at a correct weight if you know what I mean. Though a close to 30-lb toddler isn't so far off either, toddlers are supposed to be chubby, then they thin right out at that 3-4 age range when they shoot up.

Did you see Frontier House? Like Gordon Clune's obsession with that he and the boys were so underweight despite a dr. telling them they were all actually at a healthy weight. Well, besides that Gordon was completely bananapants.

That makes sense actually...

DS is VERY tall and lean, like his father. DH is 6'2 and 160lbs on a good day.

I am short and petite and so is DD.

I'm not worried about their weight...But if the kid wants two bowls of a heathier cereal, like Life, then I'm going to let him.(even with a few marshmallows ) Meals are generally a struggle, so I think he's just making up for the other meals he refuses to eat.

If he wanted more than one bowl of Lucky Charms, I would probably change his second bowl to a more healthy choice.

The last Dr we had wanted me to "fatten them up". She said to put extra butter on everything...and make them milkshakes at night!...I was liike HECK NO. They LIKE healthy food, so that's what they eat...SO what if they are small, at least they're not obese.

 

[Nancyg56]

He didn't really say...

I'm going to make a roast in the crockpot though. Easy enough.

The only thing he requested is Mountain Dew Whiteout, Holy Clumpsheadache and chocolate chip cookies....Oh and Egg Nog.

You have got to be getting so excited What are Holy Clumps??? And if you are looking for a pot roast recipe Glynis has one that is delicious. It uses packaged ranch dressing mix and packaged gravy and then tossed in the crock pot.

You all have the most lovely recipes ever! I love to come over to this thread and browse, only rarely posting.
The recent lasagna recipe will be repeated in my house. It looks delish! And the toll house cookie brittle too, along with a few others!
and the photos, .....heavenly. yummers!
Tonight I have beans soaking in a pot and will be making soup tomorrow along with herbed cornbread. It is finally cold enough for some good hearty soups.

I hope that you start posting!!!!

Don't you just love this time of year? I love to have cold-weather soups and stews!

I hope you like the lasagna and the cookie brittle. We were just sitting here eating some. It becomes quite addictive!

I made the brittle Saturday and the first piece I did not like. The second not much more than the first. After a whole bunch more I was like What happened???????? Our group was munching on it like potato chips I did let it go a minute too long but that was probably a good thing the way we were gobbling it down

Well everyone....after 25 years, I'm pleased to report that my DH has learnt a few things!


One very happy little Vegemite here!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been training my friend Arline on the DIS, she's not internet savy and knows that and the DIS has been throwing her for a loop, but she is coming along like a champ!

She may join in on the thread here, but she doesn't cook a lot anymore because now she lives alone since she lost her life partner of six years. They were very close and soul mates and has had rough time getting back into life since then, but she does love to cook and I may get her into this group because everyone here is so supportive, so you may see her join in the next couple weeks while she is visiting. She will love to call you all friends!

Let's hope we get some fun and relaxation on this trip. If nothing else I'm the one who needs it!

I hope that Arline joins us! Have a good trip!!!!!!!!!!111

I love my kitchenaid. It is the second from the top and I wish Everytime I use it that I had got the next one up... Mine has plenty of power to make sausage and pasta with the attachments but my head raises up and down and the next one up ( commercial grade ) the bowl moves and down.

To me it is one of those times that you have to do what you want... Get the power you need, get the bowls that you want.

I use mine all the time and you do more cooking than I do, so I sure you will get the uses out of it...

I got mine over 25 years ago. Dan was just 6 and they came into Filenes. I had to have one and posted pics all over the house. Well the one that I own is the little one..................it was the only one back then The darn thing is like the energizer bunny...............keeps going and going! I will never get a brand spankin' new big boy

Last night I grilled steaks with a new dry rub that Buddy brought home from Cabelas. It was really for wild game...........of which we have none .........and it really was not a good match for the beef. We had green beans and salad along with Italian bread. I have no idea what I am going to cook today, I have a lot to do and no motivation

 

[Goofyluver]

Well everyone....after 25 years, I'm pleased to report that my DH has learnt a few things!

He found a way for me to get that Magimix BEFORE Christmas without me feeling bad about spending the money.
You may remember that we celebrated our silver wedding anniversary in November? Well....I had kinda decided "no presents"....we have a good life together, have a house full of 'stuff', didn't really need anything; plus I had booked the Hong Kong trip.

Anyway, DH told me that we should consider the Magimix as our present to each other for the anniversary...and to go out and get the silver/chrome finished model.
BRILLIANT IDEA!

And to cap it off??? I went into 3 stores today to go shopping for it. The 3rd store price matched the 1st store (which had the cheapest price) and also gave me 15% discount immediately....because that was going to be the discount on the Magimix AFTER Christmas.

One very happy little Vegemite here!

Wheeeee! Yay for a wonderful hubby!

Again, I had a whole post prepared and my computer died on me. I gave up on that machine and have now adopted our "travel computer" as my regular one.

So I can't comment on what I was going to say because I am too darned tired!

I've been training my friend Arline on the DIS, she's not internet savy and knows that and the DIS has been throwing her for a loop, but she is coming along like a champ!

She may join in on the thread here, but she doesn't cook a lot anymore because now she lives alone since she lost her life partner of six years. They were very close and soul mates and has had rough time getting back into life since then, but she does love to cook and I may get her into this group because everyone here is so supportive, so you may see her join in the next couple weeks while she is visiting. She will love to call you all friends!

We had a great couple meals since she has been here, last night was the turkey involtini and it was a little dry, some gravy would have done it good, tonight was meatloaf, velveeta shells and cheese and my zuccini boats that I posted the recipe back in who knows when!

Tomorrow may be leftovers since we are trying to leave for Vegas a day early to break up the driving for Fran. She can only sit in the driver's seat since her arthritis makes it difficult for her to get into any other seat in the car. Let's hope we get some fun and relaxation on this trip. If nothing else I'm the one who needs it!

We'd love to have Arline here! We'll introduce her gently to the DIS.

Well, we didn't get to the Greek restaurant yesterday because it was insanely crowded so we went to Firehouse Subs, which was also nuts. Grrr. Today I am making chicken and beef tacos with rice and refried beans. I am hoping to make molasses cookies today, too.

Dang! I wanted greek!

Have fun making cookies!

Rum Balls

I highly recommend that you make finish the job by yourself. If you end up with fingers in the mix, they’ll end up rather gooey. But I kept it clean…..only my tongue was involved.

ps. Contrary to the written imagery, the rumballs are delicious! *hic*

They look great PIO!

So dinner last night was a taco pizza...

made the dough, par backed it on the stone.

Added beans, beef, cheese, tomato, sour cream and salsa, I wanted lettuce on top but DH did not....

Oh well, it turned out really nice, reminded me a beef chalupa (sp?)

Looks soooooo good!

Long time no "see"!

Well, we had a crazy weekend to say the least. DH's car died after work on Friday. It turned out to be the starter, but we're at the tail end of his warrenty, so we don't have to pay the bill. I ended up having to pick him up, and we were a one car family until this morning!

Friday night we went out to dinner to a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. They have the best homemade taquitos and flour tortillas. Heaven on a plate!

Saturday I finished up Christmas shopping, and people were insane to say the least. Also quite rude.

Sunday I baked some goodies and we went to breakfast. I had whole grain banana granola pancakes and a side of bacon.

Today DH is working, the car will be ready at 300pm (it should of been done on Sat. but they didnt have enough help....), and dinner is going to be just some simple BBQ pork chops, baked potato, steamed broccoli and salad.

Hope you all have a great start to the week!

So glad the car will be taken care of! And so glad you're finished shopping.

Hope your week starts off good too!

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

Good morning!

Today is date day with UncleR. We're going to lunch and then shopping.

Tonight's dinner will be leftovers for the boys, and UncleR and I will either have steaks or a nice salad.

I hope everyone has a great Monday!

 

[Goofyluver]

I made the brittle Saturday and the first piece I did not like. The second not much more than the first. After a whole bunch more I was like What happened???????? Our group was munching on it like potato chips I did let it go a minute too long but that was probably a good thing the way we were gobbling it down

It seems to be one of those recipes that you CANNOT let brown, because it takes on that burnt cookie taste. You really can munch it down like potato chips.

 

[cornflake]

Can I play recipe fun?

Anyone make honeycomb? It's totally simple, fun - kids think it's cool - and yummy.

3/4 c. sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Put the sugar, honey and water in a high-sided saucepan and heat to 300F. It basically starts to caramelize, hard crack, light/medium brown. While it's cooking (watch your pot sides), prep your cookie sheet, either grease one or coat one in nonstick foil, nonstick side up, heh, and smoothed. Keep cookie sheet nice n cool.

Once it hits 300, pull off, dump in the baking soda and stir *quickly* and very little - just a couple stirs to incorporate. It'll foam like heck and you don't want to bust up the foam. It looks like a very fine foam. Quickly pour the foamy mass onto the cookie sheet without trying to smooth it or disturb it or even it in any way. Just dump the foam and don't touch.

It'll fairly quickly harden into a very light, airy, honeycomb candy. Then just break into random pieces. If you like, while still warm, you can sprinkle the top lightly with some nice flake salt. You can also wait until it cools, break into pieces and dip in dark chocolate.

It's cool and delicious and super simple and ppl love it. Takes like 10 minutes a batch.

This is what it looks like on the tray - (not my pic, but I've made it for ppl) -

This is it, it's very light.

 

[Goofyluver]

Yummy cornflake! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Glynis]

I thought he was going to EXPLODE with excitement when I showed him! He LOOOOOOOOVES any kind of marshmallows, but the crunchy ones are his favorite! I have to go back and try to find more...They have chocolate ones too.

I found some at our local walmart. They only had the vanilla and peppermint, though. I'd love some chocolate ones. I bought a couple of them for my stocking!

 

[Glynis]

Morning, everyone! It was one crazy weekend around here! Alan did something to his back, and really just couldn't move, at all! Would he go to a doctor? A chiropractor? Anyone? Nope. Just sat here moaning and groaning. It really put a damper on our weekend.

The kids and I spent the weekend making sugar cookies and decorating them for the neighbors. It was actually quite a lot of fun! We got a lot done!

Now, the kids are out of school, and hanging around the house. Gotta find something for them to do so they don't drive me crazy! Tonight we have our church's Christmas party, and I need to spend the day making cookies and rice krispie treats for that. I'm planning on the root beer float cookies and treats make with peppermint marshmallows!

No idea what's for dinner, yet. I need to see what the troops feel like. It'll need to be something fast, since the party is at 6:30. Suggestions???

I've also decided that for Christmas Eve, we'll be doing soup in bread bowls, instead of the large meal we had planned. I'm still praying that my monster-in-law will allow us to come to her house, instead of them barging into my house, but we'll see!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Well everyone....after 25 years, I'm pleased to report that my DH has learnt a few things!

One very happy little Vegemite here!

Congrats on your new toy!!

Can I play recipe fun?

Welcome! looks delicious! Sorta similar to the method used for peanut brittle but it's soft and not hard?

Morning, everyone! It was one crazy weekend around here! Alan did something to his back, and really just couldn't move, at all! Would he go to a doctor? A chiropractor? Anyone? Nope. Just sat here moaning and groaning. It really put a damper on our weekend.

Men, gotta love em! I hope your Christmas Eve works out!



Saturday we had Christmas with DH's family and I got two kitchen related items I wanted - a waffle iron (we've never owned one ) and a rice cooker.

Yesterday, I worked from 830am-730pm but it was really fun. We had the church XMas dinner last night so I ate there.

A friend of ours is having major brain testing/surgery so DH is traveling to see him tonight after work. He will likely be going into surgery again tomorrow so he wanted to see him prior just in case. It's pretty risky. I told DH to eat at the hospital so I'll just get something on my own.

 

[Goofyluver]

Glynis--Hope Alan feels better soon.

Aimee--You're going to LOOOOOVE that rice cooker. I absolutely love ours. And good luck to your friend.

 

[liamsaunt]

Hi everyone!

PIO looks like you have been cooking some nice food! Those cherry muffins looked great.

Glynis, I hope Alan is feeling better.

Aimee, I have been wanting a rice cooker for a while. You'll have to let me know what you think.

I have pictures from the weekend but they are not uploaded yet.

WFD: soup, and Pioneer Woman's rosemary rolls.