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

[LBKB]

Hi Everyone!!

I am not back up and running, but I am in work for a few hours today.

We have no power, no heat, nothing. I am at my witts end and we see no relief in sight. I woke up and it ws 40 degrees in my house today.

The storm hit our area hard. Saturday at 4 we lost power. I took a nap and at 6 we decided to follow my brother to Nan's because she has a generator and fireplace. It took me over an hour and the ride is only 12 minutes... There were power lines everywhere, trees falling around us. At one point, a tree branch fell after dan went by but before i did. I had to drive over it. It wasnt a small one either. My truck is all scratched up and thats the least of my worries right now

I am trying to find a generator but they are no where to be found. If anyone has an extra one, I wouldnt mind borrowing it...

OK enough about me, I am following everyone, but its hard to post from the IPAD since our only internet is Jeff's cell phone. He hacked it and turned it into a mobile hotspot. Gotta love being married to a techie...

I will try to check in again later. Please pray that we get power soon. They are not telling us much except that they are trying to get it by Sunday night by midnight.

OMG Marisa I so wish I could get our generator to you girl ours is just sitting in the pole barn.

 

[EJ4Disney]

Nan & Marisa ~ Prayers are with you my friends. I also have a generator just sitting in our barn. It would be yours if I could just get it to you. Please stay safe!!!

Prayers and hellos to everone else. I should be sending a letter out but I just had to pop in with all of you for a bit.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. We are really humbled by this gift. Sometimes you go through your day/month/year and feel nobody every notices and then you recieve something as grand as this and it just blows you away. This has been a VERY stressful and hard year for me here in the Church. I still feel so overwhelmed with it all and so frustrated that I don't do it right yet. But I do know eventually I will "get" it. On the days I really could just walk away - this wonderful gesture will make it all alright. Thanks again.

Guess what?-----------------It's snowing. I am already tired of winter. Tonight is our Church Conference and I am worried there won't be a crowd. We have worked so hard on this, that it will be a shame if no one shows up. Oh well it is what it is.

WFDT ~ Cherry glazed Pork Chops in the crockpot with dressing, a peach jello salad and beets.

Make it a great day everyone.

 

[bigmerle1966]

Marisa- that stinks. I think you should move in with Nan until it's back on.

Something tells me this is going to be one wild and wacky winter.

Have another fun filled weekend ahead, maybe. My oldest DN has a swim meet but they moved it closer to where my Dsis lives and further out so it will take longer to get there. Before it was right off the DC beltway which means I could have gone and come home. Not that I wouldn't mind staying at my sister's, I just have a lot I want to get done at home this weekend. I may just go on Sunday.

I have the last football game Friday night , gotta get my Hot Hands, already got ones for my feet. They are little warming packets. Since school is closed Friday I am getting off early and we are going to go to the farm before they close for the season and do some other shopping.

 

[TigerKat]

Thanks for all the input on AP. Becky, after your experience I don’t think I could return!

Glynis – So glad to hear you are warm again!

Marisa – I wish there was something I could do to help. Know that I am praying it doesn’t take as long as expected.

Ellen – You are a very special woman.

Marilyn – Your weekend sounds like fun!

 

[franandaj]

Lindsay - I hope that you get plenty of rest before your trip!

Janice - Nice to have you back again!

Kat - I was supposed to have dinner at AP on Monday! I've hear mixed reviews, some have been great and some eh. I'm still willing to try it for myself.

Glynis - so happy that you have a furnace!

Becky - great news on the stove!

For both of your major appliances that heat are always a bonus!

PIO - The Lasagne looks really good, maybe I'll try it when I'm not so hectic.

Jen - I hope your training went well!

Merle - That's too bad that they moved the meet. I was on swim team as a kid and I never appreciated everything my parents went through to make it possible for me to do that. I see now, what they went through to make my dreams happen!

Marissa & Nancy - I can't imagine what you are going through without power! When I lived back east (age 0-5) I remember the power would go out often. One of the things that my mom told me about California was that all the power lines were underground so we wouldn't have to worry about the power going out in a storm. Your graphic description of conditions there reminded me of why that happens. I'm so sorry that you have all that going on. I hope they get your power back soon. I can't even imagine what that is like!

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

It looks like the Dr. is going to extend Fran's medication out to 10 days instead of just 7. Things are improving, but she wants to make sure it goes away. I didn't feel like a zombie this morning when I woke up. For the past three days I've got up, hooked up the IV and gone back to sleep in my chair, but today I felt pretty good. I'm going to try to book a massage for tomorrow afternoon.

Dinner tonight? Perhaps I should do another one of those things I like that she doesn't, she didn't really have dinner last night. She ate sweet and sour pork for breakfast, but really doesn't have much of an appetite.

 

[Glynis]

Marisa - It's good to hear from you! Stay warm. I saw on FB that you guys now have a kerosene heater. Use it well, but watch out for CO!!! Stay a bit ventilated, ok?

in going through my recipes, I ran across the best Molasses cookie recipe I've ever tried! The dough freezes really well, too, so it's great for "make ahead" Christmas cookies. I don't know if I've posted it here. If not, here ya go! I got this from a DIS'er on another thread.

Molasses Cookies

1 C. sugar
1 C. shortening
1 C. molasses
1 C. warm water
2 scant tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground ginger
4 1/2 - 5 C. flour

Cream shortening and sugar. Dissolve baking soda in warm water. Add molasses, salt, ginger, dissolved soda and water to sugar mixture. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Roll into balls, and then roll balls in sugar before placing in the oven.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

 

[PrincessInOz]

My new stove is being installed today! I am very happy. I see some bread baking in my future. It's nothing high end but at least it will work!

Janice, I am glad that your computer is finally fixed!

WFD: not sure. I was planning on making this Thai menu that is in the current issue of Cooking Light magazine, but then this morning John got a message from a coworker in town from London who wanted to move a scheduled business dinner from tomorrow to this evening so they can fly home a day early. So if that ends up happening I might not make the Thai menu. The only thing is that I set the sticky rice to soaking before leaving for work. I don't know if sticky rice would reheat well if I cook it tonight and serve it tomorrow? I don't want to leave it soaking from this morning through tomorrow evening because I think it might ferment.

Princess in Oz, you cook a lot of Asian food. In your opinion, does sweet (glutinous) rice reheat well? Can I steam it today and serve it tomorrow?

You should be able to reheat the rice in the microwave or by re-steaming/heating on the stove. Just add a little water (I'm talking about a couple of tablespoons here) to the pot/pan when heating.

You should also be able to soak the sticky rice for that amount of time without it fermenting; and then cooking it before you want to eat it.

 

[liamsaunt]

You should be able to reheat the rice in the microwave or by re-steaming/heating on the stove. Just add a little water (I'm talking about a couple of tablespoons here) to the pot/pan when heating.

You should also be able to soak the sticky rice for that amount of time without it fermenting; and then cooking it before you want to eat it.

Thank you!

 

[TigerKat]

Kat - I was supposed to have dinner at AP on Monday! I've hear mixed reviews, some have been great and some eh. I'm still willing to try it for myself.

I booked it since we'll be at BLT and it's close by but Johnny & I have been talking about trying some off-property restaurants. He wants to try Charley's steakhouse...anyone been there? Or any other off property recommendations?

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I booked it since we'll be at BLT and it's close by but Johnny & I have been talking about trying some off-property restaurants. He wants to try Charley's steakhouse...anyone been there? Or any other off property recommendations?

Did you look at the restaurants in Celebration? I love it there but only got to spend about a half hour there (we drove through and had ice cream on the way to the airport).

Look at the menu for Columbia...looks yummy!

http://celebrationtowncenter.com/

 

[PrincessInOz]

Catching up!!

Janice - Welcome BAAACK! Glad you have a working computer again.

Glynis - YAY for a warm house. With you and Lindsay talking about books, I think I might need to see if I can get the Hunger Games trilogy from my local library.

Becky - Glad that your new stove is working. Looking forward to more of your wonderful recipes and pictures!

Marisa - Thinking of you. I hope power/heat is restored soon. If I had a generator, it would be on a plane right now to you.

Ellen - Snow? It seems like only last month when we were talking about hot hot summer weather!

Marilyn - Sounds like a very fun weekend. Enjoy! Have you stocked up on Hot Hands for the rest of the winter?

Alison - Hope that Fran's test results come back soon. Does her leg look better?



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

It's Thursday morning here and I've already dropped DS off at school. He went extra early this morning for cricket practise (as we are heading into summer). The school participates in district games on Fridays and if DS wants to play, he has to attend practise sessions.

I normally head out to coffee to meet some of my 3D friends...but both of them have cancelled on me. So I'll catch up with my friends-in-a-box on the various threads before heading out for a massage and a chiro adjustment this morning.

Have a good day all.

 

[franandaj]

Alison - Hope that Fran's test results come back soon. Does her leg look better?

Actually they have come back and her white blood cell count is 11.2, it was 16 the other day and 10.8 is normal, so this is good news. The Doctor is ordered three more days of medicine and thinks that will be it and she won't need oral antibiotics!

Now let's hope the pain goes away as well.

 

[Goofyluver]

It was very yummy! The sandwich is new, turkey and artichoke.

We're going to be down near a Panera's this weekend. I'm having another psychic moment.

Hold on to your coffee cup ladies! I am BAAACK!

My computer is working

Welcome back!

-The Hunger Games Trilogy (Glynis, I think it was you who recommended this one. Am I wrong?)
-The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
-Twisted by Sara Shepard (it's the 9th book in the Pretty Little Liars series, one of my guilty pleasures*)
-Confessions of a Shopoholic by Sophie Kinsella
-Time Bomb by Jonathan Kellerman. This is the book I am currently reading. It is a part of the Alex Delaware series. I also have Private Eyes on my Kindle ready to go. I have already read this entire series and loved them, but I decided a few months ago to start them over. It's funny, it's been so long since I started this series (almost 10 years ago) that it's like reading them for the first time again. If you want a good who-done-it series, Alex Delaware is a good one. If you like James Patterson stuff, you will like Kellerman.

The Hunger Games is one of my favorite series! Let me know what you think!

Hi Everyone!!

I am not back up and running, but I am in work for a few hours today.

We have no power, no heat, nothing. I am at my witts end and we see no relief in sight. I woke up and it ws 40 degrees in my house today.

The storm hit our area hard. Saturday at 4 we lost power. I took a nap and at 6 we decided to follow my brother to Nan's because she has a generator and fireplace. It took me over an hour and the ride is only 12 minutes... There were power lines everywhere, trees falling around us. At one point, a tree branch fell after dan went by but before i did. I had to drive over it. It wasnt a small one either. My truck is all scratched up and thats the least of my worries right now

I am trying to find a generator but they are no where to be found. If anyone has an extra one, I wouldnt mind borrowing it...

OK enough about me, I am following everyone, but its hard to post from the IPAD since our only internet is Jeff's cell phone. He hacked it and turned it into a mobile hotspot. Gotta love being married to a techie...

I will try to check in again later. Please pray that we get power soon. They are not telling us much except that they are trying to get it by Sunday night by midnight.

Oh honey. I'm thinking of you, your family and Nan too! I hope you guys get power soon! I can't even imagine what this is like for you.

Guess what?-----------------It's snowing. I am already tired of winter. Tonight is our Church Conference and I am worried there won't be a crowd. We have worked so hard on this, that it will be a shame if no one shows up. Oh well it is what it is.

WFDT ~ Cherry glazed Pork Chops in the crockpot with dressing, a peach jello salad and beets.

Make it a great day everyone.

Snowing?!?!?

OMGoodness! I hope your conference goes well despite the weather. And stay warm!

It looks like the Dr. is going to extend Fran's medication out to 10 days instead of just 7. Things are improving, but she wants to make sure it goes away. I didn't feel like a zombie this morning when I woke up. For the past three days I've got up, hooked up the IV and gone back to sleep in my chair, but today I felt pretty good. I'm going to try to book a massage for tomorrow afternoon.

Dinner tonight? Perhaps I should do another one of those things I like that she doesn't, she didn't really have dinner last night. She ate sweet and sour pork for breakfast, but really doesn't have much of an appetite.

Sooooo, what didja decide to make?

I'm glad that Fran is beginning to turn the corner! I just wish it was quicker, for the both of you!

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

Well, we had no internet until this afternoon, since it went down yesterday! It's no big thing compared to anything like Marisa and Nancy are dealing with, at all! So, I'm not complaining for any reason except the inconvenience! It's a long story, but we now have service again, and the service we're supposed to have after paying for faster speed for a year and not getting it!

Anyways, I've missed you guys!

Without internet last night we watched a movie! We watched "Bridesmaids", which was so dumb, inappropriate and hilarious at the same time. I'd caution you if you don't like more "out there" humor, but if you're not opposed, it's a hilarious movie even though it's not the best movie out there, kwim?

Last night's dinner was beef and broccoli lo mein. It was fabulous! I'll post the recipe later.

Tonight, after a very tiring couple of days, I'm not making dinner! I just don't want to! So, we're going to probably pick something up and spoil ourselves because sometimes you just deserve it.

It's supposed to be cold tomorrow (we're getting another cold front) and so tomorrow UncleR is making a 15 bean soup with ham. It will be nice to come home to.

for all of you that I didn't quote! And especially to Nan and Marisa and their families.

I missed y'all yesterday! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Can you believe it's already November????

 

[bigmerle1966]

Marilyn - Sounds like a very fun weekend. Enjoy! Have you stocked up on Hot Hands for the rest of the winter?

I really don't plan on being outside long enough to need them for the rest of winter.

Although I will add them to my mad dash to the grocery store for milk, eggs, TP, chips and dip in the event of predicted snow. Not sure about you Aussies but us Americans have to do those things when they tell us that a snowflake is about to drop.

 

[Rogue26]

Nancy and Marissa- I'm sorry you guys got hit, I hope it's just power out for you and no damage to your homes. I was thinking of you when my husband got the call to pack his bags to go to Connecticut. He said there are some areas that are pretty bad, but I guess you already know that.

Alison- I'm happy to here things are looking up for Fran, hope they continue that way.

Kathy- I've only been to Artist's Point once and I loved it. Of course that was back in the 90's and my parents paid. I'd love to go back but it's just not in our budget. My parents go every year for their Anniversary dinner and have always enjoyed it. Nothing like planning the next trip when you've just gotten back from one!

It will be just me and the kiddo for dinner for a while and I'm going to try not to just take the easy way out and have eggs and toast. Tonight we are having chili, we'll probably have it tomorrow also.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I really don't plan on being outside long enough to need them for the rest of winter.

Although I will add them to my mad dash to the grocery store for milk, eggs, TP, chips and dip in the event of predicted snow. Not sure about you Aussies but us Americans have to do those things when they tell us that a snowflake is about to drop.

Us Aussies have snow in the high country, which really isn't very high at all.

We occassionally see a snowflake in Melbourne...but that would be rarer than a blue moon.

Hope you get everything you need at the grocery store. And I hope it ends up being a regular winter for you all. This snowmaggeddon stuff is not fun!

 

[franandaj]

Sooooo, what didja decide to make?

I'm glad that Fran is beginning to turn the corner! I just wish it was quicker, for the both of you!

Sorry about your internet going out. I still haven't decided what to make! I have another couple hours before it becomes critical!

 

[Goofyluver]

Sorry about your internet going out. I still haven't decided what to make! I have another couple hours before it becomes critical!

We had McDonald's. Ya' know...at the new town McDonald's.

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

Last night's dinner was:

Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein

Ingredients

8 ounces thin spaghetti, broken in half
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 cups chopped broccoli
1 1/2 cups sliced onion
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
12 ounces sirloin tips, cut crosswise into thin strips
3 tablespoons beef broth
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce


Instructions

1.Stir the spaghetti into a pot of lightly salted boiling water and cook it according to the package directions. Drain the noodles well, then return them to the pot and toss them with the sesame oil.

2.Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and onion and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and continue stirring while the mixture cooks for another 30 seconds. Add the sirloin and cook it, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until it is no longer pink.

3.In a small bowl, mix the broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and oyster sauce. Add the soy sauce mixture and the pasta to the skillet and continue cooking, stirring often, for 1 to 2 minutes or until everything is heated through.


***My notes: The thin spaghetti didn't have enough "girth?" for this dish. It needed a thicker noodle, either a thick spaghetti or even a linguini. Also, I found the sauce to be too thin, so I made a slurry with some of the liquid and some corn starch and added it in to thicken the sauce. I didn't have beef broth (thought I did) so I used chicken broth. It didn't seem to matter. The flavor was phenomenal. This was easy and yummy! And it was the first time I'd used oyster sauce in anything. I've expanded my ingredient repertoire!

 

[franandaj]

***My notes: The thin spaghetti didn't have enough "girth?" for this dish. It needed a thicker noodle, either a thick spaghetti or even a linguini. Also, I found the sauce to be too thin, so I made a slurry with some of the liquid and some corn starch and added it in to thicken the sauce. I didn't have beef broth (thought I did) so I used chicken broth. It didn't seem to matter. The flavor was phenomenal. This was easy and yummy! And it was the first time I'd used oyster sauce in anything. I've expanded my ingredient repertoire!

Perhaps you might try a rice noodle instead as well, I prefer the texture of those in Asian style food to using a semolina wheat product. Oyster sauce is great! A friend of mine introduced me to that about 25 years ago and it gives a real Asian flavor to your cooking! Congrats on a new ingredient.

 

[HERSEY]

I can't tell you how much I missed "talking" with you guys.

I had bits and pieces of stuff for dinner plus 2 chocolate cupcakes.. I was cleaning up so I needed it for energy right

Tomorrow is library so I may not make it on but don't worry the computer is working.

Allison Once Fran is off the antibotics her appetite will return. Just make sure she eats something otherwise the drugs will tear her up.

Kat We have been to Artist Point 2x once really good and the other good just not wonderful. The second time was just after recovering from an infected tooth so it might not have been their fault. Service was good both times. Alex likes it there. I am not sure if we will be going back unless I win the powerball tonight I am getting cheap in my old age.

You all have me thinking about getting a generator. So far we have only lost power in the winter once since we bought this house but I need and like to be warm.