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

[franandaj]

Nancy - sorry you lost power again today

Jen - yeah, who want a Friday night meeting?

Laura, Ellen & Brandi - I hope you all enjoyed your days off!

Good luck to everyone cleaning their houses in preparation for guests. I think we might be in that boat. Fran may not be well enough to drive to Northern California.

The only way that she can get into our SUV is the driver's seat. Tomorrow we have a rehearsal in the morning and then check into the Grand Californian in the afternoon. We have a fancy dinner that night and a Band performance Sunday morning. It seems that she will be able to do it.

We took her out to the hairstylist today just to get her hair washed. He was so sweet, he blow dried her hair for her and wouldn't accept any money or tip for it. She can't get in the shower with her bandage, so we have lots of those body wipes, but having a clean head of hair makes her feel a lot better.

We ordered Thai food for dinner tonight. As usual we got way too much food. I need to get our stuff into the suitcase and get it into the car. One nice thing is that because I have to take care of Fran, I was able to get many of my duties for these Saturday rehearsals pawned off onto other band members. Instead of having to cook food for 40 people, we are ordering pizza. The only thing I don't like is that the guy who is taking on the ordering has been known to spend $160 on cheese alone to make Macaroni and Chees for the band. He spends $500 on his "lunches" whereas I keep mine under $100 total.

Oh well, we'll see how that goes!

 

[Goofyluver]

Alison~ for you and Fran. Good luck tomorrow!

 

[dgbg100106]

Alison~ for you and Fran. Good luck tomorrow!

Could not agree more hugs and pixiedust coming your way.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Checking in. Looks like stone fruits are back in season here. I got some peaches and mangos at the market this morning. And there was nectarines and cherries as well.

Dinner tonight will be asparagus, parsley and pinenut pasta. I'll also roast one of those chicken involtini for DS and I to share.


Lindsay - Glad you're having a great time at the World.

Nancy - I hope you've got power again. I looked at the apricots and hope to be making jam soon.

Brandi - It's Veteran's Day here too,

Ellen - Thanks for asking...DH is better.

Robin - I'm hoping to pick up HP too soon.

 

[HERSEY]

Alison Prayers for you and Fran

I am tired I have had a sick puppy. Yup it is Hershey he has some kind of tummy thing. At least he is wagging his tail so I know he is not too sick.

Kathy Hopefully your Mexican food lived up to your dreams

Ellen I am praying for a peaceful game today What an mess

I better start washing doggy blankets

 

[HERSEY]

Oh I almost forgot does anyone have a good recipe for persimmons?

 

[HERSEY]

Glynis I just heard on our news station that WB is going to stop production of Harry Potter movies at the end of December. I thought it would have to be after the Christmas shopping time.

 

[denisenh]

Hey nancyg and all...the pasta with Gorgonzola http://thepassionatecook.typepad.co...onzola-waltnuts-spinach-and-single-malt-.html

was surprisingly dry. I think I did all the conversions correctly. I would double the sauce (or do something to thin it out , maybe add 1/2 cup milk?) or halve the pasta next time. All the flavors and textures worked well together otherwise and the taste was good,....enough that DH had seconds and DD15 looked for the leftovers the next day.

 

[Goofyluver]

I am tired I have had a sick puppy. Yup it is Hershey he has some kind of tummy thing. At least he is wagging his tail so I know he is not too sick.

I better start washing doggy blankets

Oh nooooo! I hope he gets better soon.

Hey nancyg and all...the pasta with Gorgonzola http://thepassionatecook.typepad.co...onzola-waltnuts-spinach-and-single-malt-.html

was surprisingly dry. I think I did all the conversions correctly. I would double the sauce (or do something to thin it out , maybe add 1/2 cup milk?) or halve the pasta next time. All the flavors and textures worked well together otherwise and the taste was good,....enough that DH had seconds and DD15 looked for the leftovers the next day.

I put this one on my list to try! Thanks for the tips!

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

Good morning! It's Saturday! We have some big cleaning to do today.

But, the pay-off at the end of the day is carnitas!!! With homemade tortillas.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

 

[TigerKat]

Alison~ for you and Fran. Good luck tomorrow!

Another from me.

Alison Prayers for you and Fran

I am tired I have had a sick puppy. Yup it is Hershey he has some kind of tummy thing. At least he is wagging his tail so I know he is not too sick.

Kathy Hopefully your Mexican food lived up to your dreams

Poor little guy, how is he feeling?

The fajitas were great!

WFD - Chicken & andouille gumbo and potato salad.

 

[HERSEY]

Well Hershey has bounced back. He is running around barking at the squirrels.

I am offically done picking up leaves. If anymore come down they are on their own. Mr A and I can hardly pick up our arms. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and windy.

Not sure yet about dinner.

 

[dgbg100106]

Hi everyone

David and I went to a Chili, Cheese and Beer festival today and we just made it back home.... David is feeling very good at the moment...

I was the DD and got us home safe and sound....

Dinner tonight is going to be some light snacks, we ate so much chili I am not sure we can even think about a real dinner tonight!

Hope everyone is feeling better and enjoying their weekend...

One more day to go.

 

[franandaj]

Thanks for all the . The rehearsal went well, but she is very tired. We're taking a short break. Since they won't guarantee the room will be ready until 4PM, Fran wanted to come home before heading over to the hotel and put her legs up. She went out almost as soon as she got the recliner laid back. The car is all packed and we'll head over to Anaheim in about an hour.

Janice - so glad you hear your doggie is feeling better!

Jen - have fun with the cleaning! Enjoy your carnitas!

PIO - I don't know where you find the time to do all this stuff and keep your post count so high!

Brandi - Chili and beer sounds awesome!

WFD? Because it is our "band weekend" at Disney, one of the members of the band set up a dinner party at Club 33, so we'll be having a four course gourmet meal tonight! I'm having the Filet and she is having the Salmon for our mains!

 

[Goofyluver]

Well Hershey has bounced back. He is running around barking at the squirrels.

I am offically done picking up leaves. If anymore come down they are on their own. Mr A and I can hardly pick up our arms. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and windy.

Not sure yet about dinner.

Glad Mr. Hershey is feeling better.

The squirrels in our yard like to torture our dogs.

Hi everyone

David and I went to a Chili, Cheese and Beer festival today and we just made it back home.... David is feeling very good at the moment...

I was the DD and got us home safe and sound....

Dinner tonight is going to be some light snacks, we ate so much chili I am not sure we can even think about a real dinner tonight!

Hope everyone is feeling better and enjoying their weekend...

One more day to go.

I love chili. And cheese. But not beer.

Thanks for all the . The rehearsal went well, but she is very tired. We're taking a short break. Since they won't guarantee the room will be ready until 4PM, Fran wanted to come home before heading over to the hotel and put her legs up. She went out almost as soon as she got the recliner laid back. The car is all packed and we'll head over to Anaheim in about an hour.

WFD? Because it is our "band weekend" at Disney, one of the members of the band set up a dinner party at Club 33, so we'll be having a four course gourmet meal tonight! I'm having the Filet and she is having the Salmon for our mains!

I'm glad Fran was able to get to rehearsal, even if she's tired now. Hope you guys have a GREAT meal!

Up Next: Jen has a "hot damn I'm good" cooking moment.

 

[Goofyluver]

I made carnitas with homemade tortillas for dinner. My carnitas recipe, which also comes from the Homesick Texan, is from her cookbook and is slightly different from the one she has online.

Kathy Louise...this is for you.

Carnitas

Ingredients:

3 lbs. boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2 inch cubes
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste

My ingredients:

Place the pork in a large Dutch oven or pot, add the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and enough water to barely cover the meat.

Bring the pot to a boil and then turn down the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours. Do not touch the meat.

After 2 hours, turn the heat up to medium-high, and while occasionally stirring, continue to cook uncovered for about 45 minutes or until all the liquid has evaporated and the pork fat has been rendered.

When the pork has browned on both sides, it's ready. (There may still be some liquid fat in the pan) Taste and add salt.

I shredded mine in the pan.

The final product:

 

[Goofyluver]

San Antonio Style Flour Tortillas

Ingredients:

2 T unsalted butter
3/4 cup milk
1 T vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus some for kneading
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Place the butter and milk into a pot and on medium-low, heat until butter has melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the vegetable oil.

In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour the melted butter, milk and oil into the bowl and stir until a loose, sticky ball is formed. Place dough on a floured surface and knead for 2 minutes until dough is firm and smooth. Stir until well combined. Cover the dough and let rest for 1 hour.

After an hour, divide the dough into 8 pieces. Cover again and let it rest for 30 minutes. After dough has rested, place each dough ball one at a time on a floured surface, pat it out into a 4 inch circle, and then roll with a palote or a rolling pin from the center until it's thin, about 8 inches in diameter. Don't overwor the dough, or it will be stiff. Keep rolled-out tortillas covered until ready to cook.

In a dry cast-iron skillet or pan heated on high, cook each tortilla for 30 seconds on one side, flip it, and then cook for 1 minute on the other side. It should start to puff a bit. Flip it again and cook for 30 more seconds. You can put them on a plate and cover them to keep them warm while you make the other tortillas.

This is not a traditional tortillas recipe. But these are so easy and taste very authentic!

My wife says these were one of the best parts of the meal!

 

[franandaj]

Those carnitas look great! I have NO idea what we would do with three pounds of meat! I'd probably have the butcher cut it into three cuts and freeze two for later.

Perhaps I will try this sometime, but without the cilantro. Don't do cilantro!

 

[Goofyluver]

Those carnitas look great! I have NO idea what we would do with three pounds of meat! I'd probably have the butcher cut it into three cuts and freeze two for later.

Perhaps I will try this sometime, but without the cilantro. Don't do cilantro!

Oh...you're one of THOSE people.



Does it taste like soap to you?

And yea, we're having this again tomorrow for lunch. Plus maybe again later in the week. It definitely made a bunch, but we'll eat it.

 

[pigletgirl]

Lurking here to say that those carnitas look so devine! My DH would be in heaven, and I might try to make the homemade tortillas too, although we can by uncooked ones here. Would you have a good recipe for a tomatillo salsa?

 

[Goofyluver]

Lurking here to say that those carnitas look so devine! My DH would be in heaven, and I might try to make the homemade tortillas too, although we can by uncooked ones here. Would you have a good recipe for a tomatillo salsa?

Tomatillo Salsa

1 poblano
1/2 lb. fresh tomatillos, husks removed (or 1 11 oz. can of tomatillos, drained)
1/2 cup cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1 or 2 serranos, seeds and stems removed and cut in half
1 tsp. lime juice
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Roast the poblano under the broiler until blackened, about 5 mins. per side. Place the chile in a paper sack or plastic food-storage bag, close it tight, and let the chile steam for 20 mins. Take the chile out of the bag and rub off the skin. Remove the stem and seeds and chop the chile. Place in a blender.

If using fresh tomatillos, on high heat, bring a pot of water to boil and cook tomatillos until soft, about 5 mins. Drain cooked tomatillos. (If using canned, skip this step) Place tomatillos in the blender with the poblano chile. Add the cilantro, garlic, serrano chiles, lime juice, chicken broth and cumin and blend until smooth.

Heat the oil in a pot on medium low, pour sauce into pot, turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 15 mins., stirring occasionally. Adjust seasonings and add salt and pepper to taste.

***This is the Homesick Texan's recipe...the same woman who had the carnitas recipe. But I just used jarred today.