So...whats for dinner?

SpecialK

eric - you're a smart man! Yay for Tabasco! Hang in there and stay out of trouble - glad you can sync up the cell signal and a spare minute now and then

illimae

Dinner was penne with an alfredo and turkey meatballs with Parmesan zucchini sticks and ciabatta garlic bread.

M0mmyof3

stuffed peppers

carolehalston

A MN version of chicken sausage gumbo for dinner last night. No real andouille sausage available or even good smoked sausage but I spotted a package of wiener-shaped sausages with "andouille" in the name. I also was surprised to see a package of fresh okra at Walmart's. I cooked the okra with some garlic and a can of Rotel tomatoes. A package of bone-in chicken thighs and I was in business, assembling a gumbo.

It was quite good over brown rice. Side was a crisp romaine salad with blue cheese hunks and avocado. Dressed with vinegar and creamy Caesar bottled dressing.

Today is chilly and raw, in the 50's and overcast. I have spent a maximum of 5 minutes outside.

Looking forward to heading south on Sunday!

Dinner will be leftovers. Probably warmed up linguine in home-made red sauce. Lunch may be a bowl of gumbo.

auntienance

Carole, you have inspired me for dinner. I have a package of decent andouille in the freezer. I'll have to use frozen okra though. No fresh to be had here.

ChiSandy

Aidell's makes a halfway decent "andouille" sausage from ground chicken and spices. (Chicken innards probably doesn't have the same flavor as chitlins--an important ingredient in andouille sausage--but thank heaven they don't have the same smell, either).

Last night we went to Duck Duck Goat, the third of Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard's trio of restaurants (the other two being The Girl & the Goat and Little Goat Diner). It was in the Fulton Market District (a recently spiffed-up restaurant area a couple blocks n. of Restaurant Row), and is her take on Cantonese. The drink menu, as at her other restaurants, is chock-full of bad puns in the cocktail names. But the food menu is pretty authentic for the most part--with the addition of her own touches in some of the dishes. We started with wood-fired duck hearts with sesame seeds; then glutinous rice dumplings (sort of the texture of fun rolls or sweet fried sesame balls at rolling-cart dim sum joints) that had a surprisingly delicate crunch on the outside, stuffed with seasoned minced goat; then an octopus & cucumber salad--the cukes sliced lengthwise--with pickled red jalapeños; stir-fried green beans with fried shallots; seafood fried rice featuring shrimp, sea bass, and smoked clams; and for dessert, a miso "sundae" with yuzu, mango (I subbed it for the bananas on the menu, as I hate raw banana), pineapple, and tofu ice cream floating in a delicately creamy red miso foam. Had considered their chicken chow fun but glad we passed on it--the couple at the next table ordered it and the "fun" turned out to be not fresh glutinous rice dough rolled and sliced into noodles, but those dried broad "rice sticks" (the Thai call them "crazy noodle") that weren't unrolled before first being softened and fried. They could not be eaten with chopsticks unless picked up whole and nibbled like a candy bar--the couple had to ask for a knife & fork.

We really liked it. Only bummer is that we had to take Lyft both ways: valet parking is $16, free on-street parking is nonexistent; we were just far enough n. of Restaurant Row that there were no cabs cruising; and public transit would have required multiple transfers between train &/or bus lines. But Lyft was still half the price of a taxi.

SpecialK

Last night was no dinner, DH had two cheeseburgers for lunch, with some sweet potato fries, so was too full. I ate a Greek horiatiki salad with some chicken breast late in the afternoon so I was ok with that. Tonight will be brown rice fusilli tossed with rotisserie chicken, artichoke hearts, a little parm, and pesto. Probably a kale and strawberry salad with poppyseed dressing as well. We were very excited to see that our Key Lime pie place in Key Largo was spared by Irma and will resume operations in mid-Oct. The people who own the shop are friendly and sweet, I was so happy that they were not put out of business. Wish I could say the same for the rest of the Keys, and everywhere else suffering the devastation of these storms and natural disasters.

illimae

Specialk, mmmmm pie

After spending way to long stuckin traffic I decided to get fajitas instead of cooking tonight.

MinusTwo

Just got back from an 8 day trip. It's my first trip since BC that I haven't met any BCO members - but I had a great time. Clear, warm weather in Utah, but cold when I got north to Bear Lake on the UT/Idaho border. Well cold for someone from Houston, 55 & 35. Some good hikes, great visits with people I hadn't seen since the 60's, and memorable meals. The Inn where I stayed for the first part of the trip had free breakfast. This was not the usual fare at all. Scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, Migas, bacon, sausage, ham, 6 kinds of hot & cold cereal, fruit yogurt, 5 kinds of fresh fruit, pancakes, french toast, 4 juices, muffins, sweet rolls, bagels, etc. I never had to stop for lunch. Good dinners. Pasta Al Funghi. Rocky Mountain trout right out of the streams. Prawn Chow Chow at a Tibetan restaurant. Beef tenderloin at the Utah State dinner. And everywhere the most delicious yeast rolls. Really it was like biting into a cloud. I haven't had rolls like that since my Mother died. One place served the rolls with their special raspberry butter. Oh my.... Well you all know that bread is my downfall anyway.

Toured Sweet's Candy factory. One of my grandmothers always had chocolate covered orange sticks on her coffee table. Went to the Cox Honey plant for local honey & watched the bees in action - and sampled 10 different flavors. Blackberry was my favorite. And homemade blonde fudge made w/honey. At Grossner's Cheese plant on Fridays they had samples of 5 different flavored cheese curds. Bought some wonderful Dill Cheese Spread.

One of the unexpected highlights was a Doctor's Without Borders exhibition/simulation. Amazing tour & interactive demonstrations about what it's like to be a refugee. Hard not to cry.

http://www.forcedfromhome.com/

Sorry not to answer everyone individually but when I travel I don't have any electronic connections so I'm behind.

Eric - are you home yet?

eric95us

No. Still in Puerto Rico and eating the eclectic selection of MREs.

MinusTwo

Oh dear - I'm so sorry to have listed all that wonderful food. Don't suppose it helps to close your eyes while you're munching on MRE's.

SpecialK

eric - hang in there, imagine all the yummy food minus described while consuming your MRE.

joycek - it is indeed hot down here - yesterday in the 90's. DH is old school Florida, and always thinks mid-Oct. the weather changes, but I am thinking it will be later in the month. Nothing seems to be predictable about the weather here anymore, lol! It does seem to be a bit more dry, it has only rained once in the last week or so.

eric95us

That's OK...the food descriptions give something to think about while having Turkey Tetrazzini product with vegetable crumbles product for breakfast. :-)

SpecialK

joycek - I am not a fan of humidity either - I'm a California girl, but for some reason I am still here in FL, lol!

eric - too funny!

HappyHammer

Eric- thank you for all that you are doing...sorry about the tettrazini and veg MRE- not so appealing.

I made an okra soup tonight- like a gumbo but with chicken stock and some dif spices.  It was really good- and, made enough to freeze a quart.  Making reg gumbo as well as prepping summer squash to freeze tomorrow.  Trying to use up the last of the summer veggies.

auntienance

Welcome back minus, sounds like great food and a great trip!

Our local butcher shop makes andouille as well as other types of sausages, for which they've won lots of awards. We're lucky to have them in this little town.

Tonight was shepherds pie using up some leftover mashed potatoes and gravy from Sunday.

You're doing good work there Eric!

illimae

Fish tacos for me tonight with some stone-ground blue tortilla chips and a small amount of queso.

Pretty sure tomorrow will be Sunday night leftovers.

ChiSandy

Had Bar Show chorus rehearsal down in the Loop tonight. Tomorrow is my mani-pedi, so my traditional French-Tip-Manicure-Eve meal is wings. (So it doesn't matter if my nails & cuticles turn orange). Only this time, when I stepped out of the L station, I noticed Dak (whose Korean wings are full-sized and the best in the city) was still open. Yum!

Max_otto

We are in Toronto and had a wonderful dinner in the Canoe restaurant, which is on the 54th floor with views over the harbor, little islands and the city.

Our menu, A side of pan roasted northern mushrooms,

Venison loin, juniper foie gras sausage, beetroot purple cabbage and red fruits and berries for DH. For me, preserved lemon, Brussels sprouts, celeriac , hazelnuts +pineapple weed , Haida gweli halibut. Followed by a shared dessert of rhubarb cheesecake with strawberry sorbet. I had a glass of a nice red Spanish wine, hubby had beer. The service was excellent, not intrusive, A nice experience, next Ottawa.

Eric, I appreciate what you are doing, some time ago I was in PR and there were a lot of issues then as well as now.

MinusTwo

Hooray for Eric & his crew. Thanks for serving.

I had a late meeting so dinner as I type is wheat thins dipped into the Dill Cheese Spread I brought back from my trip - accompanied by a gin & tonic with LOTS of lime. I planned to buy Dover Sole that was on sale today but the market manager gave me a special deal on flounder - reduced to the price of the sale on Sole less 50%. How could I refuse? Supposedly wild caught for $4/lb. Tomorrow will be something with flounder fillets.

Special - I'm a California girl too, but likely will be in Texas until I croak. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area on the Peninsula. What about you? Maybe we already did this when you were so kind in preparing a chemo list for me some years ago, but if so, I forgot. Can I still claim 'chemo brain'?

SpecialK

minus - of course you can still claim chemo brain! I say we should play any and all available cards we've been dealt, lol! I was born in Los Angeles, went to college in San Luis Obispo, and afterward moved to Sacramento. I met my husband there when he was in training at Mather AFB - I was not the girl next door, but rather the girl upstairs, and we got married in 1983. We came back to California again when we were assigned to Castle AFB in Merced from 1990-92. My BFF still lives in Sacramento and I visit her annually. This thread helped hold her hand a few years ago after a scary mammo callback - she knows who all of you old-timers are, and was so appreciative. My dad went to Cal so I have spent much time in the Bay Area - love it there. Was last there a few years ago - same friend's dad passed away and I went out to support her through the memorial, etc. About a week later her prom date, who she has remained friend's with over the years, gave her his Marriott points and two box seat tickets to see the Giants at the new stadium in SF, so we had a nice weekend there shopping/dining/watching baseball. Had some awesome garlic fries at the game, and the best breakfast sandwich (applewood smoked bacon, egg, asparagus, and Cowgirl Creamery cheese on toasted SF sourdough) at the Ferry Building on a picture perfect day checking out the Golden Gate bridge. I am overdue for some Cali time, sigh...

ChiSandy

Gotta use up those rapidly ripening tomatoes--had one for brunch on avocado toast with eggs, may have another one for dinner (probably defrost a steak or chop to grill). 15 on the vine, 10 on the sill, 2 (super-ripe) in the "eat now" basket.

MinusTwo

Ended up baking the flounder - topped with sauteed melted butter, onion, garlic & tarragon. I had intended cooking in the microwave but too much fish to fit. Served with "Seeds of Change" seven whole grains with rice. If you're cooking for one or two - check out the Seeds of Change various rice options. It cooks in 90 seconds and is enough for a second meal for me. More sodium than I would like but 3500 mg potassium & great fiber. (disclaimer - I don't have any connection to the company)

MinusTwo

Special - What wonderful memories. My Dad commuted to SF all the years I was growing up. Once we hit junior high, I was allowed to take the train in alone to have a special lunch w/just Dad and have some special treat. I first saw the Oklahoma with him. When I got my driver's license, I was allowed to get up at the crack of dawn to take him to the train station and use the car one day a week. Of course that made my Mom happy because I was the oldest & could drive my two younger brothers to their appointments. My son & his girl moved back to SF from Marin County, but into a small one bath place so I don't stay with them when I go. Lately I've stayed at the Seal Rock Inn on the ocean by the Cliff House. Perfect for hiking along the ocean to the bridge. Also I like going back to Tadish Grill in the business section where we went for special occasions. It's been there since 1851. I don't know much about Sacramento other than I went water skiing on the Delta once. But I spent a summer at Univ. of the Pacific in Stockton. My weakness is Carmel. It's my calm place where I can watch the ocean & the waves and feel completely at peace.

HappyHammer

Lovely late summer, early fall veggies locally available.  Have been freezing okra and tomato gumbo, squash and soup mix. Found an Okra soup recipe- and now have 6 qts of it to add to the freezer. DH home tomorrow after 2 weeks on the road.  Have a whole chicken to roast and pork to make into  spaghetti casserole this weekend as he will enjoy both!  Planning on freezing a couple of boxes of tomatoes this weekend as well, as they are just wonderful to add to so many winter dishes- and, they make ALL the difference!  We shall see how much I get done. 

eric95us

First non MRE meal in about a week!!!!!!!!

MinusTwo

Hooray Eric - but what was the meal? Maybe not memorable except not MRE.

Hammer - I'd be interested in your pork/spaghetti casserole recipe when you get a minute. I'm impressed with all the freezing activity.

auntienance

Yay Eric, hope it was a decent meal!

Preserving going on here too. Yesterday I roasted the last of the tomatoes from the garden - about 20 the size of a golf ball due to our severe drought. (No significant rain here since August.) A friend gave me a bushel of apples from her tree yesterday. They are a nameless cooking variety which I'll make into applesauce and possibly a pie. Tomorrow we are going to an apple orchard to get yet more apples for eating.

Didn't have much appetite for dinner yesterday so ended up ordering takeout hot and sour soup and steamed dumplings. It suited perfectly. No idea about tonight.

Safe travels Carole! Looks like we will be going to NOLA for Christmas this year. Carole, we are planning to be at the Beau for two days after Christmas. Perhaps we could meet for lunch?

HappyHammer

Yay for non MRE's, Eric!

Minus- sorry if that was misleading...just used ground pork as the protein 

sauté a diced sweet onion, 3 ribs diced celery and a mix of mushrooms

browned the lb of ground pork, and added to the veggies (or leave out if you don't enjoy them)

add about a teaspoon each s&p, parsley and basil  and 1 T Italian seasoning  

2 or 3 peeled and diced medium tomatoes if you are lucky enough to have them

1/2c water and 2 jars of your favorite sauce- I use the Publix Organic tomato basil- also, you can add 3 jars if you are like me and do not care to have a lot of meat in the sauce.

simmer for about 45 mins to marry flavors, stir occasionally 

pour sauce over cooked pasta of choice and sprinkle with fresh parm  (though when our sons are home I add grated sharp cheddar)

freeze for later- or heat at 350 until bubbly.  It is a family fave and I usually make a double batch to share with our neighbors and/or to freeze.

ChiSandy

Stopped in to En Lai (the pan-Asian joint around the corner) on my walk home from the gym last night, and brought home some shrimp chap chae.