So...whats for dinner?

KatyK

I use saffalo and coconut oil ( especially popcorn)for cooking. But that said sometimes it just has to be olive oil. I use olive oil for salad dressing, marinades, a lot of fresh type cooking.

Dinner tonight is teriyaki chicken/grilled pineapple sandwiches. Have been getting good pineapples so I had a craving for this. Also a side of stir-fry peapods.

ChiSandy

I make my popcorn with coconut oil—and I also use it to season my cast iron skillets.

Went to Le Coq d’Or in the Drake tonight, where we’re staying after a massive wine tasting. Gordy came down to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant was disappointing—it’s basically just a pub. It does have a few dishes from the late lamented Cape Cod Room, but it’s just not the same. Had a cup of Bookbinder’s soup and crab cakes with baby potatoes and asparagus. Meh. Or maybe I was just tired. Bob had a bowl of the soup and a Caesar with seared salmon. We sent Gordy home with plenty of leftovers. No room for dessert—not even baked Alaska

eric95us

EVOO here for most things and avocado oil for the high temperature stuff.

carolehalston

I use California EVOO for salad dressing and sauteing. Canola oil and Grape seed oil and ghee for pan frying. I started buying the California EVOO when I learned that the olive oil from Italy and Spain sold in the US is an inferior grade that doesn't measure up to those countries' high standards.

Not sure about dinner tonight. DH is still battling bronchitis and not feeling his best. I'm encouraging him to decide what he might like. I will go and visit my mother at the nursing home today. I prefer staying with her in her room because there is so much illness this winter. She was in the hospital a few days during the same time that I was hospitalized.

It got down to freezing last night but is supposed to be a sunny day.

illimae

Tonight was a cheesy alfredo with shrimp, asparagus and thin whole grain spaghetti. Swiss chard on the side and a glass of wine.

ChiSandy

Looks yummy, Ilona. (Nice plating too--looks more impressive than on a paper plate). Tonight is half of last night's leftovers (Gordy ate the other half): a crabcake and a half, grilled asparagus, and roasted "marble" (baby) potatoes. There's half a bottle of good chardonnay in the fridge, which would go perfectly with it, but after last night's mega-tasting I can't face another glass of wine....

illimae

Thanks Sandy, although I must admit that I am really amused that my pink plastic glitter bowl is in any way impressive, lol

BringOn2017

Glad you're on the mend Carole. Awful start to the New Year. 

Everybody seems to be complaining about the cold. Not sure I could stick so many days of no sun! Calls for warm soups and comfort foods. It's cold here too for us with temps of 48 and 50 though! Sorry but that's cold for us here. First topic of conversation with anyone you meet is "Oh it is cold today!"

My yearly robin is back visiting the garden this year. Sadly DD's pet rabbit passed on last week, so it is kind of lonely at home in the morning.

How's the bird coming along auntie nance?

Made lots of soups in the last week or so.

Broccoli and Stilton soup with garlic bread was one. Worked out ok. I liked the stilton taste with the broccoli.

Pea soup made with dried peas, carrots, potatoes and gammon was another.

Butternut squash remains one of my favourite.

Might do a thick vegetable soup today.... though not quite sure yet.

Rice baked in a Bolognese sauce was another comfort food this week.

Yesterday we had spaghetti with sea urchins and scallops. I had an open bottle of Blue Nun wine in the fridge and I added that to the sea urchins and garlic and tomatoes but it didn't work out as well as when I add a dry wine. So I'll stick to the usual chardonnay or soave even if it means opening another bottle. I bought the scallops on the sheel and baked them in the oven with a little butter, garlic, tomato, parsley and olive oil and those turned out really nice.

auntienance

It's 1° degree right now. The sun is shining but it's not supposed to last. We had several hours yesterday thankfully. The has been the worst winter we've had in several years and the prediction is that it's not going to get better until the end of February.

"Birdie's" tale had a sad ending. DH took her in her box outside on one of the only above freezing days we had. She managed to get herself down to the yard but she clearly was not flying well. We decided to keep an eye on her for a while to see if she improved. After an hour DH went to look for her and to bring her in if she was still there. He found her little body - something had attacked her even though we had been keeping an eye out for predators. It was an impossible situation but we feel like murderers. My only hope is that we've saved more birdies than we've killed with the 250 pounds of sunflower seed we've gone through so far this wretched winter.

Not sure about tonight - maybe fettuccini alfredo. I'm sick of soups and stews even though they are most helpful with this stupid head cold.

Ok, I promise not to whine anymore today.

illimae

Oh no! Poor birdie, I was rooting for a happy ending. Sorry for your loss. 😭😢

MinusTwo

Thanks for all the answers to the "oil survey". Nance - sorry about the bird. And to hear that your cold is still lingering.

Off to the Med Center for Prolia shot #6. My MO said to complete 5 years then take a 1 year holiday before starting again. I'll stick with that if I don't have any tooth issues. I have plans to finally make an omelette tonight when I get home - spinach, mushrooms, onions & cheese. But since I'll stop at the grocery store on the way back, who knows what inspiration & excitement may occur.

carolehalston

Sunny here again today and cold. Nowhere near 1 degree, of course. Probably 50's. I went outside briefly to shake out a rug and it wasn't bitter cold.

Dinner last night was navy bean soup made with ham (diced ham steak), diced carrot and celery, and a small can of diced tomatoes. I added chicken broth to make the soup "soupy" and then tossed in some little ears pasta. The soup was very good and there's a lot left over.

Tonight will be more leftovers. Warmed up meatloaf and red beans and brown rice.

Hope you get over that cold, Nance. My sister Linda has rescued many baby birds that fell out of the nest. I don't think any of them survived.

BringOn2017

Oh dear sorry about the bird.

I burnt the vegetable soup whilst helping the DD do her English homework! I ate my plate anyway, though DH and DD opted to forfeit their supper. Lots of rain tonight, and feeling chilly.

ChiSandy

A moment of silence for the birdie. But you did save dozens if not hundreds from starvation.

Got down to -2F overnight and It's up to a balmy 6F right now, but the price we're paying is more snow showers. And it's likely to get down to at least -4F tonight. Same pattern all week (with massive snow on Monday, when I'm supposed to go back to the ophthalmologist's office to pick up my new spare glasses). The way it's looking, I'll be wearing UGGs and a down puffer coat over my blazer when I get to Midway. Will stuff the coat into my checked bag before checking in (too dang cold to do curbside) but keep the UGGs on--they were designed by an Aussie surfer to keep feet at body temp. when walking on hot sand. Will change shoes at the timeshare.

Had instant oatmeal for breakfast, with pre-warmed maple syrup, but I could barely get through half of it--I've gotten so used to the real steel-cut stuff. For lunch, a hot combo pastrami-corned beef on rye. Both meats were too lean & salty. Had to use defrosted frozen rye--Gordy took the fresh half-loaf home with him. Not sure about tonight's dinner, probably some sort of pasta. No way am I going outside if at all possible, unless it's utterly necessary.

illimae

There was no plan for dinner tonight, so I made a big salad for all and English muffin pizza for myself. DH is cooking ham.

ChiSandy

Bob called from the car (at the start of his commute) that he was going to bring home food, and that I should pick a place and order ahead for pick-up so he wouldn't have to park long enough to have to clear fresh snow off the car. He also warned that the commute would be longer than usual because of the snow. I pointed out that by the time he'd get to whatever restaurant I'd call, the food would likely have begun to cool off. He agreed that perhaps we should order out once he got home. Over an hour later, I was just about to call to ask if Indian food would work, when he called from Cellars to read me the specials. He got cavatappi Bolognese and I got the braised pork shank over polenta and winter vegetables. Turns out his commute had been an hour and 40 minutes. I wasn't really hungry yet (I'd had a hot chocolate just before his first call, and it was early (before 7pm). But I took about 1/3 portion and barely got through it.

I don't know what it is, but I'm getting full for longer on smaller & smaller portions even though I have a good appetite. I'm neither gaining nor losing weight, even though I am eating whatever I want when I want it. My digestion is normal, and I had a clean EGT & colonoscopy in 2017. I think it's time to go to the gyne to rule out anything that might be pressing on my stomach, but he thinks I'm being a hypochondriac.

eric95us

I, too, was hoping for a better outcome for "Birdie".

Lacey12

Minus, I know I “wrote” my oil survey answer in my mind a few times, but not sure I ever officially posted it. I use evoo for most top of stove cooking and marinades, canola for baking, and peanut oil for any real high temp stuff...and for the “fried turkey”. I recently bought a bottle of avocado oil, but have yet to use it.

I was shopping late this afternoon and tonight to get some less wintry clothes for our week in LA, (and DH is out in western MA), so when I returned home, I enjoyed an “alternative dinner”...Jalapeño/pineapple hummus with sweet potato tortilla chips, accompanied by fresh pineapple. Yum!

Last night, I made myself a (cold prevention) meal of strange items....an orange, avocado right out of the skin with fresh garlic, sea salt and cumin on it, chicken soup with kale and fresh garlic added, (does anyone else use the Alessi soups for a quick meal?) and dessert of fresh pineapple, and ginger tea. It seems to have worked since the beginnings of an upper respiratory virus that knocked me out two days ago, have not at all progressed. Yay to keeping a cold at bay and kudos to cold chasing info from Dr. Google!

I am relieved to learn that the shutdown is over for now (and hopefully for good). Aside from the unfortunate impact on the lives of so many government workers ending, I selfishly was not looking forward to flying across the country with so many air traffic controllers calling in sick.

After spending so much time clothes shopping today, I just received a message from my friend in Santa Monica saying not to worry about what to bring to wear there since it’s been cold enough that people are wearing winter clothes. Ha! Guess I’ll be ready for Spring here with my cottony purchases. And besides, to me, their “cold” is certainly not going to measure “down” to ours of late! But you guys in the midwest are getting the real brunt of the snow and cold. I was thrilled that we had a very warm (50s) rainy day yesterday, washing away most of the cement-like snow mounds and impossibly icy walkways created by last weekend’s storm and follow up single digit temps.

I’m sorry about the unfortunate ending for the bird you and DH rescued, Nance. You two really are great supporters of Mother Nature’s creatures. I hope whoever buys your house when you move, knows the expectations of the critters in your neighborhood! I sure hope your virus departs soon....maybe try Dr. Google!

illimae

Growing up in Southern California I thought anything below 60 was cold and over 80 was hot. I recall a heatwave in the 80’s where it was 88-90 for a week straight, I thought I might die. Now that I’m older and living in Texas, I laugh at those days.

GreenHarbor

Lacey, I’m glad to hear Dr. Google has some accurate information for once! ;-)

Lacey12

LOL, Green....a bit of magical thinking for placebo effect helps, too. Sadly, my “cure” seems shortlived as the sore throat and headache returned this morning. Ugh! I won’t be doing any loud cheering at the Cs/Warrior’s game tonight.

We almost always have a quick dinner out on game nights, but I have some chicken thighs in the fridge that need to be cooked, so might roast them with veggies and make a salad, and eat here, keeping my germs out of the restaurant.

Illimae, it is interesting how our bodies adapt to environment and react to temp changes. I remember after my older son spent his first three months at college in Atlanta, he returned home for the holidays constantly complaining he was cold. I figured his blood thinned out...does that actually happen? Back to Dr. Google...

MinusTwo

Illimae - It was similar where I grew up in the SF Peninsula area but a little cooler. The days rarely got to 80 (except when we started back to school in our new wool clothes) and while the nights occasionally got down to the high 40s, 50 was usually a cold spell. I remember BBQs in the summer & we always needed a sweater once the sun went down - but it wasn't "cold". Now my blood has thinned in the Houston heat and I'm cold at 65, so I take long silk long underwear.

Lacey - where are you going in So Cal? Are there special events or just a trip? How is your DIL doing? Your 'lone' meals sound like how Bedo & I eat. I've always had good luck with Airborne for warding off a cold. I often take as a preventative before I fly. And I know Linus Pauling is probably out of fashion, but pounding Vit C tabs in large amounts at the outset of a cold has always worked for me. Below is from a Brit research study...

>The effect of vitamin C on the common cold has been the subject of several studies. These studies do not support a considerable decrease in the incidence of the common cold with supplemental vitamin C. However, vitamin C has consistently decreased the duration of cold episodes and the severity of symptoms.<

Didn't get the Prolia shot. There's apparently a shortage of that too & they didn't get their order.

Special - missing you. Hope you are OK.

auntienance

Isn't SK in Hawaii?

Feeling carnivorous today, so I'll reverse sear some strip steaks. Baked potato for DH, sweet potato for me. I'll also broil some campari tomatoes topped with boursin and seasoned toasted bread crumbs.

All of this is contingent on my energy level come supper time. The head cold is in full swing, so it could turn out to be ramen. I'm sorry to hear yours reared its ugly head again Lacey.

MinusTwo

Nance - You're right about Special. I forgot. Sorry that your cold is STILL hanging on. You should have hidden in her luggage to get some sunny skies & hot beach weather.

Lacey12

Yes, Minus, I always think of you when I make my “lone” creative meals.

I do still subscribe to the merits of Vit C, and have been popping those pills and eating our stash of Florida oranges. I always wondered what Airborne contains, but have yet to try it. This might be a good week to do so.

We fly out next Sat. to see my brother who is failing with Lewy Body Dementia. They live in Thousand Oaks. We are staying in Calabasas to be convenient to them and also to our good friends from here who relocated to Santa Monica to be near their son who works in LA. This trip would not be happening now if DB were not ill. And it is being super micromanaged by SIL, so there’s that. In two weeks it will be completed, and we’ll be home just dealing with weather, hopefully. All seems to be going well with DS2 and DDIL, so we’re relieved and thankful for that.

Feeling happy for Special on her Hawaiian trip.

Sending more WARM healing wishes to you, Nance!

auntienance

Oh Lacey, I'm so sorry about your brother. What a truly awful disease. I hope you have a very good visit.

I've been eating loads of citrus too :-)

MinusTwo

Lacey - what a difficult trip. I'll be thinking of you.

Below are the Airborne ingredients. They settled a class action law suit 10 years ago for "false advertising", since it was not proven to "prevent" colds. I never thought it did, but I personally take it before I fly with all those germs because I think it gives my immune system a boost so I can move through them. (magic force field??)

Contains 17 herbs and nutrients including vitamins A, C and E; riboflavin; magnesium; zinc; selenium; manganese; sodium; potassium; amino acids; an herbal extract blend that echinacea, maltodextrin, and forsythia.

eric95us

Sharon and I are at a Tom Chapin concert tonight...currently it's intermission.

We are in a venue that seats about 60 people and there is no need to be "plugged in".

ChiSandy

Tom is great (he is a fellow member of American Federation of Musicians' Local 1000, aka "the folkie local"). Nice guy, too!

Lacey12

Eric, I just enjoyed watching/listening to a delightful UTube selection of Tom Chapin songs this morning. What an enjoyable evening of folk music you and Sharon must have experienced. Thanks for sharing that!

And thanks for the kind words and well wishes for our trip, Nance and Minus. It is so very sad to see my brother deteriorating. He was always so physically and mentally fit, a former college rugby player, Marine officer, and FBI counter-terrorism agent. His “retirement job” as security head of a large hospital came to a close a few years ago after his knee replacement surgery resulted in the sudden onset of cognitive and motor symptoms, initially diagnosed as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. He was later diagnosed with LBD by a local doc his wife found through her church. What is clear is his steady decline.

Last night, I managed to enjoy a great Cs/Warriors’ game (albeit that final score)with the help of Tylenol to keep the viral headache at bay. I’m glad I went. A bonus was meeting up with DS2 at half-time, and hearing that all is going really well with DDIL, who was away on a business trip and family visit. I was happy to hear that they have been busy spending time with all their friends who have babies and toddlers, checking out theirvaried parenting experiences! LOL. They are also starting to house hunt, which is daunting in this area, oversaturated with high income millennials. I’m just glad they are beginning to accept the reality of what they can afford. I can’t help but feel that HGTV does a disservice to young couples (says this old timer who thought cinder blocks and wood planks were fine bookcases in houses that needed work;). Rant over.

We ended up eating pasta leftovers before heading out last night, so I’ll be roasting the chicken thighs and veggies for tonight’s dinner.