So...whats for dinner?

eric95us

Yesterday I made some very spicy vegetable broth (4 Serrano peppers in 2 gallons of liquid) and today I canned (jared?) it....

I did twenty five 12 ounce jars and the last dozen are cooling down.

ChiSandy

Last night I made scampi (prawns were on sale at WF) over sauteed Shishito peppers & sliced fennel. Tonight was a Caprese made with a Cherokee Purple heirloom tomato (store-bought, alas--my last two homegrowns are still tiny & green); then Buffalo wings with celery.

MinusTwo

Froze the last of the pork. Ate the last of the deviled eggs accompanied by salmon spread and artisan crackers.

Probably a bad decision, but I'm going to the grocery store tomorrow. I spent the evening going through recipes that I'd clipped this year so now I need carrots for "Sticky Roasted Carrots with Citrus and Tahini", swiss chard for "Skillet Greens w/Runny Eggs, Peas & Pancetta" (but will probably cook vegetarian w/o the meat) and tortillas for "Shrimp Quesdillas".

I need a pat on the back for not planning any cakes...sigh.

carolehalston

Last night was small, trimmed pork steaks, more like pork chops. Cooked in the oven, a bit overcooked. One side was lettuce salad. Another side was spaghetti squash, probably my 2nd attempt at cooking this squash. After some google research, I cooked the two halves in the oven for only 30 minutes. I mixed the strands with an olive oil sauce I concocted with toasted pine nuts, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice and grated asiago. The squash was perhaps a bit too crunchy but I found it quite edible. DH was not impressed. He didn't like the texture or the taste. So I guess I will eat the leftovers.

We have no special plans for new year's eve. I looked at some rib roasts in supermarkets but didn't buy one. We may just have good leftovers. I do have rotisserie chicken that would work well for chicken enchiladas. Plus ribeye and filets in the freezer.

Sam's Club had Rao's marina yesterday in twin packs for $9.45. I bought six jars so have quite a supply on hand.

It's a lovely day here today. Sunny and cold this morning but will warm up. No need for a coat. DH went to play golf. I will soon head to the gym.

Wishing us all a good year ahead.

MinusTwo

Let's hear it for Raos!!!

I've turned down two invites to stay home & read. Maybe a bowl of popcorn? I'll likely be asleep before midnight but will certainly be wakened by all the fireworks & gunshots.

Happy New Year everyone.

auntienance

Ventured out to the grocery store today - what a zoo! And not one black eyed pea to be found. Fortunately, I have a half bag of dried that will be enough to make hoppin' John for tomorrow for the two of us. Today I'm pickling some pork to use in some mixed greens tomorrow too. Main will be either fried chicken or ham. Depends on what tonight turns out to be, which at the moment is a complete unknown.

Have a safe and prosperous New Year my friends!

SpecialK

Happy New Year to all my kitchen table friends! Have been a bit AWOL lately but have been reading. Hope everyone is well, we had a quiet holiday, it was relaxed. This was our brunch on Christmas. Sticky buns, fruit with vanilla yogurt dip, and bellinis. Yay!

MinusTwo

Special - so glad to see you. I've been concerned about you & about Lacey. Brunch looks delicious.

Beaverntx

Wren, congrats on 60 year anniversary!

I, too, ventured out today to both Costco and the grocery store. Two zoos!! As a result of the trip dinner will be rotisserie chicken (Costco, how can that price be resisted?), rice blend with quinoa (Costco), green veggie and tossed salad, maybe rolls. Had to stop at the grocery for coffee and milk for in the morning. DS1 and family are leaving tomorrow to go skiing, back on Sunday, so we'll have a shot at having a quieter house for a few days. They will be moving soon to where their daughter will be going to school. Exact plans are uncertain because the tenants in the apartment they are scheduled to use have been dragging their feet about vacating the premises! The premises are owned by DS 2and his wife and they are looking forward to having those folks move out and family move in.

Reader425

Happy new year everyone! It was an early splurge at Ruth's Chris for a filet with bernaise sauce, creamed spinach, pecan sweet potatos and (big splurge) a flute of vieux cliquot! Hubby is a bit under the weather so we're back home on the couch and I think me and the kitties will be ringing it in if we make it to then!🎉

eric95us

The dogs are, again, defending the home against the evil forces of noisy fireworks. So far, they appear to be succeeding as the noise hasn't physically shown up inside the house. :-)

MinusTwo

We have MD-80's going off outside and even my double-pane windows won't block the noise.

Edited to add - so I'm drinking egg nog with Gentleman Jack.

WC3

This is really horrible but, a can of Libby Chicken Vienna Sausages. I love those things but I limit myself to a can or two on New Years Eve. I typically have some Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider and Townhouse crackers as well but I didn't have time to get them and it's just as well as I can't be trusted with an entire box of Townhouse crackers.

I also had broccoli.

MinusTwo

WC3 - not horrible at all. I'll have a can of smoked oysters tomorrow - probably with Triscuits.

Di2012

We had Baked tilapia top with my homemade salsa and broiled lobster tails, homemade French fries, and cold peas mixed with halves of cocktail onions.

Di

SpecialK

minus - I thought I had better post because it had been a while! Hope lacey is ok. I have been overwhelmed between the holiday, making an offer on a house for DD to rent back from us, and a maturing lease on my car and the need to find another one I liked. So my last week has been open houses and touring homes with DH, DD and real estate agent, and car dealerships. Within the last 24 hours I leased a new car (in driveway now - yay) and put an offer on a house (waiting on seller response) - I’m flippin’ exhausted. My reward is two weeks in Hawaii, but we leave in 11 days and I have to undecorate the house, get pets squared away, pack for both of us, etc., I feel behind the 8 ball already but I’ll get over it.

eric - our dog was similarly successful tonight at keeping the fireworks (and gunfire - this is Florida, after all...) out of the house.

carolehalston

Congratulations on retirement, Joyce. It was good having you check in. Are you still cooking Sunday dinner for family?

Lots of fireworks sounds in our neighborhood last night but I did not go outside to see flashes of light in the sky.

Dinner was easy and quite tasty. The last ribeye out of the freezer and small boiled potatoes with butter.

Today I'll cook a lb of black-eyed peas with a couple of slices of ham hock and diced onion and garlic. The meal will also include cabbage, probably cooked. Or possibly coleslaw with the addition of grated carrot. And cornbread.

auntienance

Fried chicken tonight along with the hoppin' john, greens and cornbread. DH will eat the last of leftover scalloped potatoes since he will (reluctantly) eat the blackeyed peas but won't touch the greens.

MinusTwo

Joyce - great to hear from you. Thanks for posting. Yes, retirement is a heck of an adjustment. Hospice is such a good cause. Will you stay up North or make your primary location in Florida?

Special - wow. I always admire your energy. Where are you going in HI? Kauai is my favorite.

SpecialK

minus - I’m not feeling so energetic, lol! I’m glad I started December with a girl’s trip with a good friend, at least I eased into the month of crazy activity! When DH and I went to Hawaii last Jan we did a short three day stay on the north shore in Oahu, then flew to Kauai for a week. This time we are spending a week on the north shore, two nights in Waikiki, then flying to Maui for a week. I loved Kauai and we considered returning, but we had such a perfect trip - and perfect condo, which was not available this time - we decided to try something new. I think this will be a process of narrowing what we like and future trips will be returns to fave spots.

joyce - has it been hot over your way? I’m finding it unseasonably warm for this time of year. Congrats on the retirement!

carolehalston

I cooked the black-eyed peas in the multicooker with onions, garlic and smoked ham hock slices. The recipe called for 15 minutes pressure, natural release and 6 cups of water. I wondered about the amount of water and my uncertainty proved founded. The peas were a little watery. I simmered them in an uncovered pot on the stovetop but that required too much vigilance to prevent scorching on the bottom. I mashed some of the peas to make a thicker gravy. At dinner time the peas tasted too bland so I sprinkled cayenne and a little wine vinegar. The result was better. DH ate two helpings of peas spooned over brown rice. He was also content with the Jiffy cornbread, which tastes like cake to me.

My cold slaw made with hand-shredded cabbage was just ok. I discarded the leftovers. I should have gone to more effort and made additions like carrot or colored pepper to enhance the flavor but I didn't.

The brown jasmine rice (Mahatma bought at Walmart) is really good. It smells fragrant and tastes good enough to eat on its own, though we never do that.

Lots of cooked food in the refrigerator. Dinner may be choose and heat in the microwave.

auntienance

I cooked my blackeyed peas in the pressure cooker for 15 minutes with a ham hock and onions and a bay leaf. Drained them, then in the same pot cooked sauteed onions, celery, green pepper, garlic, and rice and seasonings for 12 minutes. Added in the peas and voila! Hoppin' john! About the best way to eat them in my opinion. And in fact, the only way DH will eat them. The greens I cooked were about the best I ever made. The pickled pork made all the difference, so thank you for that Carole. Can't say the same for the fried chicken. You'd think I could make my most favorite food, but nope - have never mastered it. I keep trying though.

Today we're off to the global food market. Time to stock up on Asian noodles and condiments and any other interesting items I find. I'm hoping to snag some lamb shanks and gyro meat. The gyro fixings and fresh pitas they sell will be a tasty dinner.

M0mmyof3

Making chicken tonight

Beaverntx

Plan to try roasting Brussel sprouts in air fryer to have with chicken, three grain rice blrnd , and green salad.

carolehalston

Jump up night. Open the refrigerator and see what needs to be eaten. Greens with pickled pork, navy bean soup and cornbread. Easy and satisfying

Reader425

What I made for dinner tonight was a mess. It was supposed to a delicious split pea soup with farm bacon and hot bread....instead my slow cooker shut off TWICE during cooking leading to a much too thick concoction that I tried to finish on the stovetop. We ended up having leftovers from our New Years eve dinner and a little soup just to say we did. Good flavor anyway. I'm glad tomorrow is our "date night" and we'll go out! 🍛🥣 "No soup for you" haha.

WC3

Turkey Chili from Trader Joe's. The sour cream went bad prematurely so I substituted a teaspoon of Chobani yogurt, coconut flavored. It was actually pretty good.

WC3

MinusTwo:

I generally avoid processed meats that contain nitrates.

How were your oysters?

eric95us

Reader, your post brought back a college memory.

My girlfriend/fiancee would come over to the house and we would try out some recipe that we had found in a book or one based on our memories of a TV cooking show we had recently watched.

After we had been doing this for awhile, things *usually* turned out well.

When it didn't turn out well, the crunched up expression on her face and the tone of her voice while making the comment, "If we have people over for a dinner, let's not fix this." always made me smile. Nearly 40 years later, that memory still brings a smile.

We knew it was especially bad when my neighbor's dog would sniff, but not eat, a small helping of the "disaster".

At least your stuff tasted good. :-)

MinusTwo

WC3 - I too usually avoid processed meats. I can't remember the last time I had ham, not to mention cured sausage. I do have hot dogs once or twice a year. Seems like I've even quit eating lunch meat turkey, although I didn't realize it's probably been a year since I last bought a package. Funny how you just drift away from some things since I haven't been purposely boycotting.

I haven't indulged in the smoked oysters yet. Still too many left overs that have to be eaten. But I always keep two cans in the cupboard and several times a year that will be my dinner. Hopefully not the night after a bowl of popcorn is the only dish served. As usual, my meals aren't always sensible.

Tonight was a spinach salad and 6 sugar cookies.