So...whats for dinner?

Laurie08

Michelle- I thought I had kind of a crappy day, holy smokes!  The chaos woth the BB gear, I hate stuff like that, enjoy a drink or two....or three if need be ;P

Carrie- I love Olive Garden soup and salad!  Hope you ALL sleep well tonight.  Keep us posted on yur Mom.

Essa - Welcome!  I think you'll have some fun with us here!

So DH called the house on his way home and claimed "he was starving, whats for dinner?"  I told him nothing, I didn't cook.  He skipped a beat and said, ok, Be home in 20----showed up with a bag of McDonalds!?  Really?  He said he couldn't wait to figure it out, so he just grabbed what was easy and no waiting. Ohwell- once in a blue moon won't kill me right?

deborye

Essa, Kellke, Lacey & stage1

 

deborye

Leftovers here also.

apple

salmon patties tonite.. i actually love them, particularly as leftovers.. i kind of make them like meatloaf with high end canned salmon and serve them with plain rice and a home made tartar sauce with basically mayo, capers and caper liquid... to thin it out so my family doesn't ingest a lot of mayo.  i have some lovely asparagus.

Kay_G

Here is the chicken marbella recipe.  I used to make that several years ago and stopped for awhile.  Now I think it will become one of my staples again.  I like that it can be served room temperature, doesn't have to be right from the oven and leftovers are very good too.  Just because I'm trying to cut down on sugar and fat, I only sprinkled brown sugar on, maybe a tablespoon, maybe not even that much.  And I only used half the olive oil.  And I added a cup of dried apricots too.  And I only used breasts because my kids aren't big on thighs or legs.  Other than that I followed the recipe exactly.

4 chickens, 2 1/2 pounds each, quartered
1 head of garlic, peeled and finely pureed
1/4 cup dried oregano
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives
1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice
6 bay leaves
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white wine
1/4 cup Italian parsley or fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl combine chicken quarters, garlic, oregano, pepper and coarse salt to taste, vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers and juice, and bay leaves. Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, overnight.

Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two large, shallow baking pans and spoon marinade over it evenly. Sprinkle chicken pieces with brown sugar and pour white wine around them.

Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently with pan juices. Chicken is done when thigh pieces, pricked with a fork at their thickest, yield clear yellow (rather than pink) juice.

With a slotted spoon transfer chicken, prunes, olives and capers to a serving platter. Moisten with a few spoonfuls of pan juices and sprinkle generously with parsley or cilantro. Pass remaining pan juices in a sauceboat.

To serve Chicken Marbella cold, cool to room temperature in cooking juices before transferring to a serving platter. If chicken has been covered and refrigerated, allow it to return to room temperature before serving. Spoon some of the reserved juices over chicken.


Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/CHICKEN-MARBELLA-SILVER-PALATE-COOKBOOK-1277030#ixzz1m02PZJGF

carolehalston

Dh cooked a big pot of mock turtle soup today.  We got the recipe when we attended a cooking demonstration by a local chef.  We had to take notes.  The chef did not give a hand out.  He used ground beef and pork which he browned in the oven.  Dh used a good grade of lean stew meat, which he cut into small pieces. 

We'll also have leftover mushroom risotto and home-made bread.  The latter is my first effort at baking Italian peasant bread.  It came out pretty good.  I'll slice several pieces, dribble olive oil on one side and sprinkle some parm-reg.  Heat the bread in the toaster oven.  I've been having it for breakfast the past two mornings!

Essa, tell us about cooking quinoa.  I have a box in my pantry but have not yet cooked any.

bedo

Laurie and Carrie I bought myself a wife!!!!! Well, actually three, Peopod for grocery delivery, The Soapbox to do my laundery, and the Cleaning Authority to clean my  very small place. They are green. I couldn't keep up with the dust from kitties, fireplace oldness of house etc. 

Now, I just used my crockpot to make split pea soup yesterday and will go to the  Winter's Farmer's Market tomorrow for veggies and fruit

I hope that everyone's family is doing better, especially those with health problems and that they are all tucked in for the evening. 

Welcome Essa,  and Kellke

Vivirasselena,  please post some of your Vegan recipes.  I have a hard time finding things without soy and get hungry, so I try to find eggs and milk from local farms where the animals are treated kindly.

PS if this cat doesn't stop walking on the computer and waiving his tail in my eyes I may have to break my rule and have roasted "kitteh" for dinner.

PPS has anyone seen "Big Miracle" with Drew Barrymore about the whales saved in Barrow AK?

I used to live/work up there and can't wait to see it.  I hope they showed some of the local culture and people  (Eskimo) instead of just movie stars. 

Laurie08

Carol- I missed the word mock when I first read your post and thought maybe you were actually eating turtle?!  The mushroom risotto sounds wonderful, I love mushrooms.  What else is in the mock turtle soup?

Kay thanks for sharing the recipe,  I think I might give it a try next week.

Bedo- lol at the cat comment!  Mine do the same thing and drive me a little nutty.  I don't know how many times it has happened where the cat walks across the key board and deletes what I have written.  Love the kitties though   I wish I could hire someone to be my wife!  Today I was bust with groceries etc and kept telling myself I needed to wash the floors- I never did.  Ohwell, there is always tomorrow...

Apple- I am not a huge salmon fan but your dinner made my mouth water...maybe I should try again.  Do they sell the canned salmon by all the other seafood at the counter?

Dh is helping out at a local ice hockey tournament tonight so he won't be home until later.  I fed the kids Annie's mac n cheese and just got them to bed.  I am going to make myself an open faced tuna melt on an English muffin for dinner.  I haven't had one in the longest time and it just sounds good for tonight.  I'll catch up on American Idol while I eat it.

apple

i buy my canned salmon, skinless and boneless at Costco.. 6 cans for 10 bucks.

Kay that chicken marbella sounds really interesting espcially with the sugar.. I think I'll try it.

LuvRVing

Laurie - you can usually find canned salmon with the canned tuna.  We used to eat that when we were kids, and I used canned salmon to make salmon pie.  Haven't made that in decades.

Tonight's dinner was at Outback.  Dinner was meh but the mai tais (yup, more than one) were yummy. 

We are home and I am done!

Kay_G

Had tacos tonight. I guess I'm just a big kid. Had beef for the kids and DH and I substituted black beans with salsa for the beef. I really do love tacos. The tuna melt on the English muffin sounds good too. So does split pea soup. So does mushroom risotto. And homemade bread. I guess I like everything. LOL

MinusTwo

Left over pork loin roast sandwich on pumpernickel for dinner with coleslaw on the side.  Wonderful new crispy cookies for dessert - Newton's Fruit Thins w/whole grain, cranberry, oats & citrus. Yum - and even better if you like to dip your cookies in coffee.

Laurie - there were some posts about your chicken salsa w/pork instead.  That is what I will do with the rest of the pork roast and cut the cook time since the meat is already cooked.  I've done this before and it's good.  With the chicken I add whatever I have on hand - like black olives or green chilies.   It's my "go to" recipe. Thanks again.

stage1

Looked for pumpernickel bread and only found a very dense, dry thin sliced, it was a little bitter, I could not find a regular loaf at Whole Foods, this is suppose to be good for heart issues, for DH.  What store do you find pumpernickel?  And what is the difference between pumpernickel and rye bread?  Anyone?

MinusTwo

Some groceries carry pumpernickel.  I can usually buy Pepperidge Farms 'dark'.  Also love pumpernickel bagels.  Specialty markets often bake it fresh.  I see you're in CA.  I used to find it at Safeway.   It's a dark, sweet rye made w/a combination of rye flour & whole rye berries.  Often mix of wheat & rye flours & sometimes molasses added. (Wiki)  I find it more moist than regular rye. 

Now let's hear it from you east coast ladies - since Texas folks really don't know this delight.

Kay_G

My DS, the authority on foods, says puimpernickel is rye with molasses, meaning rye is a healthier option I guess. They carry several brands at our local grocery stores. It should not be bitter. I don't buy it, so I can't recommend a brand, but I do like it and have never found it to be bitter. It might just be the particular brand you bought? I love pumpernickel bagels.

Laurie08

Minus two- so glad you like the recipe and have gotten creative with it!!

Pumpernickle- YUM!  One of my favorites- our grocery store a Hannaford has great pumpernickel that they bake in house, super soft.  It is great grilled with some turkey breast and swiss cheese.  I come from a french canadian heritage and we always believed the darker the bread, the more grainy  the bread the better. 

Man- now I have to go buy some!!!

Lacey12

Just catching up on a week's worth of chats...

Laurie, thanks for posting the chk salsa recipe again...definitely will be a "go to" in this house. When I don't have a long lasting soup from my weekend cooking marathons available, I néed those quickies. We've been using up leftover veggie lasagna all week, balanced with kale salad, since I felt badly about eating so much pasta. Got home so late tonight that DH even popped the last casserole of It in the microwave, took out the cleaned kale, and peeled the cuke, while I changed into my sweats. I was delirious. He was obviously starving, poor guy.

Am dead tired tonight after a week of 10-12 hour days, and can't decide if it is leftover rads fatigue or my crazy job...or maybe just being too old for this amount of work. I envy my co workers who sail out the school doors at 3:30 each day, which I did during the rads regimen, but I'm back to my long days and feel the wear now. Plus, our almost 15 year old pooch is really failing, which is bad timing. She needs to go out a couple of times nightly. Devoted DH gets up with her thru the night so I can log some good hours in, but we may be coming to the end with her. Sadness...but certainly nothing compared to those of you dealing with a failing parents. Hope you are all managing well.



Michelle, your grandchild activity day drama was just too unbelievable! I'm sure things have calmed since then. And it reminded me of how used to the tech conveniences we have become ...I would definitely be neglecting to turn off car lights that couldn't manage themselves!



Yes, kids do all have their unique personalities, don't they? My two boys were polar opposites....to this day the only thing they have in common is the family name and their love of the Beantown sports teams (even tho one now lives in NJ). We're heading to that son's next weekend to visit them and our little grandson. Am good about keeping my mouth shut with younger son, but selfishly sure wish he would "settle down" so we could have some little local babies.

Kay, the Chk Marbella sounds wonderful...I may unearth my old Silver Palate and see what else is in there.
I got a large head of cauliflower early in the week and plan to make the "kale flower"soup that I bookmarked from a post...not sure which forum. It sounded great....thanks to whomever !

Off to get some sleep...Have a nice weekend, ladies. It will be interesting to see how much snow actually lands here.

stage1

Ladies, thanks for all your responses on pumpernickel...I will look at Safeway.  It was featured on Dr. OZ last week for good choice for cholesterol control. 

Momine

Carole, quinoa is easy. Use 1 part quinoa to 1.5 parts water, a little salt, bring to boil, reduce heat, let simmer about 15 minutes. Leftovers can beeaten cold with various veggies sliced into it, like a salad.

LuvRVing

I bought some quinoa...need to try it. 

Lacey - so sorry about your doggy.  We went through that with a dog that was probably about 15 (we got him from the shelter and they didn't have any history).  He got so bad we finally had to put him down, but he was the most precious dog I ever had. 

We are home and things are definitely calmer this morning.  I am sitting in my chair with my DunkinDonuts coffee, watching tv and reading the boards.  DH is still in bed (he can sleep in on weekends!) and I am enjoying the peace and quiet.  We'll go visit our friends in MA later today and go out to dinner with them.   I will cook breakfast later - Burger Smokehouse bacon, eggs and homemade baked beans.

I think the best place to find pumpernickel bread in a grocery store is at or near the bakery dept.  It's one of those breads that they usually bake onsite.  But I also like the Pepperidge Farms sliced variety for sandwiches, especially reubens.

carolehalston

The only time I have eaten pumpernickel bread is on reuben sandwiches, which I LOVE, but don't eat often because of the high sodium.  For some reason, I don't care much for rye bread.  BTW, did you know it's better for diabetics to drink rye whiskey instead of bourbon?  DH and I bought rye whiskey in Canada instead of bourbon because rye was much cheaper.  We drink Old-Fashions in cold weather.  Here in the US, bourbon is cheaper.

Laurie, turtle soup (with turtle meat) is on the menu of the best restaurants in New Orleans.  And it's delicious.  There are usually just small bits of meat.  It's a dark soup because of the dark roux and has a rich taste.  The waiter brings a bottle of sherry to the table to add a splash if desired.  I ate turtle stew a few times when I was growing up.  A certain type of turtle is good for harvesting the meat, snapper or logger head turtle.  We ate other wild game, too, like squirrels, rabbit, deer.  Those were lean times, financially, and hunting was not for sport but for food to supplement chicken and beef and pork, home-grown.

I'll post the ingredients for the mock turtle soup later, but the amts. are guestimates.  I'll also post the recipe for the mushroom risotto, which is delicious and great for a company menu.  The dish is hearty enough that I serve it to dh and myself as a main dish with a big salad.

I record most of the cooking shows on PBS on Sat. and watch them later.  I really like Mary Ann Esposito.

Today I'm on Great Aunt duty.  Six-year old Nova and 8 yr. old Logan both have basketball games at different schools, so I'm picking up Nova and taking her to her game.  I have been pre-warned that this is a comical version of basketball!  Last week a ref blew the whistle and told Nova her shoelaces needed tying.  She raised her foot to the ref for her to tie the shoe! 

Tonight dh and I are going to the movies with another couple to see the Stephanie Plum movie, One for the Money.  I get a kick out of those books, which are pure escapist entertainment.

Have a great Saturday.

bedo

I'm sorry, ladies, but I'm going to have to recommend this to you from the Vermont Country Store. ( a little late, I've been working,    )

Fartless 16 Bean Soup

Was $12.95 Now

bedo

Also this..

Tired Old Ass Soak Bath Salts

It's the weekend.  Some of us may need it.

$

Lacey12

I'd better get the order form for those TOAS bath salts!!

MinusTwo

Carole - looking forward to the Mushroom Risotto recipe.  How was One for the Money?  I was supposed to yesterday but my girlfriend backed out.  It's only $4.00 at 10:30 in the morning.

Made wonderful crabcakes tonight from a recipe I got here.  I think it was Seaside's recipe, so thanks, but if not I thank the donor.

Used the remaining crab to make a dish that my Mother would have called "ladies luncheon".  Crab & chopped boiled eggs - etc.  Sort of like a quiche but very light & "frothy" when baked - and bland.  She would have served it to her bridge group & the little old ladies from church.  Hmm - I'm probably the age of some of those little old ladies now.  Recipe called for green olives, which I deleted since I don't care for them.  Next time I think I'll add green chiles.

Hauntie

Once again, I've fallen way behind, in reading posts, with no time to catch up. Arthroscopic knee surgery is scheduled for the 14th at 7:30 a.m. Hopefully, I'll have more time to spend on BCO during my recuperation. School vacation week is the week after my surgery, so I'll be home for almost 2 whole weeks with a great excuse to sit around and just veg.

Laurie, Deb, Michele, Joyce - I made a grilled cheese and ham sandwich for lunch today. Of course, I used my Pickity Place bacon press. Every time I use it, I think of our lunch there and meeting all of you for the first time. We have to do that again this spring. Hopefully more of our nearby BCO sisters will be able to join us.

Laurie - I saw this on facebook. Here's a recipe for you and your boys.

Homemade Finger Paints

3 tbls sugar
½ tsp salt
½ c corn starch
2 c water

Combine ingredients in small saucepan. Warm until mixture thickens. Cool and pour into containers. Add food coloring to create desired colors. Paste food coloring will give you more vibrant colors.

Lynda

LuvRVing

Hi Lynda!  My daughter and I went to Pickity Place a couple weeks ago and it was yummy, of course.  We do need to schedule another visit.  April maybe?  And best wishes for a successful knee surgery.  I should get mine checked out and see if something could be done before we go to Paris.  My knees are a mess but I haven't had them checked out in years.  I just take my anti-inflammatory and put up with them.  It would be so nice to be able to walk around Paris without the accompanying discomfort.  Time to check it out, I think.

Hauntie

Michele - Have you ever had cortisone shots for your knees?  They kept me walking, relatively pain free, for yearts before I finally had to give in and get them replaced. This surgery is to remove scar tissue from the KR done almost 2 years ago. Hopefully this takes care of the problem. My other knee is great. Beach walking season is coming son and I want go get out there.

LuvRVing

Lynda - I had a cortisone shot in one knee ten years ago and it did help for a while.  That would be a "quick" solution for Paris.  Thanks for the suggestion.

deborye

Pot Roast cooking, should be done around 8.

I wish my DH would have something done about his knees, he will be hobbling our daughter down the isle for her wedding. You would think he would think about that, what a DH.