So...whats for dinner?

Lacey12

Michelle, your birthday and your travels today have me exhausted! You really are the energizer bunny! Sounds like the birthday dinner was lovely albeit not LaMorra. If you ever want to try La Morra at a later date once I'm a free retiree, I'm sure my DH would love to join you both there. In the meantime, how wonderful that you are about to embark on the Parisian adventure!! Have a wonderful time!



So tonight I was getting ready to leave work, and feeling badly that I had no plan for dinner...called home to see if DH wanted me to pick up take out, and he said that he had some interesting items he already picked up (yea! I didn't bother to ask what). He'd had a meeting in the morning at a local coffee shop/middle eastern neighborhood restaurant in Cambridge and before he left saw one of his colleagues picking up these flatbread roll ups that looked interesting. So, never being one to miss out on interesting ethnic food, he did the same, and boy were they good.....one was like a pulled lamb with spices and mild cheese, and the other was spinach with three cheeses. The salad had the best lemon-mint dressing and I believe tarot slices (which I've only had in dried chip form in the past) with the romaine, cukes and I added grape tomatoes. It was really refreshing! I was so relieved not to have to deal with dinner that I offered to be the clean up detail... a great trade in my opinion!



Off to watch the Celtics..and hoping I can stay awake for the whole game.



Have fun camping Laurie!

We are heading to the lake for a couple of days this weekend, and at the end of next week I am flying out to South Bend for my 45th college reunion.



Apple, I'm so glad you have your appetite back!!!

LuvRVing

Woohoo, Apple - let's hear it for a good appetite!  I love artichokes, and I had never eaten one until we visited my DH's parents in California some 31 years ago!

SeasideMemories

Apple,



So glad to hear that your appetite is on the up-swing and ham, artichokes and cornbread with butter and syrup sounds really good.... Love a good hunk of cornbread and the syrup on top sounds just over the top good



One of my favorite guilty pleasures is a small bowl of vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of real maple syrup.... It was a favorite of my Dad's although his was a scoop of Maple Walnut with a drizzle of syrup....

SeasideMemories

Well Geez Deborye!



That would be enough to scare the 'spit' out of anyone!! Here's hoping it's just an infection that can be taken care of with some pill and not having to have a hospital stay!!



Thinking of you and sending you healing thoughts!

SeasideMemories

Michelle....



Friday is THE day..... I am sooo happy (and jealous) that you are finally leaving for this trip!!! I can't wait to hear the stories that you will have to tell right down to how delicious the pastry you just had was!!



Enjoy every second because, Lord knows, you've earned it and then some!!!

debbie6122

Speaking of corn bread, i make a very good corn bread, No not from scratch, (sorry) but i get so many compliments on it and everyone always ask me how do you do your cornbread i just love it.

2 boxes of jiffey corn bread, mix per directions. add 3 tablespoons of sugar let sit for half an hour, let it get a head on it, yes, i said head. lol after mixing then add 1cup of cheddar cheese put in 8x10 ( i think) inch pan buttered pan, cook according to directions on package take out when done punture holes in bread with fork and pour warm butter over about, ( 4 or 5 tablespoons) let sit and then cut into squares. dont know why i do it this way just did but always get lots of compliments. I have made from scratch but still prefer this over any of them.

debbie6122

I should not post a recipe after over indulging lol! hope i got the ingredients right hehe!

debbie6122

Also wanted to say, sometimes the easiest of recipes can be better than slaveing over recipes from scratch. in otherwards its ok to make shortcuts.

Momine

Apple, so glad to hear that your appetite is back, and now I may have to make cornbread. 

Deb, cheese, even feta, in cornbread is very good, agreed. Although I never put sugar in it. My daughter and I both have an aversion to sugar in savory foods. We can't eat tomato sauce with sugar in it either, nor most sweet/sour things. So I use the recipe from Joy of Cooking for "northern cornbread" and leave out the sugar. After BC I also leave out the white flour and make it with all coarse corn meal.

debbie6122

Momine- You are always up late like me, my time is like 3 hours behind most of the ladies on here since i live on the west coast and they are on the east coast, what is your time difference where you are?

You can put any sweet substitutes in your foods, like michelle does,since she is diabetic, in fact i have started doing that as well lately. I also just came across a tomatoe based sauce that is not made with tomatoes but made with beets and veggies that is suppose to be good and in place of tomaotes for people with acidic problems. have not tried it yet but if you want the recipe let me know.

Kaara

Morning everyone!  Early day for me...another one of those early morning graduations...we have to drive over an hour to get there!  Same place as the other one, so I know the drill by now.

Debbie your cornbread recipe sounds great...I use Jiffy as well, last Thanksgiving I made a corn pudding using the mix and everyone raved about it.  I wonder if it would hurt to leave out the two tbs of sugar...the mix tastes very sweet as it is.  My DGM made cornbread and didn't use sugar, so I was used to that.  We also make cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving, probably a healthier alternative to the bread stuffing for those on gluten free...just leave out the white flour. 

Kay_G

Good morning everyone! An early day for me too. I am at the cancer center, scheduled to get my next to last herceptin infusion. I saw the Celtics/Sixers game last night. I hope game 7 will be a good game.



Apple, so glad your appetite is returning. I know it's been a while.



Michelle, have a safe trip and a wonderful time. I can't wait to hear about it.



Laurie, I missed what happened. It sounds like lightning struck again? I hope things are back to normal soon and everyone is healthy for your camping trip. It sounds like so much fun. I will check in later after the infusion. Have a great day everyone.



Congrats to your grand kids Kaara! Enjoy the graduation'

carolehalston

DH likes Jiffy mix, too, but it's too sweet for me.  I like the made-from-scratch with cornmeal.  I have a seasoned iron skillet that I oil and preheat in a hot oven.  The cornbread comes out crusty.  I don't like cornbread to taste like cake!  We don't have it often because we like it slathered with real butter.

Last night we had a good stovetop casserole that started with ground meat (from Fresh Market, no pink slime!), a small container of leftover Italian sausage, chopped green onions and chopped bell pepper from freezer, onion powder, garlic powder, generous sprinkling of cumin, coarse chopped squash (cute little round ones shaped like stars from CSA), and small amt of left-over home-made chicken broth.  Too much meat for the squash so I added a can of tomato sauce and cooked half a box of Dreamfield penne pasta and added it.  Oh, at the meat stage I sprinkled red pepper flakes.  Tasted really good as though I had a recipe! LOL  Half was left over so we'll have it tonight.

Yesterday's CSA veggie offering was green cabbage (now I have 2 in the refrig.), 3 green cucumbers, 2 round yellow cucumbers, tiny green beans (mixture of green, purple and yellow), Swiss chard, mixed lettuce, 3 Japanese eggplants, basil, and a small bouquet of cut flowers with zinnias.  Last week's flower was a giant sunflower.

Anybody with great recipes for green cabbage and/or Japanese eggplant? 

My jaw is still swollen from the dental surgery but today I have to venture out into the world again.

Happy Thursday!

apple

I'm about done with this over eating.  I'm back up to a fighting weight.. and that is just fine.  still might have some corn bread for a second breakfast.  lots of butter and syrup.

I had a ton of teenagers for dinner last nite.  I'm glad I made cornbread and cherry pie.  The artichokes were absolutely huge. By the time i was finished with mine i was stuffed.  4 BIG boys - my son is 240, his friends are just about that big.. my other son is very trim, but works out like an athlete so he is always starving and those darling little preteen girls.. they can do some serious eating but at least they are picky.  The ham was absolutely the worst I ever bought. it was covered with at least an inch of fat.  There was plenty of meat, but I threw away at least 2 pounds of fat... so goopy.  The ham was very cheap tho.. the whole think was only like 6 dollars.  I guess you get what you pay for. I had never bought a shank portion before.    thank goodness i made cornbread. all the teenagers are still sleeping.. I think I'll make them some french toast.  Lots of good nutrients in french toast.

School's out and I wasn't going to cook tonite, but it looks like I'll have to.

Momine

Debbie, I am in Greece, so 7 hours ahead of NY and 10 ahead of CA. When I am having morning coffee, you are staying up late.

Thanks for the tip, but the reason I don't put sugar is that I don't like the taste in "real" food, never did. 

eric95us

Carol. That sounds like how I make cornbread. I differentiate between "corn cake" and "corn bread". I prefer corn bread and Sharon prefers the sweet corn cake.



Apple. I love cooking for a crowd that devours the food.



Sharon had a steroid energy burst yesterday and made a chili & maccaroni dish in the dutch oven.



And speaking of apples.. Our daughter loves Granny Smith apples, but has braces and the orthodontist said "no apples". I'm going to steam apple slices in the dutch oven and about a minute before I take the slices from the oven, add some brown sugar and cinnamon.



Eric

Kaara

Back from the last graduation..whew!  Only 575 graduating from Seminole Ridge HS in Loxahatchee Fl!

We went out to breakfast after and it seemed like the entire town was there..the staff was overwelmed..guess nobody told them this was graduation week.  By the time we got our breakfast it was time for lunch but at least it was good and hot!

It's been raining like crazy here all week..now they are predicting floods in low lying areas.  Looks like summer rainy season is officially here, but a bit early this year.  My impatiens are still looking great...normally they would be ready to pull out due to the heat but the rain and cloud cover is helping.

Time for a nice nap before we go out with friends for dinner tonight. 

debbie6122

Apple- I had bought a ham for thanks-giving one year and by the time i took the fat off there was hardly any meat on it. The one i bought was huge and expensive what a waste of money.

Kay- Congrats on your last infusion. Hope your SE are gentle on you.

Momine- Oh wow thats quite a bit of time difference. Ive decided today that im going to start going to bed earlier so i can get up and start enjoying more of the day, since summer is around the cornor.

Carol- Hope your jaw heals fast.

Laurie- Have a fun and safe camping trip- Hope you are feeling better too!

Michelle- You are probably taking care of last minute stuff for your fabulous trip tomorrow. have a safe flight and travels. (((hugs)))

LuvRVing

Taking a break from packing, cleaning, getting everything ready.

Deb - how are you doing? Sending hugs and positive thoughts for the antibiotics to work so you can enjoy your weekend.

Apple and Debbie - if I don't buy a spiral sliced ham, I will buy the butt end over the shank end of the ham. I actually prefer it for a baked ham dinner.

Kay - getting close to the end, finally!  I hope you have a celebration planned, because you truly deserve it.

Hope everyone is doing well and has something fun planned for the long weekend.  It's the official start of summer, right???  

Kaara

Michelle:  Wishing you a wonderful time on your Paris trip..make lots of good memories!  I hope to go there someday, so come back prepared to give us all the details!

Deb:  Hope your infection is clearing up fast so you don't need to do those IV's.

If there's one food I'm not all that crazy about, it's ham.  We used to have it when I was little, and my DGM would feed us for a week on it...she would even grind it up for ham salad sandwiches.  I used to groan when I heard we were having ham for Sunday dinner because I'd be eating it forever:( but she did make the best maccaroni and cheese and hotwater cornbread to go with it.  I never got tired of that. 

Cottontail

I have no appetite today, but I suppose I should eat something, right?  Tonight will just be a bit of salad and some popcorn.

debbie6122

Michelle- The butt is all i buy now but it was a shank back then, i will never buy them again.

Deb- Hope you are better today and the infection is gone. Please let us know if you are admited tomorrow, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kaara- Funny, how we hate things now because we had it so much as a kid, i think the thing i dont like the most is pork and beans, until my parents became vegetarians. but still tolarable now.

Cottontail- Popcorn sounds good to me lol!

bedo

Haha Cottontail, you're my kind of cook. Salad and popcorn.  I hope it's not because you're not feeling well.  I think we are both vegetarian.  I am a very lazy cook.  Sometimes I'll buy something for a recipe, like artichokes in a can or jar and think, "that looks good!' and have it for dinner with tomatoes, or bread or cheese or whatever.  Then I never have the ingredients for a recipe.  I am one of the worst cooks here.

Michelle enjoy your trip!

Deb, I hope you are better!

Kay, yipee, you'll be done!

Carol, Ouchie!  How long till you feel better and are done?

Going to have some down time with the cats and do some guided imagery.  It's been a long day.

Debbie, regarding your post 17 hours ago after imbibing, on "otherwards", in my ward, it's OK to take shortcuts,  as long as we behave.

Cottontail

bedo- Yep, I'm vegetarian, too, and a jar of artichokes with tomatoes and bread sounds like an amazing dinner to me!    I'm feeling "well," I just don't have an appetite today.  Wasn't hungry for lunch, either.  I'm only eating tonight because I barely ate all day.  I ended up adding tomato, avocado, mushroom, cucumber, and vegan ranch dressing to my salad, so I got some nutrition in there.

I'm a pretty good cook when I'm feeling up to it, but I'm too lazy most days. 

LuvRVing

Cottontail - as these ladies can attest, I love popcorn for supper!  Lots of popcorn, cooked in my Stir-Crazy...with butter and salt, of course.

Lacey12

Fell asleep for a bit while in the hairdresser's chair after work today, so had a spurt of energy to make a delightful little carrot-ginger soup tonight to go with our salsa turkey/lacey swiss with kale sandwiches.Turned out to be a tasty little casual dinner, and I got to use my immersion blender which is fun. Here is the carrot-ginger recipe:



http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=58847



It has a lot of interesting spices in it.



Kay, so happy for you as you finish your treatments.

Deb, I hope you are quickly responding well to the anti-biotics.

Carol....I admire you writing all about food while coping with a healing jaw/mouth.



Michelle, Bon Voyage!!!

deborye

Infection seems to be spreading and it is so sore and hot and itchy also swollen.  I will most likely be admitted, I want this done.  

SeasideMemories

Awww Deborye!! Sorry to hear that the oral antibiotics aren't doing it and that they may need to admit you! While it stinks for sure here's hoping that they send this infection packing and you are able to get back to planning DD's shower!!!

Laurie08

Deb that's awful. I'm so sorry you'll have to go have the iv. Bring a good book with you and try to rest and enjoy the " break" so you fan party with your dd.

Carol I hope your mouth feels better soon. Sounds like the veggies are awesome though!

Apple yay on having an appetite back. Live your description of your boys.

Well, I'm half way packed for tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm looking foward to about 9 tomorrow night as I sit by a fire with everything done, life asleep and glass of wine in hand. So close!!

Dinner tonight was a fried egg sandwich around 10. Time to head to bed!

LuvRVing

((((Deb))))  Hope the IV antibiotics do their job ASAP!