So...whats for dinner?

Moonflwr912

Susan glad it went well. Glad your DD is enjoying her work.

Laurie08

Susan glad the scan is behind you, hope you get some good sleep tonight!

SpecialK

It has been a crazy couple of days!  Had my normal 6-month dermatology appointment yesterday - I now have three biopsy sites on my upper back.  I am home alone - DH is up at the Pentagon this week (not good timing as he was stuck on his flight Mon. in lockdown at Nat'l. airport because of the Navy Yard shooting) and DD is out in Clearwater doing her thing at the aquarium until Fri. - so I can't reach or change the dressings on my back!  Ridiculous!  Also, and more scary, is a referral for a potential basal cell carcinoma on the rim of my lower right eyelid.  I have to see an oculoplastic surgeon on Monday.  I had my regular eye exam today and my doc confirms the need, he sees increased vascularization.  Took my car in for what I thought was a new headlight - easy, peasy.  Not!  Bad wiring problem, so had to drive DH's vintage BMW Z3 with the non-working convertible top to the eye doctor.  Rained on me all the way home - had to wear sunglasses because my eyes were dilated - looked like a total idiot!  I am going out to Clearwater to DD's apartment full of interns tonight with goodies - orange cranberry muffins, Key Lime cupcakes (from our trees - the limes, not the cupcakes, lol!  But wouldn't that be great...), fusilli with broccoli and cheese sauce, yellow rice, black beans and corn, beef enchiladas, curried rice and chicken salad, and sour cream and dill red potato salad.  These poor girls are broke and working for free.  They can't really get part-time jobs because they are not local and only here until the holidays and already working 50 hours a week!  I am also bringing a big package of toilet paper and paper towels.  I figure I will go once a week and bring them food - they all miss home!

Lacey12

Laurie, ditto to what "faux mama" Joyce says!

And hope you and DS2 are starting to feel a lot better.



One of Susan's posts inspired me to finally buy some tomatillos to make a salsa to go with some pork we were going to grill. Well, I got home too late from my volunteering interview to roast them, so I made raw tomatillo and tomato salsa..with a bit of onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeño pepper. I also briefly marinated the pork loin in this before grilling it. Well, I was underwhelmed by my salsa effort, so ended up melting some pepper jack cheese on flour tortillas and we made a kind of fajita meal, rolling the tortillas around some pork and veggies. A lot leftover, so we will be figuring out things to do with this pork and salsa for a few days to come! I still have a few tomatillos, so I will try roasting them to see if I can eeek out ( or infuse) a bit more flavor.



Susan, soooo happy for the kid! A good clinical supervisor is invaluable in this field.....and really liking them, even better. I still remember and call on the knowledge gained from my earliest clinical "teachers". So.....lucky her for such a nice start in the field!

Lacey12

Special.....yikes! I hope your DD can help with your back tonight and that the first doc is wrong about the eyelid. What an amazing ride home! You are too funny with your description. And how your DD and roommates must appreciate your generous offerings and nurturance! Yes, I think a cupcake tree would be very nice..........;).

carberry

Gee Special  I am a litttle broke and working long hours....could you bring me some goodies?  those are some lucky girls to have you help them out.  And cupckes from trees? Great idea!!! Glad you made it home safe...hard enough to get home after the eyes dilating, but add rain in the mix with funky glasses and thats a challenge.

Tuna noodle casserole tonight!!!

luvmygoats

SpecialK - I'm with Carrie. Please Oh Please bring me some goodies. LOL. In your pocket for that oculoplastic surgeon on Monday. Glad you made it home safe and moderately sound from appt.

Laurie - I think you've gotten some good advice about the walk.

I think I may turn on the oven tonight. Have some pork chops in refrig. Was just going to pan brown them but may put them on a little slow and covered and bake them. It was only 92 here today and felt better than that.

eric95us

Lacey....sometimes a bit of lime juice and salt will "wake up" a salsa.



Eric

carolehalston

Laurie, I would skip the walk.  I've come in contact with a couple of those walks when DH and I were pushed off the walking path by the crowds and I must admit I had no inclination to join the event.  I have played in a couple of women's golf tournaments that were fund-raisers for the Komen organization. 

SpecialK, I apologize for laughing at the picture of you getting rained on in your dh's convertible while wearing sunglasses!  That was a daunting list of foods.  Hard to imagine that you cooked all those dishes.

Lacey, I have never bought tomatillos, but they are cute little veggies.  If they are a veggie. 

All of you mentioning your cool weather must be feeling the waves of envy. 

My new cooking plan is to pick out some recipes and actually follow them.  I have done this the past two days with some success.  Last night's shrimp tacos with corn/avocado salsa was quite good.  Though it could have used a little heat from a jalopeno pepper.  Next time I will probably modify the recipe.

Tonight I made a bulgar side dish that was very good.  DH gave it a good grade even though he teasingly calls bulgar "booger."  Here's the recipe.  Cook 1 cup of bulgar in 2 cups of water for 12 min.  Rinse in cold water and drain.   The dressing is 2 T champagne vinegar, 2 T EVOO, 2 tsps. brown sugar, s & p.  Whisk until sugar dissolves.  Add the bulgar to the bowl with the dressing.  Add 1 cup diced fresh peach, 1 1/2 oz. toasted hazelnuts (I used sliced almonds) and 1/4 cup small mint leaves.  Toss.  The bulgar has a nice nutty taste and the other flavors blend for an enjoyable and easy dish.

The main dish was grilled lamb loin chops.  DH grilled the chops inside on a cast iron grill pan on the stove.  Same with the shrimp last night.  He didn't feel like dragging the outdoor grill out of the shed in which it was stored for the summer lest a hurricane blow it away. 

Watched a recorded Ciao Italia this afternoon.  The dishes were all made with farro, which I've never eaten, but I'll probably add that to my list of whole grains to cook. 

I'm looking to oven cooking whenever our weather finally cools off.

auntienance

Oh man, would I love to have a cupcake tree . . .

SeasideMemories

Awww geez, SpecialK,



Sounds like you have waaaaaay more going on than you should have to deal with! Thank Goodness that DH was out of harm's way... Such a tragic situation! You are such a good Mom shrugging off your own situation to go help DD and the interns, as I'm sure most of us would! If they are like my DD and her college friends they will be beyond grateful for the food (and caring thoughts behind it)!!!! And a big, yes, on the paper towels and TP.... So important but they don't miss them till they're out and then, it's an emergency!!! Be sure to take care of yourself as well....

luvmygoats

Carole - that "booger" sounds good. I don't think I've ever eaten it. I wonder if it would be good on couscous cold. Well, did not turn on the oven. Pork chops slow cooking on stovetop in a McCormicks "sweet tea" marinade with subs. of apple butter for the oil. Have to keep adding bits of water to keep them from sticking but I think will be good. Hoping chicken thighs go on sale so I can make the applebutter BBQ chicken.

and SpecialK very glad your DH was safely tucked away on his way to Pentagon.

SeasideMemories

Susan,



Glad the PET is over and done! Get some much deserved sleep tonight! Glad that DD's placement is going well!

Lacey12

Carole, that bulgar dish sounds wonderful. I really like farro, and I think you would enjoy it if you like grains. My only complaint the first time I made farro is that it took at least 50 minutes to cook. I am now used to that, but have also seen some quick cook versions in stores since that. It is a nice nutty grain, with which you can do a lot of creative pairing.



Thanks for that salsa advice, Eric. I did put some lime juice, but obviously not enough.... and my tendency to not use salt may have backfired on this one! I like salsa's with a nice punch so will try again. In the end I crossed cultures and added some of that Thai chili/garlic sauce, and that was interesting.



Luv, apple butter chicken sounds really interesting. My favorite aunt used to give me apple butter for my morning toast and it brings up such fond memories that I would enjoy any recipe that included it!

luvmygoats

Lacey - this is the recipe that came to my inbox last week. Sorry - I don't know why my links will not go live anymore.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Apple-Butter-Barbecued-Chicken

But this is the one I'm thinking of trying - oven baked. The recipe calls for Musselman's apple butter but for some reason I just found it too strong. I used one today I found at grocery, spicy but not overpowering.

http://www.cookingwithsugar.com/oven-roasted-chicken-with-apple-butter-barbecue-sauce/

The pork chops turned out great. Have 3 leftover for dinner tomorrow. Yay!

Moonflwr912

Wow you guys inspire me. Im going to thaw the pork chops. When I woke up this am it was a whole 49 degrees. I had to wear a sweater.

Specialk ill be in your pocket too. Good luck with the OPS. And you are such a GOOD MOM. Or maybe just a soft touch....LOL. I think your DD will appreciate you. BTW if you find your way to WI I wouldmt mind a delivery or two..... LOL.

Much love to all.

SpecialK

Thanks guys!  I am sure the eye thing will go fine - I am glad the regular eye doc agreed it needs to be biopsied, I like consensus.  The ride home was funny - not sure ifI am telling DH about it though - he loves that little car.  I alternately call it the "thimble" or the "sewing machine" because it is so small, but it needs a new top!  Like, right now!

The girls were pretty excited about the food, but they probably think I am crazy.  DD wanted me to bring the dog, but there was no room - too much food!  This was the first time I met them - actually only met two, one was sleeping because she had to get up at 4:30 a.m. (just like Susan!) and go babysit the girl dolphins in their special pool.  DD and one of her friends got into the enchiladas right away!

I agree - must work on inventing a cupcake tree!  I will be focusing on this for the rest of the week!

I would love nothing more than a road trip delivering food to all of you, you all are the best!

bedo

I am coming out of the cooking 'Corner of Shame' long enough to say that I had a very bad day and ate an entire bowl of artichoke hummus (which I made)  and pita bread for dinner while watching a Breaking Bad marathon in a fit of escapism.

I have read the posts and am thinking of you.

MinusTwo

Bedo:  I can beat that.  I ate a 1/2 of a box of Chicken Stove Top Stuffing.  That's it.

Moonflower:  49?  We got down to 80 today.  I'm with luvmygoats & Carole.  Still too hot to turn on the ovens in Texas & LA.  When I finally do, the first thing I bake will be gingerbread.

SpecialK:  Please keep us up to date on the biopsy.  I've had 5 basal cell skin cancers removed by MOHS surgery.  Ah to go back & change my sun worshiping days.

Moonflwr912

It warmed up here now. Its all the way up to 52°! LOL

luvmygoats

Oh Bedo and Minus Two - I love you both. ((((BIG HUGS)))).

SpecialK

minus - I know!  I am paying for my sun-worshiping California girl days too - all the damage was done in the first 30 years of my life, I was diagnosed with the first basal cell at 35, have been out of the sun ever since (I am living in the wrong state for that!) - I have had more than 20 basal cell carcinomas removed by every method available - MOHS, electrocauterization, freezing plus Aldara, Aldara alone, freezing alone.  The eye doc thinks the one on my lower eyelid is a basal cell also.  By now I know what they look like so I usually get them handled quickly, I had three during treatment for BC!  Had to hurry and get them removed right before chemo and they left the worst scars.  The three on my upper back are just in a location that is difficult for me to see myself. 

I had two chicken legs and a lime cupcake from my tree, but some stuffing and hummus is sounding pretty appealing....  This is what happens when I am left home alone!

Lacey12

Yum, Luv. Thanks! I have some locally made AB, so will use that.



So today, I'm keeping pharma afloat (like it needs me to!). Had a steroid injection in my knee which clearly has an age-related miniscus problem. Hopefully, with that and my exercise regimen (and even more PT now focused on that instead of the shoulder) it will self heal. Right now, the knee is like an immovable brick!



Then tonight, I am taking my first mini dose of atavan to see if it might help me get some nightly zzzzs, since the Tamoxifen seems to be going full force in keeping me awake most of the night. Fingers crossed......



Not to be outdone with physical symptoms, DH gave up a dinner meeting to head to the dentist for a very painful tooth....read inevitable root canal necessary. I doubt he will feel like chomping down on any food when he returns, unless the visit is just the first part of a diagnostic. Getting old is getting old...

I've decided that my body is like a spoiled pre-schooler.....the more careful attention I give it (for the first time in my life), the more it demands!



So, I think I will drag my brick knee over to the counter and make some caprese salad to go with leftover pork tenderloin. I saw a recipe on line today for easy pan pizza made in caste iron skillets. I MUST do this soon, but have to plan for the dough to rise overnite on the counter....so it will not be tonight. I definitely will use some of the kale pesto on one of the ones I make.

Lacey12

Oh the worrisome skin issues......Jersey Shore girl here (not the Snookie variety;)....read iodine and baby oil for daily tanning lotion. Lordy!!!

Lacey12

Also in your pocket, Special....sounds like you have good care.

auntienance

Lacey, I was sleepless last night right along with you. Result -- dog tired today. Too tired to try and figure out dinner. In spite of my lethargy, I managed to clean out the big freezer to make more room for all the summers harvest. I came across some taco meat and black beans and one chicken burrito. So dinner is half of the burrito each and a taco salad. I'm making pasta tomorrow, so I'm already planning drunken noodles with spicy Italian sausage for dinner tomorrow.

SpecialK

lacey - thanks!  I did the iodine and baby oil too, and I rememeber my dad telling me that he did it when he was young - and he was born in 1917!

auntienance

Oh Joyce that's great news. Please keep us posted.

auntienance

Speaking of sun, Carole we're heading to your neck of the woods in ten days or so. Dh decided he wanted to celebrate his birthday on the gulf coast so we're going to biloxi for several days, staying at Beau Rivage. Hope the slow hurricane season doesn't decide to kick into high gear next week. Wouldn't be the first time.

susan_02143

It began with a head of orange cauliflower as many such stories do. It looked so lovely at the farm, but as it sat in my fridge, it grew and grew. So, it became the basis of tonight's dinner. I scoured my cookbooks for a delicious-sounding recipe and settled on an Indian preparation with onions and tomatoes [since the garden still giveth.] So that led to making lamb samosas, but the kids could use some food, so triple the recipe. And then the lentils, and of course, rice. It was the samosa meat that put me over the edge though. So much chopping and dicing.... I would hate to tell you how much time was spent on prep. But the results were really good. In fact, the kids were thrilled that there was dinner for them when they got home and ate plenty.

Tomorrow is treatment day, and I love to know that there are Indian leftovers to reheat when I get home. Sometimes I just don't feel quite well enough to make a meal from scratch right after my hospital visit. Of course, tomorrow night someone else will cook... we go out. Sadly, my favorite Chinese restaurant's fascade collapsed, so no Chinese food. I just hope that they re-open.

*susan*