So...whats for dinner?

MinusTwo

Sounds like a fabulous dinner!!

Lacey12

Ditto, Veruka!

eric95us

Hi VerukaNY.  What part of the city are you located?  My wife spent 4 years in the Bronx at SUNY Maritime.  Your dinner sounds great. I could have used a slow cooker today. I worked from home, but with all the meetings (6-1/2 hours worth), I didn't have time to sneak in cooking something for tonight until it was a "hurry up" thing.

I nuked, in the microwave oven, a spaghetti squash for 30 minutes and pulled the thing apart with a fork to make it look like spaghetti. The sauce was spaghetti sauce from a jar mixed with hamburger cooked with fresh rosemary and garlic.

auntienance

Hi veruka, what did you bake the bouchon in? Sounds like a fabulous meal.

VerukaNY

Hi Eric95us!  I'm in Manhattan, downtown in the West Village.  I haven't spent much time in the Bronx although I hear parts of it are really beautiful.  We do drive through on our way north to see my in-laws.  I'm kind of loving the slow cooker - after dinner, the chicken carcass got stripped and tossed right back in along with some vegs and I woke up to homemade stock this morning.  Genius!  Course, it could be also that the weather here today is wet and cold so I've just got stews and gravy like things on the brain.....

Nancy- I have silicon timbale molds that work really well for bouchon....I also use the same molds for crustless tiny egg quiches and even to make frozen kale cubes for my morning smoothies.  

My cousin's wife is visiting from Taipei this week so am going to attempt to get her dumpling recipe down tonight.  She measures all the ingredients by sight, so this will be my chance to get it.  The kids will be excited for a yummy dumpling dinner and hopefully there will be enough leftover to freeze for later.  

Lacey12

Veruka, sounds like some might tasty aromas are coming from your place this week! Good luck with getting that dumpling recipe down! DH and I spent a lot of time visiting on the West Side, Midtown, when oldest son and his wife were doing their residencies and fellowships there. Miss that excitement of the city since they moved to NJ. Loved walking everywhere!

Tonight's dinner could be referred to as tail wagging the dog pizza.  I had this very small eggplant in the fridge that was salvageable, and just could not make more ratatouille just now, even a tiny bit,.....so while cruising Trader Joe's aisles, I noticed their wheat pizza dough, and thought, why not make pizza with eggplant topping. Added carmelized onion, garlic and sweet red pepper to the topping and that little eggplant turned into a nice round pizza as well as some additional pieces made from some french bread "heels" that might go to waste. Had an arugula salad with it.

carolehalston

The filling I made for the poblano peppers turned out really good.  I found a recipe for quinoa prepared like Spanish rice and enhanced it a bit with some corn and ground pork.  Added grated cheddar before stuffing the poblanos, which I blackened under the broiler and peeled.  Also removed the seeds.  BUT... these poblanos were hot and made the filling hot, too.  I sprinkled more of the grated cheddar on top of the peppers and melted the cheese  They looked appetizing and tasted good, but hot-good! 

Three peppers left and about half of the filling left, too.  I had lunch after golf today (crispy fried catfish fillets--yum) so will not be eating dinner tonight.  I'll make dh a good salad and he can pick his leftovers, stuffed poblanos, Spanish-style quinoa, or chili. 

I need to make eggplant lasagna with the 3 eggplants in the refrigerator. 

I prepared the lemons yesterday to make preserved lemon.  I could only stuff 3 lemons into a pint jar.  I squeezed more lemon juice into the jar to cover the lemons but they float up.  We shall see what happens!  I am leaving the jar out on the counter.  Is that what you do, Nance? 

Veruka, what a treat to have good dumplings!  Hope you get that recipe.

auntienance

Carole, just keep pushing the lemons down for a couple of days and add more juice as needed. After a day or two, you should refrigerate them. You might be able to pack a half of a lemon in to tighten them up. It also helps to gently turn the covered jar upside down and gently shake it after a couple of days. It helps distribute the juice.

Tonight is breakfast for dinner -- Spanish omelets, sliced ham and biscuits.

carolehalston

Thanks for the advice on refrigerating the lemons, Nance.  I can't wait to taste them!  I have the 30th day marked on the calendar.  I am predisposed to like the taste because I have always liked lemons.  They and pickles helped to ruin the enamel on my two upper front teeth, now capped. 

One miscellaneous bit of foodie info.  I learned from a Nutrition Action magazine that a cup of almond milk contains the equivalent of about 5 almonds.  After scrutinizing the ingredients, the main one of which is water, I realized that there was a good reason for low calories per cup.  So I stopped buying almond milk and am adding ground almonds to my morning smoothies along with ice water and berries and chia seeds and plain nonfat Greek yogurt.  Meanwhile the producers of almond milk are making a mint.

susan_02143

Last night we went to Zoe's for Chinese food. Had a duck with Mala sauce which should numb the mouth, but we didn't quite reach true Mala. But it was spicy enough. I came home from a client day and started right in on the braised lamb shanks. Husband helped chop the vegetables. We like a lot of veggies with our braises. In my rush to get this into the oven, I totally forgot the garlic. No problem! I roasted a head of garlic and added it to the mashed potatoes. Sadly, I didn't eat much. Must have popcorn later tonight to start retaining water for tomorrow's blood draw and treatment.

Back to the lamb shanks. This was delicious! And there is enough left over for husband's lunch tomorrow and our dinner Friday night. A night with no cooking!

*susan*

mo37

Susan, sounds delicious.

Tonight I couldn't decide on rack of lamb with squash or spaghetti with clam sauce so I made it all.

Mo

SpecialK

Had a big burger and hand cut fries for lunch on the run with DD as we gathered stuff on an Ikea run getting ready for her big move, so was not hungry for dinner but had some roasted chicken leftover so combined it with broccoli, chopped onion and red pepper, garlic, coconut milk and some parmesan over brown rice rotini for DD and DH.  I miss the daily roo!  I could post pictures of our dog each day - that would be the daily Toby.  He's pretty cute!

susan - love the canning!  Food as art!

Everyone's meals sound so delish!

Lacey12

Wow, is it the indoorish weather (at least here it is raining cats and dogs, with brutal winds) that has everyone making such delicious sounding dinners?!

I found myself spending most of the night at the kitchen counter....after making the  pizzas, I used up some over ripe bananas by making banana/oatmeal/walnut/cranberry muffins. They are okay, but I really do need to take a baking course....just don't have the gene....wonder if I can learn to be a better baker, despite the gene deficit.

Since I had the oven on, I decided to bake an acorn squash that we can have another time. Then since I was busy clearing the counter of recently bought produce, I cut up a pineapple, and then cut off all the brussels sprouts from a large stalk. Enough!

Carole, I knew that the almond milk was a lot of water, but we still buy it since those oblong cartons are shelf stable...and that's convenient. I like the sound of your smoothies additions. Do you include greens as well? Tomorrow I'm going to use the baby kale varieties I picked up at Trader's in mine. 

Eric, spaghetti squah is the best!

eric95us

VerukaNY.  I hope you get the dumpling recipe.  I think it's a lot of fun to figure out a "handfull of this, handfull of that" recipes.

I've been doing that with my mom's grandmother's....not sure what to call it....notes on recipes...in German.  My mom is 96, so this is pretty old.

Moonflwr912

everything sounds yummy. 

Specialk I miss the roo pics. LOL

Dinner tonight was meatloaf and potato and carrots. And yes I do the plebeian ketchup and brown sugar and mustard topping. LOL 

MinusTwo

Veruka - I'd love the crustless egg quiche recipe if you're willing to share.  

Everything sounds so good.  I saw my MO this afteroon for the last time before he retires (sob).  Since I was still down in the Med Center at 6pm I decided to stop by one of my favorite restaurants & skip the traffic.  Treated myself to a glass of Estancia wine.  Then a grilled Rainbow trout w/French green lentils and sauteed spinach w/pecans.

Carole - did you try the popcorn in paper lunch bags on your trip?  If so, did it work for you?

auntienance

Lacey, I never thought of myself as much of a baker either until I retired and started making lots of bread. Finding decent bread where I live is a challenge so I started making my own in earnest. It seemed like being able to turn out a decent loaf of bread made me confident in trying my hand at other baked goods. After years of inferior pie crusts, I finally mastered a pate brisee that has made all the difference in pie making. I'm still not a great cake baker -- but I'm working on it!  A decent mixer has helped too.

Carole, I think you'll like the lemons. Just remember to rinse the salt off and discard the pulp. They are intensely lemony but not as sharp as fresh. I really like the taste. I'm betting you'll be like me and find a pint won't be enough. I've moved up to a quart jar. When the Meyer lemons come around I'm going to try those. I bought a giant bag of lemons at costco so I need to do some for my DSIL too.

Busy kitchen day today. I started bagels to finish tomorrow. DH requested cinnamon so divided the dough to separate "his" from mine. I like the garlicky, oniony stinky ones lol.  That seemed to take up much of my day.  I also made frozen blueberry and strawberry Greek yogurts for healthier snacks (healthier than cupcakes and bear claws that is.) In addition to that I made some deviled ham. I'm working my way to the bottom of a Costco spiral sliced ham, I'm nearly to the bean soup stage. I need to make pasta one day soon -- haven't done that in quite a while either.

Threw a couple of chicken breasts in the slow cooker for Laurie's salsa chicken. I'm going to serve it burrito style with some corn and peppers as a side.

auntienance

I'm thinking this might be a nice change from Hoppin' John on new year's day:

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/10/black-e...

carolehalston

Hm, Nance, I like that recipe.  Could you pm me your Christmas itinerary so I can write your days on the gulf coast on my calendar?  I definitely want to get together with you and your dh.

Minus, I bought the paper bags and never made a single batch of popcorn this summer! 

Leftovers for dinner.  Today was a hectic day and I had a vodka martini tonight. 

luvmygoats

For some reason hasn't been much cooking going on at least nothing compared to the other creations on here. Last night was some frozen chicken sausages in onion hot dog buns not made by me. Tonight I made pepper steak with some cube steak. Turned out rather well. Recipe called for making a gravy and adding it back it. I have tons of extra so I see the 2 leftover chicken sausages being turned into potato topping tomorrow. I was anticipating a Chinese pepper steak; this was more downhome style but still good. I think I could make it with those frozen peppers in a pinch when peppers are sky high. Did manage to get freezer somewhat more organized using my 99 cent bags from Ross. At least you can kinda find vegies, meat, potatoes. I need to make things with a ton of frozen fruit from the store. Not sure what I had in mind. I think very few pkgs are blueberries - at least I coulda made muffins. Mixed berries and peaches I think are what most of them are. Any easy ideas?

MinusTwo - BlueBell has new Peppermint Crunch ice cream. My store has BB on sale this week - I'm on a hunt.

Nancy - the Black Eyed Pea Stew looks enticing. Do you plan on a trial run? I am probably the only one on here who has never had kale. I had a bag of frozen but never used it. My grocery has it fresh regularly.

They had fennel bulbs the other day. Again I doubt anyone in this seriously rural town even knows what they are. I always get looks from the clerk when I buy ginger like what is that stuff. Do wish they had organic carrots in something other than the water logged babies or 5#. That is one thing I think just tastes better organic and then I don't feel the need to peel them.

carolehalston

Luv, I've noticed your absence.  Blue Bell ice cream was on sale at Winn Dixie today, 2 gallons for $11.  I bought a gallon for my mother.  She loves that brand.  DH and I opt for the Edie's slow churned, preferably French Silk flavor. 

I use the frozen fruit in my breakfast smoothies.  Currently I'm using a bag of strawberries and blueberries. 

I have bought, cooked and eaten kale but find it rather bitter.  I think it is probably better fresh out of the garden.  The really "hot" veggie now is cauliflower.

eric95us

Left overs tonight.  Chicken, some pork, the spaghetti squash, some sourdough bread and a little bit of baked ziti.

I had a dentist appointment today--all was good...no problems other than the traffic jams.

MinusTwo

Luv - a neighbor let me taste Blue Bell's Salted Carmel so I'll be looking for that.  And I agree w/you & Carole - I don't like Kale either.  But then I think Arugula is bitter too.

I have a BlackEyed Pea "stew" that a neighbor introduced me to last NY.  Mind you, I'm not originally from the South but It's one of the best things I ever tasted.  It has crumbled sausage & chili spices.  I can hardly wait for it to be cool enough here to make a pot. 

carolehalston

Minus, I think the kale at the supermarket may be old and may be too mature.  If you grew your own and picked it young out of the garden, it might taste better.  I grew up eating mustard greens that were picked fresh from my dad's garden.  I know what young and fresh looks like and I enjoy mustard greens cooked with pickled pork and sprinkled liberally with pepper vinegar.  Someone buying them from a supermarket might find them nasty.   I miss my dad for more reasons than his garden but his garden was a blessing. 

Took dh to the radiology lab at the hospital this morning for a liver biopsy and will go back to pick him up later.  Two of his uncles had NASL--non-alcoholic cirrhosis (sp) of the liver.  Sure am hoping dh doesn't have this but his gastro dr. has been watching dh's bloodwork numbers.  As Rosanna Rosanna Dana said, It's always SOMETHING!  I think our genetics are the big health factor.  Those 114 yr. olds were lucky in picking their ancestors. 

On the food front, I will be cooking eggplant lasagna today to use the freebie eggplants.  I will also be cooking chicken sausage gumbo either today or tomorrow for Sunday dinner at my mother's house.  It occurred to me that cooking must be my "hobby" as well as a practical necessity.  I just wish I could cook and eat without regard for weight gain and health.  Boy, would I have fun!

Lacey12

Ever wonder how/where food trends start? The salted caramel craze is everywhere.....even in Italian gelato! We had it in Rome and Lucca.

I find that arugula's peppery taste outshines the bitterness. I found it interesting that it was served everywhere we went in Italy, and is always called "rocket". Doesn't "arugula" sound more Italian?? Odd...

Yesterday, I lunched with my former school colleagues and had a Greek salad. Then went shopping at my favorite discount women's store. Thursdays there is 10% discount day for seniors, plus coupon benefit of ten dollars, so I love to shop there then. They play music from the 50's and 60's while you shop....right up my alley. Hope the other shoppers didn't mind my humming!

Tonight, the plan is Tuscan Kitchen with DS2.....

....but before that, I am making tiramisu for the first time. Tomorrow night some friends are coming over to dine at a popular restaurant in our town, then coming back here for dessert. Hope this recipe works out. It was great in Italy, with Chef Monti's help.....:/. I'm worried about getting the egg yolk "cooked" right. Wish me luck.....

M0mmyof3

Making Sloppy Joe Bake tonight

Lacey12

Yes, Carole, wouldn't we all have fun if we could abandon those concerns about weight and health and cook/eat whatever moves us! Oh well.....

I hope DH's biopsy is insignificant...sending "all clear" thoughts his way. Rosanna Rosanna Dana was so right!  

auntienance

Good luck with the tiramisu Lacey, I'm betting you'll nail it. And how delicious. Are you making lady fingers or are you  lucky enough to have a ready made source? If I haven't been to the Italian market, I have to make them because in my little town asking for a ladyfinger would mean something entirely different lol!

Carole, I'm so sorry about dh, I hope it's something less scary. Like you, I grew up eating greens off all kinds (cooked with lots of pork fats) and still love them with that pepper vinegar -- dh, not so much. One of the reasons I love the gulf coast -- I can get seafood AND greens.

Off to the gym -- actually made it three times this week. Then back home to make bagels and more preserved lemons. At this point, dinner is still a mystery.

carolehalston

Lacey, hope the tiramisu turns out as good as that you made in the cooking class.  Give us a report.

luvmygoats

Carole - Hoping your DH's biopsy finds nothing of significance. Maybe we should pick spouses by genetic predisposition - only kidding (been watching too many eagle nests) but geesh we just don't know the future when we're young. I've never been a skinny minnie only for a short very depressed time right out of college when I weighed 102# and looked deathly. Then along came future DH and I've done nothing but eat since.

I think my GM ate greens but for my DM it was canned spinach with hard boiled eggs. I agree Nancy about the ladyfingers. Sometimes I see them filled but then only rarely even that. Italian market is not something we have. Used to have a decent Greek one though small but it's now a restaurant. Know some stuff is interchangeable. Back in the olden days mid 1990's we could still cook stuff in the schools in FW. DD's 3rd grade and I think the whole school district did lessons on Egypt. We cooked Egyptian food in the classroom. Quite an experience. My introduction to lentils (though I had a parent precook those). We tripped the circuit breaker with our elec. skillets. When I discovered the Greek store. Pre-internet so finding recipes was not easy.

M0mmyof2 - sloppy joe bake sounds good. We were going to have meatloaf earlier in the week but the 2nd # of ground beef smelled off. So I was left with 1# of ground pork. We had pizza bake I think it was called. Pork, macaroni shells, cheese, lots of seasonings, poor can of spag. sauce needed using up. DH said it was good. I said it reminded me of kids' food. But again it used some stuff up. That's my mantra right now. Use It Up.

Minus - I haven't tried the salted caramel. I heard the blackberry cobbler was good. We had several of the Butter Crunch with Butterfingers in it. I had the name of the new kind slight off. It's Peppermint Bark not Crunch. Wonder what November's will be?

MM those black eyed pea stews sound very good. DH tolerates my need for black eyes on NY day, DD is never here and when she was grudgingly ate a few so maybe I will make some ahead of time and send her with some frozen for NY day. She needs to make some life decisions this next year job related to get her moving in her career so maybe that will help.

Aww missing the daily roo pics. Special - wishing your DD best of luck in her new job. Has she already started?