So...whats for dinner?

Thanks Nancy for the suggestions about Aldi. Never been there. I do know of 2 in Ft. Worth both near areas where I shop. I looked - this chicken is 4.5#. He's back in the refrigerator for the night. He may be like a turkey and have to thaw a couple of days in refrigerator. Not sure why I bought him since I usually buy pieces. I don't recall a BOGO but then I've had him quite a while. Alternate dinner turned out to be a Stouffer's casserole. I'm craving the heat from the oven. I might have to find something else to bake when it finishes.

Spent part of the afternoon cleaning the microwave. It needed it badly even before I exploded some spaghetti with tomato bits in it. It's been on my to do list forever.

Susan those dishes both sound yummy. I guess I will have to look for red lentils maybe TJs or Central Mkt. One of the bigger Tom Thumbs might have them. Usually big selection of ethnic foods. Not sure I would ever find the peppers. Might just have to substitute what I can. Again DH is not particular picky but then I don't count him much of an adventurous eater.

Bedo that's so funny. I did leave the oven open after the casserole baked. (I've tried to send this 3 times and gotten distracted). It was so nice to stand in front of the warm oven.

Oh Monica a new baby to love. When is he/she due? Hoping the snow holds off for the baby shower.

I wore shorts today.

Special, thinking of you.

Luv, my mom agrees that eye surgery is a "non-event". She had some rather involved eye surgery with no problems and reminded me that my grandmother had no problems when her cataracts removed at age 94...other than when she got home she suddenly realized that the quiet pastel light pink she thought she had painted a hallway was actually the most violent shade of neon fluorescent Pepto Bismol pink that the world had ever seen. :-) It's been over 30 years and the pink still remains burned into my retinas.

I cleaned the microwave oven today and about 2 minutes later, DD blew up some ravioli...same idea luv.. The microwave oven is now doubly clean.. I've also been doing some "not often done" cleaning before Thanksgiving. Today it was the antique glassware displayed atop the kitchen cabinets and the cabinet tops.. I'm always scared to death when I handle the stuff as it is all *really old* family heirlooms and thus totally non-replaceable

As for the chicken, I'll find out how it tastes tomorrow. Sharon went out to a bluegrass festival and DD talked me into making her favorite--the chicken rice dish and some of the baked sweet potato fries.

I never bought a Kitchen Aid mixer. I'm not sure why. I guess its because I've managed to get by without one. I have a hand mixer, but that's it. I don't think I'd like the bread hook. I find the kneading by hand process to be kind of relaxing, plus I can tell if the bread is right as far as moisture is concerned and the moment when the it no longer needs kneading. I suppose when I do get one, it'll be like when I got the knives--how did I live without them?

Sorry for all having cold weather! It has been nice here in Fl. This is time of year that permanent residents remember why they live here!

I got through the surgery ok - I had fat grafting previously so the discomfort feels familiar, but my eyes are swollen and I'm having pretty intense pollen-like allergy symptoms. I don't know if this is a drug reaction or actual pollen. It is weird. It is not a cold but I feel relatively ick.

I find cleaning the microwave much easier if I put a glass measuring cup full of water in and cook it until the water boils - then you can usually wipe the interior of the microwave out with less scrubbing.

I made chili for DH Fri night, but didn't feel like eating it - had a grilled cheese. Next day had some corned beef hash, and two eggs over easy on toast - that was yummy! I made chicken tortilla soup today - it hit the spot.

Congrats to those who have lost weight!

M0mmy, how much were you able to eat. It sounds as though you might have lost more weight than you feel is safe.

We had a redux of last night's dinner though I added a Turkish braised cabbage dish to the mix as well. The bagels came out very well. The onion bagels were "infused" with onion though the kid missed the little bit of crunchy bit that onions on top make. Can't win!

*susan*

Nance,

I wasn't very good about measuring.... maybe 1/2 tsp (after hydration) per 3oz bagel? I think that this was successful. Will try garlic next.

*susan*

Special

Why were you cleaning the microwave. You are a better woman than I am.

I don't think I've ever really totally cleaned it top to bottom all sides etc.

Now go get a massage, or aromatherapy or something

xo

This is my DD2. She's due Dec 19th. She's really carrying low so today's pic you can't even tell. LOL but on the other one it's clear. This is the only one I have so far. I'll post another when they are sent. We had such a lovely High Tea. Turkey cucumber sandwiches, bruschetta, Butternut squash soup, quiche with spinach with goat cheese and spinach. Then dessert. Dark chocolate cake with marscopone, scones, and polish apple cake. Oh so yummy. Because it's a tea shop, Chestnut black tea and ginger plum were the hot tea. The iced was a raspberry lemon green. Beautiful and delicious. And I just had to get the prizes and games together. My DD1 planned it and DH paid. LOL.

Monica, looks like a lovely time was had by all!

Eric, I think if you have happy hands, there is no real need to get a kneading mixer...but I do love having mine, especially when my hands get really painful.

That said, I am having a flight into joint health lately, and even my hands are not making me smart regularly from the pain. I have no idea if this could be the reason, but someone on another thread shared the idea from her family of using "drunken raisins" (yellow raisins steeped in gin for a week or more and kept in fridge, being eaten daily, nine at a time) for managing arthritis. So given our miserable weather, I would expect my joints to be screaming, but for most of this week, I am relatively pain free. It would be hilarious and a happy thing if it were the drunken raisins!

Special, hope you heal fast!

Luv, hope your eye issues can be resolved pretty easily and painlessly!

Carole, happy for you and DH on the weight loss! Not bad to erase in a week a summer's worth of pounds. Very nice! I must look for the pizza rising yeast....have never noticed it in the grocery store. Here is the kale soup recipe I use...or made up...as you will notice it is pretty casually concocted:

Pat's Kale Soup

In dutch oven or other large pan with thick bottom...

Cook 1 or two sweet (or hot if preferred) sausages and cut into small pieces when done. I usually use the Trader Joe's low-fat Italian flavored sausages.

Add one large chopped onion and a diced sweet red pepper to pan and cook until transparent, then add 2-3 whole cloves of garlic, minced,and cook for a few minutes. You can also use celery, but that is a no no in my kitchen due to one of my many allergies! Same with fresh parsley, which you can also add.

Return sausages pieces to the pan and cook a few minutes with rest of veggies.

Add a quart container of broth or stock (I use organic, low sodium chicken stock). Bring just to boil, then lower heat to med low to simmer the ingredients, adding two bay leaves, a few sprigs of thyme and or rosemary. Also, I put some fennel seeds in a tea ball and suspend it into the broth the whole time the soup is cooking.

Add about a cup (or more if preferred) of large diced carrots and a diced zucchini, avoiding the seeds if they are large.

ADD A PARMESAN RIND AT THIS POINT FOR WONDERFUL FLAVOR!

After about 1/2 hour I add a large can of crushed or diced tomatoes, bring back to boil, then lower to simmer again.

I also add some " Better Then Bouillion" chicken base diluted in 2 cups of boiling water, to add flavor and reduce the thickness of the tomato addition. I just taste as I go along to see if it feels like the right soup consistency and enough flavor. I play with it at this point, til I like the flavor and consistency, adding more "better than...".

Prepare kale tearing it off the stems, washing it, and giving it a rough cut so that the pieces are bite sized. I usually add about 4 cups kale, but it is totally up to you! Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes. I am totally guessing here.

Add a can or two of rinsed canneloni beans and heat up thoroughly before serving. 15-20 minutes?

Other possible add ins:

1/2 tsp tumeric (not my favorite but is allegedly good for you)

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or if you are really a heat lover, chili paste!

At end before serving, I often add A GOOD SPLASH OF BALSAMIC VINEGAR.

Be sure to fish out the parm rind and the spice sprigs (if loose), and the two bay leaves before serving.

As you can tell this is not an exact kind of recipe, like most of my soups! Hope it works if anyone tries it! We really enjoy the flavors the second or third day after making this soup.

Tonight we had lamb burgers with the grnd lamb we bought at the Farmer's Market. I ate mine without the roll since I have been getting more bread than I really needed this weekend. So I dressed it as I would have on a roll (lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, feta cheese) and ate it with a fork and knife. Also served a saute of kale and diced butternut squash with onions, garlic and a bit of nutmeg and at the end some balsamic. Very interesting and good. The kale was the red russian variety which is all they had at the FM today. Here's a picture....of course I could have card board in a pan with butternut squash and love it!

Moon - beautiful pictures & a wonderful menu. Yum.

Special - hope your recovery is speedy. How is your DD doing w/new job?

Carole - Congrats on the weight loss. I know I could give up my evening wine or G&T but hoping not to do that.

Dinner was Stauffer's Mac & Cheese since I've been doing a major house cleaning all day. BFF who's husband died 3 weeks ago is coming to town for a dentist appt & will stay w/me tomorrow night. It's supposed to be 31 degrees & she's going to choose a restaurant for an early dinner out. Sounds like she favors Mexican or Chinese. Then we'll head back to the house early & maybe drink Bailey's sitting under heated throws.

Hi to everyone else.

I am feeling better today - I noticed that my DH was sneezing a lot yesterday so maybe it was a coincidental pollen thing - I had allergy shots for about ten years so I now have pretty mild allergy symptoms - but only in the spring.  This was very intense and at a weird time of year for me - who knows.  I will be asking my PS whether any of his other patients have had this happen.  Also weird, my tongue is numb, like pins and needles.  I def have some questions.

bedo - don't worry - I wasn't cleaning the microwave, lol!  Just providing cleaning tips.  I do use that method when something splatters in there though - my microwave is built in and I am not very tall so it is helpful because the cleaning angle is awkward for me.

minus - DD is doing OK - I think she was a bit intimidated at first.  Her first day in the water they just throw you off the boat and you wait for a sea lion to eventually show up and try to clamp things onto to you - eeeks!  She was just floating there waiting and hoping the thing bumping her was actually the sea lion and not something else!  She went to a work related turkey dinner last night, was responsible for an appetizer, so she took an artichoke heart dip. Your plan of Bailey's and heated throws with your friend sounds excellent!

moon - great pics - sounds like a fun time! 

lacey - I had heard about the "drunken raisins" previously - we discussed this on the Tampa thread when talking about AI induced joint pain.  If it works how easy would that be, right?  Certainly worth trying.

Monica, that's a lovely picture of you and your DD.  You both look very happy!  It sounds like a lovely shower.

Luv, I do sometimes buy bottled parmesan, but also buy it in a chunk and grate it myself. The rinds from those I freeze and use in soups when making them. I wonder if you could ask at a cheese store, or at the cheese section of a supermarket where they grate theirs fresh, if you can have/buy any available rinds. They are really worth their weight in gold!

Re: the drunken raisins....I bought a flask size bottle to try this out. I felt like the town morning alcoholic lady going into the new liquor store in the center of our town (I happened to be shopping in that area and was not about to go drive to a liquor store just for this), and coming out with the flask sized brown package. LOL It really may be working...we are experiencing a very cold, raw rainy day...not one that's friendly to my joints, and I am fine. Amazing! Our stretching class will be the true test later today.

Love the tales of DD's adventures, Special! And glad you are starting to feel better.

Speaking of allergiies, I am still dealing with those that I had flare up while on Tamoxifen, and I also had years of injections early in my life which held me through my adulthood until the hormonal treatment. Apparently, estrogen is protective of the immune system, so it may be possible that changes and reduction of that could be setting off allergies now. I have found some relief with self injections of a serum made for me based on the allergens, and my ability to tolerate certain levels of them to neutralize the reaction when I come into contact with them. This treatment is through a functional medicine group. I hope yours resolve on their own!

Since returning from Italy, I have not done any serious food shopping, so today, after my volunteering with the K kids, I went to the store to get things for this week's dinners, as well as things to have for T-giv prep.

Salmon tonight, with brussels sprouts and squash that I mashed last night....probably salad too. Also bought some some speciality ravs (spinach filled) for another night, and a whole small chicken to roast in a few days...then make some soup. Better be sure to use up these things to clear out the fridge since I only have one and our turkey is arriving next Sunday.

Hope the weather is warming up for all. I think ours is not supposed to be this miserable all week. Brutal!

Meatball sandwiches and onion rings

Moon Beautiful pictures! So happy and full of love

Lacey sounds good, will have to try

Mommyof2 sounds good. Check out recipes from me and minus- we are very good relaxed sometimes non-cooks/kitchen scroungers/foragers. Everything tastes good if you're hungry, but I'm sure you make a mean spaghetti.