So...whats for dinner?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2021

    I had a wonderful Vegan buffet meal at the Hare Krisna temple yesterday. They are super vigilant about masking & hand sanitizing, so my nephew & his wife felt comfortable meeting me there their 5 year old. Wish I could remember the names of the dishes. The best was an Ash Gourd dish - the vegetables sort of sweet & the sauce quite spicy. And a delicious Vanilla Cake - obviously made with without milk & eggs, so likely olive oil.

    Leftover night tonight. Finished my delicious (6) fruit salad in sour cream. Finished a large portion of left over Brussels sprouts with butter. Finished 1/2 a box of raspberries in heavy cream. Going to finish the last 3 of my Tate's Butter Crunch cookies shortly. That will clear the fridge of everything left over except some delicious fried rice. But lots of veggies I need to do something with very soon. Thinking about potato salad to use some celery & green onions. And 3 bean salad to use a bell pepper. And possibly cucumbers marinated in tarragon vinegar & sour cream to use up an organic, seedless cuke that I paid way too much to purchase.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited November 2021

    The pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onions for dh tasted good. I hold the onions together with tooth picks.

    Tonight will be crab cakes and steamed broccoli. I bought the lump crab meat a few days ago.

    I’m not cooking a typical Thanksgiving meal for the two of us but I looked at the frozen turkeys yesterday. The prices weren’t outrageous. About $1 per lb. I prefer a roasted chicken to turkey. The fresh cranberries were on sale and I always buy a number of bags for the freezer

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2021

    Yesterday was a cold, leftover frozen pizza. Glad it was easily accessible. Holy meowies on the storm/winds. Lost power for about 13 hours and felt bad opening the fridge door but grateful there was a plate of cold 'za. I had cooked up a pot of black beans with bacon and some celery/onions and the power killed just as the beans were done.

    I used the beans to make "Laurel's Kitchen" (a vegetarian cookbook from the 70s) Tennessee Corn Pone (clearly, mine was not vegetarian since I used bacon to cook the beans). Perfect meal. I tweaked the recipe since I had no buttermilk, I thinned out some greek yogurt.


  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited November 2021

    I drove to Fresh Market (not in my immediate shopping territory) yesterday in search of lamb shanks. None to be had and a sparse selection of lamb. But Tuesday is specials on ground beef and chicken breasts and legs so I bought all three for the freezer.

    Then on the way home I saw the shrimp truck was doing business. I stopped and bought 6 lbs. The purchases await portioning and attention this morning. I have to remove the heads from the shrimp as well as portion into servings.

    Dinner last night was leftovers since dh ate early and went to a monthly woodworkers meeting. To night we’ll have the crab cakes and the lovely shard that I bought at Fresh Market thanks to Illimae’s influence

  • M0mmyof3
    M0mmyof3 Member Posts: 9,696
    edited November 2021

    Think I might grab some chicken out of the freezer for Chicken Parm

  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited November 2021

    Wow! Lots of good cookin' going on here! Illimae, I followed the link for the broiled cod and happily got lost in Momma Cs recipes/blog. Oh my! So instead of cooking the chicken breasts that I have waiting in the fridge, I might make one of her fish recipes…so simple and delicious looking! Whatever the main event turns out to be (could be determined by price since I really resist paying north of $15 lb for cod or salmon), we'll have brussels sprouts, a nuked sweet potato and a small salad as sides.

    Moon, I am so sorry that you are beset with so much extended family strife right now. I hope you have some peaceful activities that can give your brain a needed break from all that worry. And I'm glad your daughter and grands were uninjured in the accident, tho yes, the car supply issue is real (!) especially with their specific needs. It's great that you and the “girls" had the musical to enjoy together.

    We eat so much chicken! I think we just felt maxed out this week, so found ourselves ordering take out dinners twice (Thai assorted dishes one night, and then lamb shank with polenta and roasted veggies…our rare “mammal" allowance, another night), and then eating some pretty decent pizza and salads at a Celtics' watch party held at a local micro brewery. Last night our next door neighbors prompted us to eat out locally and we all enjoyed really nice dinner sized salads, some with salmon added. So I suppose I really must cook tonight. We felt really daring (stupid?) going out to eat given the Covid numbers again rising. At least when we dare to attend Celtics' games we double mask!

    Re: oncologists….I've been fortunate that mine is younger than I and has only moved from our community hospital to Dana Farber, in the ten years since I started with her. So I still see her there, tho I never enjoy that trip into the very congested area of town. Minus, I hope your new doc feels like a good fit! Keep us posted.

    Last week we had DGD here two separate days. On Vets Day I also had a friend visit with DGD here, too. She was exhausted despite the fact that I warned her we'd be having the equivalent of a lively toddler “tea party" luncheon, and she was eager to meet the toddler girl. I'd made that chicken/red lentil soup which we all enjoyed until Mila decided to use what was left of hers as a trash container for anything else she didn't want to eat. Not a subtle toddler! Next we'll see her forThanksgiving at their house where they will fry their turkey, a tradition of DDIL's parents. I assume that's a Southern preparation?

    Off to get my new glasses. The OT recommended I have an eye exam since concussions can result in vision changes, and I've been having headaches, which she thinks can be related. In fact my vision has changed. So hoping this is an easy fix.

    I hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving! I still need to declare what I will bring to DS2s for the meal. Better figure that out today. For something different, I liked the lemon pie with pecan topping that I just noticed on Momma C's blog.

    Last thing…do folks living in a two person household think it's worth joining Costco? Am ambivalent, since it seems like a waste for just us two (I used to belong when the kids were at home), yet am tempted by hearing about their organic food choices, etc. Thanks!

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2021

    Carol, what is shard? It sounds interesting and I am always looking for new veggies.

    Lacey, we are a 2 person household with a costco membership. I buy my weight in wine ! Kidding aside (sort of), we love their lamb (best prices too) and cheeses. The toilet paper is worth it, even though DH will only use charmin strong (they occasionally offer that too). Our rebates used to at least equal the membership price but you can get the membership that doesn't offer a rebate, which is cheaper. DH has purchased some clothing there and we've gotten towels. Of course after reading all the refrigerator horror stories, the fridge we got through them was a seamless experience (delivery/install). Also our small chest freezer when we first moved to this house, for the hunting and fishing we planned. I could come up with a list of more items if you need them and I'm sure others will have feedback too.

    Dinner was leftover oven fries, steamed cauli and fried eggs, sunny side up.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited November 2021

    Dinner tonight is snacks. We made to to the cabin and neither felt like cooking, especially on a camping burner (cabin is still under construction), so I made a plate to enjoy in bed for an early night after a long drive.

    image

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited November 2021

    (((Monica))). We're holding you in our hearts as you deal with your difficult situations.

    So many meals to report since last I checked in. Friday night Bob got home in time to go out, and our local branch of Eataly was having its weeklong pop-up "Il Tartufo & Barolo Bar" in the seating area of its second floor food court. We decided not to go for the 3-course truffle special, as it included a chocolate gelato "truffle" dessert along with choice of appetizer & pasta or pizza. Too carby all the way (except the appetizer), though I was willing to do a minor cheat or two. Bob wasn't feeling dessert-ish either. We went a la carte: shared a large salumi & cheese plate; arancini (fried risotto balls, which when I was a teenager our Sicilian landlady would send upstairs to us, and I hadn't had since I was in Taormina, Sicily in 2015); and a NY strip steak with white Alba truffle shaved over it, accompanied by arugula and smashed fingerling potatoes. Bob had the spuds, and also chose a housemade tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms & truffle butter. We had scads of leftovers--and were so full & eager to get home that we didn't stop by the salumi counter or buy a tiny truffle to take home. Prices for them have skyrocketed (insanely expensive as it is); and frankly it's a PITA storing them in the fridge before they lose their aroma & flavor. The ghost of Anthony Bourdain will likely rise up and flog me with a copy of one of his last books, but I'm fine with truffle salts & the few truffle oils that don't contain lab-created "truffle essence." Speaking of which, they were selling two sizes of black or white truffle oil: 2 and 8 oz. bottles. Now, in my experience even a 1-ouncer loses its mojo before it finally goes rancid (no matter how carefully protected). As low-carb an eater as I am, I can't eat scrambled eggs or sauteed 'shrooms often enough to justify a 2-oz. bottle. I can't imagine who (other than a restaurant) would buy an 8-ouncer.

    Sat. night we ate Eataly leftovers (and still have a hunk of the mozzarella remaining tonight, to eat with one of our last little homegrown tomatoes). Our outdoor basil has fallen victim to winter--so we've turned to pinching off tips of my hydroponic plant (which I started from seed in late Jan.).

    Sunday after I made shakshuka for brunch, we decided to go to the movies--we picked The French Dispatch, and I laughed so hard I nearly had an asthma attack. (I'd have had to lift my mask to use my inhaler). For dinner we wanted Greek, but there was no parking available for the restaurant a few blocks north of the theater--and it was too cold & windy to walk that quarter-mile. So en route home, we stopped in Andersonville, our old neighborhood (a mile south of us) and found a Mediterranean place, Andie's, we hadn't been to since well before the pandemic. We were seated by the fireplace. Started with lentil soup. We also ordered saganaki so we could bask in the warmth of the "Opaa!" flames. Shared an arugula-feta salad. Bob had lamb tagine over basmati rice, and I had pomegranate chicken thighs with a double portion of mixed veg. (cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, zucchini & yellow squash, and bell peppers) instead of rice, spuds or pasta. Mon. & Tues. night's dinners were my leftovers.

    Tonight I finished off the Kroger 3-pepper wings (even after rinsing off most of the sauce, they were uncomfortably flaming-hot), with celery & blue cheese dressing.

    Tomorrow night I'm hoping Bob can get home in time for Avec's Beaujolais Nouveau dinner (and they're not sold out). If not, he'll hit the booze superstore for this year's Nouveau (tomorrow is the official annual U.S. release day). Friday night Eataly is having a truffle & Barolo tasting, but I suspect it too will be sold out.


  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2021

    Lacey - I'm a one person household & I wouldn't give up my Costco membership. I agree w/Wally - the wine deals are good. Their beef is spectacular. I buy vitamins, multi packs like soups, frozen foods - not to mention water & TP & paper towels, etc. My particular Costco doesn't have a great selection of books, but I too have bought clothes - jeans & 32 degree heat under layers, I don't buy many fresh vegetables because the quantities are to big to use in time. But yes, the cheeses are to die for. And some really good crackers. And it's nice to get the cash back on the their Visa at the end of the year.

    My suggestion would be to go wander around a store to see what you like before committing. Since you don't need a membership to use the pharmacy or the glasses or hearing departments, just tell them at the door that's where you're headed.

    I forgot about eating until way too late to cook & I still had lots of spread sheets to complete - so I had Auntie Chuns Korean Style sweet chili noodles. Quite good but 880 mg of sodium.

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited November 2021

    Well, I struck out on both the dinner at Avec & the tasting at Eataly: Avec is sold out (at $175 per, so I guess my procrastination saved us a little money); and Eataly is not doing a tasting Friday night--preferring instead to have an on-site truffle sale on Tues & Wed. the 23-24th. If I want one, I'd be better off buying in person so I can get the smallest fragment available--online, it has to be a minimum of 1 oz. for $248. Ouch.

    So Bob will bring home some Nouveau tomorrow night. From what I've been reading, it was a small early harvest, with the wines being more "elegant" (read, thinner & more acidic vs. stronger & richer).

  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited November 2021

    Lacey, we of course, are a family of two but we find Costco valuable for all the reasons Minus and Wallycat listed and more. I know you don't eat many mammals but chicken is a good value there too. The lamb chops are the best bargain there and oh so good. We buy liquor, olive oil, cleaning products, bread products and otc medicines too. I used to go about once a month but now I'm close enough to run over there anytime I run out of a Costco staple. We buy sheets and towels there too on occasion. We love it.

    Illimae, that snackplate looks perfect.

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2021

    And don't forget that if you get the membership, if at the end of the year you find you did not use costco enough or didn't like the membership, they will refund you, no questions asked.

    Other things I buy...prunes (I am forcing myself to eat 3/day for bone strength and hope that is enough); frozen berries, cream, occasionally, bacon. We've purchased our printer and computers there too. They sell organic tofu, hummus (which I buy in pre-pkg--hate the pkg waste, but easy to freeze them if it gets close to expiration), coffee, nuts, and pre-covid, their nitrile gloves were a great deal.


  • Lacey12
    Lacey12 Member Posts: 2,951
    edited November 2021

    Thanks for all the Costco feedback! I thought I’d go check it out and get my new glasses there last week, then read that a membership would be required to order glasses…so I caved. My other reservation is “buying too much” since I am not a smart freezer user and waste foor that I freeze. But I like the descriptions you all gave, so I should seriously consider joining it again! Wine would be nice, too….tho we have a “ house wine” we absolutely adore that we get at Wegman’s for 6.99. Lordy, Ripple was probably more expensive in the 70s!

    We stopped at Wegman’s after the opticians, and after selecting a lot of produce, our cart disappeared. I had that experience once before there. So frustrating. After an extensive 5 pm (!) search, we found it with some of our selections missing. WTH?! So we re-shopped and finally made it home by 6pm I managed to put tne groceries away and make baked pesto chicken breasts with roasted grape tomatoes with some mozzarella melted on top. Very good…tho we may just have been starving!
    Side was a romaine and arugula salad with the regular veggies, cukes, red cabbage, carrots, kalamata olives, and cauliflower pieces. We also enjoyed the signature super crusty sour dough bread leftover from Sweet Basil’s lamb shank dinner, and still have more left for tomorrow. Not sure if I had not seen the recipes on Momma C’s blog, if I would have been inspired to make that pesto chicken. Oh, and it was made easy by having purchased the pesto from Sweet Basil, too, since they sell it by the pint. I usually make my own, but this looked like a smart idea…will freeze most of it in cubes and take out as needed for such recipes.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited November 2021

    We do not have the Costco option. We shop at a nearby Sam’s Club and use the pharmacy for prescriptions.

    The shard (chard?) was Swiss shard but I drew a blank on Swiss when I was writing yesterday’s post. The leaves were large and glossy. I cut out the red veins and sliced the leaves, sautéed with olive oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Sprinkled with vinegar.

    The result was bitter but still rather tasty. A good side with our crab cakes. And it felt healthy eating it!

    Yes, I think the correct name is Swiss chard. I’ll look it up. Normally I’m a good speller.

    I’m envious of Lacey and Sandy who enjoy such a range of takeout meals

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited November 2021

    Carol, try adding a bit of cream to the chard after it’s soft. I really helps, I use it for kale too.

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2021

    Carol, sorry...I should have figured that out. My brain has been stressed so no doubt, on pause. We try to include chard a few times/year, but it is "earthy" tasting and I have to force myself. We grew it a few times and just had too much. Lemon juice helps. Illimae, that is a great idea with the cream. I've done that with kale and should try it with other veggies that are more pronounced.

    We are going to have the leftover Tennessee Corn Pone tonight.


  • keywestfan
    keywestfan Member Posts: 338
    edited November 2021

    Sandy, Wonderful relief from scananxiety with the great news that ocular melanoma has shrunk a bit. When MO said a year or so ago that he was quite certain I wouldn’t die from BC- I knew he was saying it because I’m so old- I still felt the weight roll off my shoulders or wherever. But tomorrow I see the cute BS and some of it is back. PTSD et al.

    I ordered dinner tonight from Andries tonight- they deliver to Evanston. Just sautéed spinach with garbanzos, feta and dill rice, salad with feta, cucumber, dill, hummus and harissa too. Haven’t been to Eataly in years. Would if it were not downtown.

    Off to Kohler on Tuesday for Thanksgiving. We, too, go to movies now, though carefully, early in the afternoon when there is no crowd. Saw Belfast and was very informed and moved by it.

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2021

    Sandy, I missed your mention of the scan. Having just had re-tests on various labs, I know the anxiety too well. So happy to hear things are improving. Reading your posts is such a foodie-experience; I love reading every speck you post! Happy Chanukah!!

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2021

    WallyCat - I'm just joining you with the daily dried prunes.

    Nance - great to hear from you. Have you completely emptied your storage space? What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

    Dinner wan Naan pizzas with the last batch of meat sauce from the freezer from my favorite Italian restaurant that closed in 2020. Toppings - black olives, fresh mushrooms & sweet onion slivers. I buy the smaller four pack of Naan - so I have two leftover. And there's enough of the meat sauce left to add what's left in a bag of Trader Joe's flame broiled meat balls and serve with pasta in the next few days. I know, I know - and I do actually have a Spaghetti Squash on hand - but I'm likely to use REAL pasta.

    I still haven't decided about Thanksgiving, but I took a very small Hormel Cure 81 ham piece out of the freezer to defrost (1.34 lbs). I'm hungry for summery things - three bean salad, potato salad, etc. - but I will make some hot sides of some kind.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited November 2021

    Dinner last night was half of a roast chicken. Side was very large tossed salad. I do like roast chicken, dh probably not so much, but he doesn't complain. Oh, we had fresh cranberry sauce as a condiment

    Thanks for suggestions on mellowing the bitterness of the chard. It reminds me of collard greens which I bypass for mustard greens during the winter when greens are available fresh out of the garden. I think younger chard leaves are preferable, probably fresh picked.

    Illimae, your food photography made a snack plate look gourmet!

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2021

    Broiled sockeye (I tried the same recipe as for cod and it turned out quite good!), corn and broccoli.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited November 2021

    Broccoli for me too with cauliflower, salad and 1/2 a steak. Only easy meals at the cabin until thanksgiving when we’ll borrow a neighbors kitchen.

    image

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited November 2021

    Nibbles early tonight (cheeses--Midnight Moon, Spring Goat Gouda, Fontina Val d'Aosta, Le Petit Brie) and mixed nuts to go with the Beauj. Nouveau. Later when Bob gets home I'll likely reheat the two leftover beef ribs & creamed spinach (and he'll be bringing wings from the restaurant near the hospital where he's having dinner). My brunch today was a 2-egg omelet with mixed bell & poblano peppers, red onion, mushrooms & a slice of cheddar; with the last slice of the "Healthy Life" 0-carb keto-friendly "Hawaiian" bread.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2021

    I sauteed onions & garlic & some zucchini slices. When they were almost done I added some Hoisin sauce and served on top of left over "Ancient Grains". It was a great combination.

    Since I'm still hungry for what I traditionally think of as 'summer' things & enjoyed my fruit salad so much two weeks ago, I gave in again today. Made cucumbers & onions in sour cream & dill sauce that's "proving" in the fridge, and deviled eggs. Tomorrow I'll make potato salad. I have spinach that needs too be cooked so I'm thinking about sauteed shrimp with spinach & pasta. But I also have leftover spaghetti meat sauce so I may hold on the pasta with shrimp.

  • eric95us
    eric95us Member Posts: 2,845
    edited November 2021

    Sharon and I spent most of last week and some of this week at a Bluegrass festival. We were with the two other couples that are part of the weekly jams. All of us brought our RVs (camper, converted bus and small travel trailer), so we cooked all of our meals and ate "family style" in a sort of a pot luck.

    Minus, it's still warm enough here to appreciate "summer foods".


    As for Costco. The membership has two cards. Sharon has one and DD (in Michigan) has the other. When I had one of the cards, I never went there alone, so giving the one to DD isn't a big deal....DD uses her card a lot. We don't buy any produce there either. Mostly it's paper products, sugar and flour as even the canned goods come in "family of 35" sized cans.

    The timer just chimed. I've got pinto beans in the pressure cooker....Sharon is making enchiladas and I'm working on a Spanish rice dish that needs pinto beans.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2021

    Eric - so glad you are enjoying the Bluegrass festival. I'm guessing that means your MIL is doing OK on her own again. Good news.

  • eric95us
    eric95us Member Posts: 2,845
    edited November 2021

    She was in the hospital for a couple of days to get the c-diff under control and then a week in sort of step down facility to continue the tests/antibiotics. She came back to her home yesterday. We offered to have her at our place for awhile, but she was insistent about being at her place.

    I've been reading about the Thanksgiving plans..

    The music jam group is getting together for Thanksgiving. MIL is invited and the 90 year old father is also going to be there (he and MIL get along great!) so there will be 8 of us there. We're doing the non-turkey baking...dinner rolls, the garlic-cheese biscuits, pumpkin and apple pies.

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2021

    Thanks for the update Eric. I'm glad she's OK & was able to go back to her own home. I think that's what most of us want.

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited November 2021

    Tonight was leftover honey lime pork chops with a steam/sautéed veg medley.

    image

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