So...whats for dinner?

Yea for ten years!!!

It's upright freezer, which helps. 95% of the freezer holds only orange juice and rhe remaining space takes care if "everything else". Organizing that is easy! :-)

As the orange juice is used, we will add to the "everything else" and then we have to be more careful.

Eric, mazel tov to Sharon on 10 years!

Wally, it breaks my heart to learn that QFC is now Kroger-owned. Kroger basically Wal-Mart-i-fies every chain it takes over and sucks the life and distinction out of it. Mariano's (founded in Milwaukee by the guy who ran Dominick's before it closed, and which replaced a lot of Dominick's plus building a few stores from the ground up) started out like QFC was in the '70s: upscale, lots of variety, fantastic fresh produce/meats/fish; plus in the from-the-ground-up stores stuff QFC didn't have: in-house BBQs, oyster & sushi bars, pizza by the slice, great produce/fish/meats, a huge kosher section in Jewish neighborhoods, wine bar (with jazz trios) and liquor dept., quality prepared foods replenished often. The Marianos that went into defrocked Dominick's stores--especially in less-upscale neighborhoods (there weren't any in really poor 'hoods, which rely on corner shops)--had smaller produce selections whose wares often went bad within a day or two of purchase, hot food bars that sat out forever till they looked like bad truck stops, with street people and bus drivers awaiting shift change occupying the tables so paying customers couldn't sit down to eat (not that the food was palatable). But then Mariano's was taken over by the Milwaukee midrange chain Roundy's and the quality of even the bigger stores began to slip--and then Kroger bought Roundy's too, including all the Mariano's stores. No more oyster bars, the BBQs & sushi bars have only prepacked stuff, they fired all the experts in the wine & liquor depts., etc. And this even started happening pre-pandemic.

Speaking of "what's for dinner?" I'm a little p.o.'ed right now. Bob decided to take on more consults, grab cafeteria dinner, and won't be coming home till after midnight. I busted my butt preparing stuff to make the leftovers seem a lot less "left over," all the while dealing with the cats. So I have to portion out and heat (including making wild mushroom medley from scratch) only what I intend to eat--and the cats (especially Happy) will be hassling me while I eat in front of the TV. (Without Bob, It's on me alone to keep shooing them from the table). Not just that, we're having friends over for Super Bowl, and it's on me to put out the spread---because he doesn't know how. He's never lived alone (he's always had women wait on him) and can't even set a table no matter how many times I show him how (his parents were introverts who never had company or dined out and had terrible table manners--not to mention clutter everywhere). And tomorrow he wants to go to buffet brunch in Rosemont at either Fogo de Chao or the casino (to place a Super Bowl bet--he won't use a sportsbook app because he thinks they foster addiction). Now, the last thing I want to do on a cold morning is drive on icy roads all the way out past O'Hare, jockey for parking, and "consume mass quantities" (as the Coneheads used to say) with noisy crowds--especially when we have to come home and I have to clean up his clutter (every surface is his desk) and put out food for our guests. And of course, still maintain the eating and litterbox schedules for two aging and demanding cats.

Thanks for letting me rant--I never get to. I know he works so hard and deserves to enjoy himself, but it still fries me when I have to do all the work (and driving) when he's not at work--and I never know when to get food prepared and on the table.

Bob just got home and admitted that the last thing he wants to do tomorrow is get up early, drive out to Rosemont (I always get lost, even with GPS because the town keeps changing traffic patterns), pig out, and then immediately rush to get the place ready for our friends. No betting--he'll wait till we can visit our Vegas timeshare sometime this year (or Harrah's along the Riverwalk in NOLA the day we arrive for the wedding). We'll walk across the street to Beard & Belly for a light brunch (quiche & salad, leave the crust, for me; small hand pies & salad for him). He brought home a shrimp wheel from Jewel and a tin of cookies (glazed sour cream rosettes) baked by a long-time patient. Those will go on the Super Bowl table tomorrow. One friend is bringing hummus (we have some open, along with babaghannouj and half a jar of taramosalata, but I don't feel right serving stuff we've already opened) and another is bringing bean dip & queso. I have Kettle & Terra Chips (the blue potato, batata, & sweet potato assortment), two kinds of tortilla chips, Finn-Crisps, crudites and plain pork rinds (the latter two to keep me away from the carbs). I'll also put out various cheeses, salmon & whitefish roes, and jamon Iberico. If anyone wants something hot, I do have a bag of AnyTizers hot wings in the freezer I can nuke if need be.

There are very, very few things that would cause me to enter a Wal-Mart. Most of my grocery shopping is split between the Whole Foods around the corner, the Jewel in Evanston (which has an even bigger kosher section than Mariano's in Lincolnwood), and Instacart or Amazon Fresh. Sometimes, Target if I'm there for something else. In summer, the farmers' markets (and the gourmet grocery in west Lincoln Park during fresh local strawberry season). For meat & salmon, our Butcher Box subscription and for fish Hooked on Fish (if I like the week's two Fishmonger's Choices). I order the latter online on Sat. or Sun. and pick it up on Tues. I rarely set foot in bakeries or donut shops--way too dangerous.

The local Pick N Save (Kroeger) is nice, plus it's walking distance. I will usually stop at Sendiks or a Metro Mart (also owned by Kroegers) if I'm out and about or going to an appointment (which is very often).The Metro Marts are the ones' that offer the on site oyster and sushi bars, fish baked bread and have the wine bars. They're so nice. We have two really nice Cermaks; usually where I'll but my root vegetables or any other Spanish groceries I need.

Some of Chicago's finest will be coming over to watch the game and they had special requests; so the Super Bowl menu will be PR rice, grilled filets, shrimp and chicken wings with a spicy guava bbq sauce (they'll be doing the grilling as it's too cold for me), tostones (fried plantains) with a chimichurri sauce and garlic mojo, cheesy meatball sliders, spinach and artichoke bread bowl, taco dip, a charcuterie board, guava/cream cheese pastelillos (pastries) and a chocolate cake.

Eric, females of the world applaud, laud and love you guys!!

I tweaked the Huff post recipe by adding cream. So many ragu recipes added milk (we never have it in the house) and some used cream. This recipe had neither, but I needed to use it up, so in it went. LOTS of leftovers. Turned out beautifully!

Cermak opened here about 10 years ago. There are only 2 stores locally. I remember driving down to Chicago to go to the Cermak on North Ave to get our produce. The stores here have the hot bar and yes, I agree their carnitas are very good. They also have a wonderful cheese selection.

I made a steak and mushroom thing, over diced potatos and onions in the crockpot for my sweetie tonight. Appetizer was shrimp cocktail (from the freezer - only so-so) and made ice cream in a pampered chef mini maker for desert. Can't beat 4 ingredient ice- cream with only 8 g of sugar serving. ( DH is diabetic so this was a treat). Also had a lovely California red table wine with a bulldog on the label (?) All in all satisfactory and DH felt special. ❤ Hope everyone had a loving day however you spent it.

Minus, LOL.

How did you make your creamed peas?

We had leftover ragu. Boy did I eat too much Probably more leftovers tomorrow.

minus - codpiece, lol! My Shakespeare class in college was one of my faves. I too have a soft spot for the canned potatoes, and it is def a childhood thing. I have used them for a kind of home fries thing - blot the moisture off the potatoes, halve or slice if needed - I have also used the sliced Del Monte ones, and saute with onion and my house seasoning (1/3 each garlic powder, pepper, and Lawry's seasoned salt in a shaker jar) for a trip in the way back machine with Mr. Peabody.

Celia - nice to see you. Sounds like your DH is a definite keeper. Your Valentines Mahi & the sides sound delicious. I had to look up Chip Butty even though my BFF in college was a Brit & I ate at their home many weekends. No carbs, right?

Frying up the rest of the canned potatoes w/carmelized onions. Maybe I'll toss in some mushrooms too - even though my father would have been horrified by such an addition. I will either pour scrambled eggs over the top or use a second pan to make an omelette with Jarlsberg cheese. Decisions, decisions...

Wally - is your combo for the fish 1/2 & 1/2 butter & soy? What else do you add? I love bok choy.

Hi all

I have been on this site since 2012, 10 years since my breast cancer diagnosis. I've read this forum heaps but never replied.

I'm not a huge cook but love watching cooking shows and trying not to cook the same food all the time.

I'm in Perth, Western Australia where again we have a food shortage in our supermarkets because most of our food comes across from Melbourne or Sydney by train. We have just had flooding which took lots of rail line out, First train full of food today after none for weeks.

My Fish and Chips from a pub meal last week. My favourite.

aussie - welcome! Your fish and chips looks delicious.

aussie - welcome! The fish looks yummy, and I don't even like fish, lol! My dad was born in Box Hill and raised in Ringwood, outside Melbourne. He left Australia during WWII to be a merchant marine, but was eventually put off the ship in California due to an illness that could not be treated onboard. Long story, but he remained there and built a life. While he became a naturalized American citizen, Australia was always in his heart - and ours, as his children!

I was tired of recycled Super Bowl snacks for dinner, so last night was roast chicken, rice with garlic and ghee, and Brussels sprouts with a little balsamic glaze. Tonight will be ribeyes with a dairy free sour cream horseradish sauce, roasted split baby yukon gold potatoes, and roasted carrots with thyme.

eric - belated congrats to Sharon on 10 years - woo hoo!

wally - my kids are millennials in their 30's, but definitely don't follow outdated gender roles for household stuff, or much else! Their influences growing up were basically traditional. They both took home ec and shop classes in school. DS did the second year of home ec because he wanted to build a gingerbread house and that was part of the curriculum only in the second year, lol! He is a paramedic/firefighter and has had to cook for his crew in some of the different firehouses he has been in - in some they bring their own stuff, in others they eat together and cook in shifts. He is an excellent cook, and has an avid interest in food. He often sends me photos - cinnamon rolls from scratch, grilling homemade franks and sausages, old school carbonara with pancetta rather than bacon, also has come up with some cocktail recipes, and had a garden when he was in Virginia. He has a sous vide and Le Creuset pans - I have neither, lol! He is also very conversant with power tools and had a side business for a while making furniture out of recycled wood. He back country snowboards and does a lot of rappelling and canyoning - very much a guy's guy, but is nuts about his new girl who can keep up with all that - we met her in Sept and she is impressive! DD is not particularly domestic, but she can work on cars - has done extensive work on her giant lifted 4Runner - and knows her way around most power tools. She occasionally cooks - knows how, just doesn't really enjoy it. She is a brand ambassador for Traeger, so she will grill and make sides when she is filming for them and seems to enjoy that more. Her beau cooks a lot and does meal prep for the week. When he moved in he had more spices than she did, lol! She doesn't like to clean or do laundry, but knows how and keeps her house presentable. She is a Coast Guard certified charter fishing Captain here in FL, holds world records with IGFA for fish she has caught, has a roof tent on her truck and does a lot of camping, and is a crack shot with any gun you put in her hand. The one thing they definitely have in common, aside from the power tools, is that they hate to shop - so they missed that part of my DNA, lol!