What's for Dinner? 10/30/2009

[yellerpup]

Felt ambitious today. Made a loaf of NY Times bread yesterday and started out with prosciutto-pesto omelets this morning and had yummy toast cut fresh off the loaf. I played around with my piecrust recipe, too, and added about 1/2 C. of ground up pecans to hold a pumpkin pie. I sampled the crust, nice and crispy and love the way pecan & pumpkin compliment each other. Now for dinner I'm making pork chops braised in white wine with grits cooked in enhanced chicken broth. Will steam broccoli at the last minute and serve chilled sauteed pear slices along side the pork chops. We are set for tonight! How about you?

I'll be back later to tend the thread, right now I'm still cookin'! Happy Halloween Eve!

Edit for 'yummy' overload.

[Neecy]

1. wow

Now I feel so lazy :)

Bockwurst and braised red cabbage is on the menu for tonight. It's cold, windy and crappy outside and this is total comfort food for me.

[yellerpup]

4. Mmmm, bockwurst and braised cabbage

sounds really good and hearty on a cold, windy night. Keep warm and be comforted, Neecy. Sounds like just the ticket. :hi:

[Callalily]

2. Only left over chili here!

I'm tired and it's been a long week. And . . . my chili just happens to be excellent! ;)

[yellerpup]

6. After you had such a hard week, isn't it wonderful to have

something really delicious to come home to? Relax and treat yourself well tonight. You have a perfect start with your chili. Enjoy! :hi:

[cbayer]

3. I baked a chicken yesterday and made stock this afternoon.

Sometimes I just like fresh chicken stock with some noodles and a yummy grilled cheese sandwich on stock days.

:hi:

[yellerpup]

7. You don't need any advice on how to make the most of a good thing!

Nothing beats a good chicken broth. Having stock is the perfect jump off place; you can go about anywhere you want with it. :hi:

[beac]

5. Quorn chik'n with teriyaki Thai basil sauce,

steamed broccoli with lemon juice, sweet potato and onion mash, sherried mushrooms, roasted yellow pepper strips with red chili flakes and garlic and a salad.

And a really tasty (and cheap!) Nero D'Avola from Sicily.

We've been pizza and spaghetti'ing all week, so I was ready for some real food (and drink!)

[yellerpup]

Duplicate. Self Delete.

Sorry!

[yellerpup]

8. I bet your plate looks like a still life painting.

Healthy and so well-balanced as well as beautiful. Treat yourself well tonight and enjoy that Sicilian vino! :hi:

[hippywife]

9. I'm too tired to cook tonight.

Bill's having some leftover baked sweet potatoes and whatever else he can fine. I'm just thoroughly exhausted and I'm not sure why exactly, but I'm not cooking anything tonight.

I'm not hungry at the moment and will probably just eat some fruit and goat cheese later if I do get hungry.

Everyone enjoy your dinners. They all sound really good. :hi:

[yellerpup]

11. I love a light meal like fruit and goat cheese, and a handful of walnuts.

I'm crazy about nuts. You take care of yourself tonight and unwind at your own pace. You'll be cooking all day on Sunday, god willin' and I want to hear all about it. Take care. :hug:

[hippywife]

10. You are crankin' today!

What a great load of lovely food. :hi:

[yellerpup]

12. We had great weather today although partly cloudy and cool.

We are out at our local pub last night (fish & chips) and I felt energized by meeting up with friends and having a good time. Also, now that my book is finished I am at loose ends and have tons of time and nervous energy until my agent calls. The thing is -- and that's why I'm here with my buds in C&B --Mr. Pup is still stuck at the office. His boss didn't spring it on him until two minutes before quitting time (as usual) but, it will be good no matter what time we have it. :pals:

[hippywife]

14. We love really good

fish and chips. One of our favorite things. We found an authentic English pub not too far away and had a really good meal of fish and chips there a few weeks ago. Neither of us can drink but I was curious to taste Guiness. I probably wouldn't have like it anyway, but a sip just to say I'd tasted it would have been okay. I just didn't ask.

So, sister, dish about this book. I want to hear all about it. :pals:

ETA: I'm gonna try your dealie with the pecans in the crust this weekend. I'm a nut nut, too. I don't have them often just to eat because I can't stop until they're all gone. :eyes:

[yellerpup]

19. I'm not much of a drinker myself. I had one Martini last night and it

kicked my butt. Since I had the drink (while waiting on Mr. Pup to join me) before I had dinner I can't really testify as to the quality of the fish & chips, but I made pretty short work of them. I used about 1/2 cup of pecan meal in the piecrust. I'm sure I don't have to tell you to watch the temperature, but the flavor of the toasted nuts is incredible. I bought a kilo of pistachios for my party (I needed one cup shelled, TOTAL) and polished them off before the week was out. I think I am kin to nut trees on the evolutionary path.

Thanks for asking about my book. My agent had it out to a publisher with a week of when she read it on a "first-look, exclusive basis." She didn't tell me which publisher.

"Weep" is a mainstream novel about a woman's search for identity and belonging based on years of research into my own Cherokee heritage. "Weep" is set in present day Oklahoma and told in the voice of Nikki Twig.

In Cherokee legend it is said that at the beginning of the world people and animals spoke and understood each other’s languages. “Weep” is a story about a woman whose life changed after just such an encounter with a carriage horse in Central Park. Nikki Twig has spent most of her life hiding from her past. Nikki and her best friend, Belinda Carpenter always wished to be sisters when they were children. Upon the death of their friend and mentor, Wally, they learn that they are related to each other through a Cherokee bloodline, but are left to their own devices to determine exactly how.

I am very excited about this book. I joined the Cherokee tribe when I visited Oklahoma last June but am still waiting for my credentials to arrive in the mail.

[hippywife]

20. Wow! Very cool!

Please keep us updated on what happens. And I DO mean that, chickeroo. Heck, if you get published, I'll even buy it instead of borrowing it from the library.

I guess the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly even in the Cherokee Nation. Hope you get them soon. :hug:

[yellerpup]

23. You are sweet!

Mr. Pup is on his way home, so I'm back on KP. Catch you later! :hug:

[NMDemDist2]

25. holy cow!!! i'll buy a copy, let me know when it's on Amazon! n/t

[yellerpup]

35. Thanks!

When that happens I know I won't be able to keep the news all bottled up inside. I'll be dancing in the streets and shouting out to all my pals on DU. :hugs:

[Tesha]

13. Dinner was Hunan Crispy Fish and Yu Hsang Scallops...

...at the local Chinese restaurant where Mr. Tesha and I first went to
lunch together "some years" ago. Tomorrow is our tenth wedding
anniversary and we'll be busy all day with the family and the Trick-
or-Treaters, so Mr. Tesha suggested that restaurant for tonight's
dinner.

Oh, and Peking Ravioli ("Pot Stickers") and Scallion Pancakes to get
us started and to snack on when the heat got a bit too hot.

Tesha

P.S.: And for snacks this weekend, leftovers of everything! Yumm!

[hippywife]

15. Happy Anniversary

to the both of you! Glad you had a nice evening together tonight. Chinese leftovers are wonderful! I had a cold eggroll for breakfast last Sunday morning. :rofl:

Have a great day tomorrow. :hi:

[Tesha]

27. Thanks! We're planning on it (being great tomorrow)! (NT)

[yellerpup]

16. Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary!

Mr. Tesha is definitely looking out for you tonight. Chinese food is so flavorful and your fish and seafood main courses sound exciting. Pot stickers and scallion pancakes are perfect go alongs, too. One of the best things about Chinese is having the leftovers afterward. Enjoy! Here's to your next decade together! :toast:

[Tesha]

28. The funny thing...

> Here's to your next decade together!

The funny thing is that it doesn't feel anything like a decade!
It feels like it's only been a few months, tops! We just managed
to pack a whole lot into those months!

Tesha

[yellerpup]

34. That time flies by is solid evidence that you are doing things right.

You're in the right spot with the right mate and happy. Enjoy each other and treasure every moment together. :party: :party: :party: Happy Anniversary!

[NMDemDist2]

18. happy anniversary!!

:party:

:loveya:

[Tesha]

29. Thanks! (NT)

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. Happy aniversary... I know the feeling

last year was our tenth as well.

:-)

Oh and have fun with the kiddies and trick o'treating.

[NMDemDist2]

17. I had planned some t-bones but they'll wait for tomorrow

Mr. K had prime rib at our local eatery for lunch so we'll have some soup or something

maybe potato soup and salad

i didn't bake NYT bread today, although I probably will in a minute once the sun is down and it starts cooling off again, I made banana bread instead

I did bake two loaves yesterday, but gave the big one to the chiropractor and the small one was really small and there's only a slice left :cry:

[hippywife]

21. I still have half the loaf

I baked on Sunday. We just cannot eat that much bread. Not that we wouldn't like to but, you know...

:rofl:

Seriously, gotta watch when you're on daily pain meds.

[NMDemDist2]

26. as i said, it was a small loaf and hubby and i both had bread and cheese for

dinner last night.......

[yellerpup]

22. Prime rib for lunch!

Yeah, I'd go for the soup and salad too. Potato soup always satisfies me deep down. I bet you are very popular with your chiropractor! :hi:

[NMDemDist2]

24. the cafe only makes PRib on thursdays and fridays and it's EXCELLENT

my doc LURVES artisan bread and it's impossible to find in this town, i'm his only connection :rofl:

[yellerpup]

36. You know, one of the things I miss the most about the West

is the great tasting beef. The Taco Bell meat in Oklahoma beats the $12 hamburgers I buy in NYC. You CAN get good beef here, but it's very expensive. I usually spring for the organic ground bison ($8/lb./organic ground beef ($6/lb) at the grocery. I wouldn't mind paying the freight for really good beef, but locally the price is high but the quality is low. The last time I had prime rib was New Year's Eve about 15 years ago and even then it was the $40 entree, so I am jealous that you can have it at lunch at your local cafe. Not surprised that your artisan bread is a big hit with your doc and with that NY Times recipe, how easy is it to please? :9

[hippywife]

42. I'd be very suprised

if the Taco Bell meat in OK originates in this state. Most chain restaurants buy from one or two providers at most and ship it to all of their locations nationwide. They usually buy from food brokers and distributors like Sysco, PFG, MBM, Benny Keith, Martin Brower, etc. I used to be a load planner/dispatcher for a trucking company and routed these kinds of shipments all of the time.

The only way to make sure you're getting really good product is not in the grocery. Even if it says all natural or organic, chances are it still isn't high quality local product. I pay the same you are paying for ground beef and the buffalo is the same price as the ground beef but it's local and comes direct from the farm. Would probably takes some doing in NYC but I would look at local farmer's markets.

www.localharvest.org

How was your dinner last night? I ended up mixing some cream cheese with some green jalapeno jelly and eating it with some wheat crackers. One of those things that I could eat every day because the taste to me is like heaven. A rare treat for that very reason. :eyes:

:hi:

[yellerpup]

46. Dinner was good, but I ate alone.

Mr. Pup came in famished about 8:30 and scarfed down his meal, burped, and passed out in his chair. He has to go back this morning and work all day. His company cancelled overtime pay this year, but hopefully, they are getting back on their feet and can reward those who have sacrificed to keep them in business through these tough times. Anyway, I know you are right about the meat. I don't usually eat at Taco Bell at all, but on the farm where everyone invests in a share of a beef raised on good lespedeza and clover. I support two farmer's markets in our area as much as possible (just two of us) but this is a chi-chi area and I don't have $18/lb. for organic mesclun and $2.50/ea. apples. These are extreme examples, but the FM management changed a few years ago and now they have singers/jugglers/etc. to help 'draw' people in and the price escalated out of my range in the past two years. Your dinner sounds very nice. I'd do the same thing only with goat cheese (for my tummy's sake.) Hope you have your energy back. Have fun today! Oh, and BOO!!! :rofl:

[hippywife]

50. Poor guy!

He was probably totally done in. Are they going to at least give him some comp time? I hope he gets a break really soon. :hug: for him, and one for you. :hug:

I decided to save the goat cheese. I have a couple of really nice portabella caps that I want to stuff, I think. Plus I love eating the goat cheese with nothing on it. It was really just a snack, anyway.

Glad you have access to some good beef. I'm thinking a pound of mesclun would be a lot since it's so light. Some things I buy less of so I can have it once in a while and not have to pay out so much. I know it's still expensive but I can feel better without the huge outlay of cash if I get a smaller amount as a treat. Plus it's the one area of our lives I don't mind spending the extra money on and cut back on other spending.

I am feeling better this morning, thanx. Slept better last night finally. And I really need to get moving here today. Got a couple of scary movies bookmarked for tonight's entertainment.















Oh, and Boo to you!













:rofl:







See ya later, tater.

[yellerpup]

53. Have a Spooktacular night!

:yourock:

[eleny]

30. Pork chops and onions fried with plantains

I made an Italian dressing with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to marinate the chops. then I baked them with the marinade. Halfway through baking I removed the juices to brown the chops a little in the oven.

Fried up two large onions and then added plantain rounds to brown them.

Mashed potatoes and green beans were also on the side.

Yum!

Your breakfast sounds delicious! Very different and delicious.

[yellerpup]

37. I'd love to sit down to a meal like yours.

I enjoyed plantains often when we lived in the Washington Hgts. section of NYC. There were so many Chinese-Dominican restaurants that were affordable and good. I miss having Latino specialties on my Chinese take-out menu. Breakfast was an improv -- turned out well, though! :hi:

[EFerrari]

31. And I thought I was ambitious today!

lol

A little chicken marinated in garlic, O-Oil and herbs, orange, some acorn squash stuffed with apples (that recipe was posted here in a video) and that great "tapenade" from the French foodie that SoCalDem put up. (How do you say "tapenade", anyway? "Tah pe nah"? :) )

My feet are killing me or I'd try the pumpkin cranberry oatmeal cookies. They'll have to wait.

Thanks for the great recipes. :party:

[yellerpup]

38. Funny you should mention those cookies...

That's what I set out to bake this morning, but starting with two sticks of butter and not sure of how many trick-or-treaters would show up, I was afraid to have a few dozen around the house because I know they'd all be eaten by me. I don't know how to say tapenade either, but didn't realize it until you asked. You dinner had to be delicious! I love orange in a citrus marinade. :hi:

[hippywife]

43. Those cookies are on my list for this weekend.

Top-en-odd is how I have heard it pronounced. :hi:

[yellerpup]

48. Sounds right for me.

He's working, so I'm going to make a pot of vegetable soup with collards and beans in it. Lots of vitamins, etc., to help restore energy and stoke the brain. I need it as much as he does! I'm saving the cookies to make hostess gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[grasswire]

58. tah-pen-ahd' -- accent on the last syllable

:-)

kind of like "shock 'n' awe" only a lot more nice.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. We had left overs for lunch and eggs

The left overs from the chile rellenos.

We went out for dinner with my brother to a local fairly descent Mexican restaurant. So I have very few dishes.

:-)

Tomorrow brother is going to the zoo with nephews... bad knees, and perhaps will do dinner later with all of them. So again, no dishes.

[yellerpup]

39. I read your thread on chile rellenos yesterday

and it put me in such a state of desire for Mexican food that my drooling shorted out my keyboard. Be careful on those knees but have fun with the kids at the zoo. :hi:

[eridani]

40. Pulled out some salmon patties that I froze a couple of months ago

Made a lemon/garlic sauce for them, and served with green beans dressed up with almonds and onions.

[hippywife]

44. Mmmm! Salmon patties.

We love them! Your lemon-garlic sauce sounds yummy, too.

I like to use grated parmesan (the stuff in the can) instead of bread crumbs in them and then coat with seasoned flour and more parmesan on the outside. Usually just serve with fresh lemon wedges or tartar sauce if we're in the mood, but usually just the lemon.

:hi:

[eridani]

54. The cool thing about them is that mushiness from freezing is never an issue

QFC is having a sale on wild Keta salmon for $2.99/lb. They'll fillet it for free. I'll cut some slices for grilling within a couple of days, then poach the rest for the patties. Poaching liquid and leftover fish dreck become court bouillion, which I also freeze.

[hippywife]

55. You are way more industrious

than I could ever think about being while I'm still working full-time. You set your goals and you are doing so well.

:hug:

[eridani]

56. Being retired helps of course

But days of intensive kitchen work pay off with way less labor, which you already do on weekends. Your garden is pretty impressive, and I don't have enough sun exposure to attempt anything like it, so I don't have to consider garden maintenance time in my overall food prep schedule.

[hippywife]

57. Bill does most of the work

with the garden and the chickens, so I'm very lucky there. That really helps so much. I really blow off a lot of time on the weekends. I could get so much more done if I would start first thing Saturday morning and get most of it done then and Sunday early.

[yellerpup]

47. I love salmon patties.

I enjoy them often for the good dose of calcium, not to mention all the other healthy nutrition they provide. Having good entrees in the freezer is such a boon. You dined well and with style last night, tonight watch out for spooks and goblins! :hi:

[AwakeAtLast]

41. We had steak and baked potatoes

But I did not cook - I got to go out to dinner!

The big question is for tonight. Trick-or-treat is at 6:00. I don't want to have to do a whole lot. I'm thinking pizza or grilled cheese and tomato soup. :shrug:

[hippywife]

45. Mom used to do something simple

like that on beggars night when we were kids, too. The thing I remember most is a crock pot of either BBQ beef or sloppy joes kept warm so we could just grab a sandwich whenever that night.

Do you get lots of kids?

:hi:

[AwakeAtLast]

51. We don't where we live

There will be neighbor kids early before everyone heads into town. There is one street that does Trick-or-Treat in grand style - tents with fog machines, black lights, people dressed up ready to jump out. The kids love it! We will head over there after we go through our neighborhood.

[grasswire]

59. it was always orange and black salad at our house...

....grated carrot and raisin salad. That and a pot of chili.

The days of yore. :-)

[yellerpup]

49. Pizza or soup and sandwich sounds like a plan

for this holiday. You'll need to save room for candy! Lucky you to go out for steak and baked last night. Have a spooky Halloween! :hi:

[AwakeAtLast]

52. Thanks - the same to you!

:hi: