What Did We Eat Today?

[ALenore]

Today I'm making a bastardized version of cassoulet in my crock pot.    The authentic version has white beans, duck, pork, and sausage.  I'm leaving out the duck and using canned beans instead of dried (I was thinking of using dried beans, but then I  realized I wouldn't get home from the grocery store in time to cook them.  Of course since it's the weekend, we're having another snowstorm, so this will be a nice meal for a cold day.  

[Quof]

Beef and Pepper Black Bean Udon Noodles.

[Quof]

Question on the paninis; how does eat them without greasy fingers?  It seems like every restaurant has paninis instead of regular sandwiches now for lunch, and I go through a whack of napkins eating those things.

[Betweenyouandme]

Thank you everyone. I do have some real ginger ginger ale. I mainly can't stand cooking smells. Cold things like yogurt and pudding and crackers work well. When the ice outside goes away, I want to buy a pimento cheese sandwich! I also want watermelon, but I don't think that's available.

Oh, and oranges have been great, so I'll look out for lemons for my water next time I can go out. :)

[DeLurker]

I bought a personal watermelon about 2 weeks ago - it was pretty good.

[annzeepark914]

I just bought cut up watermelon at Wegman's this past week and had it in a salad over the weekend--it's delicious.  I guess it depends on one's supermarkets (where I live, it's the ones that have packaged cut up fresh fruit and/or salad bars).  Ooohhh...I love paninis.  What's the best type of bread to make them?  Would pita be good?

[Betweenyouandme]

I might be over reacting, but I'm staying away from pre-cut fruit because of the listeria risk.

What is a personal watermelon? Please.

[DeLurker]

Where I am, they call the mini-watermelons a personal. They are the ones a bit smaller than a volley ball.

[ALenore]

I like to use ciabatta bread for paninis, just cut the loaf in half and then split each loaf down the middle.  My favorite panini is with mozzarella and tomato, topped with either pesto or a parsley, olive oil, lemon juice and caper sauce.  

[ALenore]

Tonight I'm just reheating Yellow Rice and Chicken that I made a month or so ago and put in the freezer.  

[Betweenyouandme]

It's Texas Independence Day, so I'm fixing a BBQ-type dish that my grandmother used to make when she needed a quick supper. Flatten meatballs to make little patties, and cook in a skillet. In a large pan, combine the cooked patties, cooked and drained elbow macaroni, and barbeque sauce. And of course, serve with blackeyed peas and cornbread. Yum.

Can I come over? I'm in TX! ;)

[sunshinelover]

Tonight I'm making a spinach/ricotta lasagna with plenty of cheese, and a loaf of 5-minute artisan bread in the dutch oven.  

 

I finally bought a cute little simple menu planner and it's been so helpful.  I'm actually preparing dinner every night now instead of panicking and picking up take out.   Only eaten out once this week, and it was planned- brought home a pizza from the Costco food court after doing some shopping.

[Bastet]

Last night I brined thin-cut pork chops and cooked them on the grill pan, and sautéed some kale in oil and garlic.  I took today off to do a whole lot of nothing, so I'm puttering on the internet and enjoying my breakfast -- egg white scramble with spicy Italian sausage, onions, the leftover kale and some Jack cheese.  Yum.  This is the kind of eating at my desk I can really get behind.

[ALenore]

I'm making roasted vegetable soup (made from roasted vegetables from Friday's dinner) along with grilled cheese sandwiches with avocado and tomato.   

[Betweenyouandme]

I finally got to hang out with my dad, and I finally got to leave my house. I've been stuck here for 2 weeks minus one outing to Target for groceries. Anyway, we went to Pacific Table. I had salmon, best mashed potatoes ever...and lemon cheesecake. I was so hungry.

That was a late lunch. We went to the zoo, then said goodbye. :( :( :( I heated Pillsbury biscuits and ate a couple of them with cheese.

No vegetables today, though. Oops. ...I'm too old to miss my dad this much.

[DeLurker]

Nah...better to recognize how important he is when you still have him nearby. Maybe you'll live far apart one day and not be able to spend an afternoon with him.

[Quof]

FFS, after months of unpleasant testing, we have concluded I have lymphocytic colitis.  I'll spare you all the unpleasant details, but I pick up my medications tomorrow and the specialist suggests trying a low FODMAP diet.  Have you seen this??? It is so bizarre and illogical, there is no rhyme or reason as to what's on the good list and bad list, so I gave up trying to plan something for dinner.   Plain potato chips (but not flavoured) are allowed.  So that's what I had for dinner.

[ALenore]

For dinner I made One Pot Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes, plus pan-grilled chicken thighs that I marinated in oil, lemon juice and garlic.   I liked it a lot and will make it again, but will probably use a short pasta like penne instead of spaghetti, which I had trouble getting to fit into the pot. (Or maybe I'll just break the spaghetti in half first).  

[harrie]

FFS, after months of unpleasant testing, we have concluded I have lymphocytic colitis.  I'll spare you all the unpleasant details, but I pick up my medications tomorrow and the specialist suggests trying a low FODMAP diet.  Have you seen this??? It is so bizarre and illogical, there is no rhyme or reason as to what's on the good list and bad list, so I gave up trying to plan something for dinner.   Plain potato chips (but not flavoured) are allowed.  So that's what I had for dinner.

 

Geez, Quof, I looked this up and everything you shouldn't eat is everything I eat.  My sympathies, this sounds like a huge change; but if it helps you feel better, maybe making the changes will become easier.  I hope so, anyway.

 

Might this or this be any help? 

Edited March 5, 2015 by harrie

[Quof]

Yeah, as I said, it's illogical.  Broccoli in small quantities is good, cauliflower is bad. Tomatoes okay, but not cherry tomatoes.   Yes to bananas, no to apples.  I can eat cold cuts and plain potato chips, but not grapefruit??  I don't eat a lot of packaged, processed foods, so reading labels isn't really the issue. But I guess I'll be walking through the produce department with a two page list.    Off to see if iTunes has an app!

[mansonlamps]

Yeah, as I said, it's illogical.  Broccoli in small quantities is good, cauliflower is bad. Tomatoes okay, but not cherry tomatoes.   Yes to bananas, no to apples.  I can eat cold cuts and plain potato chips, but not grapefruit??  I don't eat a lot of packaged, processed foods, so reading labels isn't really the issue. But I guess I'll be walking through the produce department with a two page list.    Off to see if iTunes has an app!

I "liked" your post only because if I had the same condition I would have also eaten plain potato chips for dinner as that is my favorite food in the whole world. I'm sorry that you have to have these bizarre dietary restrictions.

[Betweenyouandme]

Quof, I'm so sorry. I don't know anything about it, but I hope you either get better or feel okay or adjust as well as can be expected.

[grisgris]

I'm sorry Quof. I hope the diet helps you and you feel better.

[Quof]

Thanks for the support, folks.  I spent more time than ever at the grocery store this morning, and don't feel like I bought anything because I had to leave all my favourites behind.    Feelin' sorry for myself now....

[Bastet]

Taking a look at a couple of the lists a Google search turned up (as I'd never heard of that diet), I'd be feeling sorry for myself in your shoes, too!  I hope it's something where trial and error gives you a handle on what is and isn't an irritant for you, leaving you with a decent array of options.

[PRgal]

Leftover pizza from a party my husband and I hosted last night.  Just popping a few slices into the toaster oven.

[mansonlamps]

Leftover pizza from a party my husband and I hosted last night.  Just popping a few slices into the toaster oven.

Tip: Reheating pizza in a cast iron skillet on low is the way to go if you want it hot and crisp and fast.

[PRgal]

Tip: Reheating pizza in a cast iron skillet on low is the way to go if you want it hot and crisp and fast.

 

Thanks! :)

 

ETA: Do you need to grease it?  Toaster oven = no greasing necessary.

Edited March 9, 2015 by PRgal

[mansonlamps]

Thanks! :)

 

ETA: Do you need to grease it?  Toaster oven = no greasing necessary.

No greasing necessary in cast iron skillet either.

[harrie]

Last night was meat loaf with mushrooms and roasted carrots and taters.  Tonight is salmon with either a mustard-honey or soy-honey glaze.  The lady from whom I buy honey has been playing, and made a ginger-infused honey; which i am eager to try it out on this. 

Oh, I forgot  what I meant to say -- yum to pizza hot or cold.  Just great either way.

[JTMacc99]

This weekend, I bought some vegan cheese and sour cream substitute,

Based on several attempts, I came to the conclusion that it was better to not make food that seemed to need cheese as opposed to attempting to use vegan cheese. I simply couldn't get it to work in any form where I was pleased with the results. 

 

I can offer up one of my favorite things from my vegan cooking experiments, and that is this cashew spread. At the time I think the recipe I found called it vegan cheese spread, which is what made me think of it.  Anyway, it's pretty damn good and could be a fine helper to get your dad through the next couple of weeks. 

 

Roasted Cashew & Red Pepper Spread:

    (1/3) cup cashews, roasted

    (2) red peppers, roasted, peeled & seeded

    (2) tsp fresh lemon juice

    (1/4) cup fresh parsley

    (1/3) cup olive oil

    (1/2) tsp salt

    (1) small clove garlic (optional)

 

The recipe I linked explains how to roast your own peppers (My inner Sandra Lee found that buying them in a jar is much easier.) It also calls for you to toast the raw cashews. You can skip that step as well, although it probably adds a nice flavor. 

 

When I make it, I use a 1/2 cup of cashews as opposed to 1/3 and just toss the whole bunch of everything into a food processor and let it rip until smooth.  Makes a nice dip for vegetables, bread sticks, pita chips, and you can also use it as a sandwich spread if that floats your boat.

 

ETA: Heh. I just noticed this is simply a version of what was posted over in the "I need a recipe!" thread. Lots of more good ideas on this theme there.

Edited March 9, 2015 by JTMacc99

[mansonlamps]

Then again, most anything is good when paired with potato chips!

I think you hit the nail on the head!

[Bastet]

The answer to what's for dinner has turned from a mixed green salad, pork chop, roasted cauliflower and leftover mac & cheese to ... a tuna sandwich.  Power is out in my neighborhood, the city hasn't yet found the cause, and repair time is thus estimated at 4-6 hours.  I have electric kitchen appliances, so, tuna sandwich it is. 

 

The pork chop was all brined and ready to go when the power went out.  I've obviously removed it from the brine and rinsed it, so I hope it will be okay tomorrow. 

 

Plus, I was in the middle of a really cool medical documentary on TV.  Damn power outage!  I wouldn't have made it in the pioneer days ...

[amitville]

I hope all is well with Alenore she has not posted for a few days now.

[Lovecat]

Yesterday I made salsa chicken, which is stupid easy and STUPID delicious! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4), salsa (2 c), crockpot on high for 4 hours, shred meat, and devour. I put it on top of rice with some shredded cheese, and it was equally delicious in a flour tortilla for lunch today. Froze half of it for another day. Mmmmm-mmmmm!

[ALenore]

amitville, All is well with me, I just have been busy and forgot to post.   I made Mozzarella and Tomato Risotto the other day (which was easy to make and surprisingly tasty.    Last night I made sausage and pepper heroes.   Tonight I'm making cheese fondue before the weather gets too hot to enjoy it.   

[Mountainair]

Tonight not we had meat loaf, Brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes.

Tomorrow morning Mr. Mountain and I are going out for breakfast after we drop the kids off at preschool. I've got my eye on this from their menu -an open faced biscuit topped with creole mustard, local andouille,

2 poached eggs, hollandaise, roasted red peppers and scallions. Sounds yummy! I'll of course have to come home and run five miles to make it worth it :)

Saturday we are going to a friends house for dinner and she's promising kabobs! Can't wait to see what's on them!

[Bastet]

I have cramps, so probably a large bowl of pasta and a bottle of wine.

[mansonlamps]

I have cramps, so probably a large bowl of pasta and a bottle of wine.

Cramps or no, sounds like a perfect dinner.

[amitville]

amitville, All is well with me, I just have been busy and forgot to post.   I made Mozzarella and Tomato Risotto the other day (which was easy to make and surprisingly tasty.    Last night I made sausage and pepper heroes.   Tonight I'm making cheese fondue before the weather gets too hot to enjoy it.   

I noticed you had not posted in days  glad all is well

[ALenore]

Tonight I'm making Braised Chicken with Lemon and Olives, a recipe a saw in the New York Times last week.  It looks pretty good, not too difficult.  You just place chicken thighs in a baking dish, surrounded with lemon wedges, sprinkle with garlic, herbs and olive oil.  You bake it uncovered at 375 for 20 minutes, then add olives and chicken broth, cover, and bake for another hour   The recipe calls for Meyer lemons, which I couldn't find, so I'm using regular lemons.   I'll serve noodles on the side.  

[DeLurker]

Sounds quite tasty!  Tell us how it turns out.

[mlp]

 

Braised Chicken with Lemon and Olives

 

That sounds really good - and easy.  What kinds of herbs did the recipe suggest?

[Bastet]

Cramps or no, sounds like a perfect dinner.

 

Since the wine only required me to stand long enough to open and pour, I skipped the pasta and just had wine for dinner.  Tonight I'm off for a short walk with a friend to get caught up as we've missed the last two weeks, and then I'm going to bake some salmon and reheat some roasted cauliflower.  And, you know, more wine.

[ALenore]

Here a link to the recipe for Braised Chicken with Lemon and Olives http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017258-braised-chicken-with-lemon-and-olives.   It did come out really good.  The reciipe itself called for fennel and rosemary, but  the text of the accompanying article suggested other herbs and spices if you want a different sort of ethnic flavor: I used cumin and paprika since I don't really like fennel or rosemary.  

[mlp]

Thanks ALenore.  I printed the recipe and will get what I need when I go shopping next.  Cumin and paprika sounds better to me also so I plan to follow your suggestion.

[ALenore]

I'm making corned beef and cabbage in the slow cooker today (not waiting until St. Patrick's Day).   Right now I'm cooking potatoes, carrots, an onion and the corned beef covered with water.   I'll let that cook on high for 5 hours, then add cabbage cut into wedges and cook for another 45 minutes or so.  I'm planning to make corned beef hash with the leftovers later in the week. 

[harrie]

We're doing the boiled dinner Tuesday; we throw in extra taters and carrots and skip the cabbage, though.  Hash to follow later this week.  For me, the corned beef dinner is just something you have to do to get to the hash --  hash is one of my favorites, fried egg on top optional. 

 

Tonight is Potatoes Dauphinoise - potatoes, ham, heavy cream and stinky cheese.  I guess it's actually a fancy scalloped potato dish.  Totally decadent, we only eat it once or twice a year; the hub makes it for my birthday week each year, and it's time!  (We each have a birthday week; the birthday person makes the menu, and the other cooks it.)

[ikmccall]

Today was colder than I thought it would be so I made a pot of Beef Barley Vegetable soup and a pan of cornbread for dinner.  Perfection, if I do say so myself.

[PRgal]

Went out for dinner yesterday with the family.  Since it was March 14, we had pie for dessert! :)  Today, we ordered in from a Mexican place.  I had vegetarian enchiladas.