What's for Dinner?

[RKayne]

That was me with the site, I haven't been writing lately, I need to get on it since I take great food pics (that is not easy!!!) and have a huge folder to go. I think I will be taking saltine crackers tonight and butterflying some pork chops and breading them and baking them...and make 'em spicy Maybe some mac and cheese on the side...

 

[Luv2CUSmile]

Hey ev1!
RK, that sounds good-
hey- & fried spaghetti... I haven't heard that in a long time but refresh our memories... gotta know how ya do it!

RK, you mentionednsaltines for beading and it made me think about a great little quickie snack I make... or err used to make a lot now due to bacon prices not so often- LOL
Anyway, you just take bacon and cut the slices in half-then you wrap a piece around a saltine and stick em in the oven on broil for about 5 minutes..(or you can bake but at like 400 for 20 min. or so)
It is soooo good just like they are but when they come out you can even add like cheese or cream cheese, a jalapeno, a dollop of chili or whatever and eat w/ a bit more "edge" as well- They are soooo good and sinful!
Kristen, I make that dish too- chicken and rice w/ cream of mushroom...
great casserole-
Love casseroles- so quick and easy and no standing over the stove...
Tonight is a casserole here- we are saving the small amount of chicken and dumplin leftovers for pot pie (Mmmm) and making one of the kids favs
Tator Tot casserole... I made this up when I was about 17 and make it for my kids now- I believe I have now seen variations of it on some recipe sites...
You brown ground beef (I always saute a few onions and green peppers before browning ground beef for more flavor...)
drain it and add a can of cream of mushroom OR cream of chicken w/ a small bit of milk (like you would make the soup) add some cheese (I usually use american or veleveeta but you can do cheddar too)
and then put thefinished mixture in a casserole dish- line the top with more cheese and then add frozen tator tots or even frozen hashbrowns to the top in a full layer... Bake at 375 about 30 minutes or so (I am not an exact person unless I am baking sweets- LOL)
take it out and Mmmmmmm- The kids love it! They add ketchup or eat it as it is- I used to call it Cheeseburger Tator Tot Casserole and then I started varying ingredients as I went over the years...
I will throw in a small bit of leftover corn in the mixture or green breans, etc- anything really that is not enough for leftovers for a meal but is sure to go bad if not used... also it will get the kids a few bits of veggies when they were little so it ended up being a complete meal- Now we may do a salad with it or corn on the cob... my kids still don't feel it warrants an actual veggie dish... LOL A big hit and so fast and easy!- About ready to take out of the oven now- so...

 

[Allestaria]

Fried spaghetti is a common thing here.

Take spaghetti and put a little oil in the bottom of a skillet. Fry it till its brown boil as normal. Cook up some hamburger meat add the spaghetti to it and fry until it is good and mixed. Cast Iron skillets work best if you like it a little crunchy like I do. Not all of it. Just a piece here and there. Plus you get the added flavor from the cast iron. Its a little more southern flavor.

I don't always brown my noodles first. It depends on how hungry I am. If you don't want to just boil them and fry a little longer with the meat. I add chili powder, lots of garlic, salt and pepper and onion.
If you like your onion soft fry with the meat if you like it a little crunchy add it when you add the noodles.

 

[Allestaria]

If you like spicy look up ghost chili. Its a new REALLY hot chili. http://www.madeinnewmexico.com/647293003150.html

It is NOT for the weak. I am going to warn you. I live in the chili capital. And we eat chili with just about everything. If Pico de gio is to hot for you DO NOT try it. If jalapeno is hot and you can only handle a little spice from it DO NOT TRY IT.

It is not for the faint of heart. It is a very very hot chili. And has left sores in some people's mouths. One t.v reporter tried it. And was crying. The ..... took another bite.. LOL and ended the cast leaving the seen before the show was finished.

 

[kristin]

Kristen, I make that dish too- chicken and rice w/ cream of mushroom...
great casserole-
Love casseroles- so quick and easy and no standing over the stove...
Tonight is a casserole here- we are saving the small amount of chicken and dumplin leftovers for pot pie (Mmmm) and making one of the kids favs
Tator Tot casserole... I made this up when I was about 17 and make it for my kids now- I believe I have now seen variations of it on some recipe sites...

Well, I ended up making lasagna instead tonight. Anyone else use cottage cheese in their lasagna??

My mom made tator tot casserole when I was growing up and it's a favorite with my kids, too! Just made it last week, actually.

My version of hers takes 2lbs of ground meat (I use turkey now) and your favorite meatloaf recipe. Spread the meatloaf mixture in the bottom of a lasagna pan, layer with canned french style green beans mixed with cream of mushroom soup (low sodium/low fat), layer low fat cheese slices on top of that (don't use fat-free cheese, it's gross) and then a tightly packed tator tot layer on top, to form a crust of sorts. Cook at 350 for an hour. Easy one-pan meal, fairly healthy and tasty!

 

[Luv2CUSmile]

Oh Yeah Kristin, I could see those ingredients too- LOl the best thing about it- whatever ya got the time and patience for...
Oh That chili would be way too hot for me Allestaria! I can do Pico but that is it- I like mild chunky salsa and mild picante sauce... my husband and kids can do hot stuff and my husband could probably handle that recipe- he used to drink hot sauce straight- like as a chaser w/ his food rather than dribbling it over his food... as it is he now tends to still add crushed red pepper to about everything. I have a friend from Sri Lanka and he eats all her cooking- (Indian food and very very spicey)- I will have to let him check the recipe out-
Tonight was "Go for what ya know"- LOL I didn't feel too well when I woke up so have been lazy all day- I slept late as it was... think a bit of insomnia is setting in...
I have browsed the forums and researched a few things, put in an order...I did get a couple loads of laundry in...
Hmmm- LOL - feeling okay now and still up- I ate some leftovers, not much- Hubby and kids watched the game (Roll Tide!) oldest son went to a wrestling match and made it back right towards the end...
I have been watching a CSI marathon today on Spike... love those shows...
Tomorrow ladies!

 

[Allestaria]

LOVE CSI! Just got done watching 2 shows on fancast.

Oh I'm with you on the spicy. I am a whimp. And you wouldn't think I would be being raised on chili. But I can not handle spicy. love the flavor but those macho men can keep it. Mild all the way!

Yea my stuffed bell peppers didn't happen. Instead we fixed up my hubbys only dish he cooks.
Hillshire farm sausage with bell peppers and onion stir fried with soy sauce layed on a bed of white rice. yummy . It is soo good.

But had to make it simple. I headed to my parents house to care for their animals while they were out of town and decided I was going to do a really good cleaning for my mom. Spent over 6 hours spot cleaning for my mom. Shampooed carpet, cleaned the walls. Pulled everything off the walls dusted class cleaned. Did the same in the den and kitchen.
My mom is not well per say. She had surgery about 5 years ago to remove a bone spur in her neck. And since then she has had nothing but trouble. Hip problems, muscle problems, and it just gets worse. Doctors ruled out cancer. They just haven't been able to say "this is your problem and this is how to fix it". Right now its a fight with dizziness and headache's.
So I figured this would be a nice treat for her to come home to a really clean house. It was already clean. But now it is shining clean!!

And I'm one beat puppy. So are my girls. They did a lot of work too.

 

[Luv2CUSmile]

The sausage sounds great Alle! I could go for that right now!
Got some things cleaned up today a bit... still need to run out to Joann's for fabric and I am contemplating dinner which I need to start first! Not sure what I want to make and the kids are oblivious right now...
Thought I'd check in and get an idea or two... I have looked around Kraft and Betty Crocker too... I haven't done any baking today either and on Saturdays and Sundays I usually do... yesterday didn't happen... so, I may still do some baking later this evening-
I am thinking tacos or something simple like that- we just vegged out this Sunday...
Well, better get going- Sunday things close early and I gotta hit Joann's

 

[Valkerie]

With the snow, I made chili

We also have this ritual at dinner, got the idea from a movie and changed it to fit us, we have the question of the day! Course there are rules to the question of the day, it cant be something negative, should not be something asked before, and you have to explain why you answered the way you did. We dont allow heavy serious talk at dinner, like no politics lol I want dinner to be relaxing and enjoyable, which is how the "question of the day" came about. Its really quite interesting and you can learn things about your family this way hehe!
When we get close to holidays its generally aimed towards them like "what was your favorite xmas and why?" everyday ones we have had "if you could be a super hero what would your powers be and why?" "what animal would you be and why?" We take turns making up questions so everyone is involved.

DiGiorno half and half pizza in the oven right now. (Once a month treat.)

At our late lunch we will talk mostly about politics (hubby is a rabid politico geek.) And the Mets will come up at 15 times during the conversation - talk about depressing! Since it's just us, the conversation ranges all across the board. I have a bad habit of watching CSI at dinner while he wants to see CNN.

There is a ton of baked chicken in the fridge, it's our staple and it's so easy to add different sauces to make it Italian or Mexican or whatever we're craving.

We normally don't eat fried foods, so I save that for a once a month fish fry.

 

[Mary Kay]

Ah! Fried spaghetti is Rice a Roni! Same principle.
Tonight was corned beef sandwiches with swiss cheese made on rye bread in my new panini maker! Yum!

 

[Luv2CUSmile]

Poor Val... Hope ya guys get some conversation going that fits both of your tastes...
MaryKay, that sounds so yummy... It's been awhile since we've had corned beef- New Panini Maker?? I love Panini's!! Where did ya get it? Who is it by? Do tell, Woman! LOL
Okay, so reporting back, we had ribeye tonight... Baked potato and mixed veggies (broc, cauli, & carrots) I also made a small batch of brussels (I absolutely love)- Didn't intend on steak- It was my last 6 in the freezer... we went to the stores and on my way back I called hubby to see what else he may want w/ dinner (I was going to make grilled chicken for Quesadilla Explosion salads!!- My fav dish from Chili's)- corn relish, black beans, cheese, ... Mmmm- BUT... Hubby said... Dinner is done!- I was so surprised... pleasantly- (Now, my husband can cook- very well- he was a dietician and has been to gourmet cooking school while in the service, after the service he was district manager of restaurants for over 11 years... anywho... I got steak! & my brussels! - Tomorrow now I want to do my salads...
Hmm- and this post now appears to have been made very late due to about every other word I typed one of my kids needed to come talk about something... LOL Night ladies- they are off to bed and I am scanning for info on a couple suppliers...

 

[Allestaria]

Lasagna last night with cheese garlic toast. I haven't made my own just yet. It was the great value brand from wal-mart. I was surprised it was rather good. Lacking in the cheese department. But that is because I love cheese.

Luv, You are lucky to have a healthy eater in your family. My hubby is a meat and potato man. If it doesn't fall into that he will not eat it. I on the other hand love my fruits and veggies. My oldest daughter does as well. SO I fix us up veggies with dinner every so often. But not often enough. My other 2 refuse to eat anything green EVEN if they liked it last week.
I made a very good taco salad a couple of weeks ago. Topped with lettuce tomato and onions. It was really good. Well my 2 younger ones picked off all the lettuce and onion. Ate the tomatoes.

Its hard to carry on conversations when you don't have the same interests. So 13 years ago I took up football. Picked a team I liked from when I was a kid. Vikings. Started watching the games closer with hubby. And now we have something to talk about. Took up gaming with hubby since it was one of his favorite past times. Now I'm a hardcore gamer and he is the light weight. Taught him some of my passions. Which included cars. He knows NOTHING about cars. Except to put the key in and start it. Taught him how to change the oil, check fluid levels and other things. Taught him how to care for plants. And more recently. Took him on a tour of my candle, bath and body business.
Sometimes you just have to take a few extra steps to get into each other. When hobbies are so different. It just takes a little more effort. But I had to tell him. I was not going to be interested in his things. If he didn't try to be interested in mine. He did put the foot forward. So I did as well. It has worked out great. Every time I have a new hobby I want to start I can talk to him about it.
When we met I was into racing and he was in to sound systems. Now we enjoy neither. He finds racing boring and I find sound systems a waste of money.

 

[Mary Kay]

Allestaria, I would like the sound system to drown out the noise of the car racing! LOL!
Luvs2 , here is what we got, but we got ours from targer for 1/2 the price. I went back yesterday to buy one for my daughter for Christmas and they quit carrying them! Drat! I like this one because you can do panini sandwiches, chicken and steak. that's because of the ajustable temps from sear to grill and the floating top. It has the fold down feature allowing you to cook pancakes or eggs on one half and sausage or whatever on the other. griddle/grill it comes with the flat plates or the ribbed ones depending on what you want to cook. The drip cups are just stupid looking and pretty useless but I have plenty of glass cups that work fine.
Bella Cucina Grill/Griddle from Through the Country Door®

Tonight is "bad' for us night! Fried Chicken , mashed potatos and corn. the chicken will be done old southern style with egg and flour crust deep fried..no use telling me the "healthy" way to do it..hubby is spoiled rotten. But at least he understands this is a once in a blue moon thing! LOL

Don't know why this guy is dancing..he should be running!

 

[PatriciafromCO]

I thought about fried chicken,, was in town so it would of ment KFC fried chicken lol lol.. but I passed and kept on driving straight home.. plenty of stuff at home....

Somewhere I stopped using lettus and got hooked on using cabbage instead of lettus... just love chopping it up and adding a bit of crunch to anything with it...

Tim is a meat and mashed potato guy too... but it's also cakes and deserts.. He blames me.. He always buying two of the deserts and makes the excuse,, just incase I want any... I just laugh since I don't eat sweet stuff...and tell him if chubby wants two just buy two, don't blame me on it...

 

[Mary Kay]

Darn! The chicken didn't thaw. The blasted house is too cold! Last night we went down to 49! In Oct. in Florida! The new AC hasn't even been on except to take the chill out of the house.
So tonight was grilled cheese and soup. It was really nice and warm!
Tomorrow is movie night so I will cook early so we can enjoy the new transformers movie.

 

[miakauisan]

Tonight I made tri-color rotini with seared chicken, grape tomatoes, pancetta and roasted garlic in a buttery white wine and tomato sauce. It was quite good ^^.

 

[Allestaria]

Last night was grab what you see.

Tonight looks like baked pork chops with fried potatoes and a salad. Nothing special I liked mine grilled but its raining!!

 

[Luv2CUSmile]

First, a vent... I have had the hardest time today! The site has been "server busy"message almost every time I amtrying to post... Grrr

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program...
Yum, Yum, & Yummy!
You guys have been making some tasty items! MaryKay thx for the link to your panini maker... I am looking into that- Gotta go take a better look and see if it can be used w/ tortillas too! That will be the icing on the cake! or rather the cheese in the tamale... LOL
Mmmm, Lasagna- my oldest sons favorite other than steak- LOL I do buy those store made ones sometimes too- nothin like a quick fix night... and still a filling meal! I gotta have cheesy goodness too!
MaryKay, man it is gettin cool down there, huh? Southern Fried Chicken sounds good- Make some tomorrow ... LOL
Yeah my hubby too knows it is a once in a blue moon thing... and the moon has to be a full blue moon- no crescents or halves- LOL
Mia, that sounds very good- may have to try it out!
Pat, you guys sound like us- LOL Hubby goes to sam's Club with me.. I know it's because he wants some snacks... LOL Oh! & he jumps if it is saturday... They do tasters on that day while you shop... The kids end up coming too- I try to avoid Saturdays at Sam's LOL
Alle, pork chops are great! I like the blade steaks- more dark meat, I usually buy pork loins at Sam's and we cut them in 3rds and season them up, marinade, and freeze- easy peezy when it comes time to take out something for dinner- just thaw and cook- we will even slice them into steak cuts for the grill at times... a great bargain too!
Well, last night we had my Quesadilla Explosion Salads since hubby did steaks night before- The salads were so good! I love those from Chili's and started making them myself at home- The kids even eat the entire thing... well, my 11 yr old will take off the cherry tomatoes- he never has gotten into eating those unless it is on a kabob from the grill- ehh, can't complain I guess, they eat everything else...
Tonight we had hotdogs- my oldest had his play- Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory... so we were out til about 9 PM- had hotdogs quick before we left w/ waffle fries- Tomorrow is another showing but we will stay home- he and my 17 yr old will be out there- my 17 yr old is on the backstage crew... Friday is no school so they are also having a cast party tomorrow night afterwards- They are going to that... My daughter is going to watch her friend in a performance at her school...
ahhh, to be young again- LOL Such full social lives...
Well, ladies- it's late, I will just scream if I go to post again and the site is busy... I am going to bed after this...
Have a good night all!

 

[ferretlovr]

It's starting to feel like fall weather around here so I did an "oven dinner". Warms up the house and the tummy. Meatloaf, baked squash and baked potato. Made extra meatloaf for left over sandwiches.

Allestaria, lucky you, so close to the Hatch chilis. (love that hot stuff!) We were down that way last year. I fell in love with NM and ate at every hole in the wall Mexican restaurant I saw. Those sopapillas are to die for!!!

 

[Mary Kay]

http://www.casabonitadenver.com/

If you ever go through Denver and need a family night out..this is it! The food is good, sopapillas, dripping with honey filling and entertainment to keep everyone happy. You order then wander around. When you decide to sit and eat you give your waiter the order number and watch the cliff divers or the musicians. Afterwards you can wander some more.