ChristinaMason's Profile
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
It's on!
I'm slightly worried I'll regain the pudge I lost by severely cutting calories (which, admittedly, involved reducing carbs a ton) and working out a lot, but that was not a sustainable way of eating for me. I enjoy cooking and eating way too much for sustained self-deprivation.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
JM, my jalapenos were just refrigerator pickles I made to rescue a bunch of jalapenos that needed to be used while they were still good. I loosely followed this recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guys-big-bite-/pickled-jalapenos-and-carrots-recipe/index.html
I omitted the onion for lack of room and added 2 cloves of garlic, some black peppercorns, and a couple bay leaves. I also reduced the sugar and substituted agave syrup for most of it.
Fermentation slightly scares me...
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
that sounds heavenly. i've never heard of gado gado---might have to try it, as it seems like just the thing to eat on a hot summer night.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
onion rings and fried chicken? Southern heaven!
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
Sure, glad to. It's somewhere between a warm broccoli side and a room-temperature salad, depending on your preference. The recipe is not an exact science, but these are the proportions my friend suggests:
1 c. EACH broccoli and cauliflower florets
1 Tbsp. mayo
1 Tbsp. sour cream
1+ tsp. soy sauce (I'm a total salt fiend, so I add plenty)
1 slice cooked bacon, crumbled
1/3 c. grated cheddar cheese
my additions: 1/2 c. seeded, diced tomato (or an equal amount of halved grape tomatoes), several dashes Tapatio hot sauce, 2 Tbsp. minced red onion, lots of black pepper, some seasoned salt
1. Steam the broccoli/cauliflower to your preferred tenderness (I microwave).
2. While the broccoli cooks, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, soy sauce, and other seasonings, if using. I sometimes make a little extra dressing, because I like mine saucey.
3. When the broccoli is done, toss it with the dressing (and onions and tomatoes, if using). Sprinkle with the cheese and toss again. Finally, fold in the bacon crumbles.
This is one of those recipes that is more than the sum of its parts. I hope you enjoy! Let me know if you try it. I made it tonight without the cheese or bacon and still thought it was great.
What did you have for breakfast today?
DH's plain homemade yogurt (this batch was really good---he used Liberté as the starter, and it turned out much better than with Stoneyfield organic), topped with bananas, farmer's market yellow peaches, blueberries, and a sprinkle of Uncle Sam's cereal (great as mueslix). A drizzle of agave nectar on top.
What did you have for breakfast today?
the bread is steamed when it's made, I think. i didn't steam it, silly.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
Lots of cooking today, but barely any of it intended for tonight's dinner. I decided to finally make good on my vow to prep a bunch of meals for lunches throughout the week. Eating out is such a wallet drain. So, in the oven were marinated chicken breasts and an eggplant-mushroom parmigiana-type bake. Stovetop saw chicken tortilla soup and meatball soup, both creative uses of leftovers and crisper drawer odds and ends. I also made a broccoli-tomato salad dressed with a mix of sour cream, soy sauce, Tapatio, and diced onion. Based on a friend's recipe, and surprisingly delicious.
Dinner ended up being some of the meatball soup, which was basically the leftover carbonara meatballs and their sauce combined with sauteed onion, a thinly-sliced bulb of fennel, garlic, beef broth, carrot, celery, bay leaf, and shredded savoy cabbage thrown in at the end. If I had to make it again, I'd skip the cabbage, but it was not bad at all.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
That all sounds really excellent. Perfect summer meal!
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
raspberries and vanilla ice cream strikes me as just perfect for today! sigh.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
my kind of party! esp. the rum punch.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
pasta salad sounds REALLY good right now. i'm going with the whole "you can eat whatever you want as long as it's not horribly carb-riffic" plan at the moment. i'm enjoying eating cheese and heavier meats, dips, and dressings with abandon, but I do miss the pasta.
i'll enjoy yours vicariously :)
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
i am not good about not making a big fuss when entertaining, but it's nice to be able to more or less throw something together and have the company be the focus. well, the company AND the wine ;)
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
it really is a good combo. i need to find a spicier brand though. screw my stomach, indeed!
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
thanks, R! they were super good! i don't think i'll be buying commercial again---these were way too easy, and much better.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
I physically shuddered reading that. Gute Besserung!
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
So many wonderful meals going on here! I can't even comment on them all except for a collective "wow!"
Yesterday's plans for wine on the patio with friends turned into an impromptu cookout. We had purchased mixed olives, assorted nuts, baby carrots and dip, grilled Hebrew Nationals (which won James Norton's taste test) on potato buns, grilled corn, and skewers of zucchini, Vidalia onion, and red and yellow bell peppers, brushed with a pesto I made from garlic chives, o.o., and fresh parsley. Dark chocolate and my friend's "chocolate lace" for dessert. All the regular dog fixin's, plus kimchi and some of my homemade pickled jalapenos and carrots. NOM! My stomach was not thanking me today for the abuse.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
really nice, Njchicaa. smoked chicken wings are about one of my favorite things, ever.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
cherry, not cheery. I always make that mistake :)
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
One of our local grocery stores (Safeway) carries them pre-shelled and frozen, MC. Might be worth a shot if you can't find the fresh ones.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
Nice! I had to google woodruff parfait--then I realized it was Waldmeister! Bet that was tasty.
http://www.inmagine.com/fdc_single59/fdc00914075-photo
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
dinner just made my mouth water--both of them!
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
chard was a flop (too old and woody), but everything else was great. we forgot to make the intended pesto. dessert was a tikki cocktail over crushed ice w/ aged rum, pineapple juice, fresh lime and OJ, Jamaican bitters, a cocktail cheery, and little real grenadine.
What's for Dinner? #146 - Memorial Day Edition
could you please share more deets on the sweet potato salad?
