So...whats for dinner?
Comments
-
I probably spend as much on gasoline going to & from Costco for chickens as I spend extra on WF chickens from around the block (even if I drive there too). I don't get the organic chickens, but the regular ones for a couple bucks less. True, the Costco chickens are bigger, but we often have leftovers we don't eat and forget to freeze. I do like to go Tod's BBQ (in-house) if I'm shopping at Mariano's: their smoked half-chickens are $5 and very large quarters $3. BTW, carageenan is derived from a seaweed. In Ireland, they even make a pudding out of it, similar in consistency to tapioca pudding.
Early this morning, we had Bob's mandatory arbitration in the subrogation suit GEICO brought against the guy who hit his car two years ago and caused >$5K damage. (Subrogation is when your insurer pays your expenses, whether via medical or comprehensive/collision coverage, and files suit in your name to get the liable party to pay up). The defendant was well >80, speaks only Polish, is mostly deaf, didn't understand the questions even when translated, and didn't remember seeing Bob's car until after he hit it. He was turning left (suddenly, no blinker) while Bob was going straight in the R lane in the opposite direction. The defendant's lawyer made several newbie tactical mistakes, and half his closing argument was his own speculation--no evidence or testimony had been presented for it, and he even misrepresented one of the answers his client gave. Not surprisingly, we (I'm the registered owner & named plaintiff) won the full amount--but the defense counsel will reject the award come the June deadline and insist on trial. The defendant's insurer is one of those dirt-bag substandard companies that's been featured on the consumer action segments of all three local network TV stations--it's notorious for never paying until it loses on appeal, and maybe not even then; and also not paying its own insureds' comprehensive claims. The defense attorney works for a "captive law firm," which is one that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of an insurance company (usually substandard) and has no other clients.
We had to drive down to the Loop for the hearing, because Bob went straight to work after--I took the CTA train home. There's a sort of Zen to that: I pop in my AirPods, bring up the music app on my watch (I uploaded my music library to it so I can keep my phone in my purse), and sit back till I reach my destination. Since we had no breakfast, I was going to stop at Drunken Donuts inside the station--but then remembered Ann Sather's (branch of the Swedish restaurant chain) was on my way home and had killer fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. No contest. I had one with coffee when I got home--and later took a nap because I essentially had no sleep last night. There's something wickedly delicious about taking a nap in the daytime, with pillow & blanket, and actually falling asleep for an hour!
Bob doesn't have office tonight and we have a gift certificate for Eataly downtown; but they're calling for torrential downpours and severe winds this evening into tomorrow morning. Not sure if we want to brave that, whether by car, Uber or CTA. We shall see. Meanwhile, Gordy left this morning for the second weekend of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest (his gf will fly down Sat.). Talk about "what's for dinner!" (Expecting lots of Instagram food porn).
0 -
I've always liked the rotisserie chickens I have purchased. Those at Sam's Club are large, nicely browned and juicy, especially when you get them home and immediately rip off a leg or a wing. I'm usually hungry when I buy a cooked chicken. I realized that the chickens are injected with a flavoring solution that contains salt. DH is not a fan but he probably doesn't like chicken as much as I do. We both prefer the dark meat which is fattier and has more flavor. Chicken breast needs enhancement.
I bought two large chickens today in preparation for Mother's Day. I will be making a big pot of chicken and sausage gumbo.
Tonight's main dish is Tuscan Shrimp and Beans. It's an ATK recipe. I watched it again today, using the Pause button frequently to write down the ingredients and instructions. It's very simple. DH was taken with the dish so we're giving it a shot. I already had the shrimp and canned cannellini beans and some of the other ingredients but had to go to the supermarket for anchovies and basil. There was no basil to be had. I even bought a baguette since "crusty bread" is highly recommended by the chefs as an accompaniment.
0 -
Sky turning a dull yellowish gray--severe thunderstorm/hail warnings just issued for neighborhoods a few miles south of us. Will need to unplug the computer if I want to stay online. There go our dinner plans.
0 -
Carageenan - as I said it’s fda approved and widely used, deemed safe, but a dubious additive as its linked to gastrointestinal issues...and probably why I have horrendous episodes after eating Costco chickens. I’m not suggesting anyone stop eating them, heck go to town on them, it’s just not a wise choice for me.
0 -
Just started pouring. Cat snuggling up to me.
0 -
Hi Bedo. Long time no "hear". :-)
The cornea surgeon removed the contact lens bandage yesterday and scraped away the remaining tiny bit of rust ring off of my eye. I'm still using the antibiotic eye drops and a "low power" steroid drop was added to the mix. Amazingly enough, my vision has improved in the eye.
Best of all, I was told it was OK to run. So, today, I ran 3 miles. That felt good.
Chi, it sounded like your salmon recipe was not too critical, so I followed it "kind of closely". I used LOTS of vegetables, dill, thyme...etc and cooked them for about a minute in the microwave oven. I added the salmon and tried the 90 seconds but I ended up having to "microwave" it another 45 seconds--I guess the huge amount of vegetables slowed things down.
I still have some uncooked salmon left, so I'm going to look for some sort of glazed salmon recipe and try that tonight.
0 -
Last night was a crockpot pot roast and tonight I made the French dip sandwiches and boy, were they good. I used some beef broth and a few ladles of the roast juice for the au jus and served them with provolone on a baguette. From this day forward, every pot roast night will be followed by French dip night!
0 -
Bob made it home after sitting in Lake Shore Drive traffic downtown for half an hour...while the first bridge opening of the year took place. During rush hour. For a pleasure sailboat. (Ya think the bridge tender could have just told the skipper to hang loose and have another cold one till rush hour was over)? We both agreed that neither of us wanted to go back downtown, so no Eataly. But we do have a case of wine to pick up at Cellars, so we drove over there. We split a house salad (steering clear of Caesar for awhile till we get the all-clear on romaine). I had tonight's ten-buck special--half a roast chicken with peas & chardonnay gravy over mashed spuds--for which I subbed out sweet potatoes. Just as we were finishing up (and packing my leftovers) and about to ask for the wines, it began hailing. Then the heavens opened up, with lightning & thunder as well. We decided the wine was safe in their cellar, but the box might not have held together had we tried to bring it outside.
0 -
Sandy, the weather here should be nice this weekend, after our sudden current heat wave, which will be less than pleasant tomorrow given the forecast for nearing 90 degrees with humidity. But it suppised to cool down nicely for the weekend. That said, if you don’t like the weather here.....just wait a minute! So who knows what will happen! I hope it is nice for your trip. The city is finally blossoming so it should be pretty.
Tonight I made stuffed portobellos with lentils (cooked until soft for my mouth surgery compliance), butternut squash, onion, garlic, chopped kale, balsamic vinegar, topped with mozzarella and parm. It was hearty and tasty...and soft! ;/ It is killing me to have to avoid chewing crispy salads until these stitches heal up. My face is swollen but the pain has subsided nicely. No need for even Advil today. Minus, I’m also a dentist averse person. Fortunately, the guy doing this implant prep has been very kind and sensitive to my almost phobic approach to the procedure. My regular dentist is also wonderful, so I will get through this process. A small hurdle in the scheme of things!
Eric, I’m glad your eye is “coming along” and that you can get back to your regular activity!
Joyce, welcome back! Did you bring homethis hot weather?? Suddenly summer!
0 -
Lacey, will just have to travel with the light leather jacket and an umbrella--and pack layered separates. Not planning to eat at any jacket-and-tie places (we MUST go back to Summer House--awesome inexpensive lobsters); on the fence about Mama Maria's or anywhere in the N. End as we have great Italian food here--and I was just in Rome. What was the name of that Back Bay oyster place again (we'll be in one of the two hotels in the Pru this time)? Bob says he wants to go to Union Oyster House for old time's sake, but I know it's gone way downhill and no locals eat there any more. (Still can't get past seeing a roach on the bar counter 20 yrs ago). Probably Luke's Lobster again, though they now have two branches in the Loop (but weekday lunch only). Bob will be tied up in course sessions morning and aft., so not planning to do much sightseeing.
Not happy about the choice of hotel (Marriott Copley Plaza) , but that's where the echo course is given and thus has the block rate. I hear it doesn't even have bellhops any more and the whole chain is eliminating bathroom toiletries other than bar soap. Now, I travel with my own sulfate-and-salt-free shampoo & conditioner, but that's beside the point. Even cheapo Red Roof Inn (which decades ago boasted its low prices were due to no freebie toiletries) now provides shampoo & conditioner--and their room rates are 1/3 the price of Marriott. Since we must be in that part of Back Bay I would much rather have stayed in the Westin Copley Place (same bldg., more amenities, higher price) or my Boston fave--the (now-Fairmont) Copley Plaza. Even loved the boutique Hilton Faneuil Hall from last summer, but this time it's the wrong end of town (Bob wants to roll out of bed, grab the course's free breakfast & lunch and do his class sessions and I don't blame him) and insanely high-priced this week. (One reason why we're flying home as soon as the class sessions wrap, instead of taking two more days to sightsee).
At least we're not renting a car. I refuse to drive in Boston, unless I can rent a car with a driver's seat that flushes. (And I grew up with NYC traffic)!
0 -
We're having veal scallopini tonight. I had veal in a restaurant some months ago and it was so delicious that I decided I should probably start cooking veal myself. Our Winn Dixie always has a good selection of veal cuts, My recipe is a WW recipe, Veal Scallopini with Lemon, Garlic and Pine Nuts. It doesn't call for mushrooms but I have mushrooms and will probably use them. The side will be fresh green beans with some large chunks of small red potatoes. Yep, I bought more of the potatoes today. I'll cook the green beans in chicken broth. We will probably have a salad, too. We're still eating CA romaine with no ill effects.
Sandy, the weather forecast for this weekend is great for Jazz Fest.
Joyce, your family dinners on Sunday sound very nice. For many years my mother cooked a huge meal on Sundays and family members gathered. Her last five or more years in her house, I cooked food and transported it to her house for family gatherings. Now she's in a nursing home but still able to attend a few major holiday get-togethers.
0 -
Went to dinner at a new-to-us (well, I ordered out from it once) restaurant about a mile north--Taste of Peru. It's been on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, and has gotten rave reviews on local dining shows & news segments. BYOB, but they make virgin Pisco sours by the pitcher ($13!), and patrons are encouraged to spike them from their own supply. So we bought the last bottle of Pisco brandy from the neighborhood liquor store and headed up there. We started by sharing chicken & beef empanadas, and then had the combo dinner for two: boiled potatoes with cheese sauce (tastes better than it sounds), ceviche (shrimp & corvina) with sweet potato and whole hominy, a chicken tamal (steamed in banana leaves and made with marinated chicken) and their version of paella--arroz con mariscos (crab legs, shrimp, scallops, mussels). No room whatsoever for dessert--in fact we had leftovers. So we'll explore dessert the next time.
0 -
Dinner tonight is an eggplant casserole or hot dish. I made a tomato sauce with ground turkey breast seasoned to taste like Italian sausage. In addition to tomatoes, onions and garlic, I dumped in the remainder of a jar of Rao's marinara. I peeled and sliced two eggplants and cooked the slices in batches in the air fryer. Then layered the eggplant with tomato sauce and grated mozzarella and romano.
In the future I will buy the regular ground turkey, not the ground turkey breast, which is too dry. Not surprising given the lack of fat but I gave the ground turkey breast a shot since it's on the WW "free food" list.
Tonight's side dish will be more of the green beans and potato chunks. The bag of green beans was large and I cooked only part of them last night. I find I don't like leftover green beans.
0 -
Sandy, yes, with layers and an umbrella you should be set.
Not sure I would go to the North End either after just returning from Rome...and remembering a cockroach at a restaurant wuld have me steering clear, too. Tho DH always reminds me that all restaurants have roaches and mice....but my favorites don’t let them show their faces in public!! I haven’t been to UOH in decades, and I never even witnessed a roach! 😏
There are soooo many new (and old) restaurants in Boston, it’s hard to choose. We do enjoy La Voile on Newbury St.(casual French), erbaluce in Bay Village, near theatre district. Are you thinking about Neptune Oyster, B and G Oysters, or Island Creek Oyster Bar? There are lots of them these days!
We are thinking of taking a quick trip to Philly to see the Celtics face their opponent on their home court. We so enjoyed last night’s game, and the spirit in the Garden. Plus we got to visit with DS2 who was also at the game. They play tomorrow evening and again on Monday in Philly. Unfortunately, plane fare is ridiculously pricey, so DH wants to drive down. Since I’m the one who does most of the driving, I need to decide about that! That route was one I traveled often when my mother was still living, and over the years, the trip extended from 5 hours to 8 or 9 given the crazy traffic. So, we’ll see...
Tonight, we are going to have that leftover veggie pasta I made the other night, but I will add some sea scallops and whole mushrooms to it since scallops are being featured on sale in all of the food stores here this week.
Last evening’s dinner was my fave salmon over veggies. I love that the chef loads us up on the veggies, since we skip the rice.
0 -
Tonight was a seared 1/2 chicken breast with a white wine sauce on sautéed spinach with a side of garlicy sautéed squash and zucchini.
0 -
Love the food pics! The salmon has beautiful color, and Illimae the garlicky squash and zucchini is one of my fave side dishes!
It's been foggy and damp cold and rainy here for what feels like a week...ugggg. We needed warming up so I made a spicy but mildly hot texas chilli to serve with homemade chipotle, lime & onion paleo bread, toasted it....now that was hot (which we love). Found a neat recipe for habanero & honey whipped butter for the bread. Turned out to be quite tasty. Finished it up with a spinach salad and threw together a dressing with lime zest, juice, garlic and evoo. We rarely eat dessert, but I felt the need to carb up with the yucky weather, so earlier in the day I made a paleo pear & cardamom upside down cake. Will have to freeze the leftovers so that I won't eat it all. I have a sweet tooth the size of Wisconsin! We were warmed, full and happy. Made up for the chicken fiasco.
) 0 -
Fish tacos with a chipotle slaw, Mexican street corn and black beans. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
0 -
Nail-biter of a game, eh, Lacey? Good thing it turned out fine.
Greetings from Boston (Back Bay). Day 2. Last night we went to Summer Shack. Forgot to take food pix. But we had fried belly clams, garlic-grilled kale, and a lobster clambake (steamed 1.5-pounder, chorizo, corn on the cob, potatoes, steamers & mussels). Today Bob started his echocardio course, so I was on my own. Nice weather, so I headed to Downtown Crossing. Luke's Lobster has moved, so I decided on Clover Food Lab (vegan) for lunch: a Bridgewater Sandwich (deep-fried cremini mushrooms, pickled red onion slaw, kale, and a hummus-based dressing on a house made whole wheat pita). Would have photographed it, but I was afraid to put it down lest it messily fall apart. Tonight we went to Island Creek Oyster Bar (shout-out to Lacey). I’ve wanted to eat there ever since reading Shucked (memoir of an unpaid intern at the Island Creek Oyster farm); I was not disappointed.
First up were Island Creek and Aunt Dotty oysters on the half shell, followed by oyster sliders (wonderful and huge for the price). Next, field green salad with walnuts. Then the entree: Atlantic halibut with Maine scallop, shrimp-pork sausage, garbanzos & peas:
Also, grilled asparagus in bagna cauda with almonds & pecorino:
(Yes, Bob is the hand model). Not shown: classic baked beans. Then, a biscuit bigger than my head, dripping with local honey:
Bob had half of it. The other half will be my breakfast. Finally, cappuccino and deconstructed Boston cream donuts:
0 -
Biscuits are not square! LOL.
I splurged yesterday and had a Bootsy's (diner/dive) hamburger for lunch with my mother. She has been grumping about the food in the nursing home so I've been bringing her pickup food for lunch. I forgot to say no onions so had to scrape off some chopped onions but I enjoyed the juicy burger and my mother enjoyed hers.
Last night was boneless skinless chicken thighs, breaded in seasoned crumbs and cooked in the air fryer. They were overcooked but it's hard to ruin thighs. Side was roasted potato chunks and romaine salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, perfectly ripe avocado and blue cheese dressed with white balsamic and mayo.
Tonight will be small catfish fillets (Manchac wild-caught) and cauliflower prepared in some way.
0 -
Breakfast today was leftover “donut” (munchkin size), the other half of an apple fritter, and a third of the leftover half-biscuit.
My post, with all my pix from last night on the drinking thread has been deleted—dunno by whom or why. It was up last night. BCO can be quirky that way
0 -
That's strange, Sandy.
0 -
Tonight is Broccoli Beef and Cashew Chicken. I did not cook it, our friend who is a chef did and it was delicious.
0 -
Lunch (about 4pm) at Eataly was arugula salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano, and spaghettoni cacio e pepe. Packed half of each. Walked around and then had a small gelato (dark chocolate & amarena cherry). Nice, but nowhere as good as what I had in Rome.
Tonight we had a late dinner—Bob had chicken tenders in the hotel bar after class, and then finished the leftover arugula and his baked beans from last night, so we both sat & digested for awhile before walking over to Legal Sea Foods (for old time's sake—Chicago might be the last big city e. of the Mississippi that doesn't have a branch. Bob had a bowl of the regular clam chowder, I a cup of the “lite" (which had far more clams than I remember from the last time—maybe because it was getting later in the evening). We shared apps: tuna sashimi, and deep-fried oysters & belly clams. Yup—we brought back leftovers again. Breakfast will be weird & wonderful. Beats paying for room service or eating Atkins bars.
Not sure about tomorrow night—Bob has a 12-hr day of classes, and It's our last night in Boston. We did La Voile last summer; L'Espalier may be a bit too formal and probably closed on Mondays. Tossup between Top of the Hub (too touristy?) or Soncie. Suggestions? (We didn't rent a car). I will likely hit Luke's Lobster for lunch, as its new location is just 3 blocks away; don't think it's open for dinner. Island Creek has been the best so far.
We have a late-ish flight Tuesday.
0 -
Sandy, nice to see all of your restaurant reviews! I have actually not even been to Eataly, tho have received gifts from my local DIL from there. Since MB’s falling “from grace”, I’ve kind of crossed it off my list....tho I’ll probably go have a look some day when cruising around Prudential Center. Things have really changed there these past few years....like most areas of Boston. The development is head spinning!
As far as tonight, I’m pretty sure L’Espalier is open on Mondays, and I always think of it as more pricey than formal...but maybe people feel compelled to gussy it up when going to dine there.
Other recommendations for you from my DH (who frequents more restaurants in town than I with his professional groups) if you have not fulfilled your seafood quota are Ostra, Oceanaire, and the old standby that people love, Oleana (Cambridge). The first two Os are downtown, not far from you. But Oleana is not that far...esp if you go right after rush hour. And there are no major sports events in town tonight contributing to our horrible traffic.
Will look forward to your “review” of wherever you land!
I was feeling lousy this weekend with a stomach bug, so we decided to bag the trip to Philly.
Life is pretty busy with spring/family activities this week, so I need to rest and pull myself together, organize some Spring clothes (finally Spring is here!) and get set for family graduations, out of town relatives visiting, celebration dinners, etc.
I hope everyone has a good week!
0 -
Had late main dish salads yesterday afternoon, so didn't eat dinner. Tonight is a small herbed pork roast, accompanied by red quinoa and brown rice mixture, and a salad from my childhood, which sounds weird, but is actually good - iceberg, iced with a very thin layer of mayo, a layer of thinly sliced onion, a scant sprinkle of sugar, a layer of young peas, and julienned swiss cheese - repeated two more times and allowed to chill in the fridge all day. The sugar causes the onions to weep and form a dressing with the mayo. The biggest problem with this salad is that is does not keep long - I didn't make a big one as DH is headed up to SC to meet up with his sister, they are painting the study in their parent's home (it is currently listed for sale) and having the carpets cleaned. After they took all of my FIL's stuff off the walls in the study it doesn't show well, and as furniture has been moved out the carpet looks in need of sprucing up, so off they go. DD will be in Miami working - even though she lives downtown she always seems to be here when she is around - so I will be on my own, but having a few quiet days is just fine with me!
0 -
Tonight and tomorrow night we'll be eating out. Tonight it's back to Crabby Shack with our next door neighbors. Tomorrow night we're going to a restaurant in a neighboring town whose Tuesday night special is char oysters. We'll be meeting another couple there.
I was down another lb. at WW weigh in this morning. Total of 7.2 lbs. It's slow-w-w-w coming off and a challenge to keep it off. I was at a slightly lower weight last May when we headed north to the land of brats and burgers. It will be a challenge not to gain back whatever lbs I've lost.
0 -
Tonight was a grilled pork loin chop with a loaded baked (steamed) potato, Brussels sprouts and a small Cesar salad on the side.
0 -
illimae - I want your dinner! It looks so good!
0 -
Lol, special. If you all haven’t had a loaded baked potato in a while, I highly recommend it 😋
0 -
illimae - I lived on them, and potatoes in any form, during chemo. I know some say don't eat stuff you love during chemo so that you don't form an aversion and hate those things later, but that hasn't been a problem for me - still love them!
0
