So...whats for dinner?
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Carole, it becomes more clear why you are the chief entree provider for the Sunday gatherings at your moms. And you may already know that farro was the grain eaten by the ancient Romans. I really like it.....but then I like kale, too!
There is some farro that takes less long to cook....I have both to use when I have more or less prep time. Do let us know what you think of your ancient grain.0 -
Sk, that is so sad about your frIend, I'm so sorry. Hope your dh's issues turn out to be minor.
Wow Lacey, that was worth waiting for! You really must pursue a career as a food writer.
Carole, I like quinoa but dh doesn't, which is unfortunate as it's more carb friendly. He does like brown rice very much, so much in fact, I rarely fix white rice anymore. One of the Chinese restaurants in our little town offers brown rice as an option which makes us happy. I haven't tried farro so I'm anxious to hear your review. If I decide to try it, I'll have to find a source. It would be like trying to find ladyfingers here. I'm likely to end up at the feed store.
I'm off to eat one of my most favorite breakfasts -- the homemade "everything" bagels I made yesterday with Norwegian smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomatoes, onions and capers. While I'm enjoying that I'll be trying to figure out what's for dinner. Might be a day to peruse my pinterest collection.
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Carole, we have a family member like your brother, except it's because she is a terrible cook. She usually is assigned an appetizer or drinks lol!
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mo37, your veal dinner sounds wonderful. The next time I have duck fat handy, I'm making fries. I'm told they are outstanding.
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I spent a huge chunk of money on a 5lb USDA *prime* beef roast and a chicken. I had wanted to surprise folks and didn't call until today.
Chicken, the roast, asparagus wrapped in bacon, sourdough rolls and twice baked potatoes have all been spiced and made ready for their time in the oven.
None of the grandmothers are feeling well enough to come over, DD has a church commitment I didn't know about and Sharon's allergies are making her feel "not so great".
Special, that's kind of scarey. When I hear that happening to someone I know, it always makes me wonder what happened and also wonder if I'm "in the same boat".
As for the extreme shock and no time to grieve ahead of time versus being able to grieve ahead of time as one watches events inexorably move on. For me, the latter was worse.
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Nance, the current issue of Fine Cooking has an article about the New Orleans Reveillon dinners, featuring one of the Brennans, a big restaurant family in New Orleans. I found the information interesting. The original Reveillon meals dated back to Creole days and were eaten very late (or very early!) after midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
Fine Cooking magazine is sold at our local Home Depot store. I would buy an issue occasionally and recently I subscribed. Like all the Taunton Press magazines, it is a beautiful publication.
I enjoyed my chicken sausage gumbo today!
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steak, roasted potatoes and a veg
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Tonight was restaurant leftovers embellished with healthier sides...
I finished my flank steak dish from Tuscan Kitchen and DH finished his chicken dish with pasta from last evening. Since we walked uptown this afternoon and saw that the Farmer's Market was still open, we stopped there amd got lots of veggies, a form to order a "well raised" turkey for T-giv
, and some frozen ground lamb for future burgers. So, for our dinner sides, I sauteed beet greens and baby kale with onion, garlic and a hot pepper DH bought. That felt like we were back on the health wagon....briefly. I also made an arugula salad with other basic salad items. But then....we had to finish up the tiramisu for dessert since it does not last any longer than today. So quickly off the wagon again! ;/ We'll get into a better mind set once back at the gym tomorrow!
By the way, Nancy, I had thought that I would need to make my own ladyfingers, but then recalled that I had once bought a large bag of them from my favorite salvage store in the next town. So, I went on a hunt for them there. In fact, after picking up a ton of other products, I found them and happily chose to use store bought! However, the next time I do this I will go straight to the area where I know they are shelved, and keep the expense of the trip down! I think it would also be fun to make one's own...and you are the prime candidate to do that!
Carole, did you ever watch Treme? It was fun to watch the experiences of the female chef in that series.
I always recall my Dad talking about Brennan's back in the day. I must get to New Orleans some day. DH would be crazed over the seafood dishes. Reminds me I need to post pix of some of the meals we ate as our trip in Tuscany progressed. He had seafood everywhere. I will get to it. Tonight DH wants to watch a movie.
Eric, so sorry to learn of the messed up dinner plans....and I think that Mercury is out of retrograde, so something should come together.....hope so!
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Duck fat will keep for months in the fridge if you strain it.
Tonight we had spaghetti with chicken thigh ragu and salad.
Mo
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Tonight was a taco salad with ground sirloin combined with salsa, black beans, and the rest of the usual suspects that go in a taco salad - used taco sauce for salad dressing. I had a gyro at the Buc's game (which they lost in overtime - snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yet again!) so I redeemed myself with climbing the stadium steps 3 times and a 4 mile walk with my neighborhood friends tonight.
eric - sorry about your dinner plans! I hate it when a plan doesn't come together!
lacey - do you mean salvage store - like bakery/bread outlet? I am picturing architectural remnants, chicken wire, old wooden boxes, and ladyfingers, lol!
Giada DeLaurentis seems to have a lot of farro recipes - I think mainly salads. Google her name and faro together and there are a bunch.
Our friend's sudden passing was a shock - from what I understand her DH is doing OK. As military spouses we all prepare for losing the one in harm's way, but I am not sure how well the military members do when it ends up being the spouse who dies suddenly. Eric and Carole - I don't know which way is easier - when you know it is coming or when it is sudden. Just reinforces telling family and friends how much you love them at every opportunity so there aren't unsaid words or unexpressed feelings.
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Special, maybe describing it a "salvage" store is a bit extreme, but there is a real variety of "stuff" there...many home things, garden things (yes, chicken wire!), recreation items, stationery, tools, random clothes, etc., etc,., and food items! I think they bill themselves as a discount store that specializes in overruns and overstock, but there are clearly some rescued items sporting a whiff of smoke, so who knows where all the stuff comes from. But they do have so many undamaged shelf stable food items.....inexpensive coffee, teas, nuts, crackers, and a ton of interesting canned goods, pastas, etc. I was happy to get my ladyfingers there at a much less expensive price than I might have at an Italian specialty shop. But....my cart was pretty full of other stuff by the time I found them.
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"Doing OK" may be a combination of numb, not sure what to feel and "don't remind me".
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Some of the food carts were actually open today! Had a spring roll with peanut sauce that was excellent and well priced. Dinner was at an expensive restaurant. A lovely salad with walnuts and blue cheese. Then trout with haricot vert and roasted potatoes. Excellent! Rain, mist and sun today. Did a lot of walking plus work. Dinner with old friends. Determined to stay on EST... not here long enough to switch over.
*susan*
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lacey, it pains me to tell you that I have a ladyfinger baking pan. What can I say, it's an illness.
Tonight is a steak and blue cheese salad with artisan lettuces and maybe a balsamic vinaigrette. I'll throw in some walnuts to ward off Alzheimer's.
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Lacey - kinda sounds like Tuesday Morning. I find lots of food stuffs there. And Marshalls/TJ Maxx though I always check the expiration date. Seems like would be a fun store to go through. Sometimes I find interesting things at Cost Plus World Market.
Nancy - a ladyfinger baking pan? Wow.
Tonight is chicken alfredo alas with a jarred sauce. You know - use it up. Deli had some uber expensive squashy vegie medley that they also had pre-cut in produce dept. I bought some zucchini, yellow squash, a very small acorn squash (the medley had butternut which they had but they were huge). Think I will try it. Have onion, red peppers and garlic always. Also a jar or 2 of roasted red peppers and prob. some sun dried tomatoes. DH will not know what hit him - haha. The cooked deli one was $6.99/lb. I don't think I'm anywhere near that cost and I'm sure mine won't be floating in as much greasy looking liquid.
OK I'm collecting bits/pieces for the black eyed pea stew. Found the andouille at Albertsons. Do I expect it to be hot or only mildly so? I think I will make it and freeze portions for us and DD for New Years.
Special - so sorry about your friend. Hoping her DH has plenty of other support around him.
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I had to look up ladyfingers. I've got some old corn stick cornbread pans.....that might be a close substitute......
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made hamburgers, fries and baked beans
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I bought a Wagner Ware #8 skillet lid, a really old cast iron pot and a surveyor's transit..all for $10 at Goodwill while looking for a dinner plate to replace one I broke.
I have a #8 skillet and a lid will come in handy. I haven't decided what to do with the pot and I actually have use for the transit (working on shortwave and AM radio antennas).
I'm having to work late (3am) so my dinner will be a candy bar.
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Nancy, I actually never saw a ladyfinger pan but bet I'd buy one if I did!
Luv, yes, probably Tuesday AM is close to Job Lot, but Job Lot is more vast, (here anyway) and their large selection is organized in a way that I can find things easily and repeatedly. Our TJ Maxx and Marshall's are more focused on fashionable clothing and home decor and kitchen items than food...but there are a couple of aisles of it, mainly coffees and gift/speciality foods.....love that too...rarely get out of there w/o replenishing DH's coffee supply with an interesting one.
Tonight I wanted to use a lot of the brussels sprouts I cut off the large stalk I bought. So after researching soups, I made up my own with brussels sprouts, portabello mushrooms, and farro (thank you for helping me think of that, Carole). I purposefully made it differently than my kale soups. DH and I really enjoyed it with some crusty bread. Made a bib lettuce salad...and DH finished up the lamb shank from Saturday night's dinner.
Eric...candy bar dinner...sounds just about right to start Halloween week! Hope you get some rest! And, good score at Goodwill!
My neighbor just told me that she found 00 flour at BJs for less than 1.50 a pound. Might just re-up there or have her get me some when she goes, so I am not tempted by all the other attractions!
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Leftover brown rice and chicken sausage gumbo with a tossed salad with avocado and blue cheese.
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My dinner was 'crudities' - raw cauliflower, radishes, carrots - steamed asparagus - ranch dip. And I might as well top that off with a couple more of the mini Mounds candy bars I had purchased for Halloween. Thanks for the idea Eric. I plan on popcorn for dessert in another hour or so.
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specialk sorry about your friend. You've had a rough year.
Lacey it's good that the restaurant was wonderful. So much fun to finds a good one.
Nancy, of course you do. And like eric, I thought of the corn stick pan. Ladyfingers are a sponge cake, right? That's what I'm thinking of.
Eric, I love looking at goodwill stores. You can always find things. Around here we have a St Vincent store too. Same kind of things.
Luv, we have Tuesday Mornings around here also Big Lots. It's fun to poke around but I spend too much too!
I've had farro. Bought it at Costco. You can use it like rice or even as a hot breakfast cereal. That's how they served it at sample day at Costco.
I made meat loaf and baked potato with carrots a couple days ago. Finished it up today. My favorite Tea shop is re branding itself as a Bistro so more people know it serves sandwiches and soups. All home made. Like polish dill pickle soup or butternut squash or Caribbean black bean. Just lovely- here's the soup and half sandwich lunch. Yum.
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moon - thanks. Such a pretty picture - I have butternut squash in the freezer that I need to make into soup but it is still warm here, so not ready for sweaters or soup yet, lol! It is however just entering the time period where I am happy to live in Florida - lower humidity and fresh clean feeling air, awesome temps - enjoying it!
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SpecialK, we've been in that weather period here in south Louisiana, but yesterday I closed the doors and windows and turned on the a/c. The humidity had risen again.
I have an acorn squash and a butternut that I haven't gotten around to cooking. I just can't think of making soup with either one! I roast them and add butter and a little brown sugar. They taste somewhat like baked sweet potatoes. Which reminds me, I have some of them on hand to cook, too!
Off to play golf in a 3-day match play tournament at our club. Not sure what dinner will be.
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I will have to look up lady fingers. Not sure I've eaten them. I have one of those cast iron molds for corn-shaped cornbread, too.
Interesting note about tiramisu. It's probably more popular with women than men. We were out to dinner at an Italian restaurant this summer with dh's cousin and his wife. She and I shared a tiramisu for dessert. The men shared another dessert. Neither of them likes tiramisu. It's too "mushy"!
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I agree, Carole....there is absolutely no "chew factor" in tiramisu, which doesn't make it my favorite dessert either. But I liked making it.
Also, if you let it sit for more than a day and a half, you have tiramisu "soup". Didn't last that long.... Good luck with your golf tournament!Special, enjoy your delightful weather!
I hear we are set to have some actual cold temps later this week. Today is gorgeous...too bad it is not trick or treat night tonight. Friday will be really chilly, so I suspect the kiddies will be wearing quite a few layers under (or over) their costumes! And we will finally need to turn on our heat!
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AuntieNance, do you ever go to the groceries on the Hill? I am a sucker for Volpi's sausages (sweet fennel). I have a best friend who is 1st generation American/Italian. She takes me with her sometimes and we drive 2.5 hours to "grocery shop". on the Hill in St. Louis. I come home with the most amazing things--for the freezer and the pantry. They have these baby eggplants with pimento in oil that I eat like a pickle, and pasta's like you never see anywhere else. My new favorite is bucatini-its hollow so the sauce gets up inside the spaghetti noodle....I think it bought it in like 3 different sizes. I think they probably have ladyfingers in one of the stores, either Digregorio's or Vivianni's. But, we always hit a little bakery and I bring home the best cannoli's...sometimes I eat most of them in the car coming home........
Can you tell I'm a carb addict???
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Red, I most certainly do -- a couple of times a year at least. Vivianos and and Digregorios are my favorites. Vivianos is usually where I get ladyfingers. I'm guessing the bakery is Missouri baking company. They have the best cannoli. Also, if you like fig bars, be sure to try the cuccidatti there. Outstanding! The Hill is also where I get my knives sharpened. LOVE the area, it's a fun outing. You are a girl after my own heart to drive two and a half hours to go food shopping lol!
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Auntie Nance, I don't do the driving, Maria does. I have a bridge phobia that keeps me watching for any type of waterway with the bridges with architecture over them. I was in O'Fallon last Thurs-Sunday ( Illinois side) and it crushed me that I couldn't get over the river to Volpi's on Thursday before it closed. But I am sure Maria will get food-itis before too much longer, and if her hubby isn't around, I am her second choice for a shopping buddy. For my birthday, we went on a Friday, and ate at a restaurant that's kind of cattywampus from Volpi's ---had the most delicious tomato ribboleta soup. she had a fish dish and I had a chicken mushroom risotto.... The soup was something I came home and immediately began making. When I feel sick, with a cold and my taste buds are kind of shot, this is what I want.
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Corn stick Ladyfinger
Ladyfingers are indeed spongecake. One of the local grocery chains in St. Louis used to sell them fresh in their bakery but I haven't seen them in years. The ones in the Italian groceries are packaged and very dry. Which is actually not a bad thing since they're usually soaked in something and the dry ones hold up better than the fresh ones (at least in my experience.)
I don't know what dinner is. Probably something involving ham and a potato. I have to get one more meal out of the ham before it's bean soup eligible. That's the problem with even a small ham and two people and why I usually only buy one if we're feeding others in addition to ourselves. What was I thinking.
Carole, was DH's endo appt. today? I sincerely hope all is well.
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