So...whats for dinner?

Last night was a simple pasta, zucchini and cheese dish that I just threw together. Tonight will be a tandoori chicken. It is marinating now. Will serve with some dal and rice. I could add another dish, but the humidity today is stealing my energy.

The bushel of corn has been processed! This year's bushel was 70 ears of corn. 10 of those went into the chowder, the rest are in the freezer. The three flats of tomatoes and 20 onions are now roasted tomato sauce. Well, the last of the roasted sauce is still in the oven but should be done within the hour. These are the two things I like to do before Fall is firmly here. I promised my husband that I would not add anything more to this list.

*susan*

susan - I am tired reading about your list of delish foods to be processed!  Yes, the DD is having a lot at once, and I have to continuously remind myself that she is an adult (sort of, lol!) but does not necessarily have life experience in every category and sometimes does not know what to do.  She is always seeking advice from both my DH and I, which I like, because she is open to what we have to say.  She does not always follow that advice, but she is learning along the way.  The biggest disconnect was with this boyfriend because we absolutely could not see what she saw in him - nobody could except her - it was baffling.  I think it was a combination of a long-distance relationship that allowed her a degree of freedom to live her daily life without feeling constricted, and a deep-seated need to "fix" things (or people) because that is her nature.  In any event, I hope it is done, done, done!  I can't see how she could wish to continue the relationship and have any self-respect - so I am hoping for the best!

eric, LOL! Sadly, my family will much prefer baked corn at Thanksgiving to whiskey. I was born into the wrong family! *susan*

Also getting a chuckle,about the corn comments. So a question....do you cut it from the cob before any cooking, then cook it from the freezer when you want it?



So, for me this weekend, crowd cooking....Our beach association potluck and party was scheduled for this afternoon/evening. I decided to do a casserole of penne and sausage with onions and peppers since, in years past, that is the sort of thing that "sells".



So last night I cooked up the sausages and veggies and was horrified at the end of the process to taste a bit and learn how unbelievably salty the sausages (and then everything else! ) was. Yuk! So today I made a very unsalty tomato sauce, and turned the whole dish into farfalle lasagna with the help of a ricotta/cottage chs blend.

Anyway, fast forward to the dinner ......weather looking threatening all day, but I baked a huge casserole (and two smaller ones....really tried to stretch that saltiness out!) and got ready to head to the beach dinner.

DH is the yearly DJ for this event, and he had already brought his equipment (computers, speakers, amplifier, and mixer)to the beach and situated them under umbrellas and plastic bags just in case the Dark Sky app was accurate.

Ha! It was, but our group was intrepid and worked around the raindrops, basically getting drenched, to enjoy the food until it became monsoon like, with accompanying thunder and lightening.

Funny, usually any time there is any thunder heard in the distance at our beach, people race up the hill towards home like frantic ants. Tonight, the draw of the long tables of food (albeit some with puddles on their covers)resulted in so much denial that it took many rumbles and finally a very loud crack to convince the crowd to head for safety.

Poor DH had to pack up his music stuff in the monsoon, which continued for a few hours. Oh well, next Labor Day weekend is another opportunity.....

I was glad that very little of my casserole was left to bring home! But I have two more to give away since we really do not eat salty high fat pasta dishes anymore. The salt factor was mitigated somewhat, tho.



Nite all......

I usually cook it on the cob for more flavor. Then my DH made me a board with a large nail in the middle. The board goes over a big bowl in my sink. The cob goes on the nail. A corn cutter goes over the cob, the corn drops into the bowl without too much mess. COOKED CORN IS STICKY! LOL

Susan, how do you prep a bushel?

After my MIL was moved to an Alzheimer's unit, my husband insisted that I take some things from her kitchen. We had just done a bunch of corn with a knife, so he really wanted me to take the corn tool. MIL hadn't used this in years and years. Us? we use it regularly. Found a picture of this old-fashioned too on the web. For Christmas, my mother gave me an OXO tool. I haven't used it, but my sister says it is great.

To process, we do 4 ears using the "tool" to one done by knife with cleanup by the tool. I then bake this concoction with almost nothing added. Just a bit of butter and a pinch of salt.

I made a "corn stripper" from a hack saw blade.  It works great as long as I keep it sharp. 

I've made corn whiskey and canned corn, but never did try freezing it...not enough freezer space..

Congrats to everyone with kids who just started school again. Exciting and scary time! LOL. Speaking of scary, I'm going back into surgery tomorrow, three weeks after my TE was replaced. They are going to remove AND REPLACE my drain... LOL still draining too much, and since I already list two to infections, they don't want to leave the original drain in. Sigh. Sucks.

For dinner yesterday, I had a ham and cheese on raisen bread with tomato soup. And, no, not homade, just Campbells LOL . I'VE been trying not to do much cause of the drainage. So just needed something quick. LOL

Moon - in your pocket for tomorrow and I agree with Special K for a quickie of the bestest kind. Saw there is now a yellow tomato Campbells soup I think at an exorbitant price. Guess I'll stick with the old familiar variety.

Laurie, so pleased that your boys are off to a good start. Nothing like a great first day to give optimism for the year. Kids are funny that way... need a good memory when things aren't going well.

Moon, just don't even know what to say. Seems like you should get a frequent surgery discount, or a special meal, or a hat with your hospital's name. I sincerely hope that this procedure goes well.

Dinner tonight was zucchini cakes and weiner schnitzel [from a pasture raised animal.] Had to pound that meat to death to get it tender, but at least the little guy got to hang out in the pasture with my lamb for a summer.

*susan*

Laurie, so happy your boys love school. Should at least make your mornings a bit less stressful.



Monica, I think you deserve a surgical wing named for you. Hope this is a minor deal.



Made a lovely Thai stir fry tonight with chicken, lime, peppers, scallions, garlic, basil and rice noodles, with a couple of bird chilies thrown in for just the right amount of heat. Wonderful. Unfortunately, it only used a miniscule amount of the out of control Thai basil that has overrun my herb garden.

Susan, I will be making pho as well. That was my main reason for growing it. I may try the rice wine vinegar infusion. It sounds good and because these leaves are a little less delicate than regular basil, it may hold up well. Thanks for the idea!



I made refrigerator dill pickles today with yesterday's cucumber harvest. Can't wait to try them.

Laurie  So glad the school thing went well...all good peice of mind for the parents.  Your mind is probably racing with all of the things you can accomplish while they are gone....I remember thinking that the day was just too short.

Moom  Good luck with the surgery.  Hope it is simple and easy....You need a Bogo sale!

Yesterday was my last day to fill in at an office for a worker that had surgery...it was a long summer working in two offices.  It was a 40 min commute to do this...I would work there from 8- 1 and then go to my usual office till 8:30 in the evening.  Needless to say I am pooped!  They did have a very nice party for me though catered by a woman that works there and does catering on the side...pulled pork with coleslaw, a potato salad with ham and cheese and horseradish  that was to die for, broccoli salad and two kinds of cake.  A peach cake that had peach schnapps in it and a wine cake ( theres a theme here) ha ha  very appropriate since we work in a substance abuse clinic.

Today  I rest and mow the lawn  then just do my part time job in the evening.