Food ideas

Subject: Food ideas Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:40 pm

I'm getting to a point I'm at a loss as to what to make for supper anymore. Between our likes and dislikes, there is a small margain for what's agreed upon. Chicken, beef tenderloins, ground beef, salmon and pasta are all we seem to like. I'm not a ham eater and Nick won't eat pork. I am not a roast beef fan but I'll eat it if it's all I have. I refuse to eat veal on principle. We don't care much for lamb and it's not overly popular around here in our grocers anyway. So our choices are quite limited and getting dull.

I'm trying to create all new recipes for chicken, reading new recipes but in the end, it's still chicken. Salmon is at a bare minimum, $12.00 a pound here so that's actually more expensive than my making Filet Mignon. Recently I bought some gorgeous steaks and for 2 7oz pieces of perfect meat came to $11.00. It was so juicy and tender you'd think I paid a fortune for them! So pasta gets dull REAL fast even when you mix it up between penne and ravioli. After watching Bewitched so much, one dish they talk about a lot is Chicken Coco van so I thought I'd check it out. If you don't have high cholesterol, you would after eating that! LOL First off it's a heartattack waiting to happen and 2nd off it takes upwards of 4 hours to create. I can roast a whole chicken in less time so yeah I can pass on that one. What do you all make for supper usually? Do you have any cook books you can't live without? I'd love to get some new ideas.

Subject: Re: Food ideas Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:56 pm

Let's see. We eat a lot of Mexican food around here - varies from enchiladas to tacos to tostadas. And things can be varied greatly. A dish that's fast, easy and healthy that I like is to take Tilapia or whatever fish we like, especially if it's on sale. I very lightly dredge in flour - very lightly! Then cook in a non-stick skillet with a tiny bit of olive oil. Brown on each side. Remove when cooked through. In the pan with a tiny bit of butter or oil, if needed to add it, saute a minced garlic clove. Add some lemon juice and parsley. Cook briefly, add a handful of sliced almonds. Stir around and serve fish with this sauce over it.

I try to do a variety of things during the week, usually something beefy one night, Mexican another night, pasta another night, we also have one night that is leftover/get your own night, usually pizza once a week (sometimes homemade) one night of snacks like popcorn, fruit smoothies and such.

I have just gone through my cookbooks this weekend for a church garage sale coming up, but if you're willing to help pay shipping, I'd be happy to send it what ones you want. Here is what I have that i can send you:

The Lady & Sons (Paula Deen)
The Lady & Sons, Too (Paula Deen)
Paula Deen & Friends
How To Be A Domestic Goddess - Nigella Lawson
Forever Summer - Nigella Lawson
Feast - Nigella Lawson
Taste of Home's Contest Winning Annual Recipes 2006
Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cooking 2
Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Desserts
Saving Dinner by Leanne Ely (this is the lady that works closely with FlyLady)

I must say my absolute favorite cookbooks are the Barefoot Contessa ones. I just adore her recipes. I also use Cooking Light recipes a lot. But the resource that I cook from the most is the magazine Everyday Food by Martha Stewart. The recipes are simple, easy to make, healthy and very delicious. It's worth a subscription for sure!

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:09 am

I know what you mean. There's days I just don't want to be bothered. I thought when the kids were grown and gone, things like cooking and laundry would sort of dwindle down to the bottom of the list.

My mother warned me this would happen. But did I listen?

Have you tried some vegetarian cooking? It can be a nice change. I don't suppose your husband is open to doing the cooking a couple of nights a week? Give you a break. Or would that just consist of him ordering takeout? How do they get away with that?

No. Don't answer. We won't go there today.
_________________
Bloomin' Lovely Blog
Pumpkins on the Vine

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:20 pm

Nah he helps out. Last night he helped me make the ravioli lol. He makes a salmon which is good but is usually drowning in lemon juice and a bit too much butter. And aside from sloppy joes from a can, that's about all he's made. I know I'm a fussy eater to begin with but for a guy who says he'll eat anything, he sure is fussy also! I love swordfish. He doesn't. And I tried salads for dinner... but my brain registers salad as an appetizer or something you eat after dinner not as the main course so I'm still hungry after it's done. Though your mexican idea sounds good. Maybe this week I'll cook up some fajitas! I'd like to try making a roast but I have NO Idea where to begin with that one.

Thanks for your offer on those books Karla. Today, I'll look into which books I might like and I'll send you some money for the shipping charges if I think one will work for us. Much appreciated!

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:47 pm

Michelle - do you have a slowcooker? A roast is super easy in a slowcooker, but it's easy in the oven too.

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:14 pm

I have a slow cooker but I have never used it. So it resides under the chair in the dining room because I just have no place to put it. There isn't enough cabinet space and I just don't know how to properly use it. Help?

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:57 pm

A cheaper variation on the salmon could be to make a salmon loaf or salmon cakes...have you tried that? It only takes a can of salmon so is reasonable costwise.

We have omellettes on "easy" nights. Very easy to do...with a bit of onion, peppers, celery, a few prawns, chopped meat (ham, salami, pre-cooked bacon). Serve with some toast or oven fries.

Some other ideas are....

Fish pie (mashed potato topped fish pie with a basic white or parsley sauce, potato, carrot, peas etc.)

Shepherd's pie made with browned lean minced beef, onion and mushrooms...make a gravy to mix in too. Top with mashed potatoes and for variety you can add some chopped green onions or grated cheese to the potato. Brown in the oven. Serve with veggies.

Pancakes, sausages and maybe with eggs.

Jacket potato with filling (baked potato with a topping....cottage cheese and green onion/chili/bolognese sauce/tuna & sweetcorn...are some fillings we've tried).

Curried anything on boiled rice. (chicken/prawns/beef) and you can add in some veggies for an extra balanced meal.

I've loads of recipes....just give a shout! We are a pretty traditional family when it comes to mealtimes. Meat/potato/veg is hubby's favourite choice.

Anyhow...there's a few ideas to tempt your taste buds!

Jacquie x

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:21 pm

Michelle - i use my slowcooker a lot especially for roast. Here is what to do for a roast:

I usually buy a chuck roast or arm roast or something inexpensive like that - the slowcooker is great for cheaper cuts of meat and makes them taste wonderful.

Take your roast and season it with salt and pepper, I also add garlic powder as well. In a skillet, with a little oil, brown the roast on all sides. Don't need to cook it through, just want to brown it - I like a little carmelization on it. Now, scrub a few potatoes and carrots. Cut the carrots into 2-3 inch chunks. Potatoes can be cut into chunks or left whole. Put the carrots and potatoes into the crockpot (you can spray it first with cooking spray if you want). On top of the carrots and potatoes, place your roast that you browned. Throw in an onion that has been cut into quarters. I sometimes add green beans too. Now, add about 1/2 cup water to the pot and then put the lid on the crockpot and cook on low for about 6-8 hours. You can also cook on high for an hour and then lower to low, but you don't have to. Leave it alone.

That's all there is to it.

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:24 pm

I also do whole chicken in my crockpot as well. I just rinse the whole chicken inside and out (after removing giblets and organs). I season inside and out with salt and pepper. Put it in the crockpot, put the lid on and cook it on low for about 6-8 hours. This comes out like poached chicken. The skin will be soft, not crispy. This is a wonderful way to cook chicken you want to remove from the bone and use shredded or chopped. Only bad thing - it is literally falling off the bone when it comes out. But that's also a good thing because once it cools a little, it's a cinch to take off the bone and chop up and use for casseroles, pastas and stuff.

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:32 pm

I know this is an old post or thread or whatever you call it
but I'm hungry now..all this sounds great.

by the way...I'm a little confused about the blog, thread, terminology, this is my first experience with it and I have been meaning to say something sooner..could someone elaborate please.

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:36 pm

Subject: Re: Food ideas Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:15 pm

Ali,

I feel so duh!, I knew some of that but just muddled my way through what I think I thought I knew....LOL
Thanks for explaining.

Barbara