what's for dinner in 2014?

[Tiam]

Yes, Lin, I think you and I cook very much alike, if posting history is anything to go by.

Actually, these were "firstovers", but it's a simple recipe -- beef chuck in a slow cooker with some onions and ... salsa casera (which translates to "homestyle salsa" though it came from a good brand). The idea is a riff on the ol' slab o' meat (sorry, vegetarians) and sauce in a slow cooker. My mom's favorite variation of this was beef and a bottle of French dressing. I also like making pinto beans in the slow cooker with a large jar of medium salsa. Quick and easy and reasonably healthful if made ahead and the fat skimmed.

I love homemade pintos. It's one thing I don't try and do fat free. It's so delicious with a slice of bacon simmering with it, and I confess to the "real" thing, a little lard. SOooo Delicious. Worth the fat splurge. I also don't subscribe to the thought that Lard is any worse than any other fat since I use it so seldom. I don't add much fat to anything, but when I do, I'm going for real and I'm going for taste.

[ApatheticNoMore]

Potato-cauliflower soup: 1/2 cauliflower, 1 potato, 1 carrot, 1 onion, fresh dill, salt, pepper, bay leaf, 2 TB cream. Blend it. Topped with cheddar cheese.

[gadder]

This evening it is going to be left-over slow-cookered black lentil and kidney bean dahl (sort of a thick spicy Indian stew. Use coconut milk instead of cream) and pita, with a beer to wash it down. I had veggies for lunch so I justify the lack at dinner.

[rodeosweetheart]

Yesterday was chicken breasts with sweet potato souffle and salad with balsamic viniagrette dressing.

Today's lunch, leftover chicken made into chicken salad sandwiches.

Tonight' dinner, clam chowder (celery, onion, clams, salt and pepper, fresh thyme, rosemary, and oregano from kitchen windowsill, and milk) plus fresh baked bread.

[CathyA]

Tonight I made salmon in parchment paper. I put a little olive oil on the salmon filets and on the paper. Then I added salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon slices, dill weed, and capers and then closed the paper up tight. Only took about 15 minutes in a 400F oven. Was very good. Also had green beans and couscous with tomatoes. And clementines for desert.

[Polliwog]

Tonight I'm making a Trader Joe's recipe using their Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup in the carton. Saute chopped onion and garlic; add a paste of flour, chili power, cumin, salt, pepper and water; add soup, rinsed kidney beans (2 cans); rinsed black beans (2 cans); and I add a can of drained corn. Bring to a boil and simmer. I serve with a little grated cheese and dollup of sour cream. I can eat this all week - either for lunch or dinner. So good!!!

[ApatheticNoMore]

Made Becker lamb patties from joy of cooking and proceeded to devour a half a pound of lamb (the total I made) in one sitting (so much for it being enough for 2 days) and then was hungry enough for a very small bowl of potato-cauliflower soup (which was all I had for dinner yesterday and the day before - at least that one potato and few veggies made into soup is going to last me forever and a day as it's fairly watery).

Tonight I'm making a Trader Joe's recipe using their Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup in the carton.

that is a good soup - even plain.

Tonight I made salmon in parchment paper. I put a little olive oil on the salmon filets and on the paper. Then I added salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon slices, dill weed, and capers and then closed the paper up tight.

I need to try that.

[Blackdog Lin]

Still enjoying everyone's menus. Salmon in parchment paper: would t'were that we could get a filet of truly good fresh salmon here in small-town flyover country!!! It sounds wondermous.

As for this household: Monday was spaghetti w/meatballs and garlic toast. Today was pinto bean soup and crackers - perfect for our frozen surroundings (though it's melting quickly, thank goodness). Both meals utilized pantry items and freezer leftovers that were needing used. Tomorrow, well I asked DH how he wanted his pork roast, the one partially grilled and put away in the freezer and needing to get used - and after discussing many possibilities we decided on pork carnitas soft tacos - I didn't tell him I really don't know how to cook pork carnitas, but it's something I think I can wing well enough and I have the rest of the potential ingredients in the house - without having to go to the store. Something different anyway.

[Tiam]

All the talk about Kale soups got me inspired. I made a Kale/potato/cauliflower soup, in the slow cooker that came out delicious. I went to add some dairy and didn't have any. I buy milk and cream much more rarely than ever before. I really like the "dinosaur" kale a lot better, but the regular grocery stores only sell the tougher kind. I got this at the organic grocers. And they had the most fabulous lettuces!

[Blackdog Lin]

Pork carnitas soft tacos rock. Carnitas meat, Mexican rice, lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa, and a sour cream sauce which was simply sour cream thinned with the carnitas broth, all wrapped up in warmed flour tortillas. Oh my. So good (and ok, between the pork roast and the rice I made WAY too much) that we're just having it all again tomorrow. 'Cause it's DH's day to cook, and the meals he cooks best are reheated leftovers.....