WHAT'S FOR DINNER - APRIL 2013

[Dissie]

First night of cleaning out my freezer. I decided to make stew on the way home, as my mother gave me several packages of stir fry meat. I used 2, cut them up and simmered the beef in its own juices. Then I dug into my freezer! Pulled out 2 freezer bags of stewed tomatoes with zucchini! YES! I knew I still had some. I also took out a package of tomatoes just frozen in their skins. (Not prepared) I ran them under hot water, it took the skin off and I put them in a bowl. I was going to make spaghetti sauce with that. I also found frozen broccoli, frozen corn, frozen bells slices, frozen jalapenos, and frozen green beans all from the garden last fall. I put all of that in a BIG OLE pot. Added fresh cabbage, fresh diced potato, fresh onions and fresh celery. I had frozen celery, but put that back because my fresh celery was getting a little limp. I made the stew, and tasted. It tasted good, but I wanted it more tomatoey, so into the pot when the tomatoes I deskinned for spaghetti sauce. It is great! Flavored with a few and then some more spices! We feasted and there is enough for atleast 1 more meal, probably 2. Freezer is starting to come down some. Glad I got all those bits and pieces of things out (And the forgotten about things.) Found some frozen bananas. At first I thought it was chicken and I placed it with the other frozen chicken. Then realized what that was. Atleast I got the freezer more organized. I found some swiss steak, so that will be prepared in the next week or so. (Hopefully).

[Kchurchill5]

You did good Dis. What a great clean out. And, what a fantastic stew!! You not only cleaned out your freezer; but, made a great dinner for a couple of nights.

I always am big on going through ones freezer ... between that and the pantry, we can almost always put together a soup or stew.

Make a loaf of bread; and it is a cheap inexpensive dinner.

And, a special thx to Mom too for the meat. Great to make the start of the soup. My family was always big on soups and stews; so, that is something I absolutely love.

Nicely don Dis!

[Dissie]

You got that right Kim! I was so happy seeing those frozen items. I still got tons of frozen veggies in there though. I am thinking I could make more soup, like my 15 bean soup and add more veggies than the recipe calls for. I also found hambones and ham up the wazoo. So I guess the family better sit back and prepare for ham / potato type casseroles and soups. DD would be in heaven! She adores ham. I might have to make her a big ole pot of potato corn chowder for her and her boyfriend. They both love it. I guess I could see if Mom is lacking on ham. Or thinking omelettes or just scrambled eggs with ham....

[HeatherFeather]

The stew was good and very filling. I finally found the right honey wheat bread recipe that I had been hunting for. I will post it tonight.

[Dissie]

So glad you found that HF! I have been searching. Do you let it bake in the machine or in the oven. I seem to have better loaves in the oven.

[HeatherFeather]

So glad you found that HF! I have been searching. Do you let it bake in the machine or in the oven. I seem to have better loaves in the oven.

This one is bakes in the machine and comes out great. Usually I have lots of trouble with wheat bread recipes in the bread machine and prefer to mix their dough in the machine, then bake them in the regular oven. This recipe, however, works just great in the machine. It is posted but waiting approval.

[Kchurchill5]

Morning Everyone!

Dis, I love a good ham and spaghetti casserole http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/easy-h ... erole-3087; and, ham and corn chowder is delicious.
Here's a really good recipe casserole, using ham. I have made this a couple of times.
http://www.grouprecipes.com/100801/spin ... hells.html

HF, sounds like a successful dinner. I hope you are feeling better.

Today, very easy; because of the rain south of me, where work is, it is cancelled for today. So, I'm working on data entry today; and trying to compile of the info and graphs for the next report. That will keep me very busy. Still very dry here, but hoping for more rain. South and north us us again.

Today's Cooking ...
Lady #3: Family
Me: Same thing planned yesterday, but those plans changed.
Pork from Mon, topped with BBQ sauce; zucchini and tomato casserole w/cheese; watermelon and honeydew

[HeatherFeather]

Yes, feeling a lot better now, thank you for asking

Tonight will be either the leftover Pantry Stew from last night or the chicken I had planned to make last night (assuming I ever remember to get it marinated and prepped in advance).

[Sue]

Lunch was a burger and some soup. I made some potato salad this afternoon to use in lunches later this week.
Looks like dinner is bangers and mashed. Which I was going to do before but didn't get to it.

[Kchurchill5]

I did get to make my pork BBQ plate tonight; but no pics. I was so hungry, and my pics didn't turn out. I just forgot and took 1 or 2 at the end, but just didn't turn out. Just melon for breakfast and by 5:30 I was starved.

But, I got a nice surprise today. I went to see Lady #1, who is having surgery next week, and she gave me a wonderful gift card to a local bar/restaurant, which I haven't gone to. So, guess where tomorrow nights will be? I love to go HH, to get ... one - the cheaper prices, less crowds, especially for just one person, 2-3 of appetizers, 2/1 drinks, and get to taste things.

Usually, when I go to a new restaurant, I go alone. I do HH, taste 2-3 dishes, drinks, and set and the bar, and just watch. It gives me a good idea of what the restaurant is like.

The place has good reviews, so we will see; I'm looking forward to it. If good ... next time, I will take my HH friends.
--------------------------------------------
So, I guess that is Friday's dinner too!