What's for dinner?

[Half-Mary]

I made the maple balsamic glazed tempeh for my friend tonight. We had it over quinoa and with a side of acorn squash that my mother grew in her garden this summer. She had never tried tempeh before and she really enjoyed it.

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

Roasted winter vegetable soup is simmering away on the stove.

[Samantha]

Fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli with cheese sauce. First time making cheese sauce from scratch, first time frying pork chops, first time making gravy that isn't from roast poultry. I was going to make a salad too but I'm too tired.

[abirdd]

Squash & Lentil Coconut Curry. Normally one of my fall faves, but it was a little out of place given the record high temperature today! Regardless, it was still super yummy, and the boys ate without complaint.

[La]

I had better luck with crispy breading this time around. I used Panko breadcrumbs (rather than regular ones), and I put the meat on a rack on the baking sheet. It was crispy all over and the meat was really juicy!

This time I used pork tenderloin. Slathered it in Dijon mustard, fresh thyme, and pepper. Then sprinkled the Panko crumbs on all sides. Baked at 400F for about 30 minutes.

[toobusy]

cajun shrimp pasta - rated a 4 or 5 / 5 by DH, though he didnt love the amount of mushrooms. Super easy

[QuickChick]

La, I like that idea for pork tenderloin! That's what we're having tonight as well. I rubbed it with a mix of herbs and spices (sea salt/pepper, thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary) and seared it in a hot pan, then roasted it with diced apples and red onion at 350 for 30 min. I roasted potatoes/red peppers/carrots at the same time with olive oil, salt and pepper. Delicious! Only about 15 minutes of prep too.

[toobusy]

Moroccan lamb shanks, raisin curry couscous, sauteed veggies

[La]

Moroccan lamb shanks, raisin curry couscous, sauteed veggies

I love lamb shanks but I've never attempted making them!

[Miss*Smiles]

Jambalaya last night.

Easy, one-pot recipe!

cubed 1 chicken breast and sliced 2 sausages (next time I'll add more sausage), cooked them over medium heat in a pot, removed from pot, added in diced garlic, onion, green peppers, celery and browned them. Added in 2 tbsp (ish) of tomato paste, dash of chili powder, some italian herbs, a few red pepper flakes and 2 cups of rice (I used minute rice, but would have enjoyed wild rice more!). To that, I added in chicken broth (about 3 cups), a can of diced tomatoes, a bit of salsa, and some rooster hot sauce. Stir. Add in meat, and stir again. Cover and let simmer on low for 20 minutes (or until your rice is cooked and liquid absorbed). Serve. Yum.

[La]

Jambalaya last night.

Easy, one-pot recipe!

cubed 1 chicken breast and sliced 2 sausages (next time I'll add more sausage), cooked them over medium heat in a pot, removed from pot, added in diced garlic, onion, green peppers, celery and browned them. Added in 2 tbsp (ish) of tomato paste, dash of chili powder, some italian herbs, a few red pepper flakes and 2 cups of rice (I used minute rice, but would have enjoyed wild rice more!). To that, I added in chicken broth (about 3 cups), a can of diced tomatoes, a bit of salsa, and some rooster hot sauce. Stir. Add in meat, and stir again. Cover and let simmer on low for 20 minutes (or until your rice is cooked and liquid absorbed). Serve. Yum.

Sounds similar to what I had for lunch today (pulled it out of the freezer this morning)! I think I used boneless chicken thighs, Chorizo sausage and black beans in mine.

[scrumhalfgirl]

Squash & Lentil Coconut Curry. Normally one of my fall faves, but it was a little out of place given the record high temperature today! Regardless, it was still super yummy, and the boys ate without complaint.

recipe?

[abirdd]

Squash & Lentil Coconut Curry. Normally one of my fall faves, but it was a little out of place given the record high temperature today! Regardless, it was still super yummy, and the boys ate without complaint.

recipe?

Ingredients
2 tbsp. EVOO
2 medium onions chopped
2 medium cubed, peeled fresh butternut squash cut into 1/2″ cubes (approx. 5 cups)
2 tbsp. minced fresh ginger
4 minced garlic cloves
2 seeded & chopped jalapeno peppers
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. fennel seeds
1 tsp. ground yellow mustard
1-2 tsp. curry powder
3 cups veggie broth
1 can salt free diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup dried small red lentils
1 can coconut milk
Juice of 1 whole lime
Large bunch of chopped fresh cilantro
Sea salt to taste

Directions
Warm EVOO in a large pan over medium heat. Saute onions for about 5 minutes, then add garlic, ginger, jalapeno, and spices and saute 1 minute to allow flavors to meld. Next add in squash and cook an additional 3 minutes. Proceed by adding the red lentils, tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover, simmering for 40-50 minutes with occasional stirring. As the squash absorbs the liquid and breaks down to thicken the stew, stir in the coconut milk, lime juice and salt. Stir to combine flavors, turn heat off and let sit another 5-10 minutes (this is key, as the flavors need to mingle). In the meantime you can chop your cilantro and that’s the last thing you stir in before serving.

Notes
The Bird family loves really strong, traditional curry. Therefore, I increased the amount of curry powder and cumin to our taste preference. I also added two Star Anise to spices. I added the cilantro and allowed it to warm for about 15 minutes in the curry (just our preferece). You can replace japaleno with a red pepper to accommodate wee ones!

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

I had to look up EVOO

[Habs4ever]

Chicken, potatoes, steamed green beans, salad. Actually one of my favorite meals.

[Habs4ever]

I had to look up EVOO

Haha, me too.

[Jwolf]

I had to look up EVOO

Haha, me too.

Rachel Ray!

[abirdd]

I had to look up EVOO

Haha, me too.

Rachel Ray!

Oops, sorry - I just figured it was common place nowadays Nothing like Rachel Ray influencing the Oxford dictionary

[Stampie]

I had to look up EVOO

Haha, me too.

Rachel Ray!

Oops, sorry - I just figured it was common place nowadays Nothing like Rachel Ray influencing the Oxford dictionary

I don't watch Rachel Ray, but I knew what EVOO (which reminds me, we are getting low, now what does that say?

[Stampie]

Homemade chicken strips with homemade fries. It was a huge hit with the kids!

I cut the chicken into strips (two breasts) and then marinaded the chicken overnight in a honey mustard salad dressing. I then coated the strips with breading and backed at 425F for 25min. I cut potatoes into fries, place in a bag and seasoned with EVOO, garlic, paprika and Salt & Pepper. The fries baked for 30min at 425F. I took La's suggestion and baked the chicken on a rack and that made a difference. Next time I try it with Buffalo wing sauce.

[Miss*Smiles]

I made gluten free chicken fingers for company the other night using crushed fritos as breading.
SO YUMMY.

[La]

I made refrigerator/freezer soup last night!

I had some cooked squash and blanched cauliflower in the freezer. I also had some salt-free chicken stock, an onion and some evaporated milk.

Sautee chopped onion (3/4 cup?) & 1 clove garlic in a bit of olive oil
Add frozen squash & cauliflower (about 1 cup of each - it's hard to measure cauliflower florets)
Add chicken stock (about 1 cup)
Added grated fresh ginger and some Garam Masala spice powder
Salt to taste

Once it came to a boil and all the frozen stuff had melted, I put the whole thing in the Vitamix on high until thoroughly blended. I added about 1/4 cup of evaporated milk while it was blending. Once blended, returned to the pot to ensure it was heated thoroughly.

That made about 2 dinner-size servings (the second serving is in the fridge).

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

That soup sounds good La!

Last night I made a pot of minestrone. We had that with a fresh loaf of Italian bread from the local bakery.

[Samantha]

That soup sounds good La!

Last night I made a pot of minestrone. We had that with a fresh loaf of Italian bread from the local bakery.

do you have a recipe?

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

Veg and Bean Minestrone

1 tbsp olive oil
1tsp finely crushed garlic
1 1/2 c finely chopped onion
1 med. carrot finely chopped
1 stalk celery finely chopped
4 1/2 c beef or chicken stock
1 1/2 c finely chopped potatoes
1 1/2 c chopped broccoli
1 540ml can crushed tomatoes
3/4 c cooked chick peas (or any beans you like)
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 tsp each dried basil and oregano
pepper
1/3 cup broken spaghetti
1 tbsp grated parmesan

heat oil and saute garlic, onion, carrot, celery until softened. Add stock, potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, chick peas, bay leaves, basil, oregano; cover and simmer for approx. 40 mins or until veggies are tender. Remove bay leaves, season with pepper to taste.
Add pasta and cook for 10 mins, stirring often. Sprinkle with cheese.