TGIF Din Din 8/6/10

Sass Muffin

Sass Muffin

Coffee Queen ☕
NCT Patron
As for me, I have no clue.
It's rare that I get a Friday off ever, but I've swapped a few shifts with a co-worker these last few days for personal reasons.. if I stay in and cook, it'll be most unusual.

What's cooking at your place?
 
I am clueless. It is too hot to eat anything that is not COLD. I'm on my way to the grocery store, and I'll see what looks good. Maybe some cold salmon. Maybe some cold pork tenderloin. Maybe some cold chicken. Hmmmmm.
 
Back from the grocery store - no salmon that looked good. So, I decided to make this: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/BBQ-Po...ts-and-Honey-Balsamic-Vinaigrette/Detail.aspx

Except I didn't like the idea of cold pork chops, so I have two pork tenderloins in the convection oven (rolled in my home-made chili seasoning and browned first), and I didn't like the idea of grapefruit, so I got some fresh plums and nectarines. If it looks edible, I'll take some pictures before we eat it.
 
MexicoKaren said:
Back from the grocery store - no salmon that looked good. So, I decided to make this: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/BBQ-Po...ts-and-Honey-Balsamic-Vinaigrette/Detail.aspx

Except I didn't like the idea of cold pork chops, so I have two pork tenderloins in the convection oven (rolled in my home-made chili seasoning and browned first), and I didn't like the idea of grapefruit, so I got some fresh plums and nectarines. If it looks edible, I'll take some pictures before we eat it.
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That sounds lovely Karen, so light and refreshing. Perfect for this weather! :flowers:
 
I've got an assortment of cheeses, grapes, a couple of bobolis, honey, spinach dip....

and booze.
 
Leftovers here too, plus a nice salad, with a couple of the very few tomatoes we grew so far.
 
Could be left over pork loin we had last night (that I still haven't posted yet), or maybe chicken wings.
 
I work with a guy that is Italian. Born and raised there. He doesn’t look like your typical Italian in that he has blond hair and blue eyes, but he definitely has the accent.

I recently talked to him about black butter sauces (known as Burro Nero in Italy). Unfortunately, he's never heard of it. But it has since got us talking about cooking now that he knows I love to cook.

He just told me about a dish that is very popular there, and sounds perfect for the hot weather here.

Now, don't freak out, but in Italy, they eat Horse meat. However, it is expensive, so the average family doesn't eat it a lot. But when they do eat it, one way they like to prepare it is to grind it like ground beef.

Once ground, press the ground meat into a plate, or preferably a casserole dish with tall sides. They press it down so that it is only 1/4 inch thick. Then they drizzle it with Olive Oil, and then completely cover it in lemon juice - the meat should be completely submerged in the lemon juice, so it takes a bit of juice.

They then put that in the fridge for 3-4 hours. The acid of the lemon "cooks" (more appropriately - cures) the meat. He says the meat will change from red to brown, and you know it's done.

Then you just eat it. Maybe with pasta…..I'll have to ask how it's served.

But he says they also do this with ground beef as well since ground beef is less expensive. I might give this a try one day with a beef roast that I grind my self.

Interesting.
 
Had a rare day off, so I went to Amish country early this morning and picked up 50# of bread flour (Only had about 10# left from the last bag). Also got some more canning lids, turmeric, SAF yeast and small jelly jars with lids & rings. Stopped at a couple of roadside stands and got some cukes, zucchini, Hungarian sweet banana peppers, sweet onions and fresh picked bi-color sweet corn. Gonna make some dill pickles and bread & butter pickles this weekend sometime. Made a couple loaves of Polish sourdough rye and a loaf of sourdough no-knead bread. Put a roasting chicken in the oven with redskins, carrots, onion & celery for dinner, and will make a couple of ears of the fresh corn to go with it. After dinner I'm making 3 doz. carrot cake cupcakes for DD's birthday party tomorrow. The batter's in the fridge as I ran out of oven time before making dinner. With the cooler temps today I may even get to frost them today. If not, I'll do them tomorrow before we have a perch fish fry for her birthday. It sure does smell good in here, and it's nice to have the doors & windows open with a breeze blowing in.
 
JoeV said:
Had a rare day off, so I went to Amish country early this morning and picked up 50# of bread flour (Only had about 10# left from the last bag). Also got some more canning lids, turmeric, SAF yeast and small jelly jars with lids & rings. Stopped at a couple of roadside stands and got some cukes, zucchini, Hungarian sweet banana peppers, sweet onions and fresh picked bi-color sweet corn. Gonna make some dill pickles and bread & butter pickles this weekend sometime. Made a couple loaves of Polish sourdough rye and a loaf of sourdough no-knead bread. Put a roasting chicken in the oven with redskins, carrots, onion & celery for dinner, and will make a couple of ears of the fresh corn to go with it. After dinner I'm making 3 doz. carrot cake cupcakes for DD's birthday party tomorrow. The batter's in the fridge as I ran out of oven time before making dinner. With the cooler temps today I may even get to frost them today. If not, I'll do them tomorrow before we have a perch fish fry for her birthday. It sure does smell good in here, and it's nice to have the doors & windows open with a breeze blowing in.
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Sounds wonderful and I am jealous of the cool breeze! :)
 
I changed my mind...think we are going out for dinner tonight..not sure what though, maybe Chinese. There is a little place here called Ding How, been here for years. It's a favorite!
 
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Joe, your dinner sounds wonderful - all in all, your kitchen sounds like a nice place to be. It has cooled off here as well - we have a storm starting, with wind and rain, thunder and lightning. The wind feels almost cold - a rarity this time of year. So I may change my dinner plans...we'll see.
 
Our daughter is performing (guitar/singing) at a local restaurant tonight, so will go there for dinner. Had a salad last time (not great), may stick with the open face chicken cordon bleu sandwich instead tonight. or maybe just a burger.
 
That sounds like a wonderful time piddlechick. :clap:

The neighbor just brought over an Acorn Squah from his garden. Never cooked that before. After a little research, it seems the favored way is cut in half, scored, and roasted with butter and brown sugar.

So I just put that in the oven. We'll see how it turns out. It'll be a side or an appetizer either way. For dinner, I've decided to do Qsis's wings!
 
Here’s the pics. I’ve cut it in half, scooped out the seeds, and scored the flesh. Then smeared butter all over, and topped with brown sugar. Notice I cut a flat spot on the back of each half so that they sit perfectly upright in the oven.

Cooked like this, with butter and brown sugar, this really reminds me (and DW) of roasted sweet potatoes. Same texture, and with the brown sugar, same sweetness. Not bad.

step1-61.jpg


step2-55.jpg


step3-48.jpg


step4-35.jpg


step5-28.jpg
 
Keltin said:
Here’s the pics. I’ve cut it in half, scooped out the seeds, and scored the flesh. Then smeared butter all over, and topped with brown sugar. Notice I cut a flat spot on the back of each half so that they sit perfectly upright in the oven.

Cooked like this, with butter and brown sugar, this really reminds me (and DW) of roasted sweet potatoes. Same texture, and with the brown sugar, same sweetness. Not bad.

step1-61.jpg


step2-55.jpg


step3-48.jpg


step4-35.jpg


step5-28.jpg
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YUMMY Keltin!!
On thanksgiving I roast acorn squash like this then scoop out the flesh and mash with sweet potato with brown sugar, butter and maple syrup added. Place in bowl and then topped with ground pecans.
 
Breaded chicken cutlet, steamed fresh spinach, tomato salad, Kraft home style Mac & Cheese (with crumb topping, unbaked).

breaded_chicken_cutlet_spinach_mac_cheese_080610_P1060121.JPG
 
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Well, I had every intention of cooking something, but got distracted with washing windows, mopping floors and taking the dog to the park for a romp.
Long story short.. stopped at Taco Bell and decided to try their much advertised Cantina Tacos.

Good Lord!!!!!
To be fair, the fillings (beef, chicken and pork) were pretty ok, but still lacked something. What made them so bad is that they are wrapped in two soft shells that are flavourless and taste like they were steamed or something.

They come wrapped in foil with a wedge of lime inside. The gal at the window asked me if I wanted sauce. I should have said yes.
The only thing good about these is the taste of cilantro and the use of the lime wedge. I don't see these going over real big myself.

Anyway.. me and Gretchen ate them at the park, then made a beeline for The Dairy Hut for a large chocolate malt. lol

I was so disappointed in the Cantina tacos that I added some comments on LA Weekly's First Bite/Last Bite.:yum:

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/fast-food/taco-bell-street-cantina-authe/#comments
 
Sass Muffin said:
Well, I had every intention of cooking something, but got distracted with washing windows, mopping floors and taking the dog to the park for a romp.
Long story short.. stopped at Taco Bell and decided to try their much advertised Cantina Tacos.

Good Lord!!!!!
To be fair, the fillings (beef, chicken and pork) were pretty ok, but still lacked something. What made them so bad is that they are wrapped in two soft shells that are flavourless and taste like they were steamed or something.

They come wrapped in foil with a wedge of lime inside. The gal at the window asked me if I wanted sauce. I should have said yes.
The only thing good about these is the taste of cilantro and the use of the lime wedge. I don't see these going over real big myself.

Anyway.. me and Gretchen ate them at the park, then made a beeline for The Dairy Hut for a large chocolate malt. lol

I was so disappointed in the Cantina tacos that I added some comments on LA Weekly's First Bite/Last Bite.:yum:

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/fast-food/taco-bell-street-cantina-authe/#comments
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:yum:

It's not something I usually eat, but when I was pregnant with my daughter, I craved Taco Bell ALL the time. Had to have it and if I didn't get it, Watch Out!!! :shock:
 
Oh gosh - I WANTED a bite of that squash, Keltin. SO badly. Peeps, your dinner looks wonderful, too. I made the salad with pork tenderloin, nectarines, plums, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, garnished with toasted almonds. The balsamic/mustard/honey vinaigrette was delicious. I think next time I will add some diced red onion, though. We really loved this and gobbled it all up. I posted a pic over on the "Pig" thread, but here is another:
 

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MexicoKaren said:
Oh gosh - I WANTED a bite of that squash, Keltin. SO badly. Peeps, your dinner looks wonderful, too. I made the salad with pork tenderloin, nectarines, plums, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, garnished with toasted almonds. The balsamic/mustard/honey vinaigrette was delicious. I think next time I will add some diced red onion, though. We really loved this and gobbled it all up. I posted a pic over on the "Pig" thread, but here is another:
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Karren, with all sincerity.....that dish is sheer poetry! Beautiful! It beats most of the magazine pics I've seen. Star quality! Incredible job! :applause:
 
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