What's cookin' today?

[Polly Snowbush]

Am the first one up and am getting the coffee pot started. Thinking ricotta cheese pancakes with fruit syrup but then we have a ton of eggs supplied by local chickens - so maybe omelettes. What kind...hmmm. Pulling some catfish out of the freezer for later. And you?

[Memmey]

Strong coffee and raisin toast on the porch. It is misty and kinda coolish this morning. When the coffee kicks in the chores begin:D

[Polly Snowbush]

Anything wet seems to bypass this property. Even the mist from the next door sprinkler blows in the opposite direction.

Wish I could get by with some nice raisin toast. Sunday here is the one day I am expected to provide something substantial. Went with the ricotta - it was either use it or lose it. Was left over from the lasagna fiasco last week. Starting the fish fry. Wish me luck. ;)

[gigiG]

Bagel & butter. Granddaughters were over all weekend (4 & 6)--they had bagel and left over roast beef for breakfast--then ice cream. Okay they are spoiled when they visit--- I can't help it!

[Polly Snowbush]

Thank you for answering, especially during this 'pending' time. :) Think your breakfast was just perfect and spoiling grandchildren is only natural. ;) Forgive me for taking so long to answer. My fish fry created quite a mess - still cleaning windows from the smoke it generated. I'll keep the pot boiling - rock soup for now. When your purchase is firmed up I hope you will invite me over to your thread? May be able to round up some crabs, possibly some lobsters and we can dine on your new patio overlooking the water. A virtual feast for all the senses.:D

Fondest best regards,
Polly

[cheapdiva]

Last night we did the baked potato thing . . . bruchetta, 5 kinds of cheese (left over from book club a week ago), sour cream, italian sausage - served with applesauce and homemade zuchhini bread.

I love doing this for dinner, it's easy and you can dump what you want on top. Go look in your fridge, you'll be surprised by how many things you have in there that will taste great on top of potatoes.

Going out tonight to a mediteranian place (cheap food) and see the batman movie. Saw Brick Lane on Sunday - FABULOUS!!!!!

[Polly Snowbush]

Thanks for the baked potato night ideas. Gets tiring trying to figure out what to cook from day to day. Tonight we had pot luck = emptying the fridge of all the little pots of leftovers :rolleyes: with some cheesey baked bruchetta :D which brightened it up. Tomorrow start anew. Found an inspiring recipe in Coastal Living. Shrimp salad made with watermelon. Looks light, easy, and different.

Mediteranian, Batman and Brick Lane - good going!

[LindaLK]

Hello Everyone, :)


Last night I made a nice pork roast with pan gravy, escalloped potatoes, onion rolls, baked cinnamon & sugar apple slices, and red cabbage cole slaw. After dinner, we had warm apple cake with fresh whipped cream. I make most all of my meals from scratch.


I love to cook. Now that the heat wave has broken, I can do a lot more cooking and baking. I want to make a couple batches of home made jelly, along with bread & butter pickles.


Tonight won`t be as elaborate as last night. We`re having: ``S.O.S..`` AKA: ``Sh*t On A Shingle.`` That`s what my Gramma use to call it. :lol: It is dried chipped beef with white pepper gravy, over buttermilk biscuits. We add peas to ours. It is quick, easy, and the kids love it.


Enjoy the day!



Hugs,
Linda : )

[Lisa S]

Gee Linda, my mouth is watering! I've got two pork roasts in the freezer from the pig that I bought. I never make them... can you give me some pointers?

[LindaLK]

Good Morning Lisa, :)


As you know, there`s nothing like fresh pork. This roast came from one of the pigs that was raised at our barn. We are waiting for the bacon, hams, and sausages to come back from the smoke house.


Okay..... now I know this won`t be much help to you, but you can use it as a guide. I cook by doing. I toss this and that. No real measuring because I have been doing it so long. :)
Adjust or delete to your own personal taste.


Pre~heat your oven to 375~degrees.
Put the pork roast in a roasting pan.
Fill the pan half way up the roast with water.


Seasonings:

Half an onion
2~Tbls chopped garlic
Sprinkle a thin layer of dried parsley flakes all over the roast.
Dried oregano, again just to cover. Not too thick.
Ground gloves, sprinkle all over.
Black pepper. Lightly dust.
Salt is optional. I will add a smidgen later if I make a gravy with the pan drippings.


I put the roast in the oven for about an hour for a small or medium roast. Adjust cooking time by the weight of the roast, and by your own oven. Oven temps believe it or not do vary.


Through out the cooking, I baste the juices back on to the roast. You can use a baster, but I use a medium laddling spoon. Check the water level. You want to keep it at about half way up the roast.
If the level goes down due to being absorbed into the meat, add more water.


Near the end of the hour, take the roast out, set it on the stove top. I will cut in to the roast to see how things are progressing. This is where my hubby is hoovering over me to try a piece. :D
If there is no pink, I will place it onto a plate to cool for a few minutes. If it is still pink, it goes back in to the oven for a little while longer.
Check the roast again to see if the pink is gone. It should be a beige color when fully cooked.


You could also add peeled and cut potatoes to the roasting pan while the roast is cooking. The potatoes absorb the juices and are delicious!
Another thing I do. I make egg noodles, and mix in the pan drippings from the roast. Mix the drippings in well. This is also delicious!


Good luck. I wish I had more exact measurements. Remember to keep checking to make sure there is no pink!! When are you making the roast, and what time are you inviting us over? :)



Enjoy the day Lisa.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[Lisa S]

Sounds delicious! Thanks for taking the time to write that out. I'll try it this week.

[LindaLK]

Hi Lisa, :)


You are very welcome. Enjoy!


Hugs,
Linda :)

[cheapdiva]

My neighbor is making some kind of thai burgers on the grill and another friend is bringing some spicy noodle dish and I am doing a green salad with dried cranberries, mandarin oranges and nuts. We'll have some white wine and just enjoy a quiet evening. My husband volunteered to work today so the "girls" have an hour or so before he joins us.

A nice, quiet Sunday - the way I like them!!!

[Lisa S]

I read everything I can get my hands on regarding lowering my grocery bill. I've started making a weekly menu and buying only what I need.

Tonight we're having onion encrusted chicken breasts (found on the back of the Durkee Fried Onions can).

Two of three kids are back in school today. I'm spending the day pickling cucumbers and green beans. Yum, yum!

[cheapdiva]

have you checked out "coupon mom.com" or the grocery game yet? I am saving on average 35 - 40% on groceries now and we have filled a huge shelving unit in our "funny room" with about a 2 - 3 month supply of food.

You'll spend more the first month to 6 weeks but after month 2 you should see considerable savings. Go check out these sites and get on their forums.

[Lisa S]

I will check them out. I belong to Couponsurfer. I have a freezer full of meat, bread and berries... I have a cabinet full of toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap. All bought on sale or with coupons. I need to be better at using what I already have. I want to run this kitchen like a finely tuned restaruant. :p

[RoseMary]

Cheapdiva and Lisa, thanks for mentioning those coupon sites! My SIL and I have been looking for some. I can't believe the price of groceries these days~and now with Ike and Gustav, I'm wondering just how high they are going to get:eek:!

Lisa, when you get the 'finely tuned restaraunt' thing going good, please give me some advice:lol:!

R~Mary

[Evelyn]

Polly you have inspired me to cook something good for dinner! I have some lamb chops thawing......he or she was raised in the pasture next door.

Linda, I envy your home grown pigs! I love pork......one of these days I will take the step and raise my own. Do you have other animals?

I am also canning like crazy. This is the first year I have done it. I was inspired by Deb and others last summer. The larder thus far includes: plum jam, savory plum sauce, sweet relish, corn and zuke relish, eggplant in oil and vinegar and roasted red peppers.

Evelyn

[RoseMary]

I just read your roast recipe, Linda. It sounds delicious! I've got a frozen pork roast in the freezer that I need to cook~now I have a new recipe for it.

Lisa, how did you like the onion encrusted chicken breasts? I've seen a similar type recipe but never tried it.

R~Mary

[Lisa S]

I got the chicken dish from the back of a Durkee Fried Onion box. It's good. I flatten the chicken breasts with a tenderizer to get more chicken bang for my buck.

My father in law just brought me a basket full of plums. I'm going to try dehydrating them.

I have a bumper crop of grapes this year. I'm heading out to the store right now to buy a distiller to make grape juice. What the heck, I might try to make some wine too. Has anyone ever tried making homemade wine?

[RoseMary]

I will have to try the recipe sometime. My daughters love chicken more than any other meat.

I'm looking forward to hearing how your plum drying comes out. I have a lot of plum trees (wild) and have made jam with them, but never tried drying them.

I've never tried to make wine, but I might next year if our Muskadines do well. They've been out in an unused area, pretty neglected for the past 8 or nine years. We've cleaned out around them and they are looking good, so I've got my fingers crossed!

[CohenCottage]

My neighbor, another friend, and I had a "pesto party" last night to use up our basil. We made tons of it and froze it in serving size dollops for use this fall/winter! Then we made pesto pasta, chicken, and a salad and had dinner. Here is the recipe: A few handfulls each of asiago or parmesan cheese (the good kind), pine nuts, as much garlic as you want, blended in the food processor. Then add 2 cups of basil, blend, then add oil as you are blending. We froze it in parchement paper packets that we put in ziplocs.

[Lisa S]

Yum! That's exactly what I'll do with my basil. Thanks!

[Lisa S]

It was a beautiful day today. Although it got up in the low 80's, it still feels like fall.

I made a delicous smelling beef stew. Lots of carrots, beef and potatoes with a little red wine, some herbs and salt and pepper. I also made bisquick biscuits and added Herbs de Provence and dried onion to the batter. Dinner will be in about 2 hours... I'm looking forward to relaxing and calling it a day.

[Evelyn]

Lisa that sounds like a perfect dinner for a sunday afternoon! It is beautiful here in Western Washington today. Blue skies. I have been out working in the yard and am taking a break. Thought I would check in and see what everyone is doing. My husband and I just tested the salsa I canned last night....pretty good.

Evelyn

[LindaLK]

Hello Everyone, :)


Lisa S., the stew sounded really good. You just gave me the idea to use my crockpot this week.


Have a good evening.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[LindaLK]

Hi All, :)


Cohen Cottage, thanks for sharing the pesto recipe. Much appreciated.



Have a good evening.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[CohenCottage]

Hey y'all. I've been using the pesto for lots of stuff, and it is AWESOME. You definitely have to make it. I'm going to try to make more with some purple basil this weekend. So far, the favorite uses have been on pizza (the fresh dough from Publix) and pork chops. I took the extra super duper thick pork chops and dipped them in the pesto (thinned with olive oil and white wine), then breaded them in whole wheat panko bread crumbs and baked them. My DH said it was as good as the Five and Ten (our fanciest restaurant in town)! This recipe would probably be great with chicken too.

[janbay]

I saw a huge tractor trailer rig parked at the service station yesterday loaded with sweet potatoes. My husband struck up a conversation with the driver (he could coerce a stump into a chat) and learned that the man not only owned the truck, but had raised the sweet potatoes himself. To make a long story short, he shared a huge bag of them with us so I've been pulling out all kinds of recipes so that I can use them up.

Today, I'm cooking a huge sweet potato pie and wondering should I have presented them in a dish that was less sweet and more savory less the kids get the idea that they can only be used for desserts. I suppose I'll cross that bridge later. Meanwhile, we'll be getting lots of beta-carotene for awhile.

[Lisa S]

Sweet potato pie ~ yum, yum. Your husband sounds like a keeper!

[CohenCottage]

We had a shared dinner with our neighbors last night, and she made a wonderful sweet potato side dish. Cube sweet potatoes, toss with olive oil and bake until almost done in a 400 degree oven. For the last 15-20 minutes of cooking, add cubed pears and cinnamon on top. MMM it was good. We also had grilled rosemary pork loin, grilled asparagus, and salad.

[Lisa S]

Ooohh, I might have to try sweet potatoes cooked that way. Sounds mouth watering.

I made a similar dinner last night. We had squash with butter and herbs, thick pork chops and a green salad. We had a (Costco) pumpkin pie for dessert. Why can't I button these pants?

[Lynzee]

Mmmmmmmm! The sweet potatoes sound wonderful! Unfortunately, I am the only one in my family who will eat them so I never buy them.

Our dinner last night was easy--burgers on the grill, macaroni salad, baked beans and banana pudding for dessert. Tonight I'm going to do something with chicken--though I have no idea what!

Cooking is just not my strong suit... :o

[Lisa S]

It isn't my strong suit either, but somehow I manage to put something edible on the table every night. My kids know where the jar of peanut butter can be found.:o

[CohenCottage]

I discovered a good, new recipe to use with the frozen pesto...Here it goes:

Boil Pasta
Steam Broccoli
Brown chicken with salt and pepper in olive oil
add garlic and onions
add white wine
add frozen pesto blob
stir
add mushrooms
put lid on while you drink wine and watch the rachel maddow show
add fresh spinach, put lid back on
cut up chicken into little pieces
add broccoli
put on top of whole wheat pasta and mozzarella cheese.
mmmm good

[Lisa S]

I love the ingredients ~ especially the glass of wine part.;)

[windswept]

put lid on while you drink wine and watch the rachel maddow show


I just wanted to add that I am glad to see another Rachel fan! I LOVE her :()

I have not been cooking anything particularly interesting lately (too busy) but I did make some Concord grape jam with some grapes that I scored at the local produce store. I don't think I can go back to eating the plain ol' jarred jelly, this stuff is so good! The grape flavor is much more intense. :)