It was a breezy, cool, rainy day yesterday so what did I do? I cooked, of course!
I found a sale on boneless chuck and braised a big, thick steak for a pot roast........ then I roasted a chicken, pulled off all of the meat, roasted the carcass and made chicken stock.
Seems like I spent more time doing dishes than cooking but I meals for D A Y S !!!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 25
Here I am again....... been eating left-overs (but some GREAT left-overs) for the last few days. In an earlier post I mentioned that bottom round steak I stewed. I then made a gravy and divided it into two portions. For one, I sauteed some fresh green pepper strips and added it to the meat and served it over rice. I had forgotten how sweet peppers get when used like this - it was AWESOME! I haven't used the other portion - YET!
I used some of my homemade meatballs/sauce for a great meatball sub!
Finished the left-over chicken in a series of chicken sandwiches.
Baked a sheet cake yesterday.
Today is Sunday and, in tune with my long-entrenched memory of 'Sunday Dinner', I think I'll roast another chicken. If the weather was nice, I'd cook it on the rotisserie, but we have rain here so I'll cook it in my new oven.
I'm investigating The Big Green Egg as a new BBQ grill - I've heard great things about it! Google it if you don't know what it is. More later if I make a decision.
I used some of my homemade meatballs/sauce for a great meatball sub!
Finished the left-over chicken in a series of chicken sandwiches.
Baked a sheet cake yesterday.
Today is Sunday and, in tune with my long-entrenched memory of 'Sunday Dinner', I think I'll roast another chicken. If the weather was nice, I'd cook it on the rotisserie, but we have rain here so I'll cook it in my new oven.
I'm investigating The Big Green Egg as a new BBQ grill - I've heard great things about it! Google it if you don't know what it is. More later if I make a decision.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 21
I've been working off of leftovers the last couple of days - partly because I WANT to and partly because my budget requires it.
Anyhow, I think I mentioned that I made and froze two chicken pot pies...... still had chicken left (more later)
Yesterday I found a bottom round steak on sale at a ridiculous price. I cut off a small portion for dinner last night, marinated it and then grilled it. It was merely decent. I shoulda known that I've been spoiled by great cuts of steak and my palate is simply NOT gonna settle for 'grilled tough meat'.
I've cubed the rest of the steak (a bunch!) and am braising that right now. In a couple of hours, it'll be a great start to a beef stew or whatever else I wanna make of it.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to use up the last of the chicken (see earlier post). I saved just a bit of breast for a sandwich but will heat the rest with some of my leftover chicken gravy and serve that over rice. I've given up on mentioning all the spices I add to things. You know what spices YOU like (if not, EXPERIMENT! FIND OUT!!!). But the chicken is gonna make a GREAT meal tonight!
Anyhow, I think I mentioned that I made and froze two chicken pot pies...... still had chicken left (more later)
Yesterday I found a bottom round steak on sale at a ridiculous price. I cut off a small portion for dinner last night, marinated it and then grilled it. It was merely decent. I shoulda known that I've been spoiled by great cuts of steak and my palate is simply NOT gonna settle for 'grilled tough meat'.
I've cubed the rest of the steak (a bunch!) and am braising that right now. In a couple of hours, it'll be a great start to a beef stew or whatever else I wanna make of it.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to use up the last of the chicken (see earlier post). I saved just a bit of breast for a sandwich but will heat the rest with some of my leftover chicken gravy and serve that over rice. I've given up on mentioning all the spices I add to things. You know what spices YOU like (if not, EXPERIMENT! FIND OUT!!!). But the chicken is gonna make a GREAT meal tonight!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday, April 18, Afternoon
If you've read this BLOG before, you KNOW that I love to cook........ but it seems like (today) that all I've done is clean up! I reduced the chicken stock and cleaned two big stock pots, decided to make another pasta sauce with meatballs, got a hint about making a potato salad with ROASTED potatoes (it's in the fridge and more on that tomorrow), emptied the dishwasher and started to refill it, so now, for dinner, I'm back to the freezer for the other half of the pizza that I doctored (then froze) about a week ago. NO PANS TO CLEAN!!!!!! YA-HOOOOOOO!
Sunday, April 18
Had a wonderful dinner last night of roast chicken, potatoes and limas (for dessert.... ;-)...). After dinner I started the process of making my chicken stock - strained it and got it into the refridge before I went to bed.
This morning I skimmed it and it's now slowly reducing on the stove and the house is filled with that wonderful smell!
This morning I skimmed it and it's now slowly reducing on the stove and the house is filled with that wonderful smell!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday, April 16
It's a great sauce, mind you, but now I have to plan for pasta for the next week.....
I guess I just need more people to cook for.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 15
I had to be up in Grand Rapids yesterday and went to one of my favorite markets - Meijers. For those who don't know of it, it's like a Super WalMart but maybe just a bit more upscale.
Anyhow, I had to pick up some necessities like paper towels etc and then remembered - THEY CARRY FRESH LIMA BEANS! Now I wasn't a big fan of limas when I was young - perhaps because my mother always used frozen limas and never seemed to cook them enough. But when you can get fresh ones, cook them properly, drain them, add some butter and some milk and then let them sit overnight (yes, it's one of those dishes that gets better the next day), the result is just sublime. I eat them like a dessert - after a meal. They're that good!
So I don't know what I'm having for dinner but I KNOW WHAT I'M HAVING FOR DESSERT!!
Anyhow, I had to pick up some necessities like paper towels etc and then remembered - THEY CARRY FRESH LIMA BEANS! Now I wasn't a big fan of limas when I was young - perhaps because my mother always used frozen limas and never seemed to cook them enough. But when you can get fresh ones, cook them properly, drain them, add some butter and some milk and then let them sit overnight (yes, it's one of those dishes that gets better the next day), the result is just sublime. I eat them like a dessert - after a meal. They're that good!
So I don't know what I'm having for dinner but I KNOW WHAT I'M HAVING FOR DESSERT!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday Afternoon, April 13
I'm sure everyone has been to the market when they have those little paper/plastic cups of samples (usually of the stuff they wanna move and not necessarily the stuff on sale). So today I was at the market and they had just such a display of pistachios...... there was a BIG display of pistachios on shelves and when I looked closely, these were labeled "Salt and Pepper".......
The sample was AWESOME so I fell into the 'come-on' and bought a bag. YOU SHOULD REALLY TRY THESE! They're like regular pistachios but with just a touch more flavor.
TRY 'EM!
The sample was AWESOME so I fell into the 'come-on' and bought a bag. YOU SHOULD REALLY TRY THESE! They're like regular pistachios but with just a touch more flavor.
TRY 'EM!
Tuesday, April 13
Gotta mail my taxes in today..... got CLOBBERED because of the divorce, retirement etc. but sold enough precious stuff on ebay to make up a few thou to cover it all. Luckily that won't happen again this year.
I've decided that I liked the Dijon mustard better last night. I have enough left for at least ONE more sandwich and I'm gonna try some spicy brown along with some mayo on this one.
It's supposed to be sunny and in the 70's tomorrow so I'm planning on Koegel's hot dogs on the grill!
I've decided that I liked the Dijon mustard better last night. I have enough left for at least ONE more sandwich and I'm gonna try some spicy brown along with some mayo on this one.
It's supposed to be sunny and in the 70's tomorrow so I'm planning on Koegel's hot dogs on the grill!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, April 12, about 10 minutes later
OK, OK........ I lasted about 10 minutes until I just HAD to make another corned beef sandwich - THIS time with a different mustard. The first time was with a Dijon but this one is with a sharp honey mustard.
Gotta stop now and enjoy.
Gotta stop now and enjoy.
Monday, April 12
Evidently the folks here in my town were economically challenged back in February for St Patrick's Day cause today I found a HALF OFF sale on corned beef! I scooped up a small piece for about $5.00. I've already cooked it along with some potatoes and green peas AND had half a sandwich (which was AWESOME!).
I have a feeling that there's another sandwich in my future later tonight.
I have a feeling that there's another sandwich in my future later tonight.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Saturday, April 10
Sorry for my absence, but, in truth, my meals lately have been rather boring. A hamburger on the grill..... a chicken stew........ a 'doctored' frozen pizza (I know, I never shoulda done that!).
Today is finally a gorgeous Spring day and I thought of a meal that my family always loved - we called them meatoaf burgers...... tis really a hamburger mixed as if it were meatloaf. Trust me, it stays soooo moist when grilled......... but this time I crossed it with another family fave, what we called a 'surprise burger' - two thin hamburgers with ingredients in between and sealed before grilling. So it's a meatloaf burger with just a slice of cheese between that I'll grill. The accompaniment will be some raosted red potatoes with onions. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The other cooking for the day was about 30 meatballs (beef & pork) with milked bread, sauteed onions, bread crumbs, egg, Worcestershire Sauce and salt & pepper. Right now I'm freezing them and will then put them individually into a freezer bag so I can use them when I wish. I had a taste of one and they're gonna be GREAT!
I have a small piece of pork loin defrosting in the fridge and tomorrow will be some [pounded] loin chops with perhaps a baked potato.
More later.
Today is finally a gorgeous Spring day and I thought of a meal that my family always loved - we called them meatoaf burgers...... tis really a hamburger mixed as if it were meatloaf. Trust me, it stays soooo moist when grilled......... but this time I crossed it with another family fave, what we called a 'surprise burger' - two thin hamburgers with ingredients in between and sealed before grilling. So it's a meatloaf burger with just a slice of cheese between that I'll grill. The accompaniment will be some raosted red potatoes with onions. I'll let you know how it turns out.
The other cooking for the day was about 30 meatballs (beef & pork) with milked bread, sauteed onions, bread crumbs, egg, Worcestershire Sauce and salt & pepper. Right now I'm freezing them and will then put them individually into a freezer bag so I can use them when I wish. I had a taste of one and they're gonna be GREAT!
I have a small piece of pork loin defrosting in the fridge and tomorrow will be some [pounded] loin chops with perhaps a baked potato.
More later.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Very Good Friday!
I don't wanna say that I was tired but I went to bed at 7:00 pm and got up at 5:30 am..... my back is a little better, though. I can't believe that it was 65 degrees at 5:30 this morning?!?! And it's supposed to go up to 85 today.... WTF???? This is only APRIL!!!!!
I didn't smoke my cigar yesterday but I'll DEFINITELY get to it this afternoon! First though, I'm making a trip up to GR to go to Lowe's to buy some thin oak boards. I made (upon request) a spice rack for my neighbor...... now HIS neighbor wants me to make them one too - just like it.
No plans yet for dinner..... cooked a hamburger last night on the grill.... Mmmmmmm........
I didn't smoke my cigar yesterday but I'll DEFINITELY get to it this afternoon! First though, I'm making a trip up to GR to go to Lowe's to buy some thin oak boards. I made (upon request) a spice rack for my neighbor...... now HIS neighbor wants me to make them one too - just like it.
No plans yet for dinner..... cooked a hamburger last night on the grill.... Mmmmmmm........
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Thursday, April 1st
I've neglected you far too long, gentle readers...... my only excuse is that I was traveling back East for a couple of weeks. But WHAT a trip!
Saw old friends Jeannie & Dick and Robin and Alex in Westchester County (NY)...... cooked a GREAT meal of crab cakes and wild rice and sauteed Sea Bass with sauteed aspragus..... it was WONDERFUL! Then another of steak (on the grill, of course) with baked potatoes, green beans w/garlic and roasted onions (also on the grill)!!!!
Back to Virginia...... and a dinner for 6 of braised lamb shanks (OMG - soooooo good!) with a positively GREAT recipe of roasted vegetables and orzo........
In between all of the traveling there was a GREAT burger (on charcoal - thanks Alex!), a frittata, pizza made with a garlic/herb crust, AND a trip to "5 Guys" burger joint (a first for me - not in my area yet but check around, if they're in yours, GO THERE!!!!)
I'm back home in MI now debating which flavor of Gravy Train will be the choice for tonight (HEY! Warm it up, soften the chunks and close your eyes - you'll be surprised!).....
Raked a little this am, went to the garden store and bought grass seed and fertilizer and deer repellant (they're everywhere here and eat all the budding flowers!)...... but my back is on the 'ragged edge' so I'm relaxing for the rest of the day. S'posed to be 80 today so I may even sit outside and smoke a well-deserved cigar - haven't had one in a couple of years and I'm looking forward to it!
Saw old friends Jeannie & Dick and Robin and Alex in Westchester County (NY)...... cooked a GREAT meal of crab cakes and wild rice and sauteed Sea Bass with sauteed aspragus..... it was WONDERFUL! Then another of steak (on the grill, of course) with baked potatoes, green beans w/garlic and roasted onions (also on the grill)!!!!
Back to Virginia...... and a dinner for 6 of braised lamb shanks (OMG - soooooo good!) with a positively GREAT recipe of roasted vegetables and orzo........
In between all of the traveling there was a GREAT burger (on charcoal - thanks Alex!), a frittata, pizza made with a garlic/herb crust, AND a trip to "5 Guys" burger joint (a first for me - not in my area yet but check around, if they're in yours, GO THERE!!!!)
I'm back home in MI now debating which flavor of Gravy Train will be the choice for tonight (HEY! Warm it up, soften the chunks and close your eyes - you'll be surprised!).....
Raked a little this am, went to the garden store and bought grass seed and fertilizer and deer repellant (they're everywhere here and eat all the budding flowers!)...... but my back is on the 'ragged edge' so I'm relaxing for the rest of the day. S'posed to be 80 today so I may even sit outside and smoke a well-deserved cigar - haven't had one in a couple of years and I'm looking forward to it!
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