<p>^ We all go through spells where we need a break from cooking. Nothing wrong with heating up soup with cheese and crackers. Or a can of tuna. Or ordering pizza.</p>
<p>I don’t actually think mashed potatoes need gravy as long as you have good butter. I usually roast pork with some white wine or other liquid in the pan. I usually deglaze the pan with a little wine. Maybe drain off some of the fat if I’ve used a fatty cut. Add a little flour and then add some cream. I don’t measure anything. I’ve often stuffed my roast with prunes, so they’ve usually added some sweetness to the gravy.</p>
<p>^ hmmm . . . was going to brine the pork loin according to CI. No wine. Hmmm. I like gravy. A lot.</p>
<p>Butterfingers.
My ods loves Kit Kats though.</p>
<p>Tonight I made an old classic: Chicken Parmasean! Haven’t had that in ages and I was also in the mood to make something different. Delish!</p>
<p>Ema: what do you usually make for dinners? Anything goes, really. You can be as gourmet as mathmom and interesteddad on one end of the spectrum or you can just change it up by making frittatas (SO easy) or soups or sandwiches or stir frys, etc. Even though I’m not a vegetarian, I tend to make meals with lots of veggies in them…</p>
<p>Do you usually use low sodium stuff? Chicken broth comes in a low sodium version…</p>
<p>I got a crockpot for a wedding gift a million years ago and sold it at a subsequent garage sale…I think they are coming back in vogue again!</p>
<p>I ended up making Chicken Cacciatore out of some chicken thighs that I had in the freezer. Had to improvise on some ingredients, but it turned out pretty good. Next time I’m adding some red pepper to give it a little kick. And had fresh bread, right out of the oven, to go with it. </p>
<p>In the mood for something pumpkin, so I think pumpkin bread this weekend. Can you tell that I like to bake? Cooking that involves chopping, etc. - not so much.</p>
<p>Fired up the Weber kettle grill. Grilled yellow summer squash (drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper), just like a steak. Oh, and speaking of steak, threw down a 16 ounce rib eye from local butcher shop. I gotta say, this low carb eating sure is a sacrifice! :)</p>
<p>roasted portabello mushroom “burgers” with mozzarella,red onion , spinach and dijon mustard on whole wheat bread…celery sticks stuffed w/ red pepper hummus,sliced apples and
roasted pumpkin seeds warm from the oven.</p>
<p>I’m amazed by how many vegetarian meals are listed here. Maybe I can start eliminating some meat.</p>
<p>Cold and nasty today in Upstate NY. DS and I may drive out to the Christmas Tree Shop (could be a big mistake on a Saturday but we don’t have one nearby) and if so, a trip to Wegman’s (something we also do not have nearby) will be in order. So probably something from Wegman’s for dinner.</p>
<p>Has anyone made the all-purpose gravy from CI ? You put carrot, onion and celery into the food processor – then add broth and flour and milk and cook for awhile. Then add any meat drippings you have.</p>
<p>Curious if this recipe could be made ahead, then heated and the pan drippings added at the end.</p>
<p>I love my Crock Pot. The America’s Test Kitchen folks have a new crockpot recipe book out, picked it up at the library. Be sure and READ the whole recipe before you start, some have too much prep for me to tackle in the morning if I have an early client. So far, we have been happy with the things we have tried.</p>
<p>For today, DH is making chili. I’ll go pick up my dad (recovering from falling off a ladder…I’ve been mostly at his house for the last 3 weeks, it’s good to be home) and we can eat and watch some football later.</p>
<p>Leftover herb-seasoned turkey breast (Costco) which I roasted last night, some sort of a green salad, and a few bits of leftover yams. We decided that our November dinners will be Thanksgiving-themed. Who said turkey should be eaten only once or twice a year? :)</p>
<p>I think tonight we will go out.
I am having a hard time adjusting to cooking for two. H is not a fan of having the same meal a 2nd night.
I did try a new recipe this week. Greek tacos from the Food Network site. I used ground turkey instead of lamb. It was a hit. Instead of pita I put my meat on top of a bed of romaine. The yogurt cucumber spread is delicious.</p>
<p>Hey mom60!</p>
<p>How’s your horse back riding daughter adjusting to college?</p>
<p>A suggestion: Why don’t you start with just basic chicken, or steak, or pork or fish and make 2 completely different meals? So if you have ground beef, for instance, make meatballs one night and chili the next night…or beef tacos, or lasagna…this way your H won’t be upset about eating the same meal two nights in a row…or you can then freeze leftovers for another week…</p>
<p>megpmom:</p>
<p>I would much rather cook than bake any day! 
I would much rather chop than measure! I know that some people love one more than the other sometimes…for me I’d rather not bake!</p>
<p>Due to State One Act competition, yesterday was a full day of eating out. Today will be chicken and dumplings, stewed apples, and cornbread muffins.</p>
<p>Friday night was salmon and corn on the cob on the grill and orzo with parmesan and basil (and challah, of course); last night we went out for fish as well. </p>
<p>I just put up a big pot of chicken soup…later on I will add noodles AND matzoh balls AND kreplach, all at H’s request. I am also going to make a big salad with lots of chopped up vegetables in it, and heat up some of the left over challah from Friday.</p>
<p>I think it’s time to clean out the fridge and freezer week…chicken enchiladas tonight a Costco pizza I bought Friday that we didn’t end up baking/eating yet, chicken noodle soup when I made broth with the rotisserie remains…sometimes I have a week that I tell myself I am NOT going to stop at the store and will have to be creative and clear out some of the food we already have!!!</p>
<p>Chocchipcookie- thanks for asking. The horse is loving college. He is happy thus she is happy. The barn has been a great place to find a peer group. Her roommate rides and also has a horse on campus. Now we just wish she would spend as much time studying as she does at the barn. She did say if it wasn’t for the barn she would already be back home but I don’t know if she is just playing us.
Back on topic. I am thinking pizza made from Trader Joe’s crust. Margarita using fresh basil from the garden. Reminder to self I just need one bag of dough!
I need an idea for tomorrow night. I am getting a crown in the afternoon. What would be easy to make yet easy to eat? Adding that we are having a mini heat wave and tomorrow is forecasted 84 on the coast.</p>
<p>Lobster and crab legs. SO easy to fix and so much cheaper than ordering it at a restaurant.</p>