March Munchin' 2012

[occupant]

Originally Posted by Ought Six

I think it is going to be rib eye, sweet potato fries and spinach tonight. I might fire up the grill for my first barbeque of the year. We shall see.

Good Lord man, we're thinkin alike ! It was a special treat tonight of Beef Tenderloin, sweet potaoes, sauteed spinach and fresh carrot sticks. Steaks cooked on my panini grill. Having dental work done in the morning and prolly won't be chewing much for a few days...

[Coyote]

I caught a bunch of crappies today so I powdered and deep fried the fillets. I made a sauce with butter, red curry paste (pretty hot stuff!), a little coconut milk and some Thai basil. Baked a potato and steamed some asparagus to go along with it.

Long Trail Ale to cool the fire and help wash it all down.

[Ought Six]

Originally Posted by occupant

Good Lord man, we're thinkin alike ! It was a special treat tonight of Beef Tenderloin, sweet potaoes, sauteed spinach and fresh carrot sticks. Steaks cooked on my panini grill. Having dental work done in the morning and prolly won't be chewing much for a few days...

I hope the dentistry goes well for you. Stock up on soup.

It is raining, so I guess I will be broiling that steak.

[Feather]

Originally Posted by Twoolf

I didn't feel like cooking tonight. Dinty Moore here I come.......

Sounds like us. Except when we don't feel like cooking it's mac and cheese.

[Coyote]

A few days ago I was sittin' around with a bunch of guys and we decided it had been quite a while since we watched Lonesome Dove. So we're having a Lonesome Dove party today. The whole thing. Six plus hours.

We'll be eatin' beans and biscuits with garlic and jalapeno sausages. Several kinds of beer and some wine for the gals to wash it all down.

Appetizers will be beer and wine and dessert will be more beer and wine.

[blue gecko]

You make us laugh Coyote! Thats something we would do.

We've got a pot of oxtails with shitake mushrooms and barley on the woodstove. It's raining cats and dogs here and its a good day for hanging out inside. Of course we couldn't let it lie with being inside and made a trip to town for a paper then back out to clear the ditch so water wouldn't eat out the road anymore. We're about to watch The Quiet Man and sip hot tea for a spell.

[MaxTheKnife]

I just had an interesting coincidence happen Coyote. I stepped out on the deck to check on the rain and happened to see a lonesome dove flutter from limb to limb in a nearby tree. It would sit for a few seconds and move to another branch. It kept that up till it was out of sight. It was heading due East... No kidding.

[Feather]

I found a great deal on corned beef so I bought three. Tonight we fixed one, combined that with a baked potato and it was a very filling meal.

[Thymeless]

Had a friend over for spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and salad...it was lovely!
Tomato sauce from almost scratch..used some canned crushed toms and diced...other than that all home made..it was yum!

(Well not the bread this time).

Leftovers tomorrow...awright!

[dreamseeer]

Originally Posted by Coyote

A few days ago I was sittin' around with a bunch of guys and we decided it had been quite a while since we watched Lonesome Dove. So we're having a Lonesome Dove party today. The whole thing. Six plus hours.

We'll be eatin' beans and biscuits with garlic and jalapeno sausages. Several kinds of beer and some wine for the gals to wash it all down.

Appetizers will be beer and wine and dessert will be more beer and wine.

I like the way you think. Beer and Wine.......the perfect solution to everything.

[dreamseeer]

Today was one of those days that just leaves one astonished and that's all I got to say about that..........so in my astonishment I went plundering down into the bottomless pit of my freezer and found 1/2 a small frozen turkey breast from back two years ago. Ah.......the surprises and mysteries of a chest freezer, eh?

I thawed that little puppy out and baked it today with thyme and rosemary,,,,garlic granules, salt and pepper oh and butter pats.....

Since I am high altitude it takes forever to get things cooked out here and as soon as it comes off the heat it is almost instantly cold.

Well, anyway.........I baked that little 1/2 turkey breast 2 hours and then took the foil off and cooked it another 1/2 hours to kinda brown....

I have to say that was the nicest little piece of meat ever. It was so tender and moist and flavorful!!

Sides were fresh green beans....

Jasmine Rice cooked with extra water so it would be reeeeeeeeeeally soft.
I just love the fragrance of Jasmine rice.

I cooked up (in the true nature of a prepper) a box of Stove Top Stuffing that expired back in 2009. LOL

I used the stock from the turkey instead of water and believe it or not........that stuffing was sooooooooooooo good.

Since I used up all my stock. .........heck that was only 1/2 a small turkey breast.....

I went into the waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back pantry and pulled out two jars of Heinz Roasted Turkey Gravy that expired a year ago.

Warmed that up and added some extra garlic granules to jazz it up a little.

Poured that gravy over over everything except the string beans and it was a delicious feast.

Never let it be said that old preps are no good. LOL

Wishing I had some ice cream for dessert but there isn't any in the house so I will just have to substitute with another Evan Williams and Sierra Mist.

Ah life is good.

[MaxTheKnife]

For supper last night we had slow cooked oxtail stew that cooked all day on the woodstove. I have no idea what all went into it but the additions went on and on...

By the time it was ready to eat we were fidgety because it smelled so good! Rich and earthy is the best way to describe it. We toasted some rosemary potato bread to go with it that was sliced and slathered with butter and dipped in the stew to soak up that rich gravy. Heavenly!

[Coyote]

I stepped out on the deck to check on the rain and happened to see a lonesome dove flutter from limb to limb in a nearby tree. It would sit for a few seconds and move to another branch. It kept that up till it was out of sight. It was heading due East... No kidding.

Things that make you say hmmmm....

[MaxTheKnife]

I can't help it Coyote. I see stuff. I'm always very aware of my surroundings. Ask BG!

[blue gecko]

Tonight was liver and onions seasoned with our 4 mushroom powder and steamed broccoli. We're sipping on a bit of B&B for dessert

[Feather]

Tonight is augratin potatoes with corned beef. Something nice and easy for DH to learn to fix.

[Ought Six]

I think I am just going to heat up some Ivar's clam chowder tonight.

[dreamseeer]

Tonight was Spam Casserole and steamed Broccoli.

I cooked really late so I have the two loaf pans out on the porch to cool off so I can put them in the fridge.

It is fridge temps outside.

Today was such a lovely day..........up to 70 degrees.... Very unseasonable...but foreboding for the highs coming this summer.

Anyway...........the Spam Casserole makes two loaf pans so there is lots to put in the freezer for later.

Ingredients: ,,,,,,,,,,,cream of mushroom soup x2, milk x1 soup can, corn x2 cans (drained), spam 1 can cut in cubes,,,10 oz. of egg noodles cooked separately than added,,,,,1 pound of sharp cheddar cheese grated and put on top on the loaf pans. Cook about 45 minutes depending on your altitude. YUMMY.

[Feather]

We're going to have more of the corned beef. It turned really tough this time and I've not had that happen with this brand before. I think I've figured it out, I didn't cover it with foil while it was in the oven. So today I put it in the crock pot to simmer for a while and we'll see if that helps. I did buy a roll of foil for next time.

It worked!!!! I just had some and it turned out as tender as it should have been in the first place.

[blue gecko]

Tough corned beed makes wonderful hash!

Tonight is cheese ravioli with a simply seasoned tomato sauce and garlic bread. I know, I know no vegies. We'll make up for it later. Its being made on our new cooktop!!! We've got gas After nearly a year and a half of cooking on 2 burner electric hot plate we're in heaven!

[flourbug]

I told blue gecko I would give a review of the wonderful spices she and Max make.

So far, I have tried:

Bread Dipping Herbs - these are fresh, and strong, so you only need the tinest dab. We just ripped apart a big loaf of soft Italian bread, dipped it in EVOO, and then the herbs. Good stuff.

Fish and Seafood seasoning - I was in a hurry to try this so I added a sprinkle to my tuna fish. What a waste of good seasoning! Next time I am going to crust it onto the outside of a hunk of salmon and grill it up.

Curry - rich and flavorful, as good as we get from our Indian grocer. I made it with coconut milk, veggies, and chicken.

Mushroom Powder Mix - who knew? This is really good! I made a mushroom pate! Take a package of mixed mushrooms and 4 cloves of garlic, drizzle with EVOO to coat, sprinkle with 3 Tbs mushroom powder, and roast for 15 min. Put 3 oz of neufchatel cheese, 3 tbs lemon juice and a dash of salt and pepper in a blender, add all but 1/4 cup of the mushrooms, and blend. Top with the leftover mushrooms. I served it with toasted pita, and it passed the man test. It was GONE, fast.

Mayan Cocoa Mix - Okay, don't think I am odd but, I'm odd. I've been licking crackers, dipping them into the dry mix, and licking the cocoa off. lol. Chocolatey goodness with a real kick. This stuff will make a good dip if it lasts that long. (I am not sharing.) Is it supposed to be for hot cocoa? Nahhhh...

Cajun Spice Mix - I brined a large pork shoulder in pickling salt and molasses for 18 hours, then rubbed it with Cajun Spice and brown sugar, and then a slooooow cool smoke for a full day. Jason had two helpings.

Himalayan Salt and Peppercorn - I have not figured out how I am going to use this yet, but it is verrrrrry interesting. A nice earthy salt with really fresh, strong, red pepper flakes. Made my tongue tingle.

Buttermilk Ranch Mix - dip chicken in buttermilk, coat with mix, cover with panko, and bake. Yum!

I also have bay leaves... and beef rub, and poultry seasoning to try. But I wanted to let you all know that these mixes and spices are super fresh, and the aroma alone will send you into the clouds... but come down for dinner, because it is GOOD EATING!

[Feather]

Originally Posted by blue gecko

Tough corned beed makes wonderful hash!

Tonight is cheese ravioli with a simply seasoned tomato sauce and garlic bread. I know, I know no vegies. We'll make up for it later. Its being made on our new cooktop!!! We've got gas After nearly a year and a half of cooking on 2 burner electric hot plate we're in heaven!

I do fine with the corned beef and hash browns, but add the egg in and you've lost me. I used to drive Mom nuts because I don't like food all mixed together. I know I'm to old for this but old habits are so hard to break.

The cheese ravioli sounds wonderful. Glad you are enjoying your new stove.

I had some of the rare roast beef I bought the other day for dinner tonight. Then had a cara cara orange for desert.

[blue gecko]

I make my hash by dicing the corned beef, adding fairly finely diced potatoes and onions, a bit of olive oil or bacon grease and cooking it in a cast iron skillet in the toaster oven. They get a turn or two while cooking so they get a nice brown crust.

fb, we're so glad you like our seasonings! Hopefully we'll soon get through the legal stuff and we can get into the public sales end of the business. Pink Peppercorns aren't really a pepper at all! They come from a tree you've probably seen in your area: California (or Peruvian) Pepper Tree is the common name.

[Feather]

Originally Posted by blue gecko

I make my hash by dicing the corned beef, adding fairly finely diced potatoes and onions, a bit of olive oil or bacon grease and cooking it in a cast iron skillet in the toaster oven. They get a turn or two while cooking so they get a nice brown crust.

Dad always made it with scrambled eggs mixed in and I'm not found of eggs. The way describe it sounds good. I have some corned beef left, I'll give it a try tomorrow.

[blue gecko]

Tonight we're having reuben sandwiches with the corned beef seasoned with homebrew and garden herbs simmering on the stove as I type, homemade saurkraut, Jarlsburg cheese on rye with homemade mustard. We can hardly wait!