G'day Saturday 4-14-2018 What's Cookin'

[annrms]

Morning all! Eyes popped open at 4am after spending a very warm night...one bedroom window was wide open and the winter quilt was pushed aside as it was "hot" sleeping! As I type, the temps have gone down, and we may even have snow showers later today.
I have that Trader Joe's "Chile Lime" Seasoning and love it. Recently, there was a discussion about a classic seasoning called, "Tajin" Classic Seasoning made in Mexico and available in many other stores including Aldi and Walmart. I saw it at Aldi on one of the end aisles and bought it. The ingredients are almost identical to Trader Joe's. Here's the link from Amazon so you can see the bottle of Tajin...And for TJ's Chile Lime...TJ's Chile Lime
I just did a taste test...very similar. Whatever you get, try it on fruit! I put it on cucumbers...yum!
Lori - The Chicken Broccoli with Dill Sauce was great! I doubled the sauce because I wanted some to put on the leftover mac & cheese to "moisten" it up. I made thick cutlets out of the boneless breast by cutting each diagonally into three pieces. I also steamed the broccoli separately then served it in the same bowl. I'd make this again. I can see using other herbs, too especially tarragon!
Time to go upstairs to start "Saturday breakfast" for mom & me. Bacon, eggs, artisan bread toast, and tomatoes...with coffee..lots!!!
Back later!

[nybirder]

Ann--Your chile lime seasoning sounds good on cucumber. I did a search at my local Walmart and it's out of stock. They had another--Valentina Seasoning--which is basically chili powder, salt, and lime juice. I wonder if it would be similar. The nearest TJ's is a 50 mile drive so this would be a lot more convenient! The Tajin also comes in low sodium but, again, out of stock.

I'm holding my breath about the weather. We didn't have the warmth that you did last night but it was 50 when I went to bed. We are under a winter storm advisory from Sat. afternoon to Sun. afternoon for freezing rain. I'd almost say I'd rather have snow, which looks like what Chris and Bet may be getting. However, if I have my druthers I'd opt for just plain rain. Doesn't look like it. I did my grocery shopping yesterday so there's no reason to go out tomorrow. I'm in for the duration. Ironically, tomorrow is the first scheduled field trip for our bird club--they were going to drive 70 miles to Montezuma NWR. Don't think that's going to happen.

I have been reading about the craze for the Instant Pot that's been going on for a while. I have cooked with a stovetop pressure cooker for years but there's something tempting about one that you don't have to hover over to monitor the heat level. And to have a multi-tasker that can be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker. Well . . . irresistable. My SIL gave me a gift certificate for Boscov's, and they were having a sale on the 6 quart pot--same price as Amazon Prime. Sooooo . . . I gave in to my urges and bought one yesterday.

Now I can have fun checking the millions of instant pot recipes that seem to be out there. People are treating this as some sort of miracle cooker. I have to chuckle--pressure cookers aren't new, just too scary for most to use. Chalk it up to good marketing and product design. This one is so safe, it would take an idiot who didn't follow any directions to have a problem. Of course, there are people like that out there! LOL!

Somebody drank all my coffee! Time for a refill.

Have a good day.

Birdy

[marjo]

We had quite the storms around us last night. Lots of hail and little twister by Atlantic. Our hail was dime size and Avoca had 1" hail. So after they died down Chuck and Linda came and we went to Mortuary to see the family last night. Took over an hour to get through the line. Lots of people and was nice to see all the kids as they were all here for my sale. They done all the auctioning and Jack just drove around in his pick-up to see and hear it all. Then we went to restaurant at Avoca and Linda had her salmon which was what she was craving and Chuck and I had sandwiches as we were not as hungry. So it ended just fine for all of us. Now we were to get snow but nothing yet this morning. That is fine it can stay away.

I need to get some milk and eggs if weather holds out so will wait awhile to see. Not a big deal it if it does start I will wait. I don't have to cook anything at the moment so will have a lazy day. Washing all done and house cleaned but I should clean some cupboards if I get in the mood!

Everyone have a good day and week-end.

Marlene

[wilderness]

Good morning. We have been getting rain off and on since last evening. Got almost 1/4" so far. It was 39 at 5:30 when I got up but has already dropped to 31. Freezing stuff is to start around noon time. The advisory is until 8PM Sunday but the hourly is showing wintry mix and ice is showing until sometime Monday morning.

Starting Tuesday we are to start seeing 40's and by the weekend in the 50's everyday but also rain almost every day. We also have a flood watch out. Our winds are to be nothing like many of you are getting but could be almost as bad as it was a week ago when we lost power.

I am just hoping DS gets home from work before it gets really bad. He has my car today to get the state inspection done, take the studded tires off (which have to be off by tomorrow) change the oil and put a new thermostat in. I am just hopping he can get his car up my driveway when he gets here.

I plan to spend most of the day planting seed and transplanting. I have already go the seedling downstairs watered. I am sure when I go upstairs to plant I will need to also water up there. Due to the weather that we are suppose to get I didn't move anymore plants into the greenhouse when it was nice these last few days.

Dinner tonight is Curry chicken and broccoli over rice.

Nancy, congratulations to your DD.  Very nice honor.

Betsy, enjoy freshman weekend.

Birdy, I am not suppose to get much snow but who knows.  Those new pots have peaked my interest but I don't really need anymore gadgets.  I haven't used a pressure cooker in years except my big one for canning.

Marlene, sounds like you had a wonderful dinner party.  I am sure your guests were delighted.

Ann, Chicken, broccoli with dill sauce sounds wonderful.  I love dill.  Care to share the recipe?

Tammy, Hope it didn't rain for your bbq.

Elaine, happy hour with neighbors is always fun.

Lori, enjoy your travels with DH.

Waiving to those I missed.

Have a great day and stay safe with the storms.

Bet

Elaine

[nybirder]

Hmm, Bet. Curry chicken and broccoli sounds good. Recipe?

Ironic that you have to have the studded tires off the day of an ice storm, huh?!

Every time they talk about an improving trend for the weather, I don't get my hopes up. Originally, the advanced forecast for this weekend was supposed to be warmer with some sun. So much for that! These advanced forecasts have to be taken with a grain of salt, huh? Too many things can happen before they come to pass. My daffodils are putting up buds so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we don't have a deep freeze to kill them. Two years in a row, mine have ended up with brown buds.

Now, Bet . . . did I say I really needed the instant pot? Those who know me well know I am a geek. But the gift card pretty much pushed me over the edge. I have a recipe for making ricotta in it that I think will be in my future soon. I'm always looking for really good ricotta--it's tough to find in the stores unless you make your own or can find someone who sells it fresh. You'd think with the heavy Italian population around here that it would be easier to get.

Stay safe--no skidding down your mountain on regular tires before that ice melts!

Birdy

[wilderness]

Birdy, ricotta is on my list to do today.  I made a big batch of Lasagna and used up all I had made that was in the freezer.  Not sure how it will come out as I usually make it with whole milk but the other day I got a half gallon of 1% so just may add a little more heavy cream and reduce the milk.  Also got heavy cream for half price.  Both were on the quick rack so need to get them used up.

Bet

[annrms]

Back again...! Chores are completed so I can sit and relax a bit. DH just started making the TOH's Skillet Cassoulet. I made a cucumber, tomato, and onion chopped salad with dill ranch dressing.
Elaine - Here's the recipe I made last night. I doubled the sauce and steamed the broccoli separately just before serving instead of having to keep it warm (and possibly overcooking - we like it crisp). Had it with leftover mac & cheese that I needed to revive with a little of the sauce! Chicken & Broccoli with Dill Sauce
Our neighbor came over last night and cut up a good portion of the downed tree limbs in the yard. He stacked the usable wood for his summer campfires. When he was finished, he came inside and had an adult beverage. He mentioned to us that his two oldest boys were going to visit their grandparents (both paternal and maternal) in Nairobi, Kenya for 6 weeks this summer. What an adventure for them!!! For years I taught about Africa, and I was able to ask him if they were going to explore those areas. He was pleased that I knew something about his native country. The downside of their visit is the vaccinations they have to get before going and the malaria meds they have to take while there!!!
I don't think I've mentioned this...Duchess has gotten into the habit of parking herself in front of the desktop monitor and meowing for me to click on a cat video showing birds and squirrels. She get so absorbed in them...putting her paw on the screen and clicking her jaw...it's funny to watch her.
Gotta go. My mom is making her version of Chinese chop suey..going to check to see how it's going. Waving to all.

[tamaralynn]

Ann, that is so cute about the cat. I'm sure that is fun to watch.

Sorry that so many of you are having more winter, or storms. It rained here all night, but this morning is cloudy and cool (56). A large front moved through but we were on the tail end so did not get anything severe.

We are going to grab a bite to eat in town and then go work at the church for a couple hours - in the clothing pantry.

Supper is going to be some chalupa that I thawed out.

When I get home I will start seeing about getting the brisket all chopped up. I think I will add bbq sauce and chill it overnight, then put it in the crockpot tomorrow morning to heat. Tomorrow is when we will need to leave for church at 8:45, so we can start training as greeters.  I also want to take dessert, and found a recipe for sopapilla cheesecake that is easy. Has anyone made it before? It's very easy. Layer 1 roll of crescent roll dough in a 9 by 13 pan. Mix cream cheese and sugar and spread over the dough. Layer 1 roll of dough on top. Pour some melted butter on top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Then bake. It is a Pillsbury recipe.

The cookout last night went well-it was held over at the care center in the garden area. Since it was misting on and off, we stayed under the covered patio area. Everyone loved the spaghetti salad. I made the "fat ladies" and they were good but very rich. The caramel did not set up totally so spread a lot after I cut them They would be  best if refrigerated a long time, maybe overnight. The spaghetti salad was 10 oz of cooked spaghetti, black olives, tomato, cucumber, onion, and the dressing was 1 envelope of ranch dressing mix mixed in an 8 oz bottle of Italian dressing. It was very good! I might make it for church soon.

Time to leave so we aren't late. Waving to all!!!

[nybirder]

I just saw the cutest food program on PBS this afternoon. It's called "The Food Flirts" and it's about a couple of ladies "of a certain age" who flirt their way into kitchens to check off their wish list/bucket list for recipes. Today they are learning to make pastrami and ramen noodles. The girls are sooo cute. If it shows up in your area, you might get a kick out of it. I certainly did!

www.pbs.org/food/shows/food-flirts/

Birdy

[cooktocook]

Hi there friends.  DH and I have been running all day.  Too tired to write this evening so I'll fill you in on my day tomorrow.

Lori

[emr]

Just realized I'd been reading off and on today but hadn't posted.

Spent the day at home, cleaning house (me) and getting yard work done and cars washed (DH). Dinner was pizza and Netflix. A good day!

Looks like thunderstorms in the forecast for tomorrow.

[weebill]

Just getting on here. It has been a busy day and I am beat. I still have to do Louies shot and then take neighbors dog for walk.
See you tomorrow.

I made beef and bean burritos with gravy.