Slow Thursday troll: what's for dinner?

[Jenise]

Bad day for me to ask because not much is happening here. We might be going out for sushi with friends. If we don't, I'm going to try a few recipes I'm submitting to a contest by Trader Joe's, though 'contest' may too big a word. Basically, you come up with a recipe using just four ingredients (Trader Joe's products), not including binders or fats that can be made in 20 minutes, and if they select it for their new recipe website, they pay you $25. Not worth a lot of effort, but as I strolled their aisles a few days ago I had a lot of ideas, so here I go.

I am still undecided. I really feel like fondue for some reason, but may just opt for mac and cheese. But I also have some green chile and cheese tamales in the fridge which would be much quicker by the time I get home from an after-work haircut.

Jenise, I recently went to a charity luncheon "catered" by a rep of Trader Joe's. She had made a number of things using TJ's ingredients, just as you are doing today. The best were some savory tarts using the puff pastry sheets, pesto, grilled vegetables and cheese, a sweet/savory tart using the same sheets, sliced pears and gorgonzola cheese, and a brown rice salad using snap peas, toasted nuts and cranberries. Lots of potential with all their new food items I think.

As for us, I've got a a small end of a filet mignon that I'm going to slice and do something with...and I haven't yet got any good ideas, but I know I'm looking forward to opening a good bottle of wine, maybe a Le Cuvier Cabernet. We've had pasta twice already this week and fish tacos yesterday.

Spicy Black Bean & Sausage Soup here.

[Jenise]

Jenise, I recently went to a charity luncheon "catered" by a rep of Trader Joe's. She had made a number of things using TJ's ingredients, just as you are doing today. The best were some savory tarts using the puff pastry sheets, pesto, grilled vegetables and cheese, a sweet/savory tart using the same sheets, sliced pears and gorgonzola cheese, and a brown rice salad using snap peas, toasted nuts and cranberries. Lots of potential with all their new food items I think.

As for us, I've got a a small end of a filet mignon that I'm going to slice and do something with...and I haven't yet got any good ideas, but I know I'm looking forward to opening a good bottle of wine, maybe a Le Cuvier Cabernet. We've had pasta twice already this week and fish tacos yesterday.

Thanks to Stuart, I know how good their puff pastry is. Real butter--yumm! I hadn't realized until two days ago how many ready-to-eat products they make since I tend not to buy pre-made. But there were dozens of sauces and tapenades, even rice and lentils already seasoned and cooked. Almost anything I could think of already existed. About the only thing I didn't find that would have been useful in one of my ideas was already-cooked beef (to stay under the 20 minute limit). But in looking for it, I did find already cooked fresh chicken ready to dice and which gave me other ideas.

We invited a friend over for pasta, then realised we had no pasta, so we made fresh ! Fettucine with meatballs, and dessert was new chocolate spelt buns I was trialling.

Spicy Black Bean & Sausage Soup here.

Update: It turned into Manhattan-style clam chowder

[Jenise]

Spicy Black Bean & Sausage Soup here.

Update: It turned into Manhattan-style clam chowder

Now that's quite a change. Did the cats get a vote?

I made Jenise's meatloaf and it is ready to put into the oven. I have not had meatloaf is a very long time and the ingredients sucked me in, especially the sun-dried tomatoes. I have some romaine lettuce from the Farmer's Market , the dark Burgundy lettuce and arugula in my garden, so I made a Caesar dressing to toss it all with. I love baked potatoes with meatloaf, Gene likes mashed, so we'll see.

Spicy Black Bean & Sausage Soup here.

Update: It turned into Manhattan-style clam chowder

Now that's quite a change. Did the cats get a vote?

Nope, nobody got a vote. It was an executive decision. Didn't feel like going out for more onions.

Thank goodness for a well-stocked pantry!!

[Jenise]

Nope, nobody got a vote. It was an executive decision. Didn't feel like going out for more onions.

Thank goodness for a well-stocked pantry!!

Amen. You've given me an idea--I have leftover clam sauce and leftover meat sauce from last week's Italian dinner for 70, and I've more than used up my carb allotment. Maybe I'll combine the two for a chowder!

No cooking for me tonight. We're headed to Bodega Bistro in SF for Vietnamese food.

Haven't a clue! I cooked night before last and ate the leftovers last night. I've got oxtails in the fridge. Thought I might do those in a stew Jamaican style. But, just don't have the energy. Going to lie around on the couch, look for the re-run of Top Chef, prepare for my interview with Lynn Rossetto Kasper next week, and eat sea salt and almond dark chocolate. My husband can figure the rest out for himself.

So what did you end up doing?

Tempura shrimp, mango California roll, rainbow roll, veggie dragon roll.....

Cleary, I didn't cook at home!

Hubby doesn't get home until 8:40pm...so it will be grilled pork chops, mashed potatoes, and corn. Nothing special...too tired to do much else!

I also considered mac'n'cheese, realized how tight my pants are getting and have opted for a spicy Hunan version of mu shu vegetables and tofu.

Stuart, just get bigger pants.

Chicken enchiladas, refried beans, jicama salad, and a Firestone Double Barrel Ale.

I cooked 1 "cornish game hen" using a Pierre Frenay recipe for "Cornish Game Hens Bonne Femme", and a side of "Tomato Saute" from the original hard-cover Sunset Cook Book. The game hen was delicious, and the tomato saute is one of those easy old standards that I never tire of. Had a Dillian Barbera '05 with it - a fine fit.

John

Update:

My best friend called just as I was leaving my office for my haircut and suggested we meet at one of our favorite places in the neighborhood for an early dinner since her husband was working out of town. So that's what we did.

We had shared apps of whole edamame, Vietnamese spring rolls, and potstickers. And she had a cup of coconut soup too.

I had a really nice bowl of Singapore noodles. I didn't think they were hot, but the waiter said *everyone* thinks they are hot. Wimps. My friend had some kind of shrimp curry.

A Singapore Sling each with apps, and I had a glass of some French pinot noir I never heard of and don't remember.

No desserts because the baby was starting to be bored and we were soooooooooo full.

Dinner was Thai mahogany fire noodles. This turned out to be a particularly incendiary batch.

-Paul W.

Dinner was Thai mahogany fire noodles. This turned out to be a particularly incendiary batch.

-Paul W.

Still afire, are ya?

[Robin Garr]

I am still undecided.

Hmm, I could have sworn I posted yesterday, saying Jenise always asks this question too early ... it was only 2 p.m. and I was well short of making a decision yet.

As it turned out, I baked some chicken pieces in a Greek-style sauce of Greek yogurt and lemon zest. 'twas pretty good!

Ended up doing a quick pasta with greens, chorizo, and a little garlic. Turned out well for a very last-minute supper.

[Jenise]

I am still undecided.

Hmm, I could have sworn I posted yesterday, saying Jenise always asks this question too early ... it was only 2 p.m. and I was well short of making a decision yet.

As it turned out, I baked some chicken pieces in a Greek-style sauce of Greek yogurt and lemon zest. 'twas pretty good!

Happens to me all the time. You posted at the same exact moment someone else did and didn't notice that the software told you there'd been another post and asked you if you really wanted to post anyway. If you fail to answer that yes, it loses your post. Or supposedly that's how it happens, I would swear that sometimes I don't get asked....