What's for dinner tonight?

[kentgirl]

Here it is just past noon, and I still don't know what I'm making for dinner tonight. When I plan my meals on the weekends and do all my grocery shopping, life is so much better on the weekdays. But even though I had an extra hour this past weekend, I didn't do my planning.

Anyway---I thought it would be interesting to take a typical weekday evening (Monday 10/30) and ask everyone: What did you have for dinner? Please share the entire meal plan, and indicate if any of the dishes were CL recipes. Maybe I could use these meal plans for those evenings when I just don't know what to fix!

I'll start: last night we had Shredded Beef Tostadas (including refried beans, top sirloin shredded roast beef sauteed in peppers and onions, lettuce, tomatoes, onions). Since this is a meal in itself, I didn't serve anything else with it.

p.s. this was leftovers from Sunday night!

[kentgirl]

Just found out you can't edit the SUBJECT. I originally started out wondering what's for dinner tonight....but since this is Halloween (and not typical), I changed it to last night. Sorry for the confusion.....

[lanie]

This is a great post, not interesting here - last night leftover lasagna and caesar salad, tonight turkey burgers on the foreman grill because the 'little ones' will be knocking soon! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SueK]

Last night I made stuffed shells, and tomorrow night I am going to try the crockpot chili that was just posted. Tonight, I guess we'll fend for ourselves since we start trick or treating at 6 PM! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[LIsaP]

Last night was Flounder in a lemon wine sauce, kale sauteed in hot sesame oil and couscous with tomato chutney mixed in.
None of these were Cooking light-the flounder came from Jane Brody's fish cookbook.

TOnight is Moroccan turkey burgers from cooking light and cauliflower-steamed.

[lindrusso]

Hmmmm....you've caught me not making anything either last night or tonight! Last night I was doing some early Christmas shopping, so the family scrounged around for leftovers, etc. Tonight is order out pizza since we have to be done eating and ready to go out the door at 5:00 for trick-or-treating.

However, I will be doing a Thai Pork Stew in the crockpot for tomorrow night. This weekend I tried Chunky Chipotle Chicken Chili (or something like that) from CL earlier this year - very yummy.

Also on the agenda this week - calzones, Tofu-Mushroom Burgers (CL) and a misc. night of trying random recipes such as the Sun-dried Tomato biscuits (CL) and the Squash-Rice Casserole (CL).

I'm not very good at planning the sides, so I don't really have a whole "menu" to share - the sides are always last-minute - often a frozen veggie, or fresh green beans, or broccoli or a salad. I plan to add some greenbeans to the stew to make it a whole meal, no clue with the mushroom burgers - maybe potatoes.

[mightyh]

Last night I made the peanutty noodles. I posted earlier about them--they were good, but I think I like a CL recipe from a few years back a little better. No sides cause I was lazy.

Tonight we're having friends over so the babies can play together while we answer the door for trick or treaters.... I'm serving CL's spaghetti pie, a tossed salad, bread, and chocolate eclair cake. My eclair cake is not the CL recipe from the Make it Ahead Supplement, but it's close (my recipe does not use the cream cheese and my icing is different--hardens more like a shell of chocolate on top)--I'd encourage you to try it, as it's such an easy and yummy recipe for dessert. It's one of my husband's favorites and I never mind making it cause there's no cooking involved. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SueK]

Lindrusso-
Can you please post your recipe for the crockpot Thai Pork Stew when you get a chance? I've been trying to cook more with my crockpot due to busy nights lately, and that sounds great!
Thanks! Sue

[JodiL]

Well, I'm glad that I actually have things planned to make when this thread was posted--usually I get caught with pizza http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif.

Last night I made the CL Alfredo Sauce (which was fabulous!) and served it with Snow Crab Ravioli that I bought at Sam's club. I served it with a salad and hubby really loved it. Tonight I'm going to try the French Onion Soup with Beef and Barley that got rave reviews on the board.

Jodi

[pmmahan]

Last night, we had "everything but the kitchen sink" pasta - vermicelli with mushrooms, garlic, diced tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, and roasted red peppers, flavored with balsamic vinegar, oregano, and a little olive oil.
well, we don't have kids and there are no trick or treaters to be found around us, I am going to make my favoritist CL menu: Filet Mignon with Shittake Mushroom sauce (Back to the best 8/00) and vidalia onion risotto. Asparagus is also on sale this week, so I'll pick up some of that as well.

[phantomcg]

Last night I had spinach quiche and tonight I'm going to try the Chipolte Tamale Pie that was posted awhile back. I'm going to make it with TVP instead of meat. It will be the first time that I've tried the TVP, but since I'm not really a big meat eater, I figured why not save the fat and calories and try the TVP.

Cheryl

[Danielle]

Ugh. I can barely think about food right now. We had a huge potluck at work, and I'm stuffed with cocktail weinies, spinach dip, stromboli, chicken curry, wild rice and mushroom soup, cheesy hashbrown casserole, and cookies. I did plan on making the Chicken Fricasee with Orzo tonight, but I think I'll just be eating the orzo.

[Joyce]

Leftovers from Sunday..my favorite Maple glazed salmon (the one with hoisin and five spice powder) from c/l, winter squash casserole from c/l, fresh asparagus and Christine's torte from Oct.2000 c/l

[sfsue]

i served garlic-rosemary roasted chicken from cl-4/97, carrots w/tarragon & scallions, garlic mashed potatoes & sliced tomatoes w/fresh basil& olive oil - tonight, being halloween,the doorbell will be providing interruptions, so it's the CL's Classic Hot brown sandwich (subbing roast chicken for the turkey) and a romaine lettuce, tomato, avocado sandwich w/ CL's lemon vinaigrette

[sfsue]

sorry for the typo- it's a SALAD, not a second sandwich

[shoyski]

Last night I made the Sausage Spinach Soup from last month's issue along with toasted English Muffins sprinkled with a bit of butter and garlic powder.

Tonight I'm attempting the Spinach Gnocchi...I'm kind of intimidated by it, although I don't know why. And of course, I'm serving a salad and the E muffins again (there was a sale on them).

[emilycat]

First of all, LIsaP,
Your dinner from last night made my mouth water...it sounded just like something I would make. However, I couldn't, because I have been scouring my cookbooks for a good lemon sauce that's not for desserts, and have come up with nothing. Even the internet has proven futile. (hard to believe, huh? ) anyway, I digress. Could you post it? I would be so very appreciative.
Okay, now to the point of this post. Last night, I fixed Black Beans with Mango Sauce and served it over Brown Basmati Rice with Broccoli steamed in spicy soy-vinegar sauce.
Tonight I'm making Porcini-Pumpkin Soup and Arugula Salad with Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms in Sesame dressing (absolutely my favorite salad recipe--I've made it about 6 times since I discovered it about 6 weeks ago. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif )
Funny point: As I was reading over this post, it reminded me of that Lean Cuisine Commercial in which three people are lamenting their dinner choices for the past night, and then this one women goes off on her elaborate, delicious-sounding meal,and they all glare at her. Of course, we're all the that woman http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif Anyway, made me laugh. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 10-31-2000).]

[BethH]

I made CL's Spinach, Rice, and Feta pie last night. Pretty tasty and very easy. Tonight--leftover Lemon Chicken and Broccoli from P.F. Changs. Yum Yum!

This is a good thread for me too. I'm going to have to start cooking more often starting next week and I love to hear everyone's methods for planning meals.

P.S. Joyce, would love the maple glazed salmon recipe! We have several large filets caught by SO's fishing buddy. I would love to make them with that glaze! Thanks!

[Kristi]

Last night we had Greek Pasta w/ Tomatoes and White Beans from CL (leftovers actually)...very tasty and a very easy meal.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I take a modern dance class, so those nights are rather hectic in the kitchen. Tonight we've decided to go out for $2 tapas and $12 bottles of wine at a local restaurant!

[Kerri]

Tonight I have soccer practice (if it is not rained out), so it is leftover Dracula's Revenge. After practice, not before! Last night I made Curried Beef and Potatoes and tomorrow I will be playing with my crock put making chicken with white wine and carrots.

[ML]

Last night we had leftover lasagna- not CL. Tonight we are having the chili rellenos casserole and black beans. I read the reviews from several days ago and planned ahead- I have a really great salsa- very spicy- and sliced jalapeno peppers to go along with it.

Oh- I did make the cinnamon apple cake (one of my favorites) for my husband to take to work today. I also made the applesauce spice cake with cream cheese frosting (from Complete CL) to keep at home. Just a note- the cinnamon apple cake is soooooo much better. I thought that the applesauce cake just tasted like a spice cake- nothing special.

[ML]

sorry i tried to delete the whole message but it would not let me!

[This message has been edited by ML (edited 10-31-2000).]

[cjm]

Last night we had CL's Healthy Picadillo (Oct 2000 issue) only I made mine with turkey instead of beef. Also served green salad, bread sticks and mixed fresh fruit with vanilla low-fat yogurt. Tonight I'll be warming up Jambalaya (take home box from a favoriate restaurant over the weekend).

Anxiously awaiting the little TRICK-OR-TREATERS.

Kerri-how did the crock POT chicken with white wine & carrots come out? I have it on my list to make.

[KimberlyE]

Last night my husband cooked and we had baked chicken and jasmine rice cooked in broth, spinach salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Dutch Apple Pie that we bought. Tonight, we are going to a friends to pass out candy. Tomorrow I plan to make the White Bean Enchiladas from the Nov. issue with chips and homemade guacamole.

[Wendy w]

Tonight it will be artichoke salsa (which can double as a pasta and pizza sauce)from Trader Joe's over linguine, salad and garlic bread. I want something easy while I give out candy.

Wendy

[Ohioan]

Let's see... Last night I had Chipotle beans with the Indian Harvest Black Pearl Medley (brown rice, black pearl barley, and daikon radish seeds), along with steamed string beans with dill, steamed garlicky mustard greens, and a pear for dessert.

Tonight I tried the CL Baked Fish with Olive-Crumb Coating (using tofu instead of fish), and it was a disaster -- much too salty. I had to scrape all the topping off. Fortunately, along with some leftover dilled string beans from last night (which I ate cold with a squeeze of lemon), I'd also made a big pan of Mushroom Ratatouille with Capers and Raisins, so I had a double portion of it to make up for the tofu that got discarded along with the scraped-off topping. Oh, and I also had another Indian Harvest rice blend, this time the Cabernet blend (long-grain rice, red rice, and rye). And another pear for dessert -- plus a Hershey's chocolate kiss.

Why do I keep getting hungry again whenever I post menus like this??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

Would anyone like my recipe for the ratatouille, by the way?

Cheers, Phoebe

[ChefChris]

Last night I made the Olive crusted fish from the 30 min section in Oct. CL, easy but I used tilapia and if I do it again I might do another fish and I also made the amaretto apple crisp which was great with light vanilla ice cream! Tonight it is the much acclaimed curried squash pear bisque which is outstanding and onion smothered pork tenderloin, also great, from complete CL along with mandarin orange salad(nonCL). As an aside the other day I made the white bean soup from 1/00 on advice of the folk here and it was wonderful, my husband loved it too!

[emilycat]

Actually, Phoebe, I would love your ratatouille. I make a traditional version I love, and mushroom sounds like an interesting version. Thanks!

[Ohioan]

Your wish is my command (as though I had to be asked twice! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif). Of course, bear in mind that the measurements are approximate because I eyeball and improvise as I go along:

Mushroom Ratatouille with Capers and Raisins

Serving Size : 2

1/2 tsp olive oil
1/8 onion -- sliced thin
3/4 clove garlic -- minced
1 1/2 c sliced mushrooms
1/2 red bell pepper -- cut into strips
1/2 green bell pepper -- cut into strips
1 1/2 c eggplant -- cut in wedges or thick strips
6 frozen artichoke hearts -- halved
1/4 c dry white wine
1/4 c chopped tomatoes -- pureed
1/2 tsp capers -- drained
1/2 tsp raisins -- chopped
1 pinch salt and pepper
1/8 tsp dried rosemary

Saute onion in olive oil over medium heat until wilted and beginning to color. Add garlic and mushrooms and continue cooking until mushrooms begin giving up their liquid. Then add bell pepper strips, eggplant, and artichoke hearts, and stir well. Cover, lower heat, and simmer until vegetables soften and begin to stick to the pan. Deglaze with wine, and add tomatoes, capers, raisins, salt and pepper, and rosemary. Stir well, cover again, and continue to cook until the vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally and adding water as necessary to keep vegetables from sticking to the pan.

Per serving: 97 Calories (kcal); 2g Total Fat; (18% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 15g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 74mg Sodium

Enjoy!
Phoebe

[maddy]

We had an Enchilada Casserole tonight(non CL)with a green salad- it doesn't need anything else, very filling. Also, trying an oriental pasta this week. We usually only have meat on Friday night, sometimes Saturday. At least once a week I fix roasted vegetables using any fresh vegetables in the house-sweet-potatoes,onion,garlic,carrots,green beans,squash,etc. That way everyone can take their pick. My kids like to take it to school the next day, it's good cold too.

[emilycat]

Oh, Phoebe, this recipe looks great! I can't wait to try it...I think with all the wonderful recipes I've seen recently, my menu plan for NEXT week is already finished! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
Em

[BethR]

Last night was a rare dinner out. Our kids are 2 and 4 -- they behaved well, but we don't tempt fate often! Tonight was my old "didn't have time to plan or shop" standby: "Instant" Black Bean Soup (CL) and cornbread (not CL). Meant to have a salad too, but just didn't get to it with all the Halloween festivities going on.

[Beth Y]

I made a quick soup "ala Pantry". We are in the process of selling our house, so I am trying to empty out the pantry. I sauteed a couple slices of bacon in the pan, used the grease (not much) to saute onions and garlic. Deglazed with sherry and added potatoes, crumbled bacon, and chicken broth. Flavored with pepper and tarragon. Added a package of "dewatered" frozen spinach later. It was yummy and very "fall". Great to give my daughter before she went "trick or treating" and filled up on candy!

[valeriek]

I know I'm two days late on this, but on Sunday night - is everyone ready http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif - my boyfriend made me dinner. This is a rare occurance (I can count the number of times on one hand and we've been together for 1 year and 1/2!). He even mastered the meal with creating one with meat for him and a vegetarian version for me. He made burrito's complete with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, regular cheese and low fat cheese, sour cream, and salsa. We had a side of tortilla chips with a spicy cheese dip. I was very impressed!

[CathyS]

Last night I had the Prociutto & Provolone Focaccia (from the make ahead supplement & also an old issue) - used ham instead. It was very good - will definitely make it again. With that, I had chicken soup - take 1 can lowfat cream of chicken soup, add water, lemon juice, cooked chicken, and flour tortilla strips (they taste like dumplings in the soup), and simmer. Its simple, comfort food to me!

CathyS

[This message has been edited by CathyS (edited 11-01-2000).]

[BJennif]

GOOD GOD!!!! You all sound like female versions of Bobby Flay!!! I can't compete...Monday night was leftover homemade macaroni soup, (my Grandfather's recipe, very easy) and Halloween night was Busy Day Chicken and Rice. Extremely easy and always excellant! Tonight, I have to run to the store for something and later in the week the chicken, corn and black beans in the crock pot, that I got from somewhere around here.....Keep it up superwomen...I enjoy reading about your gourmet meals!!!

Jen

[MrsReber]

Here's my rundown- Sunday night was a Porterhouse steak in the oven (grill not working right), mashed potatoes with gravy and peas. Monday night was my school night so it was whatever we could scrounge up- soup and toast, I think. Halloween night I was undecided until I came home and found a hamsteak in the freezer. So we had hamsteak, corn, and broccoli. Not too creative, but it did hit the spot. Have no idea what we're having tonight. Maybe pasta with my marinara sauce and meatballs and some cheese thrown in there. Maybe some garlic bread. Who knows? I'll figure it out when I get home. As you can see, I am not one of the "planners"!

[HARRYET]

O.K. Sunday night we had rice roulard with a tossed salad. Halloween night was the old pizza standby. Tonight my daughters school is have a Burger king night w/her principal working a cash register, so needless to say thats where we are heading for dinner tonight (not my choice!) Later in the week I'm planning on making the chicken scampi.

BJennif, I saw in your profile you live in Nashua, where abouts, I lived their for 9 years, I was just back this summer (haven't been back in 5 years) and lot has changed!
Ann

[karen w]

O.K. Sunday was a busy day out with the three kids(4,3,and 1). They were invited to a b-day party. (Vanilla cake with who knows what # blue dye in the frosting that definitely looked permanent at the time. It all came out though!) Anyway, dinner was out-the pizza man store as the kids call it-a.k.a.Bertucci's. Monday was teryaki fish, wild rice pilaf, spaghetti squash bake, and asparagus. Tonight was leftover veal in port wine mushroom sauce, squash souffle and greens from CL Oct. 2000.

[Colleen]

Yesterday was kind of chilly and cloudy, so my husband made one of my cold weather favorites. Bavarian sausage and kraut supper. I don't remember which issue of CL this is from without looking. It's funny that this is one of my favorites considering I generally don't like sausage....

[MrsReber]

Wow, I can't believe there's folks from Nashua on here! My dad lived in Hollis for about 11 years and he owned a priting store (Excel Printing) on a major road in Nashua. It is so beautiful up there. He just moved to AZ. They said the winters in NH were too long. I sure will miss visiting him at the house up there, though. Used to be a 4 1/2 hour drive. Now it's a 5 hour plane ride!

[56grapeape]

tonight Im making the Dracula's Revenge in Oct issue pg 130.

Tomorrow I'll make a crockpot chicken (maybe the lemon chick one from same issue?) with the Sauteed green beans & onions w/bacon (from Nov oo pg 121) and maybe also the mashed potatoes w/ roasted garlic & rosemary. (same issue)

Oh i may even try the mint brownies this weekend too!

rachelle

[kwormann]

Originally posted by kentgirl:
Here it is just past noon, and I still don't know what I'm making for dinner tonight. When I plan my meals on the weekends and do all my grocery shopping, life is so much better on the weekdays. But even though I had an extra hour this past weekend, I didn't do my planning.

Anyway---I thought it would be interesting to take a typical weekday evening (Monday 10/30) and ask everyone: What did you have for dinner? Please share the entire meal plan, and indicate if any of the dishes were CL recipes. Maybe I could use these meal plans for those evenings when I just don't know what to fix!

I'll start: last night we had Shredded Beef Tostadas (including refried beans, top sirloin shredded roast beef sauteed in peppers and onions, lettuce, tomatoes, onions). Since this is a meal in itself, I didn't serve anything else with it.

p.s. this was leftovers from Sunday night!


WHat is your recipe for the tostadas? They sound yummy!!

[Peggy]

Here is my weeks rundown:

Monday: Chicken Ragout with Pumpkin Dumplings (from CL Recipe Finder). I had some leftover pumpkin I baked this weekend and needed to use up. I served this with a green salad.

Tuesday: Baked Fish with Olive Crumb Coating (Oct '00), Squash-Rice Casserole (Nov '00), and Halloween Green Bean Salad (CL Web Site) Dessert: Pumpkin Streusel Bread (Nov '00)

Wednesday: I go to school on Wed. nights so I made something easy...Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole (Complete CL Cookbook) and leftover Halloween Green Bean Salad.

Tonight: Pork Saute with Peanut Sauce (Complete CL Cookbook), Basmati Rice, and Marinated Tomatoes from our garden.

Tomorrow: Out to dinner for our Anniversary! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Peggy

[shughes672]

Dinner tonight was Pasta and Fagioli from CL, Oct.2000. It was really easy and my husband says if this is light food, we can eat it whenever. I've made this several times and the magazine pages are splattered with olive ooil. I'd recommend it with bread and a salad.

[shughes672]

Dinner tonight was Pasta and Fagioli from CL, Oct.2000. It was really easy and my husband says if this is light food, we can eat it whenever. I've made this several times and the magazine pages are splattered with olive oil. I'd recommend it with bread and a salad.

[HARRYET]

MrsReber,
I think it must be a small world, I lived in Nashua on the Hollis line for 9 years(right off West Hollis St) and now live in Cave Creek Arizona, going on 9 years this Thanksgiving. I do miss the seasons, but not shoveling the snow!

[kentgirl]

kwormann - For the Shredded Beef Tostadas, I really don't have a recipe. This is one of those dishes my Mom used to make. The Shredded Roast Beef mixture is called "machaca". Basically, I take a beef roast (sirloin or whatever), cut it in 2 or 3 big pieces, then I throw it in the crockpot, cover it with water, add garlic, pepper and salt. I let it cook all day so it's very tender. Then in a separate pan, I saute strips of green peppers and onions, add the meat, which is so tender it just falls apart into shreds. Dice a jalapeno pepper or two to give it some bite. Then I add a bit of salsa and season to taste with garlic, salt, pepper, etc. Just before serving I add strips of tomatoes and saute lightly. The onions and peppers should be soft, not firm. For the tostadas, top a tostada shell with refried beans (canned is OK, but you should add a bit of salsa while heating the beans), then add the machaca, and top it with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, shredded cheese and of course salsa on the side.

Use machaca to make tacos as well. It's very good!

[mlynn]

Wow... I'm in awe at all the delicious meals. My husband has been traveling on business for the past two weeks, so I've been eating take-out and "grazing" on leftovers. However, Wednesday night I did invite my sister over for a "real" meal. We made steak tenderloin with a red wine/steak sauce glaze and onions (from the CL recipe finder), broiled tomatoes and foccacia. Yum! Tonight my husband is finally coming home, so I'll make one of his new favorites-- the toasted cheese ravioli that was posted on the BB.

[valeriek]

Peggy - you are a cooking goddess. I can't believe you are lucky enough to be able to cook all that good food! I'm so jealous!

[CrystalB]

I am making the Easy Baked Fish Fillets from CL Oct 1999 and the Green Beans with Bacon-Balsamic Vinaigrette from Nov/Dec 1996. If I have time I'm gonna try to make the CL Butterscotch Bars. Let me know if you would like me to post any of these recipes!

[MrsReber]

Home made pizza for us tonight! My husband is very happy about that!

[kentgirl]

You all inspired me---tonight I'm making one of the recipes mentioned in this topic: CL Greek Pasta w/ Tomatoes and White Beans; I'm serving it with salad, bread and for dessert CL Cinnamon Apple Cake.

This is the first time I'm making this recipe--it sounds yummy!

[Laura]

You know... I always thought I was a pretty good cook, but I am in awe of you folks! Tonight it is baked shrimp w/feta, green salad, and sliced melon. I made a pumpkin bread today so that will likely be dessert.

I need to browse the magazines tommorw to fix something I haven't tried. I am in the mood for potato soup but the only recipe I have comes from California Pizza kitchen and is anything but low fat. I have a very picky 8 year old and so during the week I try to make things that at least I know he will eat without catering to his tastes alone. On the weekend, I make the things I like. He has to try everything and if he doesn't like it he knows where the cereal bowls are. Fortunately my daugther has a very mature palate and loves almost everything. I can't blame my son too much, I don't think I ate any vegetable other than corn until I was 16.

[venus]

I am finally going to cook tonight for the first time all week! It has been wild and crazy, with all the Halloween festivities, so the hubby and I have been living on take out/order in. I think I will make spice rubbed pork chops and buy a bottle of wine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif