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From Talk

Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?

PoorOldMama-
If you poke each one of those beans with a pin, it let's the gas out. ;oP

From Talk

Lasagna

Kids-
Enough already.

Here's an alternate recipe and it's delicious.

Manicotti “Llttle Puffs” -Mom’s recipe (my notes and additions)

Sauce
The sauce can be made several days ahead. Keep refrigerated until use.
1/3 cup olive oil
1-1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 2 lb.-3 oz. can good quality Italian tomatoes, undrained
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
2 Tbs. finely chopped parsley
1 Tbs. salt (? amount)
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp. pepper
(pinch sugar)
1-1/2 cup water

(Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often until the onion begins to soften. Add garlic, lower heat to medium low and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often until the garlic starts to soften. Add the rest of the ingredients stir. Simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Do not let sauce scorch.


Pasta
This pasta is crepe-like and very tender.
A 6-inch non-stick pan works is the perfect size for making the pasta crepes, but any omelet or crepe pan will work.
6 eggs
1-1/2 cup unsifted flour
1-1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. salt

Combine the eggs, flour salt and water with an electric mixer (or blender) until smooth. Let stand for a 1/2 hour or longer. (Lightly oil and ) heat a crepe pan over medium high heat. Pour 3 Tbs. of batter into the heated pan. Cook the crepe until the topp is dry but the bottom is not browned. Remove the crepe and cool on wire rack. Crepe should be thin. If not, thin the batter with a little milk until it is the desired consistency for thin crepes.


Filling
2 lbs. ricotta cheese
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, small dice
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 Tbs. finely chopped parsley
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
-additional 1/4 cup grated parmesan for topping)

Combine all the filling ingredients in a mixing bowl. Blend well.

To assemble:

Preheat oven 350 deg. Lightly grease two 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish.

Put 1-1/2 cups of the tomato sauce into the bottom of each baking dish distributing evenly to cover.

Spoon approximately 1/4 up of filling down the middle of each crepe. Roll up and place seam side down in the sauced pan. Repeat with remaining crepes and mixture.

Cover filled manicotti with another cup of sauce. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

From Talk

Help! Lamb Shanks--leeks? fennel?

Fennel would be a delightful addition to a lamb shank braise.

Sweat some garlic, onion, diced carrot, leel and fennel.
Brown the shanks well and add them to the pot.
Add additional (Larger dice or cubed) vegetables to the pot if desired.
Add a 14-16oz. can of good quality tomatoes, a cup of wine (red or white),
and simmer until tender.

It will be similar to an osso buco in texture and flavor, but the addition of the fennel is wonderful. Save some chopped fronds for garnish. A very "company worthy" dish.

Serve with garlic mashed potatoes or polenta.

From Talk

Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?

Not a huge fan of kidney beans. The skins are hard to digest. I would, however make that recipe with a small red bean or a more tender skinned bean. Save the kidney beans for bean salad, soups and chili- somewhere where they are not the MAIN ingredient.

Tonight I'm home alone so I'm coasting. Left overs and salad. Kind of boring, but got to make room for the Thanksgiving food wave. (Don't worry- they are good leftovers. Pasta with pancetta and peas in a light cream sauce.)

POMama- let us know how the bean dish works out/tastes/family reviews/etc.

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Recent Posts

From Talk

Need ideas and inspiration for the weekend's leftovers.

From Talk

Another cookbook idea for PoorOldMama

From Talk

Purslane

From Talk

Winter squash and pumpkins

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Recent Favorites

From Talk

Wanted: elegant buffet food ideas

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Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From Talk

Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?

PoorOldMama-
If you poke each one of those beans with a pin, it let's the gas out. ;oP

From Talk

Lasagna

Kids-
Enough already.

Here's an alternate recipe and it's delicious.

Manicotti “Llttle Puffs” -Mom’s recipe (my notes and additions)

Sauce
The sauce can be made several days ahead. Keep refrigerated until use.
1/3 cup olive oil
1-1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 2 lb.-3 oz. can good quality Italian tomatoes, undrained
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
2 Tbs. finely chopped parsley
1 Tbs. salt (? amount)
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp. pepper
(pinch sugar)
1-1/2 cup water

(Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often until the onion begins to soften. Add garlic, lower heat to medium low and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often until the garlic starts to soften. Add the rest of the ingredients stir. Simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Do not let sauce scorch.


Pasta
This pasta is crepe-like and very tender.
A 6-inch non-stick pan works is the perfect size for making the pasta crepes, but any omelet or crepe pan will work.
6 eggs
1-1/2 cup unsifted flour
1-1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. salt

Combine the eggs, flour salt and water with an electric mixer (or blender) until smooth. Let stand for a 1/2 hour or longer. (Lightly oil and ) heat a crepe pan over medium high heat. Pour 3 Tbs. of batter into the heated pan. Cook the crepe until the topp is dry but the bottom is not browned. Remove the crepe and cool on wire rack. Crepe should be thin. If not, thin the batter with a little milk until it is the desired consistency for thin crepes.


Filling
2 lbs. ricotta cheese
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, small dice
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 Tbs. finely chopped parsley
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
-additional 1/4 cup grated parmesan for topping)

Combine all the filling ingredients in a mixing bowl. Blend well.

To assemble:

Preheat oven 350 deg. Lightly grease two 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish.

Put 1-1/2 cups of the tomato sauce into the bottom of each baking dish distributing evenly to cover.

Spoon approximately 1/4 up of filling down the middle of each crepe. Roll up and place seam side down in the sauced pan. Repeat with remaining crepes and mixture.

Cover filled manicotti with another cup of sauce. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

From Talk

Help! Lamb Shanks--leeks? fennel?

Fennel would be a delightful addition to a lamb shank braise.

Sweat some garlic, onion, diced carrot, leel and fennel.
Brown the shanks well and add them to the pot.
Add additional (Larger dice or cubed) vegetables to the pot if desired.
Add a 14-16oz. can of good quality tomatoes, a cup of wine (red or white),
and simmer until tender.

It will be similar to an osso buco in texture and flavor, but the addition of the fennel is wonderful. Save some chopped fronds for garnish. A very "company worthy" dish.

Serve with garlic mashed potatoes or polenta.

From Talk

Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?

Not a huge fan of kidney beans. The skins are hard to digest. I would, however make that recipe with a small red bean or a more tender skinned bean. Save the kidney beans for bean salad, soups and chili- somewhere where they are not the MAIN ingredient.

Tonight I'm home alone so I'm coasting. Left overs and salad. Kind of boring, but got to make room for the Thanksgiving food wave. (Don't worry- they are good leftovers. Pasta with pancetta and peas in a light cream sauce.)

POMama- let us know how the bean dish works out/tastes/family reviews/etc.

From Talk

What would you make with 2 pounds of lobster meat?

lobster cakes or some type of lobster-cream-sauced pasta

From Serious Eats

Breaking: Hope for Canned Pumpkin Shortage

We've got canned pumpkin in our region.
If you can't find it, substitute squash or make sweet potatoe pie. Mmmmm!

From Talk

Weird "Thanksgiving" foods

We've always had great food on our Thanksgiving table. The closest thing to weird would have been the frozen cranberry-marshmallow fluff salad.

From Talk

Lasagna

If your ricotta is too grainy, try using a full fat rather than low fat ricotta.

nhfoodie is right- The eggs are also essential to the texture.

From Talk

white trash/trailer trash theme party food idea?

Hormel corned beef with Manwich sloppy joes on Wonder bread buns
deep fried pork rinds
spam and cheeze whiz with crackers
orange macaroni and cheese
very cheap beer or wine coolers
macaroni with ketchup
fried balogna slices on wonder bread with mayo (ick)
Chef Boyarde spaghettios (ick)
Banquet pot pies (ick)
Tater tots, hot dogs and jello
Twinkies
Ho-Ho's
Little Debbies
crappy powder sugar donuts
grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches
Hormel chili, corn chips and cheze whiz dip
canned mixed fruit salad with jello
ketchup water and saltine or minute rice soup
braunschweiger on saltines
graham crackers with marshmallow fluff

ugh..not feeling good even THINKING about this...

From Talk

The entertainer who doesn't feel like entertaining this year

Oh yeah- almost forgot-
Hormel corned beef with Manwich sloppy joes on Wonder bread buns

*faints*

From Talk

The entertainer who doesn't feel like entertaining this year

deep fried pork rinds
spam and cheeze whiz with crackers
orange macaroni and cheese
very cheap beer or wine coolers
macaroni with ketchup
fried balogna slices on wonder bread with mayo (ick)
Chef Boyarde spaghettios (ick)
Banquet pot pies (ick)
Tater tots, hot dogs and jello
Twinkies
Ho-Ho's
Little Debbies
crappy powder sugar donuts
grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches
Hormel chili, corn chips and cheze whiz dip
canned mixed fruit salad with jello
ketchup water and saltine or minute rice soup
braunschweiger on saltines
graham crackers with marshmallow fluff

ugh..not feeling good even THINKING about this...

From Talk

The entertainer who doesn't feel like entertaining this year

If they are true friends, clue them in on how you're feeling and what's going on.
Suggest if y'all still want to get together, how about a pot luck. Maybe even a buffet pot luck to make things even easier.

If you're all working that day and the next, cut yourself some slack.
If no one bites at the suggestion and they are all still hoping for a full extravaganza, they are associates, not friends.

From Serious Eats

Taste Test: Store-Bought Stuffing

Forgot to add-
I mean- can you imagine only eating chicken one way for your whole life? Or any food?

From Serious Eats

Taste Test: Store-Bought Stuffing

My dressings are like my chilis- similar, but never the same twice.
Could be a combo of fresh bread and store bought croutons; might toss a little wild rice in, could add apples, dried cranberries or chopped apricots, sausage or not, mushrooms or none, but it always tastes great.

It's fun to change it up a little every year (just a little). Otherwise the family gets stuck in a food funk and loses the fun of adventure in eating.

From Talk

help: tips for making turkey gravy

"THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE RECIPE: Immediately put half the gravy into a storage container, let it cool down, then hide it in the refrigerator so that you'll have enough for pot pie or hot turkey sandwiches on Saturday."

betteirene- love that piece of advice. *L*

From Serious Eats

Watch It with Us: 'Top Chef Las Vegas,' Ep. 12

Call me crazy, but I think Bryan would like to kick Michael down a couple of notches too. Giving Kevin some sous vide pointers and ultimately having him win the challenge has to really be p*ssing Michael off.

Nice little kick to his baby brat brother.

From Talk

Eating a Fried Fish that's Still Alive

The bottom line is treat everything with respect.

Your fellow man, your food too.

Honor everything on this earth. Especially the food you eat. It is your sustenance. Treat is with respect.

From Serious Eats

Serious Heat: What's Your Secret Chili Ingredient?

Ancho chiles, Anaheim or poblano chiles, cocoa powder, bacon and a little masa are my twists on the basic.

Bowl of red or with beans.

But honestly, though similar from time to time, I never make it exactly the same way.

From Serious Eats

Have You Ever Deep Fried a Turkey for Thanksgiving?

Oh, the stories I could tell...

Two important phrases-

Make sure the turkey is patted or air dried very well.
Make sure it's not raining.


From Talk

Need ideas and inspiration for the weekend's leftovers.

Thank you everyone! Your ideas, suggestions and recipes are GREAT!

From Talk

help: tips for making turkey gravy

"Letting your roux get darker than blond will make your gravy even tastier. I admit to an irrational prejudice against pale gravy. To me, good gravy is a deep, dark brown."

@RegrettableFoodie- I totally agree. Just thought blonde roux might be a little easier. Go for the deep color- just watch it and keep on stirring!

From Talk

Need ideas and inspiration for the weekend's leftovers.

Did I meantion I also had cheese? Lot's of cheese. Sharp cheddar, pepper-jack, muenster, parmesan, American, oh gosh. And more.

From Talk

Need ideas and inspiration for the weekend's leftovers.

Forgot to mention- Have a couple of heads of cabbage and lots of eggs too.
Soups, stews, casseroles, main dishes, sides.....all ideas welcome.

From Talk

Help! Lamb Shanks--leeks? fennel?

The fennel is a great addition. Even if it wasn't, in a braise you're not gonna get all crazy fennel flavor licorice bombed anyway. But you kinda sound like you don't trust the fennel?...

From Talk

California Travel Suggestions

Being from Santa Cruz I must agree.... Driving Hwy 1 from SC to BigSur is a MUST DO. Be prepared to stop for photo ops frequently, don't be in a hurry. If in SC on a Wednesday, go to the Farmer's Mkt downtown. It's a great mix of awesome farmers and hippy/only-in-sc culture.

Be cautious on Hwy 17 (only route from san jose to santa cruz). And by all means, stay in the slow lane if you are nervous. Us locals tend to drive that road like maniacs. lol.

From Talk

Lasagna

@iz~Good old days, indeed! My thoughts exactly.

From Talk

Lasagna

This is really funny!

From Talk

Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?

Went out for Thai food at our favorite Thai restaurant. We ordered pad thai, red curry with shrimp, duck choo chee, and spicy beef basil with lots of leftovers. Never, ever a disappointing meal there.

@erinlovestoeat: Wasn't that an awesome dish? My husband made it a few nights ago, with a few changes. Loved it!

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Simple Fresh Southern'

My favorite Thanksgiving side is cornbread-sausage stuffing. So rich, so good!

From Talk

Lasagna

No no no, not yet.
It's besciamella, not beshamella in the lasagne, not the lasagna.
Apparently it's besciamella in the north of Italy (Bologna) and ricotta-mozzarella in the south (Napoli). Where do you come from?
All that because it's an Italian dish, not French, in which case it would have been Béchamel, with an accent.
For Mac and Cheese just use bechamel, it's ok.

From Talk

white trash/trailer trash theme party food idea?

Frito boats - a must
Li'l Smokies with BBQ sauce and grape jelly
Li'l Smokies wrapped in crescent roll dough for mini pigs-in-a-blanket
Ho-Hos, Ding Dongs, Twinkies
Cheese in a can with Chicken-in-a-Biscuit crackers
A Velveeta-based dip

From Talk

Lasagna

Yeaaaaa!!! Rah Rah!!

Now, back to your scheduled programming.

From Serious Eats

Taste Test: Store-Bought Stuffing

If it is cooked, basted well, and has ground spicy sausage and crunchy bits in it, then it is good stuffing. There is no bad stuffing, only stuffing not as good as you'd hoped.

From Talk

What would you make with 2 pounds of lobster meat?

Verdict is still out, but apparently word is also out because the guest list keeps growing!

From Talk

Is dating a picky eater a dealbreaker for anyone?!

I canNOT stand a picky eater. His attitude will have a negative effect on your love of food and cooking, and might (ohGod) produce picky offspring as well. Life is to be enjoyed in full - to me, especially if you love cooking and eating and have an adventurous outlook on it. Damn right you need someone to fight with over the last piece of cheesecake. Keep looking - somewhere out there is your soulmate who will give you joy in your life.

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Simple Fresh Southern'

I love the fresh and fresh tasting cranberry and orange relish. Yum.

From Talk

What would you make with 2 pounds of lobster meat?

This thread is so delicious and comforting I want to turn it into a sauce and cover myself in it!

From Talk

Lasagna

@carol~ This reminds me of the good old days!

Do we love us some Chelle or what!

From Talk

Beans, Beans the magical fruit.---- What's for dinner Nov. 20?

Eating out of the garden. Field peas ( frozen ) yams we just dug last week, greens mostly Asian, rice and cornbread.And a fruit cobbler with apples, cranberries and pears.

From Talk

What would you make with 2 pounds of lobster meat?

i would just pile it high into a buttered and grilled roll, no mayo , no lettuce , just naked.

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Simple Fresh Southern'

Green bean casserole, it's not really special but we only have it twice a year. I guess that's what makes it special.

From Serious Eats

Breaking: Hope for Canned Pumpkin Shortage

Libby's was on sale here in the Bay Area so I bought some. But then I bought a Cinderella pumpkin at a farmer's market and I might never use canned again.

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'Simple Fresh Southern'

My favorite Thanksgiving side is stuffing with gravy.

Recent Posts

From Talk

Need ideas and inspiration for the weekend's leftovers.

From Talk

Another cookbook idea for PoorOldMama

From Talk

Purslane

From Talk

Winter squash and pumpkins

From Talk

Ebelskivers

From Talk

Buttermilk

From Talk

Rice Cooker's on my Wish List

From Talk

Hello CJ McD! and Posting Issues

From Talk

Breakfast to go for 4- Have suggestions?

Recent Favorites

From Talk

Wanted: elegant buffet food ideas

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About CJ McD

Website:

Location: Wisconsin

About: Happily married. Young at heart. Slightly food obsessed.

Favorite foods: I am slightly partial to Mediterrenean foods. But like children, I love them all.

Last bite on earth: Preferably, not pablum.