Bits Of Dust

Archive for the ‘Food Talk’ Category

No photos tonight. We made chicken wings, but they didn’t stick around long enough to get photographed.

I started with 3 pounds of wings, which I baked in a 425 degree oven for 1 hour. As they finished cooking, I took 1/2 cup of Frank’ Red Hot and mixed it with 1/2 cup of melted butter in a large steel bowl. We always use real butter, not that fake crap they tell you is better for you.

When the wings were done we tossed them in the sauce and devoured them. I have never seen kids jump on a pile of wings like that in my life, I just wish we had made more of them so my belly wouldn’t be growling wanting more as I typed this post.

Tonight we had a dilemma. No one could decide what to make for dinner.

The wife wanted something hot, the kids wanted fast food, and I wanted shrimp. I have been craving shrimp for a while now.

So what did we decide on?

We made beef fajitas that were sizzling when they hit the table, and shrimp fried rice (to sooth my craving). No, I didn’t slave away for hours and neither did the wife, we cheated.

We stopped at the grocery store and dinner was prepared by Tyson and Stouffers tonight. I know, dinner in a bag could have been burgers and fries from Five Guys, but no, we settled with the stuff much closer to home.

Tomorrow night’s menu? Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies. Yes, homemade. Happy now?

This was the first Super Bowl Sunday, in years, that we didn’t make chili or deviled eggs.

The kids all wanted something different so…

Our oldest had chicken sandwiches and a cream soda. The middle child gorged on hot dogs and a cream soda. The youngest had chicken nuggets, smilies, a hot dog, and a coke.

I figured, since they were all eating something else, I wouldn’t waste my time making a pot of chili, so the wife had a chicken sandwich and a root beer, while I had a roast beef sandwich with the most delicious Au Jus sauce, a chicken sandwich, a hot dog, and a root beer. Yes I know, I overate, but you know what? The Super Bowl only happens once a year so shut up!

The wife didn’t watch the game and the four of us who did were split on who should win. Needless to say, half of us were disappointed. I hope you had a great day!

A couple weeks ago I made some chicken with a new batter recipe. Tonight I made tilapia using that same batter, and I have to say, it was delicious.

I didn’t get pictures (it didn’t come out all that pretty) because tilapia falls apart if you are not careful. It sure was tasty though, and the kids ate. Heck they did more than eat it, they asked for seconds. That NEVER happens in our house.

Holy crap.

Of course, the potatoes in this photograph are not Yukon Gold potatoes, but you never would have known that by the price we paid this week.

One of the few items we can’t get at our local farmer’s market, are potatoes. Oh sure, they have some small ones, but hardly enough to make a meal in this house, let alone sustain us for a week or two. So we are compelled to purchase our potatoes at the grocery store, and this week was an absolute shock.

A five-pound bag of plain old carbohydrate loaded russet potatoes was $4.47. Last payday we paid $4.28 for 10 pound bag. Now, I will admit, they did have a 10 pound bag for five-something, but some were rotting, they were soft, and well, they just weren’t apetizing.

It took me a while to realize why the cost of potatoes would skyrocket, and of course, it’s the gas prices. I just forgot the fact that they have to truck these babies all the way from Idaho.

So, what’s your shocking food price increase? I know you have one.

This weekend was quite busy. We did lots of little stuff around the house. The kids cleaned their classroom and playroom in the basement, which was a shock. They did a great job too!

Friday night I made country fried steak, gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. Sorry, no pictures this time, we were just worn out by the time dinner was ready.

Last night, Gidget made sweet and sour shrimp, mongolian beef, rice and veggies. I totally spaced taking photos until we were done, again. I know, I am bad.

I have lots of stuff in the works, including lots of work at the day job and mad-coding on Stuffr at night, so posting “might” be light here this week as I try to balance things out.

Who knows when the fancy will strike though, right? The weekend just ended and I am exhausted already.

Forgive me for not posting earlier today, but we went to the farmer’s market again this morning.

We bought more blueberries (the wife is going to make blueberry jam tomorrow), garlic, honey, and goat’s milk soap. We also got to see one of the best “worm demonstrations” I have ever seen, I just wish I had video taped it so you could learn everything you need to know about farming your own worms.

I am exhausted, but I will post photos of the blueberries tomorrow.

Tonight was a fun night. After our very busy weekend, I figured it was time to let the 7 year-old help plan the evening meal.

He chose “pigs in a blanket” as we call them, although the blanket never really covers the pig entirely, there is cheese thrown in there somewhere, and we use all-beef hot dogs because, well, we just love our piggies. Anyway… He also picked baked beans, which he never eats, and broccoli.

As he set the table for dinner, which I must say, he is very good at doing, he asked if we could use our new fondue pot for the first time. I got the fondue pot as a “reward” of sorts for taking a bajillion online surveys. He helped me find the fondue booklet and we mixed together a delicious chocolate sauce, and then we sliced bananas, washed strawberries, and got some ‘Nilla wafers and marshmallows out too.

Needless to say, this was one dinner where they all ate their dinners, with no questions asked. I hope you had a good weekend!

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So, I spent the last several weeks watching “Hell’s Kitchen”. I love that show. Gordon Ramsay is a genius, and I would do just about anything to get the chance to meet him. I don’t think I would appear on Hell’s Kitchen though.

Tonight was the season finale, and no, don’t worry, I am not going to post about the results yet, just in case you haven’t had a chance to watch it.

I do have to say though, that was disappointed with the end. I really was. I expected more from the finalists, and I just didn’t feel the same “electricity” I felt in previous seasons.

So now what am I supposed to do now that Hell’s Kitchen is over for the season? Crap. When does “Kitchen Nightmares” come back anyway?

We had a pretty relaxing weekend around here.

We spent some time outside in the yard, some time watching old movies, and some time in the kitchen. We didn’t make anything we hadn’t made before, but the kids were excited because the wife decided to make them some more home made corn dogs. Last month, we bought some new baking powder and that stuff was so active it was growing when I took this picture.

It was bubbling and literally growing before our eyes. I thought of making a science fiction movie but then I decided it would be more satisfying to eat one of those corndogs.

Tonight, we made our favorite standby, pork chops with orzo. This week we plan on making some corned beef and cabbage, chicken parmesan, perogies, and who knows what else. Yes, we’re going to be a bit ambitious this week.

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