What is/was for dinner?

[LizKat]

Dinner was for some inexplicable reason: popcorn, and oranges. No worries, I'm having a mixed greens and tofu rice pilaf for breakfast tomorrow. More party fare, but a little more organized since I cooked it this evening.

That happens to me sometimes in January. I get excited about the return of longer daylight and end up in perpetual party mode for awhile even if snow forecasts threaten to make of that extra daylight a grey fiction. Sure I still know when it's time to eat, but I lose any sense of "proper meals" for those times.

A friend suggested my early winter behavior reflects some sort of superstitious method of keeping the weather gods guessing. I laughed. It's a little more impulsive than that. I am the one trying to guess half the time in January. Oatmeal and apples for lunch? Salami and cheese... breakfast?!

 

[0388631]

Diced up salami and cheese in oatmeal is rather delicious. Actually, there is some fact when it comes to lack of sleep and eating things you normally wouldn't. Not chronic lack of sleep, but staying up long enough where your brain goes into autopilot.

But I do know where you're coming from. It was a tiny bit warm today and it was very nice out. Until the clouds set in. We're expecting a storm system. Yay....

 

[LizKat]

Think you're onto something there. Part of my problem is getting carried away and having coffee more often and later than usual in early winter. After a couple of inevitable experiences of actual insomnia that I can track back to that, I do tend to settle down and pay attention to proper eating and use of caffeine -- and then all that manufactured party-down chaos of "What's for dinner? Breakfast fare?" does fade away for another year by the time February rolls in. My body can't take it much longer than that. Fun in the meantime!

Then I'm good until midsummer when I'll sometimes eat cold cereal and fruit for supper but that's because then it's 75 outside and a stir fry sounds like a terrible idea.

 

[RootBeerMan]

Went out into the cold last night and grilled up the burgers I had planned for the other night. Served them up with tater tots and everything was good!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Went out into the cold last night and grilled up the burgers I had planned for the other night. Served them up with tater tots and everything was good!

What is a "tater tot"?

I assume it is something to do with potatoes, but what form exactly this takes eludes me.

 

[RootBeerMan]

What is a "tater tot"?

I assume it is something to do with potatoes, but what form exactly this takes eludes me.

LOL. It is a uniquely American invention and it comes in a few different forms. We have mini-tater tots, tater tots. Tots with onions, and (as I made last night) crispy crowns. They are all a form of shredded potatoes formed into a small nugget. They are fried or baked (most of them come premade and frozen and ready to fry or, as I do, bake).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tater_tots

These are Crispy Crowns. They are much thinner.

While you can make these yourself, the store bought ones are just as good and not nearly as time and labour intensive.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

LOL. It is a uniquely American invention and it comes in a few different forms. We have mini-tater tots, tater tots. Tots with onions, and (as I made last night) crispy crowns. They are all a form of shredded potatoes formed into a small nugget. They are fried or baked (most of them come premade and frozen and ready to fry or, as I do, bake).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tater_tots

These are Crispy Crowns. They are much thinner.

While you can make these yourself, the store bought ones are just as good and not nearly as time and labour intensive.

Ah, thank you for your kind explanation.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Jacket potatoes, beans and cheese. Served with a couple of Quorn sausages.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

An omelette: Prepared from organic, free range eggs.

 

[0388631]

Had to lookup Quorn. I vaguely recall it being available here years ago. Sounds rather vile. Is it?

About to prep chicken and other things for chicken tagine with olives. Citrus did a number on us this year. Quite a bit will have to be preserved in one way or another. Kumquats flourished, too. Fantastic fruit. Especially when paired with vodka as a side snack.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Had to lookup Quorn. I vaguely recall it being available here years ago. Sounds rather vile. Is it?

About to prep chicken and other things for chicken tagine with olives. Citrus did a number on us this year. Quite a bit will have to be preserved in one way or another. Kumquats flourished, too. Fantastic fruit. Especially when paired with vodka as a side snack.

Well it's not real meat, but it is healthier. I wouldn't say its vile. You just need to eat it with the right things. A good sauce etc.

 

[Gutwrench]

Tonight it’s pepperjack cheese, crackers, a warm fire and a book.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Tonight it’s pepperjack cheese, crackers, a warm fire and a book.

No better way to spend a winter's Friday night.

 

[0388631]

Cheese always brings a smile to anyone's face. Except the lactose intolerant.

 

[Mars56]

Greek seasoned burgers with cauliflower and a yogurt/feta sauce

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Greek seasoned burgers with cauliflower and a yogurt/feta sauce

Greek seasoning, or Greek style burgers?

 

[Apple fanboy]

Some chicken and rice meal I believe. I think it's the one with asparagus and mozzarella

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Earlier today, I enjoyed a Vietnamese style pulled pork sandwich - delicious.

 

[kazmac]

Tonight it’s pepperjack cheese, crackers, a warm fire and a book.

So the book roasting on the fire filled your fiber quota that day?

I think something green here.

I just made my pinto beans and onions without avocado (given the listeria warnings, I gave given up avocados ). Now I am convinced that a bad batch of ready made guacamole from Sabra I stupidly ate early last July was the culprit for me nearly dying from listeria-induced Sepsis. Sadly, I have no proof. Otherwise, I would have sued Sabra royally.

Anyway, beans and onions were great, but I miss the creamy fat balance the avocado brings to the dish.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

So the book roasting on the fire filled your fiber quota that day?

I think something green here.

I just made my pinto beans and onions without avocado (given the listeria warnings, I gphave given up avocados ). Now I am convinced that a bad batch of ready made guacamole from Sabra I stupidly ate early last July was the culprit for me nearly dying from listeria-induced Sepsis. Sadly, I have no proof. Otherwise, I would have sued Sabra royally.

Anyway, beans and onions were great, but I miss the creamy fat balance the avocado brings to the dish.

Can you not still make your own guacamole?

Home made guacamole is a real treat.

Dinner for me was sushi - I love it, and purchased it from the Japanese woman who sells it at the farmers' market most Saturdays.

 

[kazmac]

Can you not still make your own guacamole?

Home made guacamole is a real treat.

Dinner for me was sushi - I love it, and purchased it from the Japanese woman who sells it at the farmers' market most Saturdays.

Sure. I could make my own guacamole, and clean the dickens out of those avocado skins before I cut into them, but I dare not risk it. I wouldn’t wish what I went through as a result of eating that tainted guac on anyone but Trump

Glad you had sushi you enjoyed.

 

[hawkeye_a]

Attempting to make gumbo for the first time..... pray for me.

(Using the recipe at the end of this video(Youtube))

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Attempting to make gumbo for the first time..... pray for me.

(Using the recipe at the end of this video(Youtube))

Let us know how it turns out.

Gumbo and Jambalaya are two legendary US dishes I have never had the opportunity to sample, and long to be able to do so at some stage.

 

[RootBeerMan]

Attempting to make gumbo for the first time..... pray for me.

(Using the recipe at the end of this video(Youtube))

You'll be OK if you get the roux right. Just do NOT get it on yourself. It will leave scars!

 

[hawkeye_a]

The roux was a bust; first attempt so not surprised. I ran out and got some readymade roux (yes, i cheated ) and it turned out alright. Prawns are a little over done, but turned out decent.

Cheers