What's for Dinner, Wed., Feb. 19, 2020

[NJCher]

Porterhouse steak, sauteed in the cast iron skillet.

Spinach potato cakes.

Broccoli slaw made with Egyptian basil (the RG ordered new herbs and he's having fun with them). It also has pumpkin seeds in it as well as a number of other vegetables, such as carrot.

For dessert he made an original: blueberries with mascarpone over crumbled cookie crust.

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Note to dweller: "RG" stands for Resident Gourmand. I call him that because a) terms like "wife" and "husband" don't fit us. Too old-fashioned. But the big reason is that he really is a gourmand, having lived in France and Italy for 20-odd years (relocated when he was 16) and while there he attended the great cooking schools of Europe. He doesn't cook from recipes but he occasionally gets inspiration from them. He studied plant and animal breeding and also mycology there. At one time he owned a two-star Michelin restaurant here in the states(I think he told me the stars have to do with price point). He can cook up a meal in 20-30". Me? It takes at least 90", maybe more.

I am the gardener. I raise all the fresh herbs and vegetables. I have around 22 raised beds and one small greenhouse of my own. Two at my schools.

[irisblue]

1. Trying a new chicken lo mein recipe

Source--https://www.budgetbytes.com/salad-bar-vegetable-lo-mein/

INGREDIENTS
6 oz. noodles ($1.86)
3 Tbsp soy sauce ($0.18)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil ($0.11)
1 tsp sugar ($0.02)
1 tsp water ($0.00)
2 Tbsp high heat cooking oil* ($0.08)
3 cups mixed salad bar vegetables ($4.08)***, I used the carrots,onions, broccoli and cabbage I already had.

****I cubed & sauteed 2 chicken thighs for the protein.

INSTRUCTIONS
Cook the noodles according to the package directions, then drain in colander. While the noodles are cooking, stir together the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and water.
Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is very hot and shimmering (it should not be smoking), add the vegetables and stir fry for only about one minute, or just until the edges of the softer vegetables just begin to wilt.
Add the cooked and drained noodles and the prepared sauce. Continue to stir and cook until the pasta has absorbed most of the sauce and no more liquid pools on the bottom of the skillet (about 2 minutes). The vegetables will soften further during this time. Serve immediately.
NOTES
*Use any high heat cooking oil or fat of your choice. Don't skimp on the amount of oil used, as using a full 2 Tbsp helps coat the noodles and gives this a more realistic take-out flavor and mouthfeel.


Hot decafe tea

[MissMillie]

6. that sounds really good, iris

I'm going to try that one.

[dweller]

2. thank you !

i actually thought ' Royal Gentleman' or some such endearment .. but for all i knew he could have been Ricky Gervaise ...


umm, doesn't that make you the 'resident gardener' ?

me, i'm both 😄

✌🏼

[MissMillie]

3. Insanely easy food prep for me tonight

Dad and Sis get cheeseburgers with tomato and onion on Kaiser rolls. French fries.

Al and I are having a chicken pot pie (Mrs. Budd's from the grocery store) and buttered beets.

[Ohiogal]

4. Trying a new recipe

From Delish.com ....Chicken Parm burgers

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a49120/chicken-parm-burger-recipe/

Oven fries that I made from redskin potatoes

Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches for the guys

[locks]

5. Great to hear

about you and your RG. Don't know how you do it but we all owe you both for terrific food ideas. I'm going to add spinach to the potato pancakes I am making today.