May 13, 2010

"I'll have what she's having"

I'm stuck in a dinner rut these past few weeks. Haven't really felt like cooking the old standbys and I haven't been into any of the local takeout joints either. Went out for sushi the other night and that was okay. Not great, just okay. Going out to dinner with a group on Friday, and I hope it will be yummy. But on the regular old weekdays, I got nuthin'!

Like right now. I am sitting here at 5:30PM and I have no idea what I want for dinner. Gia is no help.  Her everyday answer is "whatever you want." Thanks...thanks a lot.

What's your go-to meal? Something that is quick, easy and hopefully delicious. Something that you make when you are happy or sad. Or just something that you order from a local joint in a pinch. Whatever. Hell, it can even be healthy! Just not, ya know, too healthy.

So point me towards a recipe somewheres online or leave one in the comments. Or just tell me what it and I can figger it out all on my very own. I've become very confident in the kitchen so I don't need my hand held or anything.

Get to work, people!


By the way, if you've never had the brisket at Katz's Deli in the Lower East Side, well...I'm not sure she was faking is all I'm saying.  The one thing about that scene that doesn't seem kosher to me, however, is the waiter.  I don't recall waiter service at Katz's.  I thought you ordered at the counter.  Hmm...anyone?
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Note: Remember to play the Badgerdaddy Trivia Challenge every day. What's for dinner?

22 comments:

savannah said...

Prep Time: 15 min
Inactive Prep Time: --
Cook Time: 20 min
Level:
Easy Serves:
6 servings
Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp
2009, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved
Ingredients
2 pounds (17 to 21 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound angel hair pasta
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 lemons, zested and juiced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the shrimp on a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well, spread
them in 1 layer, and roast for 6 to 8 minutes, just until they're pink and cooked through.
Meanwhile, drizzle some olive oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add the angel hair, and cook al dente, about 3
minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Quickly toss the angel hair with the melted butter, 1/4 cup
olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and about 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid.
Add the shrimp and serve hot.
~~~
this is my go to meal, quick, easy and damn good! xoxox

white rabbit said...

If I order the same thing as a female companion, I always say 'I'll have what she's having' to see of the waiter reacts. They hardly ever do. I can only conclude that 'When Harry Met Sally' was not big in Poland...

Shania said...

I was at Katz's a few weeks ago, and there were no waiters. I had to get my own lunch. And then take it to my table myself. I may never recover.

Verdant Earl said...

Savannah - Yum...sound delish! Thanks!

Wabbit - or maybe orgasms aren't big there...

Shania - See? That's what I'm talking about. Food was good though, right?

RW said...

1. My Poulet Bastille

2. My blackberry glazed pork chops

3. My Itralian Sammich

4. My twenty minute Mediterranean Pizza

Invented them myself, gift to you!

Candy's daily Dandy said...

Earl...preaching to the chior. I swear, I am in the same rut.

My go to is Marinara, or chunks, as my kids call it. (they call it chunks because it's a quick sauce so the tomatoes don't liquify completely. They still love it.)

Saute garlic and oil in a deep fry pan. When garlic turns brown add diced onion. Sautee for a few mins.
Add diced tomatoes, freshly chopped and from a can. *add a shot or two of chicken broth* don't tell anyone though.
Add Italian spices, and whatever you like for spices,ie: garlic salt, onion powder, black pepper, basil....etc..
Bring to boil and then turn down and let simmer for 30 mins.

Seriously, boil any kind of pasta and serve with fresh grated parmesean. It's worth it to buy a pricey chunk of parmesean and grate it yourself.

Easy, schmeasy, 1-2-3sie. You'll be a hero.

Slyde said...

tubesteak smothered in underwear...


yum!

Water Logged Canine said...

FUCK A KATZ'S! That place is blacklisted...remind me to tell you why someday.

Heff said...

I recommend you search my Iron Heff archives and try "Balls O' Heff". They're hot & spicey.

SERIOUSLY.

Verdant Earl said...

RW - I remembered you had some recipes posted, but I was too lazy to go a-searching. Thanks for the hot links!

Candy - That's very similar to one of my go-to recipes right now. I add a little bit of chopped roasted red pepper and cilantro (shhh), but bascially everything else is the same.

Slyde - Can you help me prepare that?

Doggie - Really? Why? Also, nice new picture!

Heff - I remember those. You've got some hot balls there. Wait, what?

Bruce Johnson said...

I am a simple man of simple taste (except in the bedroom, where I am Awesome). For comfort food, I fall back to what I did in college.
1 lbs of Hamburger
1 jar of Quen Caso sauce
Brocolli tops
Cubed Tofu
sliced mushrooms
and macaroni shells
...brown the ground beef, pour in water and the macaroni, wait till it thickens, and throw in everything else. Basically home made hamberger helper....I always called it GOOP.

Not good for you physically, but very good for you mentally.

LegalMist said...

chicken or shredded beef tacos & burritos - easy peasy, quick, & delicious, and everyone can assemble his/her own so it's less prep time for me.

Poppy said...

You don't need a recipe for: linguine with arrabiata sauce and red pepper flakes. Put garlic on it if you like. And Cabot cheddar. I've had it for Tuesday dinner, Wednesday lunch, Wednesday dinner, and am about to have it for Thursday lunch.

Verdant Earl said...

Bruce - Wow. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the gesture. But that sounds awful. :(

LM - I love those! We had tacos and burritos last night.

Poppy - Ha! Gia purchased some fresh arrabiata sauce yesterday from a local gourmet store. We are having it tonight, except with some homemade ravioli.

sybil law said...

Now I'm just starving and dying to try RW's blackberry glazed pork chops!!
I have a great recipe for turkey meatball hero sandwiches that's awesome. That requires me typing it all out, though. However, it's quick and easy and total comfort food.
Can I email it to you in the next few days?

Mrs. Hall said...

I have just discovered Satay sauce.

3/4 cup(s) fat-free sour cream
2 Tbsp peanut butter
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp dark sesame oil

whip those ingredients into a frenzy.

then grill chicken chunks on the grill.

serve with a side of minute rice.

KAPOW!

dear GOD the satay sauce is so effing good I would hump it.

hello haha narf said...

cheese, chips and salsa.
or grilled cheese and tomato soup.

i'm a simple girl.
:)

hello haha narf said...

although mrs. hall makes me want chicken satay for dinner. mmmmmmm!

Kevin Spencer said...

Sushi. One thing I can't bring myself to eat. Don't know why. Just doesn't sound appealing I guess. I know, I know I should just shut up and try it.

Verdant Earl said...

Sybil - take your time. I've got plenty to work with here.

Holly - Do I have to use fat-free sour cream? ;)

Becky - Simple is sometimes the best.

Kevin - Nah, it's not for everyone. I dig it every now and again, and I've been pretty adventurous with it.

Avitable said...

I don't have a go-to meal. I'd much rather go out.

elizabeth said...

BBQ brined chicken

3.5 - 4 pound chicken

Soak it in a brine of salt and sugar (I use about 3/4 cup of each and a gallon or so of water) and I also throw in herbs and spices, pepper, paprika, tuscan spices...

Let soak in fridge for 3 or 4 hours

Throw it on the barbie (indirect heat) for about an hour and 15 at approx 350 degrees

Wait for internal temp of - what 170 I think for chicken

Take it off the grill and let it sit for 10 min.

It will be one of your future fave things to do.

***drink beer whilst grilling ;-)