What are you cooking?

[jaylach]

Most cheese I get are either Lucerne or Sargento.

 

[gwand]

We our having another couple over for dinner tonight. They are spending today moving into a new home, down sizing. So we thought we’d cook for them. I am roasting chicken using a beer can technique with the oven set for 400F for exactly one hour. Chicken comes out moist but with crispy skin. I actually use an empty beer can. I don’t want the beer flavor. The can is used so that the entire surface of the chicken is exposed to the hot oven air. Front and back of the chicken comes out crispy. I will also sauté potatoes in olive oil and garlic, and then toss with chopped dill. The vegetable will be steamed string beans tossed in extra virgin olive oil and sliced almonds. A mixed salad will be served too. Wine of course. Dessert will be babka, tea and coffee.

 

[MaloK]

I actually use an empty beer can.

Next time, put it half filled with water instead.

 

[gwand]

I am cooking the chicken later in the day so I can try your moisture trick.

 

[jaylach]

We our having another couple over for dinner tonight. They are spending today moving into a new home, down sizing. So we thought we’d cook for them. I am roasting chicken using a beer can technique with the oven set for 400F for exactly one hour. Chicken comes out moist but with crispy skin. I actually use an empty beer can. I don’t want the beer flavor. The can is used so that the entire surface of the chicken is exposed to the hot oven air. Front and back of the chicken comes out crispy. I will also sauté potatoes in olive oil and garlic, and then toss with chopped dill. The vegetable will be steamed string beans tossed in extra virgin olive oil and sliced almonds. A mixed salad will be served too. Wine of course. Dessert will be babka, tea and coffee.

What time should I show up for dinner??

I've never actually tried the beer can chicken method but need to. Normally, if doing a whole chicken, I use my rotisserie. The thing is also an indoor grill. The can idea raises a LOT of possibilities. Say you want lemon chicken? Why not fill the can with lemon juice or even lemonade unsweetened. If you like cranberry sauce with chicken, as I do, filling the can with cranberry juice could be interesting...

Since I've mentioned it several times in this thread here is my Farberware indoor grill/rotisserie. While this thing is no longer produced and has been out of production fre decades, as far as I can find, it is still considered an icon for indoor grills to the point that it is still readily available on Amazon from used to still in the original package new. I lucked out with mine as I did an Amazon order for it and the seller sent me a different item then I actually ordered. I ordered a used item and was sent a more recent unit brand new. With my being disgustingly honest I contacted the seller on the mistake and was told to not worry about it.

Here is what I actually ordered:

This is what I got;p not functional difference but more stout as to the build and new instead of used.

 

[fishorama]

I'm almost embarrassed to admit I've never roasted or rotisserie grilled a chicken. 1 grill we had came with a rotisserie attachment but I never used it & gave it away. My husband doesn't eat meat on the bone or chicken skin. I think I bought a whole chicken 1 or 2 times to make soup, maybe just bone-in parts. That would have been in late 1970s or so. Too much bother now.

 

[Fishmanic]

I can buy a small rotisserie chicken precooked for $8. Enough for 2 meals for myself and then I can make chicken soup with the carcass.

 

[Fishmanic]

For dinner today, i didnt cook anything. I just ate warmed up stuffed cabbage leftovers.

 

[jaylach]

LOL! Crashed on my couch earlier and it is now midnight and food is cooking.

What is cooking may sound odd but should be really good. A while back I posted about making chicken burritos. I didn't use all the stuff for burritos but vacuum bagged some in meal sized portions.

Tonight will be one of those bagged portions. Actually I'm treating the stuff like shredded hash browns. Once it comes up to actual cooking temperature I crank the heat a bit to crisp some of the rice. When there is enough crisp I'll crack a couple of eggs over top and cover to baste the eggs. Never done this before but absolutely know it will be good. I'm just using the Spanish Rice and chicken mix instead of potatoes for hash browns. I would not even think of having hash browns without an egg, or three, cracked on it.

 

[jaylach]

I have to laugh at my last post about the rice stuff. In reality it was nothing odd at all, just fried rice with chicken. Fried rice often if not normally has egg mixed in. I just left the yolk runny.

For the record it was quite good and will be done again.

 

[jaylach]

Just started my next grocery store delivery shopping list. It takes me days or even a week to make up my shopping list but the delivery site saves my list so I can add/remove until I'm ready to order.

Just added a pound of their deli pizza dough which is really quite good. I don't think that I can freeze the stuff as it is yeast based but I can sure cut in half and have a couple of meatball calzones. I already have enough meatballs in my freezer but will have to order more from Omaha Steaks as I'm down to one 18 ounce package. From past posts I think it obvious that I like meatball subs but a calzone is just different. Of course the difference is a sub with a hoagie bun and the calzone being the same but in pizza dough. I'm addicted with both but, if I had to chose, I'd probably take the calzone.

 

[fishorama]

I think I've read or heard you can freeze fresh pizza dough. My parents used to buy frozen white bread dough sometimes. It takes a long time to thaw & then rise I think.

My husband & I are doing the "bargaining for dinner ideas". It has to be stuff we have all the ingredients for that we haven't had in a week or so. Bonus points if it's already in the freezer or needs little prep time. I went to our Chinese market today for stir fry stuff but my arthritic thumb joints hurt too much for tons of chopping. We're up to grilled steaks, chicken w/cheese & noodles, packaged mystery veggie vindaloo (may too spicy hot?), or maybe a small pot roast (I pressure cook so not too much time). I'm starting to have tiny hunger pangs...

 

[fishorama]

We went with chicken/w cheese. It's baking now, noodle water is heating. Just a green veg or 2 & done!! Hunger pangs are getting stronger!

I made sure my husband was ok with chicken chow mein tomorrow. 2 chicken dishes in a row? I already bought the veggies; I may start cleaning/chopping them early tomorrow to have less effort later

 

[fishorama]

Ugh, I'm slightly PO'd at my husband. I said I'm sure there's an older bag of chicken in the house or garage freezer, it says "2 big". His mission was to find it for chow mein. An hour later he said he's positive it's not there. & proceeded to do his version of helping right when I needed the kitchen. That meant instead of just a quick scrubby to 2 pans he does a ton! of dish soap in each. Now the sinks are full of soapy pans...but he almost never actually washes the pans, he just adds more hot water & detergent like they magically get clean? No, they don't, thanks for your help. So, I went to garage fridge & the very first bag of chix I grabbed said 2 big, imagine that!

So now I've lost my veggie chopping mojo. I'll be making a small pot roast when I quit being annoyed; it may take a 2nd glass of wine.

 

[fishorama]

Finally chicken chow mein is almost underway. Brown rice is cooking, chix cut up & marinating, longer cooking veggies chopped & favorite pan is on the stove. I'm having a little break before all systems are go!! Just a red pepper & bok choi green tops to chop.

I had leftover pot roast & veggies for brunch with enough for tomorrow too! It may be my favorite leftover meal.