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Archive through July 10, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: May 2009 ~ July 2009: Cooking Corner: QUICK QUESTIONS: Archive through July 10, 2009 users admin

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Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 7:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Thanks - I'll boil first, then do them on the stove next time. It took boiling and then simmering another hour to get black beans that were ready to eat. However, we mixed them with corn and Mexican rice and added a bit of cheese for a delicious "supper in a bowl." I've also got 3 more quarts of beans, so that is well worth the cost!

Last question - I just put the beans in freezer quart containers and stuck them in the freezer. How long will they last?

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 10:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Same as Ladytex, and actually have a pot of beans soaking now (pinto's.) Rinse and soak overnight, rinse again in the morning and add whatever I'm adding and let them cook all day in the crockpot. By about 4pm, they'll be done, which works for tomorrow cuz Darren has class and has to leave early and I'm taking some to a friend for dinner before Kota's game.

No idea about freezing them.

Gumby
Member

08-14-2004

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 8:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gumby a private message Print Post    
We are having a surprise 80th birthday party for my MIL in July. We have the food ordered, etc. But now, we don't know what to do with the guests~ Any idea of entertainment type things to do with senior citizens? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 10:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Name that Tune? The Newlyweds - the Sequel? Dance-a-thon?

Karen
Member

09-06-2004

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 12:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karen a private message Print Post    
Can you ask all the guests ahead of time to submit one or two of their favourite memories of MIL, then make a guessing game out of it at the party? "Who's favourite memory is the time Grandma burned the Christmas turkey and we had pizza instead?" sort of thing?

You might get more leverage out of this question if you asked in the Need Advice or Dumb Questions thread.

Gumby
Member

08-14-2004

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 1:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gumby a private message Print Post    
Thanks! Those are both great suggestions!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
why do you need games? can't everyone just visit?

Gumby
Member

08-14-2004

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 2:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gumby a private message Print Post    
We don't necessarily have to have games. They can just visit, I was just looking for something entertaining for them to do too.

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 2:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
I like Karen's suggestion And is it financially possible to have a Big Band play? I went to the WWII Memorial inaugural party in recent years in Springfield, Illinois - it was of course populated by WWII veterans, and my God - a Big Band was playing and you have NEVER seen such spark in the eyes and legs of 80-year-old people, they were THERE again. They were swinging all over the place, it made me cry. It really means something to them to hear their old anthems played live.

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 2:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Goddessatlaw a private message Print Post    
PS we had the same band play for my parent's 50th anniversary last year, they wound up getting four gigs out of it they were that popular.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 4:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
thinking at 80 they might be able to entertain themselves! LOL

one thing we did for my dad and godfather was to ask people to send in pictures or funny stories for a scrapbook. you can invite people to share their stories/toasts.
love the big band idea (or even a dj playing big band music).
80 ain't all that old!

Gumby
Member

08-14-2004

Monday, June 08, 2009 - 7:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gumby a private message Print Post    
I love the big band idea. Thank you! I will check into that today!

The scrapbook is great too. She loves talking about the good old days, so I'm sure that would be a big hit with her.

Thank you all for your help.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Monday, June 08, 2009 - 8:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
You might be able to find a car collector club in your area that would offer rides in old automobiles. I have no idea about this, it just sounds like something they might enjoy.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 1:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Probably won't be a quick question and I apologize for that.

The kids are starting summer vacation next week, which means a lot of them wanting to munchie, eating lunch and snacks at home and a lot of friends coming over to play (not to mention that Caleb and his buddies are now teens, the big 1-3, lol, and are never full!)

We had talked about going to Costco this weekend and stocking up on stuff like corndogs, hot pockets, cup a soups, etc. But, that will get expensive quick, plus most of it isn't all that healthy.

So, I'm thinking over the weekends I'll make some crockpot meals that I can then split into seperate containers that the kids can microwave. I'm thinking things like chili (I use ground turkey,) soups, and non crockpot, I make these hot pocket type things that can be frozen and later reheated that the kids love and so do I cuz I can put in whatever fillings I want to. I'll round it out with sandwich stuff and salads so they aren't eating chili 7 days a week, lol.

I need more ideas of things I can make a big pot of that'll freeze well and be kid friendly. Heh, I also need ideas that are no dairy and low cholesterol. Dakota's lactose intolerant and Caleb, taking accutane, has high cholesterol (which will go away when he stops taking the meds in a couple months, but figure might as well take the opportunity to cook/eat healthier.)

Oh, I do have a quick question too. I'm pretty strict that the kids eat fresh fruits and veggies, especially when it gets so hot around here and it keeps them from eating crap. Luckily my kids enjoy most fruits and raw veggies and have no problems with that. Dakota's recently discovered the sheer yumminess of frozen grapes and is wondering if there are any other fruits that will freeze as good as the grapes do and make a great snack? I know bananas will freeze and other fruits, but she's wondering about things that you can take straight out of the freezer and eat or stick in a drink that will be just as yummy as the grapes. Maybe strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries?

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 6:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
any berry would work well.
you could make taco meat in a big batch using ground turkey or chicken breasts.
cook a pork roast in barbecue sauce and then shred it for bbq sandwiches (or chicken)

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 9:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
flylady had a hambuger, macaroni noodle, tomato recipe that was a kid favorite and I love it, you can make a big batch, I think it takes about 20 mintues max, then put it in little bags or cups for reheating. I can't remember the name but I am thinking it was something like camp casserole.

Also have you heard of those aluminum foil lunch/dinner packets where you put some meat and veggies that can be cooked/heated up later. That might be a fun idea.

I love frozen grapes!!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 1:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Kota's teacher took them to school yesterday for their class party and I guess the frozen grapes were a huge hit. We deal with the very high temps here during summer so anything frozen is a good thing.

Oh, I hadn't thought to check Fly's site for recipes, though I had seen them there before!

I hadn't thought of the foil packet meals! I was going to do taco meat for mini tacos (roll out bisquits, fill it with your mixture, and bake then can freeze) cuz the kids love those. Anything in bbq sauce is great for the crockpot!

Could I make my own pizza's, wrap them up and freeze them without cooking first? I'm thinking frozen burritos too.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 2:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Mini [aka English muffin] pizzas are a hit here, when the kids are here or not. I always make a huge amount when we have them for a meal, let them cool, then freeze them in packs of 1 or 2. Very quick and yummy snack, just pull them out, pop them in the microwave or toaster oven. Crust gets kinda soft in the micro but not soggy. It's important to cool them completely before freezing or you will get a soggy crust. Usually I let them get cold in the fridge before I freeze them.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 2:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
Oh and I always do my own burritos and soft tacos [minus lettuce and tomatoes] in the freezer. Hubby loves to take them to work for lunch.

Jasper
Moderator

09-14-2000

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 - 3:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jasper a private message Print Post    
MEATBALL SUBS

1 18 oz frozen cooked meatballs (about 32)
1 15 oz can of tomato sauce (or one jar of Classico spaghetti sauce)
1/3 c chopped onion
½ c chopped green pepper
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp prepared mustard
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic salt (or chopped garlic)
1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce….tobasco
8 hoagie buns, split & toasted
7 slices of provolone cheese


In slow cooker combine sauce ingredients, gently stir in meatballs.
Cover & cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours or high heat for 1½ to 2 hours.
To serve place meatballs on bottoms of buns. Top with sauce & cheese slices; replace tops.

It freezes well without the buns, never tried freezing it on the buns.


Makes 8 sandwiches.

Countrydaze
Member

11-07-2003

Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 2:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Countrydaze a private message Print Post    
I am looking for some easy appetizers for make for a small party I am having. 'Several of my guests cannot have shellfish or seeds. Any good ideas would be greatly appreciated as I am not a very good cook so it has to be easy. Thank you

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 2:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Nacho bar w/cooked meat and beans

Make your own mini-bagel (or pita) pizzas (w/a wide variety of toppings available)

Tortilla roll-ups are easy,too. There are a ton of different recipes - usually adding spices and maybe green onions or jalapenos to cream cheese, spreading it over tortillas, rolling them up, chilling them and then slicing them right before serving.

My family always loves cheese and cracker platters, too -as well as simple fresh veggies w/a ranch or guacamole or hummus dip.

Countrydaze
Member

11-07-2003

Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 2:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Countrydaze a private message Print Post    
Thank you Teach. I really like the mini-bagel pizzas for sure I will do that! I appreciate your help

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 5:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
:-) Can you tell I'm a snack fiend - with a definite bias toward Mexican food?

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Friday, July 10, 2009 - 1:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Buy some sausages, like Chicken Apple, cut up into bite size circles and put in crock pot for a couple of hrs on warm/low or in the oven just before company arrives.

Take a wheel of brie, slice it across horizontally, drizzle honey and toasted pine nuts on top of bottom layer, put top layer back on, drizzle with honey and nuts, bake on 325 for about 15-30 mins. Serve with whole wheat crackers and thinly sliced fuji apples.

New question: I have been savings the end slices of bread in my freezer. They are taking up too much room. I've saved them to make my own bread crumbs. But what can I make with lots of bread crumbs? I won't be making meatloaf. Any suggestions?}