Dinner Plans? (10 Viewers)

[detroitdad]

What's the veggie side there? Looks interesting!

Roasted zucchini

 

[Poker Zombie]

Inspired by a number of @Coyote's dishes, I decided to see what I could do...

Started with salad, complete with feta, because I think that's required...

Wine of course. It's either a Greek wine or a wine from a fraternity house, because I couldn't read anything on the label.

Dinner was rough-cut chicken thighs, cooked in olive oil, lemon, and herbs/spices, then thickened with arrowroot. Tomato and olive rice cooked in cucumber water, and of course a homemade tzatziki (which is why I had cucumber water in the first place). Of course there's hot pitas and more feta.

I really wanted to add saganaki, but could not find Kasseri cheese locally.

 

[Coyote]

Looks very nice! Congrats!

I haven't seen that wine; I searched Sophos (masculin adjective meaning wise; man or wine or whatever) and it probably comes from the island of Hios (Hee-os).

Carrot in the "peasant's salad", though, might incur serious punishment here
You could even do without cucumber for that salad; the key is real tomatoes (not obtainable in winter in the northern hemisphere, so it's really a summer salad), real, ie Greek, olives, real, ie Greek feta, onions with a bite, extra-virgin Greek olive oil, and as much (IMHO, tons) of oregano as you like; and some capers.

Mind you, even Greek feta today is refrigeration-era feta. The original one, was much harder and saltier. It was the only perceivable and sustainable kind of cheese in most of rural Greece for millennia ("feta" actually, just means "slice").
The crew of the then newly commissioned armoured cruiser Averof, in 1911, upon a visit to England, staged a mutiny when given "stilton" cheese to eat. They had only seen feta in their lives and just considered it moldy cheese.

For the tzatziki, the key is to at least balance the yoghurt's coolness with garlic's hotness. I personally love it when it really burns. I can never eat it if I have to go to work next day (as with any garlic-rich food, the stench of your breath is unbearable for people who haven't had some garlic).
Some people like it crunchy with cucumber, while others like it more like a cream, with very little cucumber if at all (I like it on the crunchy side).

 

[Poker Zombie]

I actually added some salt to the Feta. I used to get it in Detroit's Greektown neighborhood, and everything I have found since has paled in comparison. I feel feta should add all the salt you need to a dish.

I thought the carrots were "out of bounds" but I have an overabundance of them from Thanksgiving, so they're getting added to everything right now. I never thought about adding oregano to the salad. The dressing, yes, but not fresh leaves. That will be a summertime goal for growing fresh oregano again. I'll also add capers next time. I have them, but didn't think about them.

I like the idea of amping up the garlic. If someone smells my garlic-loving breath during COVID, I can yell "Back up 6 feet!".

 

[Coyote]

I meant DRIED oregano crumbs
Just don't make a peasant's salad in winter (we only make it from May to October).

In winter, many other kinds of vegetables are available, including cabbage, and this where carrots come into the picture.
Boiled wild herbs are also suitable this time of year.

Sure, if having real straight feta (even today's feta) as a side dish (that's how it's eaten here, in addition to its use in the summer peasant's salad) you can/should reduce the salt used in any main dish.

 

[toothpic]

Went fishing this past weekend so on Monday I cooked some of the fish I caught (gave away quite a few to my parents and the in-laws). Kids loved the fish and asked for more. My mother in law said I should go fishing more often. I don’t disagree

 

[detroitdad]

 

[toothpic]

Meat’s back on the menu!

 

[BSteck]

Coffee pasta with sausage, tomatoes, kale and parm cream sauce.

 

[redeagle]

A quick pre-tournament healthy meal.
Teriyaki Salmon and noodles.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Spiced Lamb Stew in the oven right now.

No pics (yet), but the smell of Coriander, Dry Mango, Pomegranate Seeds, Chili, Cumin, Dried Musk Melon, Black Pepper, Fenugreek Leaves, Cloves, Mint, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cinnamon, Bay Leaf, Cardamom Seeds and Caraway is the best thing i've ever had wafting out of my kitchen.

If you are planning on stopping by in the next 4-5 hours, bring a spare pair of socks, cause the aroma will knock the current pair off.

 

[detroitdad]

Spiced Lamb Stew in the oven right now.

NICE!!!!

I decided on take out tonight. I'm picking up some Vietnamese food on the way home. Local place that gets great reviews. We'll see

 

[toothpic]

Spiced Lamb Stew in the oven right now.

No pics (yet), but the smell of Coriander, Dry Mango, Pomegranate Seeds, Chili, Cumin, Dried Musk Melon, Black Pepper, Fenugreek Leaves, Cloves, Mint, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cinnamon, Bay Leaf, Cardamom Seeds and Caraway is the best thing i've ever had wafting out of my kitchen.

If you are planning on stopping by in the next 4-5 hours, bring a spare pair of socks, cause the aroma will knock the current pair off.

I'll come over in flip flops

 

[BruceWayne]

Patty melts

 

[Darson]

Clay pot biryani for dinner tonight. One time where my wife chills and I do all the work.

 

[detroitdad]

 

[Coyote]

The crew of the then newly commissioned armoured cruiser Averof, in 1911, upon a visit to England, staged a mutiny when given "stilton" cheese to eat. They had only seen feta in their lives and just considered it moldy cheese.

For the full stilton and feta story, part of a much wider fascinating story (begins at 00:45):

@Poker Zombie

 

[Poker Zombie]

I want to laugh at the idea of a rebellion/mutiny over "mouldy" cheese, but the amount of push-back I get at the Firehouse when I suggest a vegetarian dish kinda plays it out.

 

[RocAFella1]

Fish tacos made with ling cod caught this morning.

 

[toothpic]

Preparing dinner for tomorrow

 

[flipupchipup]

Preparations are in full swing

 

[k9dr]

Christmas Eve chili & cornbread - Piper almost snagged my corn muffin

 

[Saoliver]

1 1/2” thick dry aged prime rib lathered in horseradish. So good.

 

[Big Jilm]

Christmas Dinner Plans? You bet your sweet ass!!

Featuring: Cochinita Pibil (with HEAVY prep pr0n)

But first, the recipe guys:

Cochinita Pibil​

• 3lb boneless pork shoulder roast
• 1 large red onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• corn/flour tortillas
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Achiote seasoning (see recipe)
• Crumbled queso fresco (see recipe)
• Cebollas Encurtidas (see recipe)
• Chiltomate Sauce (see recipe)
• Trim fat from roast if needed. Sprinkle Achiote seasoning evenly over all sides of the roast; rub seasoning in with your fingers. Place roast in a large resealable plastic bag and chill in refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
• In a 4 to 5 quart crock pot combine onion, garlic, and bay leaf. Place roast on top of onion mixture. Pour grapefruit, orange, and lime juice over roast. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours.
• Remove pork from slow cooker and discard the bay leaf. Let pork stand until cool enough to handle. Using 2 forks pull meat apart and shred; place shredded meat in a large bowl. Transfer the onions to the bowl. Add enough of the liquid to moisten the meat; toss to combine. Serve meat mixture with tortillas and queso fresco. Cebollas Encurtidas (pickled red onions) and Chiltomate sauce are optional.

Achiote Seasoning

In a small bowl combine 3 tablespoons ground annatto (ground whole seed, rough but rewarding); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon ground pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 4 tablespoons.

Crumbled Queso Fresco

• 8 cups (1/2 gallon) whole milk
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• In a 6 to 8 quart Dutch oven or heavy stock pot combine milk and salt. Heat mixture over medium-high heat to 190°F, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
• Gradually add vinegar, stirring gently. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes. Stir gently (some curds should have formed).
• Place a double thickness of 100% cotton cheesecloth in a colander in the sink. Carefully pour hot mixture into the colander, discarding the liquid whey. Allow cheese to drain in colander for 15 to 20 minutes to remove all of the excess whey.
• Transfer cheese to a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Makes 8 (1/4-cup) servings. The cheese may be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Cebollas Encurtidas

• 1 Red Onion, into 1/2 inch thick slices
• 1/4 cup grapefruit juice
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp coarse sea or kosher salt
• 1 tsp oregano crushed
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
• Preheat broiler, arrange red onion slices on a 15x10x1 Inch baking pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until charred and tender, turning once half way through broiling time. When cool enough to handle, separate onion into rings, discarding any large dry blackened pieces.

In a medium bowl, combine onion, grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, salt, oregano, garlic and pepper. Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving. Makes 8 (1/4-cup) servings.

------------------------------------------

3 hours of prep for a freaking crock pot meal that is worthy of 4 stars friends!

First you gotta ground the whole annatto seed. Painfully, this took about 45 minutes. Like grinding ROCKS. Don't just buy the ground annatto, put the labor of love into your food. This is KEY!

Next, add the ground annatto to the rest of the rub: salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, allspice

Covered with achiote, and into the fridge for the night

Queso Fresco pr0n -- YES! We made CHEESE!!!!

Cebollas Encurtidas

add garlic, salt pepper, fresh squeezed juices (some of the juice is preserved for tomorrow in the crock pot)

MORE TO COME...........................

 

[Coyote]

Xmas noon table

Pork is the tradition here; for half a millenium it was guaranteed to not be stolen by ruling Jihadist masters.

 

[Max D]

Sous vide Wellington

 

[Big Jilm]

Best part of this dish. Wake up in AM, throw in the onion and garlic, add a bay leaf, place pork butt on top of mixture, add the fresh squeezed juices, then set the crock pot and await the goodness

 

[FordPickup92]

Well I tried my hand at the meatballs..

 

[detroitdad]

Sous vide Wellington
View attachment 601891

I think I have a crush on you!

 

[RocAFella1]

I think I have a crush on you!

Meat crush