Krikit - we're heading into Orlando on Wednesday for our Biometrics are going to make a day of it with some grocery shopping and maybe visit Prime Outlets now that they are officially open...he he he Hoping to score on a pair of running shoes!

I love Indian Food! One thing I really miss being down here in our area...not much Indian food going on....and the ones that are around aren't as good as Toronto's.....I miss Little India Town! Know of any good Indian Restaurants in Orlando? We've been to the one on Colonial Drive.....Woodlands I think is the name....

Is One Flight Up a lounge for coffee/drinks? Maybe we'll pass by there on Wednesday....

Made Eggless Tiramisu last night and going to eat it today...YUM!

It's Sunday so Joe is cooking - put on his usual pot of pinto beans with onion, garlic and peppers (that man loves his beans!!) and we will 'wrap' them inside lettuce leaves with salsa, sour cream and cheese . . . healthier than using taco wraps, besides which we don't have any in the house:-). Temperature headed up near 100 again today - did some very basic work in the yard and garden early this morning - and staying inside the rest of the day in the a/c.

I think it is going to be pizza tonight, sausage, onion and bell pepper.....

Ohmygosh, T.O.... you absolutely absolutely have to visit Sushi Katana when you're in Orlando! It's a hop skip and a jump from the biometrics office..... right on Conroy Road in front of the Mall at Millenia. (My favourite mall, btw. lol) I know it's not Indian but it's my absolute favourite restaurant here in Florida. I highly recommend the seaweed salad and the shumai appetizer.



As for Indian.... I'm with you. I really really miss not having the multitude of ethnic restaurants that you find in Toronto and the GTA. That's why I looooooooove Sushi Katana. I had finally found an ethnic restaurant with the true tastes and quality of the Toronto restaurants. Unfortunately, I haven't been to any Indian restaurants here. There are none in the area where I live, and when we go to Orlando I can't help myself..... I have to go to Sushi Katana! When I find an Indian restaurant I like I'll let you know. In the meantime, I just make my own. If you find one.... let me know.

One Flight Up is in Mount Dora.... about 40 minutes from Orlando. Your husband might know Mt Dora.... it's one of those small town "destination" places with lots of antique shopping and festivals and stuff. OFU has specialty coffee/tea, wine/beer, soft drinks, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Definitely drop in there if you're in the area.

BLEH, the temps yesterday were horrible. 101 was the highest of the day. Needless to say I can't get out and do much b/c of my asthma...which bums me out 'cos I love being outdoors!

Not sure what we'll have...prolly leftovers. Joel made chicken alfredo (sauce recipe from copykat.com...olive garden alfredo sauce) and we had a salad. Oh baby was it good! My husband loves to cook and is very good at it! Alas, he doesn't like beans...must be a southern thing. I grew up on beans. Now the wrap thing sounds good. We use a lot of sour cream, salsa and cheese at our house too, not to mention those tasty Vidalia onions that Joel is so very fond of. Maybe if Joel eats them the way you guys are going to, he might like them better.

Hmmm told my husband about Sushi Katana and he's interested in trying it out on Wednesday so we may just head over there! Thanks for the suggestion! We typically eat at Rengetsu on International Drive because if you sit up at the sushi bar you can get the chefs to make you whatever roll you want. The Taiko drum show is really neat too!

Because of all this talk with Indian Food, I had to resort to buying some Patak's Tikka Masala sauce for dinner tonight...pair that with cubed chicken breast, mushrooms and some veggies. Brown basmati on the side too.....sigh..wish I had some fresh Pappadams!

well, we had pizza but we got pizza from Little Ceasers.. I was out for a few hours doing errands and laundry and I forgot to take the pizza stuff out... so hubby got the pizza from Little Ceasers instead...

us too! I had heard about them on the Food Network (especially during Iron Chef episodes) and on the day I needed bread crumbs, I noticed that my grocery stocked them so I thought I would try them. We will never go back! The brand I buy doesn't have any preservatives or extra junk in them, much better and crispier than regular ones for sure!

I have a bunch of fresh veggies and leftovers in the fridge so it's time to use them up in a stir fry tonight! Perhaps with ginger sesame soy sauce that I will make up.

Mmmm...ginger sesame soy sauce. That sounds yummy! Made up recipes are usually the best ones. Momma always called those her "as you go" recipes. Making it up "as you go"....

Well, we didn't have stir fry last night, we decided to try the Chinese food from the place down the road - ordered in (took them an hour to deliver).

So we ordered S&S pork, fried rice, fried wonton and Singapore noodles (basically vermicelli with spices).

So, it was ok, not great, we ate it but threw away what was left over

I've decided to start making my own Singapore noodles, the main spice in them in curry powder, I should be able to accomplish a better tasting version I think.

My Sister also has a recipe for SE asian satay, which actually tastes like authentic SE asian satay, so when she gets back to nebbie maybe she will drag that out, will have to ask her. I've used it before, if I remember correctly it's time consuming to prepare but very good.

Tonight will be stir fry! Unless I change my mind

an oldie but a goodie - pork chops baked in a sauce made from Italian spices, green onions, diced zuchhini and tomato soup (Heinz - no HFCS!); corn on the cob and the last of the ratatouille as a side dish:-). Strawberries for dessert.

And we just finished the stir fry, which was delicious!

I'm marinating chicken tenders in Catalina dressing -- just to be different! -- and then grilling on my GF grill. Then putting them on a nice salad. Yum!

i use Catalina dressing in a lot of things.. I actually just used it in a sauce for chicken the other day...

today we are having Savoury Sweet Crockpot chicken...... going to serve it with some rice.. this gives you a runny sauce so you might want to thicken it after the chicken is done cooking....

found the recipe on my favourite site ..recipezaar.com...

Savory Sweet Crock Pot Chicken Recipe

4 bone-in chicken breast halves
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
4 tablespoons white vinegar
4 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 small onion
1 tablespoon mustard
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. Put all ingredients except for chicken in crock pot and stir.
2. Add chicken and spoon sauce over chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6 1/2 hours.


http://www.recipezaar.com/41570

My stirfry last night was good as well! Nice to use up all those leftovers too. I have no idea what I'm going to have tonight. trailmix...did you ever make that ham and cheese loaf? I might make zuchinni sausage squares tonight. Or maybe homemade pizza. I was going to do that last week, but changed my mind.

I did buy the other day, these "green bags" at the grocery store. I've seen them advertised on TV. (they used to only be available through "this television offer...and if you call right now..we'll give you ...blahblahblah ) The pictures they show on the back of the box, as well as the ones on TV have fruits and vegetables put in the bags and what they look like a week later vs. not using the bags. I'm trying them out anyway. Have about a pound of strawberries in a bag in the fridge. So far after two days they look perfect. Anyone else use them?

I never did make the ham and cheese loaf Carla, I forgot all about it!

I have seen the bags too, haven't tried them, I think it's a great idea but I don't want to pay for more bags Right now - this fridge is so small there is barely enough room to put anything in so we aren't having a problem with keeping stuff - prob a good thing!

One thing I started doing in Canada, I bought a rubbermaid clearish drawer thing and took the drawer out and put it in the fridge, put all of my vegetables in it so I could SEE them and they weren't hidden down in the keepers, found it much handier to see what was available and keep it in mind when cooking.

We had Russian Chicken last night, along with rice and sauteed carrots (sauteed in butter, balsamic vinegar, honey, and ginger). I'd never had Russian Chicken...it's pretty good! Joel's mom called me with the recipe...seems she's made that a lot and her son wanted his wife to make it.

Russian Chicken

1 bottle Russian Dressing
1 small jar peach preserves
1 envelope onion soup mix
Chicken parts...thighs, legs, breasts...whatever you have

Mix first three ingredients together. Place chicken in baking dish, pour dressing mix
over chicken. Bake @ 300 degrees for about 90 minutes. Yum!

My mom makes a version of that -- using Catalina dressing and cranberries. Your (erm, Joel's momma) version sounds very interesting!

Marinating chicken in catalina dressing was good, but you really have to wash it before grilling if you don't want orange chicken.....it looked like I was eating that fake crab meat on my salad!

I kind of do a variation of that too.. using ketchup, brown sugar and onion soup mix

tonights dinner is going to be sloppy joes on homemade buns... at least that is the plan.. have to see if I am actually going to make some buns

ok I am so not in the mood to make buns today so I have deiceded I am going to try the stove top meatloaf recipe that somebody posted in this thread...

methinks I will be doing a reprise of my grilled chicken salad again tonight

I don't think we have any vegetables other than an onion and some potatoes.

I think it will be like beans and toast or something, we picked up lunch today at the bagel store, I had a panini, still kind of full from that.

just before I went to make the meatloaf I realized I didn't have any eggs.. so we had sgetti and meat sauce instead....

Hamburgers...tater tots (for Princess Anna) and french fries...gonna make cherry slushies in a few.

Hubby grilled ... steak, sausages, asparagus. He made a salad and baked beans too. YUM!!!

cajun coated fish (frozen filets), seasoned french fries (baked), sliced red and green peppers, and strawberries for dessert.

Ok this has to do with lunch today, not dinner, but I need to be enlightened perhaps.

We went to a local (non-chain) restaurant for lunch. My Husband ordered a Monte Cristo. It came with icing sugar all over it, surely this is a Appleton's cafe anomaly and not how a Monte Cristo is made here!?

I have never seen a sandwich with icing sugar on it

never had one with icing sugar before either....

just did a search and I found this...

Monte Cristo Sandwich

A great brunch item! One of my husbands favorite filling, baked, french toast style, sandwiches filled with cheese, ham, turkey & mustard. Raspberry preserves is a must for him. Could be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is a LESSER FAT Monte Cristo recipe being baked and not fried full of flavor! I also like to buy the low salt cold cuts or use fresh baked turkey leftovers sliced thin.

35 min | 15 min prep | SERVES 4

8 slices bread (I use challah)
4 teaspoons honey dijon mustard
8 slices thin deli sliced swiss cheese
8 slices thin deli ham
8 slices thin deli sliced turkey (I like smoked)
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons milk (low fat to try to keep it low in fat!)

powdered sugar, for dusting
raspberry preserves, for dipping

1. Heat oven to 425°F.
2. Lightly butter a baking sheet pan. I use the spray.
3. Spread 1/2 teaspoon mustard on each slice of bread.
4. Layer between mustard sides of two slices of bread, 1 slice cheese, 2 slices ham, 2 slices turkey, and another slice of cheese.
5. Repeat to make four sandwiches. Whisk eggs, flour, butter, salt and pepper in a shallow dish until smooth.
6. Blend in milk.
7. DIP both sides of sandwiches into egg mixture until bread is lightly soaked.
8. Place on baking sheet; drizzle any remaining egg mixture over top of sandwiches.
9. Bake 8-10 minutes until bottom is golden brown.
10. Turn with wide spatula and continue baking 8-10 minutes or until second side is golden brown.
11. Serve warm dusted with powdered sugar and dip or spread raspberry perserves on sandwiches.
12. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

http://www.recipezaar.com/82119

and here is another one... Monte Cristo Sandwich

and here .... Monte Cristo Sandwich

here...... Monte Cristo\

there are more too... strange..... they even serve them with strawberry preserves

Good heavens - that sounds like dinner and dessert all at the same time:-).

pot roast, potatoes, carrots, onions tonight with some of the nice Artisan whole grain bread from Costco and a salad

Beef Stroganoff tonight. A monte cristo I haven't had one of those in years.

It's 5 pm and I haven't a sweet clue what we will have for supper!

I am marinating some chicken drumsticks as we speak... I am just going to cook the chicken in the oven because our BBQ is out of gas...

the recipe was originally called El Pollo Loco chicken but it doesn't seem like it will be anything like their chicken so I changed the name to Crazy Chicken...

Crazy Chicken

3/4 cup Heinz Chili Sauce
1 lemon, juice of
1 large orange, juice of
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce
4 boneless chicken breasts

1. For marinade, mix all ingredients, except chicken, together.
2. Add chicken and marinate for 4-24 hours.
3. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade.
4. Cook chicken on a hot grill for about 10 minutes on each side.
5. Serve with tortillas and salsa.
6. Time does not include marinating.


Darn i just realized I forgot the sugar... oops.... it should be ok though, the chili sauce is sweet...

Yes Marilyn, it was just like the one you found. Funny thing was, my Husband liked it

We just had soup and bread tonight since we had a big-ish lunch.

My ultimate favourite sandwich is a Monte Cristo!! Served with icing sugar AND dipped in maple syrup. INCREDIBLE!!! I've not found a place here that will serve it that way OR will not look at me like an idiot when I ask about it, if it's on the menu. Several restaurants in Saskatoon make it that way!! It's how I had them as a youth as well in Ontario. Your posting put such a smile on my face!

I made pecan pie today.. my first attempt ever... I think I might have overcooked it a little.. I checked on and it still looked too runny so I cooked it longer....

we will see what hubby says later when he tries it.....



Pecan Pie
1/2 cup margarine
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped

1 9 inch pie shell

1. In a saucepan, melt margarine with brown sugar.
2. Add eggs, salt, and vanilla and mix well.
3. Add pecans.
4. Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell.
5. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Yum! That pecan pie looks, well . . . good enough to eat!!!

Chipotle Vegie Bol!

But today they don't have tomato salsa for obvious reasons.

(Skip the sour cream, cheese, and easy on the guac.)

it actually was quite good.. a little crunchy on top but kind of gooey in the middle.. not bad for my first pecan pie...

Congrats on the pie it looks great.

Tonight is dinner out, just have to decide where.

Tonight we are going to a crawfish/crab boil.

hubby says we can go out to eat tonight wherever I want to make up for him being a Jerk yesterday .. not sure how much of a consolation that is because we usually go out to eat on Fridays ...lol

thought this was kind of cool.. wish I had some friends that I could do this with....

I want Wendy's .... but the closest one is an hour or more away. Ah, the joys of living in a small town. I think I may break down and get McDonald's. I usually don't, but I really want some greasy fast food tonight and my choices are either McDonald's or Burger King.

i wish we lived there.. too many good places to eat around here .. there is a burger joint on almost every corner..

Hehehe we went out for dinner tonight as well - to the International Buffet! All you can eat, predominantly Chinese style food and some sushi - is actually not too bad. Of course, I overate and so did Joe! Still it was a nice end to a somewhat hectic day for me and an outing for Joe who worked from home today. Oh, and we are eating out tomorrow at the restaurant associated with the Atlanta Symphony Hall. We have tickets to the last Symphony performance of the season tomorrow night, and my birthday is in the following week, so we are having my 'birthday' dinner tomorrow before the concert. A nice evening all in all, hehehe even though we are taking the subway into Atlanta rather than deal with all of the traffic problems (they are repaving the interstate and close down whole sections of it, including the on/off ramps every weekend making a 30 minute trip nearly 1 1/2 hours).

we went to a buffet too.. our favourite Chinese Buffet place.. we took Hubby's dad too.. first time there and he loved it...

Joel grilled hamburgers last night...mmmmmm! Grilled a couple of Vidalia Onions too. OMGOMGOMG...it was all sooooo good!

Tonight...not so sure. Hospital food methinks. Anna has to be at Scottish Rite Hospital tonight for a sleep study. Her neurologist is checking her for sleep apnea. I didn't think kids this young would be affected with this, but he says they can, especially kids with epilepsy. Anywho, we'll be there til 6:30am tomorrow. Now breakfast...that's gonna be at IHOP!!!!

grilled italian sausages and salad for supper tonight! yummy