What's on the menu this evening?

[Zippythepinhead]

We were going to call for Italian delivery, but the place nearby was closed, so we drove to Bayside and got takeout.

I had a slice of grandma pizza and half a meatball parmagiana hero...yum

Red velvet cake is yummy...I've never tried making it, but my sister-in-law has and it's delicious.

What is grandma pizza?

I don't cook much, at least nothing interesting -- usually just broil fish and microwave some vegetables.

Tried baking for the first time in years though yesterday, to bring to a party friends were having. Must have forgotten to double the amount on something, though, because they were a disaster.

So I made up for it by cooking some goat cheese mac 'n' cheese from a recipe I had saved in the Times a while back, and we brought over a bottle of some "super Tuscan" a friend had given me last year. Turned out much better than the cookies. A bit too rich for me, though it tasted great.

[krystl]

What is grandma pizza?

I don't cook much, at least nothing interesting -- usually just broil fish and microwave some vegetables.

Tried baking for the first time in years though yesterday, to bring to a party friends were having. Must have forgotten to double the amount on something, though, because they were a disaster.

So I made up for it by cooking some goat cheese mac 'n' cheese from a recipe I had saved in the Times a while back, and we brought over a bottle of some "super Tuscan" a friend had given me last year. Turned out much better than the cookies. A bit too rich for me, though it tasted great.

Doubling a baking recipe doesn't always work, for some reason. I know when I tried to double a chocolate chip cookie recipe, they didn't come out good, so now I just make 2 seperate batches.

[krystl]

We went to a new Chinese buffet up the line last night. It was really good, but we went late, so we were practically the only people in there.

I have no idea what I'm cooking tonight.

[LDG]

I made ribeye steak and had some shrimp cocktail for NYE. Last night was takeout Chinese. Tonight I'm going to try my new fondue pot. There's a recipe for a fondue that calls for cheddar, onions, apples and hard cider.

[Trish]

I'd love to make chili tonight but I have to take my daughter to the doctor at 5. That doesn't give me much time. I'll have to do it tomorrow. Or make it later to eat tomorrow.

[yankeebot]

Speaking of chili, does anyone have a good crock pot chili recipe they'd like to share?

[LDG]

Speaking of chili, does anyone have a good crock pot chili recipe they'd like to share?

Assuming you're using beef, http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Co...li/Detail.aspx

[Trish]

Assuming you're using beef, http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Co...li/Detail.aspx

That looks good. I'm going to try it. But ever since Vicki gave me her rustic chili recipe I'll never make chili without cocoa powder again.

I'm going to try this recipe and add cocoa powder.

[shotz]

i'm having leftovers with booze.

[shotz]

but not cooked in booze just what i had yesterday with booze

[shotz]

i'll probably skip the leftovers i think

[BBombers85]

Vegetable fried rice and noodles!

[LDG]

That looks good. I'm going to try it. But ever since Vicki gave me her rustic chili recipe I'll never make chili without cocoa powder again.

I'm going to try this recipe and add cocoa powder.

Does it give the chili a sort of mole flavor?

[krystl]

Assuming you're using beef, http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Co...li/Detail.aspx

That looks easy and very good.

I love how all the people who wrote reviews raved about it, but most added things that weren't called for.

[ajra21]

had pizza a pizza delievered from daf's pizza place.

[Trish]

Does it give the chili a sort of mole flavor?

Hmmm. I've never tried it but from what I've read, yes.

You don't taste chocolate, it just gives it a rich, decadent taste. It's awesome.

[krystl]

Hmmm. I've never tried it but from what I've read, yes.

You don't taste chocolate, it just gives it a rich, decadent taste. It's awesome.

How much cocoa powder would you add to that recipe? I'd like to try it but I don't know how much to use.

[Trish]

How much cocoa powder would you add to that recipe? I'd like to try it but I don't know how much to use.

The recipe that Vic gave me had 3 pounds of beef and 3 tablespoons of cocoa. So a tablespoon per pound I guess. She said she uses more because she likes the flavor. I've made this twice and followed the proportions. I loved it. It really mellowed it.

[krystl]

The recipe that Vic gave me had 3 pounds of beef and 3 tablespoons of cocoa. So a tablespoon per pound I guess. She said she uses more because she likes the flavor. I've made this twice and followed the proportions. I loved it. It really mellowed it.

I don't think I have ever made chili. At least I don't remember ever making it.
I like it though, and it doesn't look too difficult.

[Trish]

I don't think I have ever made chili. At least I don't remember ever making it.
I like it though, and it doesn't look too difficult.

Chili is super easy. There are quite a few ingredients, but it's simple stuff.

I'm going to post Vicki's recipe again. I hope she doesn't mind.

Rustic Chili - Bon Appetit

6 T. olive oil
3 lbs. lean ground beef
6 garlic cloves, minced
3 c. chopped onion
3 7-oz. cans diced mild green chilies
1 1/2 c. chopped green peppers (I don't put these in)
3/4 c. chili powder
3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder (I use more cuz I love how this flavors it)
2 1/2 T. ground cumin
1 1/2 T. dried oregano
1 1/2 t. ground allspice
4 15oz. cans pinto beans, rinsed & drained (I only put 1 can in cuz i don't like beans)
3 28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes with added puree
1 14oz. can beef broth

Heat oil in lg. pot over med-high heat. Add beef and garlic and cook until brown. Add onions and next 7 ingredients; sauté until veggies begin to soften, about 8 min. Add beans, tomatoes and broth. Cover and simmer 30 min to blend flavors, stirring occasionally.

I put out a bowl of shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips too. yum. I also don't measure any of the ingredients and just eyeball how much to use. It's delicious.

[Zippythepinhead]

Chili is super easy. There are quite a few ingredients, but it's simple stuff.

I'm going to post Vicki's recipe again. I hope she doesn't mind.

Rustic Chili - Bon Appetit

...
3 lbs. lean ground beef
...

Have you ever tried some other sort of beef (not ground) in the recipe?

[LDG]

That looks easy and very good.

I love how all the people who wrote reviews raved about it, but most added things that weren't called for.

Reviewers do that ALL THE TIME on Allrecipes.com. It is pretty funny!

[4bronxbombers]

That recipe from Bon Appetite rocks. Now when I make it I don't measure anything and I completely leave out the beans. I can make it in pretty much no time and like Trish says, I really think the cocoa powder gives it an awesome flavor.

[Trish]

Have you ever tried some other sort of beef (not ground) in the recipe?

No I haven't. I've only made it a couple of times. I would imagine you could use sliced fajita type steaks as well.

My sister uses ground turkey in her chili, but it's not my favorite.

[krystl]

Reviewers do that ALL THE TIME on Allrecipes.com. It is pretty funny!

I noticed that on Foodfit.com too, where I used to get a lot of recipes.

[allybear]

No I haven't. I've only made it a couple of times. I would imagine you could use sliced fajita type steaks as well.

My sister uses ground turkey in her chili, but it's not my favorite.

I always use ground turkey in chili - I think it comes out good, but the secret is to season the meat itself well as it's cooking, otherwise it's kind of ugh.

[Steve Dalkowski]

Have you ever tried some other sort of beef (not ground) in the recipe?

Using sirloin in chili is THE BEST. Cooking it for a few hours makes it perfectly tender, not chewy. Highly recommend.

[jlw1980]

Chili is super easy. There are quite a few ingredients, but it's simple stuff.

I'm going to post Vicki's recipe again. I hope she doesn't mind.

Rustic Chili - Bon Appetit

6 T. olive oil
3 lbs. lean ground beef
6 garlic cloves, minced
3 c. chopped onion
3 7-oz. cans diced mild green chilies
1 1/2 c. chopped green peppers (I don't put these in)
3/4 c. chili powder
3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder (I use more cuz I love how this flavors it)
2 1/2 T. ground cumin
1 1/2 T. dried oregano
1 1/2 t. ground allspice
4 15oz. cans pinto beans, rinsed & drained (I only put 1 can in cuz i don't like beans)
3 28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes with added puree
1 14oz. can beef broth

Heat oil in lg. pot over med-high heat. Add beef and garlic and cook until brown. Add onions and next 7 ingredients; sauté until veggies begin to soften, about 8 min. Add beans, tomatoes and broth. Cover and simmer 30 min to blend flavors, stirring occasionally.

I put out a bowl of shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips too. yum. I also don't measure any of the ingredients and just eyeball how much to use. It's delicious.

That looks tasty.

[LDG]

Using sirloin in chili is THE BEST. Cooking it for a few hours makes it perfectly tender, not chewy. Highly recommend.

Mr. LDG made chili out of tenderloin tips on Christmas Eve and it was to die for. I agree, a better cut of meat will always make the end product better.

[GiambiRocks]

I can't wait to get settled into a house and start cooking again!

[LDG]

I can't wait to get settled into a house and start cooking again!

Where are you going to find the time to cook with all those books you want to read?

[ajra21]

lasange

[GiambiRocks]

Where are you going to find the time to cook with all those books you want to read?

I've already read two and started the third!

[LDG]

I've already read two and started the third!

Wow, I think I'm on the third PAGE of my 1st of probably 2 or 3 books I'll have wrapped up by the end of the year.

Dinner tonight is General Tso's chicken with pork fried rice.

[krystl]

We got frozen pizza from the supermarket. The kids were down at their cousins, so it was just hub and me.

[LDG]

I just grabbed a German meatball at the Grand Central Market on the way back from visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex. I could spend lottery winnings in that market...

[Jersey Yankee]

I just grabbed a German meatball at the Grand Central Market on the way back from visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame annex. I could spend lottery winnings in that market...

I've been there a few times, at Lex & 43rd. They have great salads, cheeses, seafood. They also have different sausages. Nice fruits also.

I ran out of time to make my salad, since I had to get some sleep. I just picked up one of those small with the purple and green leaves, then some grap tomatoes, and the rest, I picked up at a local deli.

I had a corned beef sandwich yesterday. Strangely, I make a better sandwich with the same meat than the deli does. Must be their lettuce, since I've never been a fan of iceberg.

I still need to make some of the more complex meals you make. Sounds simple to you, but not me.

[allybear]

I made baked chicken breasts, black beans, sauteed yellow squash and red peppers and salad. Not bad - the beans were the best part.

[Zippythepinhead]

I made baked chicken breasts, black beans, sauteed yellow squash and red peppers and salad. Not bad - the beans were the best part.

So what's grandma pizza?

[Trish]

So what's grandma pizza?

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archive...once-more.html

[JL25and3]

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archive...once-more.html

"Casalinga" sounds obscene.

[krystl]

I've been there a few times, at Lex & 43rd. They have great salads, cheeses, seafood. They also have different sausages. Nice fruits also.

I ran out of time to make my salad, since I had to get some sleep. I just picked up one of those small with the purple and green leaves, then some grap tomatoes, and the rest, I picked up at a local deli.

I had a corned beef sandwich yesterday. Strangely, I make a better sandwich with the same meat than the deli does. Must be their lettuce, since I've never been a fan of iceberg.

I still need to make some of the more complex meals you make. Sounds simple to you, but not me.

Lettuce on corned beef?

[allybear]

So what's grandma pizza?

I see Trish answered your question - sorry I missed it earlier! Not intentional, I assure you.

[Zippythepinhead]

http://slice.seriouseats.com/archive...once-more.html

Thanks! Never knew it was called this, but I think a place in my hometown made this. Our family always loved it. Funny thing is, I didn't realize how popular it was -- it's a bakery, not a pizza place, and on the other side of town, so people didn't go there to eat -- but I've now discovered that it has a page on facebook and many people from back in high school went there, too.

I see Trish answered your question - sorry I missed it earlier! Not intentional, I assure you.

No problem! I would hope pizza questions weren't intentionally ignored.

I couldn't tell how thick it is, but one of the answers said it's thinner than Sicilian. How does it compare to "regular" pizza -- same or thicker?

[Trish]

Thanks! Never knew it was called this, but I think a place in my hometown made this. Our family always loved it. Funny thing is, I didn't realize how popular it was -- it's a bakery, not a pizza place, and on the other side of town, so people didn't go there to eat -- but I've now discovered that it has a page on facebook and many people from back in high school went there, too.



No problem! I would hope pizza questions weren't intentionally ignored.

I couldn't tell how thick it is, but one of the answers said it's thinner than Sicilian. How does it compare to "regular" pizza -- same or thicker?

It's about the same thickness as a thin slive of pizza but it's a different texture. It's kind of hard to explain.

[LDG]

Went to an old neighborhood bar/restaurant called the Windmill for dinner with friends tonight. I even got the WINDMILL VIRGIN lime green sticker to sport while I was there!

I had the stuffed cabbage dinner - very tasty. There aren't too many places where 6 people can have a non-fast food dinner and drinks for <$80.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

Went to Outback, had way too much food.

[CallOfTheCrow]

Outback is awesome.

[fredgmuggs]

Went to an old neighborhood bar/restaurant called the Windmill for dinner with friends tonight. I even got the WINDMILL VIRGIN lime green sticker to sport while I was there!

I had the stuffed cabbage dinner - very tasty. There aren't too many places where 6 people can have a non-fast food dinner and drinks for <$80.

I think I know where that is - over by St. Michael's cemetery? I always that place was a neighborhood bar?

[jlw1980]

It's about the same thickness as a thin slive of pizza but it's a different texture. It's kind of hard to explain.

I don't know if I'd want to eat a slive of pizza.