# What's For Dinner Tonight: Episode 2021 – A New Hope **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 20, 2021, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015 "2021-01-20T19:38:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 252
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5022 "2026-09-21T04:48:48Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > French fries in beef tallow. Plus a hamburger cooked rare. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5023 "2026-09-21T05:17:18Z")
Last night and tonight were sub sandwiches. My darling went wild and picked up a variety of fillings, so you had your pick of: peppered smoked turkey, oak smoked ham, pepperoni, hard salami, peppered salami, spicy sopressata, another variety of hard salami, provolone cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and purple onions. Calabrian chili paste, oil and vinegar, oregano and Parmesan cheese were what we decided were appropriate dressings. I piled a layer of just about all of it on mine. She went more conservative and only used about three of the meats, but made sure she had some peppered turkey on hers both nights. Last night I broiled mine before adding the veggies and dressing it to toast the meats and melt the cheese, but had today’s sub un-toasted. Both were mmmmmmm. I had either Four Corners’ El Chingon or St. Arnold’s Art Car as a beverage. I’m probably going to indulge myself in them tomorrow and the next day, and the day after that. At that point, we may run out of sub bread. I may switch to making quesadillas with odd meats out of the remaining lunchmeat we’re sure to have left over at that point. Maybe I’ll switch to regular sandwiches, but we do have those ready to cook flour tortillas in the fridge, calling my name. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5024 "2026-09-21T22:57:50Z")
Dinner tonight will feature a few pork loin chops marinated in chipotle sauce. Not sure what to have with them – options are baked mac & cheese, or potato salad with or without BBQ beans. Sometimes I’ll just slice up a nice pork chop all by itself and just call it dinner! ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5025 "2026-09-22T19:16:37Z")
Last night I made [pommes boulangere](https://chefjeanpierre.com/potato-recipes/pommes-boulangere/), something I hadn’t heard of but had watched [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiFxI3q0KU4&t=1s) last week, and was enticed by the simple list of ingredients, and the arrival of cold fall weather. It came out really delicious (subbed in veggie stock to keep it vegetarian), but a few things about the recipe (and my planning and execution) could use some work: - I know better, but anyone who says “caramelize onions in 20 minutes” is lying or delusional. And, for the quantity I did for this recipe (3lb of onions in a pan), I should have known. Between cutting the onions and cooking them, it was easily two hours of time. I probably could have ended 15 minutes earlier, but as the onions are such an important ingredient in this dish, I wanted to be sure I was getting maximum flavor. Life hack- if you want caramelized onions for a recipe, make them on a different day. Maybe even make in bulk and freeze? - I don’t own a mandolin, and I really need one (or better knife skills) for this dish. Slicing the potatoes so they stay equally thin from the start of the cut to the end is something I am not good at. Many many cuts start thin and ended up thick by the time I got to the bottom. Inconsistent cuts also meant that cook time for the potatoes was longer than I planned, or maybe that was because… - Maybe the foil cover on my cooking vessel wasn’t tight enough, maybe my oven temp is a little under, or maybe my slightly larger cooking vessel impacted things (9x13 rectangle instead of 9"round) but even after 2 hours cooking (recipe called for 1:30-1:45), some of the potatoes were still a little snappy for my taste. Cooked, but not fork-tender. … that said, it is very tasty. I had a good sized portion for dinner, and while it was tasty on its own, I ended up topping it with some gouda and putting it under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the cheese, which, I mean… cheese makes most things better. All in all, the recipe says 3.5 hours start to finish… I spent close to six. Started sometime between 5:30 and 6:00, and put the thing in the refrigerator, still quite hot, at around 11:30. With a mandolin to speed slice the potatoes, and with pre-prepared onions, I’d make this again, but even then it’s not a quick weeknight effort. It’s basically like a French onion soup in potato casserole form. Savory, a bit sweet, buttery, with aroma of thyme. Yesterday at work I was wearing the same jeans I wore to cook on Sunday, and I just smelled like delicious thyme and butter all day! (as an aside, [Chef Jean-Pierre](https://www.youtube.com/@ChefJeanPierre) is my favorite youtube chef. Accessible and interesting recipes, and just a fun vibe- both as a personality and as a channel (his stepson does the editing and overlays, and it’s all quite playful). He had paused the channel for about a year, but recently started creating new content again. ) ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5026 "2026-09-22T21:48:13Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > With a mandolin to speed slice the potatoes Careful with that. I had a 2 year long project that involved me working 12 hour days doing complex carpentry. The only injury I suffered during that time was taking the end off my pinky finger with a mandoline. Always use the guard and be sure your fingers are inside of it. Mumble, mumble, stupid au gratin taters… I have some fancy hot dogs, think I’ll fry one or two up and have a salad tonight. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5027 "2026-09-23T12:56:44Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > - I know better, but anyone who says “caramelize onions in 20 minutes” is lying or delusional. Or, you could do like me-- turn the heat up to medium high / high and stir, stir like mad! Stir like you’ve never stirred before! I’m not lying. Delusional, on the other hand…maybe? Stir-crazy, perhaps 😏 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5028 "2026-09-24T00:40:34Z")
Beef & rice cabbage rolls smothered in tomato sauce, brought over yesterday by the lovely ex-wife who was here for other reasons, and who lives close to the deli that makes them. Already baked, they reheat perfectly in the microwave. Much better than anything commercially mass-produced – the cabbage is tender and the filling firm and tasty, with the tomato sauce a perfect complement. I had one of them for a late-night snack last night, the rest is for dinner tonight. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5029 "2026-09-24T02:17:31Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Beef & rice cabbage rolls smothered in tomato sauce, You’re trying to torture me again, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5030 "2026-09-24T06:48:58Z")
Mini can of whomp biscuits (I usually go croissant, but decided to go wild tonight) with various toppings to choose, for each half biscuit: - veggie cream cheese - butter - caviar - Thai red chili paste - bacon-pepper dip Not all at once, mind you. Mix’n’match. Plus a handful of straight-up sesame seeds, cuz why not, I like them! ETA plus a cuppa hot tea ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5031 "2026-09-24T07:17:14Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > You’re trying to torture me again, aren’t you? Nah, anyone who loves cabbage rolls is a kindred spirit who I would not want to distress! Even here, the deli that makes these great cabbage rolls is a moderate drive away, although they’re even better from that deli than the ones that the much-vaunted upscale Pusateri’s has only once in a while. It takes a real knack to get the textures just right, and this local deli has it! Pusateri’s is fantastic for most fresh and prepared foods, but not necessarily eastern European fare. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5032 "2026-09-24T19:02:14Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Beef & rice cabbage rolls smothered in tomato sauce This is a thing we had sometimes in my childhood that I’ve kind of forgotten about. It’s a tasty dish… got me contemplating trying these out sometime soon. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5033 "2026-09-24T22:15:17Z")
Tonight, ramen noodles. Sapporo Ichiban, with sliced pork chops previously baked in chipotle sauce, thickly sliced cremini mushrooms, drizzled with soy sauce and topped with green onions and a bit of hot chili garlic sauce. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5034 "2026-09-24T22:19:39Z")
Salsa verde marinated boneless chicken thighs, served with some homemade roasted tomato pico de gallo (garden tomatoes, roasted Pueblo chile peppers, garden garlic, store-bought onion and lime). Using some of the last of the tortillas we bought from a local vendor at the Chile festival we went to in Pueblo over the weekend, along with _more_ roasted chiles from the event. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5035 "2026-09-24T22:46:35Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Salsa verde marinated boneless chicken thighs By coincidence, the Lovely Ex-Wife who brought me the cabbage rolls also brought me a vac-pak of marinated boneless chicken thighs from the same deli. They have a variety of different ones of different degrees of spiciness and flavours. She says she usually grills them on the outdoor grill but that they should do well in the air fryer. Also a vac-pak of halved spicy chicken wings, which look interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5036 "2026-09-24T23:38:50Z")
Pseudo shrimp poboy. I don’t wanna fry the shrimps, cuz that makes a mess, so I’ll sort of scampify them…garlic, wine, lemon juice, butter. Then onto the toasted roll with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and some hot sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5037 "2026-09-24T23:41:09Z")
I’m trying to use up what’s in the fridge, so pork chops braised in onion, sour cream and mushroom gravy over noodles with green beans alongside. Cleared out the mushrooms, sour cream and green beans. Yaayy! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5038 "2026-09-25T06:17:26Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Even here, the deli that makes these great cabbage rolls is a moderate drive away, although they’re even better from that deli than the ones that the much-vaunted upscale Pusateri’s has only once in a while. It takes a real knack to get the textures just right, Yep - I’m way too lazy to make them myself, and the deconstructed cabbage roll recipes don’t taste right because you need the contrast of the beefy cabbage against the slight sweeter tomato sauce. It doesn’t work when they’re all mixed together. Hmm - AI says that some are available at a Ukrainian store very close to me. That’s going to be tomorrow’s dinner if all goes according to plan! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5039 "2026-09-25T06:44:34Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > AI says that some are available at a Ukrainian store very close to me. That’s going to be tomorrow’s dinner if all goes according to plan What a great discovery! Let us know how that works out! Yes, making cabbage rolls from scratch is time-consuming and takes lots of practice. I sure couldn’t do it! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5040 "2026-09-25T12:05:00Z")
On vacation: last night near Times Square, a pastrami dog half as long as my arm! 😁 Diet starts next week. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015/5041 "2026-09-25T12:10:58Z")
Last night, I made a simple but very but tasty meal. I made Mexican style chicken soup, sopa de pollo, and grilled cheese. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015.md?page=251) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight-episode-2021-a-new-hope/931015.md?page=253)