# What's for dinner tonight? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 15, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221 "2010-04-15T15:58:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/61 "2010-04-23T18:30:12Z")
A quick n’ dirty way to make ranch if you don’t have a packet is: Put a blob of mayo in a bowl or mug (probably about 1/4 cup or so), mix in a smaller blob of sour cream or plain yogurt. Put in about a teaspoon of dill and maybe a half teaspoon of garlic powder with a pinch of salt and some pepper. Squirt a bit of lemon in and mix, then thin with milk to the desired consistency. All this works well with lowfat versions of the mayo, yogurt and milk. I used to try to buy bottles of ranch dressing at the supermarket in my quest for the perfect ranch dressing, but I came across this formula and, so far, it’s my favorite, mostly because I don’t have to keep any packets on hand. I have to agree, though, don’t buy the bottled stuff - I don’t think you’ll find what you’re looking for. Just my opinion, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/62 "2010-04-23T18:35:41Z")
Traveling the interstate tonight, so it’s likely to be a roadside McDonald’s Southwest Salad. Unless it’s a Taco Bell taco salad. Eating at fast food joints while dieting is a bit limiting. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/63 "2010-04-23T18:46:11Z")
Asian noodles, with bokchoy, cucumber, bean sprouts, mustard greens, chicken, fresh corriander. Hubby’s favorite meal! ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/64 "2010-04-23T18:50:25Z")
Roasted vegetable and cheese quiche, loosely adapted from a recipe in the Guardian. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/65 "2010-04-23T23:26:47Z")
> [@Apodder](#): > > The reason you like ranch from a restaurant is because they use the powder and make it fresh with the mayo/sour cream, whatever it calls for instead of the bottled stuff. I used to work at Max & Erma’s and that’s what we made and it’s the only way to eat it! You can buy the packets in the grocery. See, I’ve done all that - bought the packet, been there. Did you make your mayo fresh? That’s the only thing I haven’t done - I’ve used Hellman’s instead - so perhaps that’s the one thing that I’m leaving out. I’ve tried making it with fresh sour cream and/or buttermilk (with various bases - including Penzey’s) but it never came out “rich” or creamy enough. I also really like institutional ranch dressing - like, cafeterias and the like - and I’m wondering if it’s made with like, soybean oil and all sorts of fillers, and that’s the taste I like. ETA: **Overlyverbose** , I’ll have to try that this weekend. I think every recipe I’ve tried either has sour cream and buttermilk or buttermilk and mayo, but not the combination you’re describing (and never yogurt). I’ve long given up on bottled, and just satisfied my Ranch tooth when I go out to eat. Full fat yogurt, or greek? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/66 "2010-04-24T00:15:33Z")
It’s Friday, so that means it’s Pizza Night! Home-made dough, fresh sauce, moz, fresh basil, and selected spices. We have a pizza stone and a peel, and I must say we make a damn fine pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/67 "2010-04-24T01:04:52Z")
A six pack of Samuel Adams Noble Pils. ---
**Author:** ![Loisseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Loisseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loisseau)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221/68 "2010-04-26T17:45:01Z")
Spring veggie risotto (baby zuchinni, asparagus, baby bellas) with grilled chili-lime shrimp. Glass of Franzia boxed chardonnay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/536221.md?page=3)