# What's for dinner tonight? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652 "2011-01-06T20:36:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/503 "2011-04-05T04:59:43Z")
Big fat chipotle-marinaded pork chops (about 2" thick), mashed sweet potatoes, fried/braised onions, peppers, and celery. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/504 "2011-04-05T05:42:47Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > **Taomist** , where on earth do you live? I can’t even imagine something so wonderful as an all you can eat crab dinner. It’d be more like all you can eat Krab, courtesy of the Mon River. I live in the Imperial Valley, middle of the desert near the California/Mexican border. It seems just about all the fund-raising places around here do crab feasts for fundraisers, and wow…it really works! I suspect the fact that we’re just a little over an hour from San Diego has something to do with it, though I have no idea if San Diego really gets much crab or not. Regardless, I ate 3 of my own and half of my sweetie’s, and…managed not to get any on my clothes! 😃 That is a bloody miracle. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/505 "2011-04-05T17:48:06Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > It seems just about all the fund-raising places around here do crab feasts for fundraisers, and wow…it really works! \ and…managed not to get any on my clothes! 😃 That is a bloody miracle. Well count me as jealous! 😛 And it _is_ a miracle, crab’s messy as heck. Tonight is Muir Glen’s chili _again_. Yesterday it was in the mid 60’s and today the mid 30’s. The heartiest (yet healthiest) thing I can think up is the chili. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/506 "2011-04-05T18:39:24Z")
Black bean burgers with chipotle mayo and avocado on a ciabatta roll. I’m not a vegetarian, but these are just plain awesome. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/507 "2011-04-05T23:14:51Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Well, my middle daughter (almost 20) got fired from her job yesterday, so she was depressed and wanting her mother, so we have an unexpected visitor for the weekend. > > Since she was a fairly young child, her favorite dinner has been turkey roast, mashed potatoes and steamed corn. So I’m making that for her tonight. Well, she ended up staying longer than planned, and is still here. And today is her birthday. So even though we just had turkey roast, mashed potatoes and steamed corn, it’s her birthday, so she gets to pick the dinner menu! We’re having that again. Plus a chocolate cake. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpine/32/17813_2.png) [@Alpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/508 "2011-04-05T23:56:10Z")
Sesame crusted seared tuna with scallion-ginger-soy sauce and wasabi. A little rice, and I’ll probably stir some leftover coconut milk into my portion. Maybe some sauteed spinach on the side, since apparently vegetables are good for you. ---
**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 6, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/509 "2011-04-06T00:00:16Z")
Saigon Chicken For chile garlic sauce ``` 2 tablespoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes 1/2 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned) 1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce 2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine) 1/4 cup sugar ``` For chicken ``` 1 lb cubed chicken 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce 1/2 fresh habanero chile, seeded and minced (about 1 teaspoon) 1/2 cup mirin 1/3 cup well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk ``` ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/510 "2011-04-06T02:06:50Z")
I know its not healthy & I can only have it once in a blue moon, but… London broil, broccoli, cheese sliced from a block, and a goblet of wine. (Bonus Points: AMC was playing 2001: A Space Odyssey. Nothing to do with the food, but the beautiful filmography & the music between scenes just made it all the better.) ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/511 "2011-04-06T02:37:55Z")
tonight i was feeling lazy so i had [marinated mozzarella on a plate of bagel chips.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/61430424@N03/5594199466/) yum yum. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/512 "2011-04-06T04:54:57Z")
Tonight I made chicken nuggets out of tenderloins and breaded them with egg then panko crumbs and parmesean cheese and fried them. Add honey mustard and those things are so addicting. Also roasted some brussel sprouts, which I haven’t had since I was a tiny kid, because they were, in my mind, bitter and nasty, and I didn’t know how good they are roasted until I read it here on the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/513 "2011-04-06T05:27:27Z")
Turkey burgers. I’ve only recently discovered that I don’t mind turkey burgers–but I have to make them myself: very thin patties (maybe 1/4 inch–they’re about 1/6 pound patties), barely handled (just bring together lightly into a ball and smash between a sheet of folded wax paper), cooked fast (about 2 minutes a side) on a very hot cast iron pan with salt and pepper. Make it a double, with cheese, and it’s a reasonable burger. Nothing beefy about it, but nice when you feel like something a little lighter. I topped it with some of the homemade sriracha from the other day, a little onion, tomato, and Boston lettuce, and had a nice, satisfying low calorie dinner. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/514 "2011-04-06T08:23:27Z")
First course: A bowl of steamed vegetables with chili sauce. Second course: A hot dog. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/515 "2011-04-06T15:55:03Z")
I found these sweet potato spears, like medium fry-sized, at Trader Joe’s. So I’m torn between roasting them or “oven frying” them with canola oil, kosher salt and fresh pepper. If I oven-fry 'em should I put the fresh parmesean on before or after they cook? Then chicken tenders on the side, sorta like **Alice** did but baked with w/w panko. Super grainy mustard + honey is the best honey mustard in a ramekin. I might make this [somewhat healthy apple crisp](http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/old_fashioned_apple_nut_crisp.html) for dessert. Halved so we don’t defeat the purpose of being healthy :p. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/516 "2011-04-06T18:20:31Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > I found these sweet potato spears, like medium fry-sized, at Trader Joe’s. So I’m torn between roasting them or “oven frying” them with canola oil, kosher salt and fresh pepper. If I oven-fry 'em should I put the fresh parmesean on before or after they cook? Then chicken tenders on the side, sorta like **Alice** did but baked with w/w panko. Super grainy mustard + honey is the best honey mustard in a ramekin. > > I might make this [somewhat healthy apple crisp](http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/old_fashioned_apple_nut_crisp.html) for dessert. Halved so we don’t defeat the purpose of being healthy :p. I’d put the cheese on after. Parmesan tends to get brittle if subjected to high heat. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/517 "2011-04-06T18:33:45Z")
Ah, I did not know that parm got brittle when exposed to high heat. Thanks **Chefguy** , I’ll put the parm on after cooking. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/518 "2011-04-06T19:30:33Z")
> [@lindsaybluth](#): > > Ah, I did not know that parm got brittle when exposed to high heat. Thanks **Chefguy** , I’ll put the parm on after cooking. It tends to toast quickly because it’s shredded, is all. You could add it at the end so it just melts. ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpine/32/17813_2.png) [@Alpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/519 "2011-04-07T01:17:19Z")
Cobb salad as follows (inn order of importance): crispy bacon crumbled gorgonzola avocado pan sauteed chicken Bibb lettuce arugula grape tomatoes with homemade balsamic dressing The boiled eggs ended up a little soft, and thus became a side dish. ---
**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:** [April 7, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/520 "2011-04-07T13:29:04Z")
So I did make pizzas the other night. On one I put broccoli, celery, and carrots. On the other, I put kielbasa, leftover meatloaf, onions, green pepper, and black olives. Guess which one I have to eat all by myself! I still say carrots are a perfectly cromulent pizza topping, though the celery could have been cooked a bit more. Tonight, a small pork loin. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/521 "2011-04-07T14:01:46Z")
I had a five-day-old doughnut and coffee leftover from 05:00. Could’ve had leftover lasagna or leftover jambalaya, but I didn’t feel like it. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652/522 "2011-04-07T14:02:20Z")
I have to leave here about 11AM to take my middle daughter back to western Maryland (temporarily; she will be moving in with us next week). With _no stops at all_, it’s a 5-hour round trip. With the stops I need to make, combined with the little bit of business I want to conduct while I’m there, I’m looking at being back here, exhausted, around 6PM. Since one of the stops I want to make is at a supermarket that is not available to me here in WV, I’m going to pick up one of those plastic tubs of pre-made mac and cheese from the refrigerator case, and something else super-quick, like chicken nuggets or fish sticks, to go with it. I already have some canned fruit chilling. I realize this is not the most nutritious meal in the world, but it’s at least as good (nutritionally) as McD’s, not to mention cheaper! Tomorrow, however, I’m going to brine some pork chops, and we’ll eat well! 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-for-dinner-tonight/566652.md?page=27)