All those in the US...

[OverRated]

... here is a lovely new thread. With an uninspired but easy to find title. And an old list.

Please update as needed.

1. Mamama - Chicago, DS 2
2. Twirl - MD - married, DD 3 and DS 1
3. Califrau - Milpitas, CA - married, ds1 (7), ds2 (4). sahm
4. Greatgooglymoogly - NY State - married, DS1 (3), DS2 (17 mths)
5. Alipiggie - Erie, CO - 2 DS's aged 5 and 4
6. Tinpot - North Carolina
7. dooneygirl - Oregon City, OR A married SAHM. DS 4 , DD 2
8. Earlybird - TN, DD (6)
9. SofiaAmes - LA
10. LATyke - Redondo Beach, CA
11. NannyK - Boston, MA
12. Marls001 - Bentonville, AR
13. Hellish - Ottawa, Canada
14. Sunchowder - Florida - DD Girlscout age poss 14ish, SDS um late teens.
15. SittingBull - near San Francisco, CA - married,two children, 1 DS 3 years, 1 DD 18 months
16. ChiTownLady - Chicago
17. MKG - New Jersey -ds1 22 months,ds2 3 weeks
18. Yesthereare4ofthem - NY State
19. Albert, Brazil - married to Brasilian, DS(7)
20. Texan Dallas, TX, married to a Scot, DD (7), DS (5)
21. Tiggyhop - Houston. DS (4) DS (3) and DD (20 months)
22. Bananapudding - Texas. married, DD 6
23. jabberwocky - TN married, ds1 3.10, ds2 6 months
24. Brooklynmom - NYC. DD, 14 months old...
25. Vixie78 - Houston Texas
26. TwinMommyToBe - Boston
27. Barefeete - British Virgin Islands
28. Dodgykeeper - Dayton, Ohio 29)Syd - Manhattan Beach, LA
29. Weewilliewinkie ? VA
30. Chocchipcooke - Ohio
31. Mummimamma - PA. Married, DS, soon to be 5, DD 1 (15 months)
32. Shouldalistenedtomymum - Canada - Hamilton, Toronto,
33. Anorak - Bermuda, DD 15 and DS 7

East Coast
NannyK - Boston
Twinmommytobe - Boston
Greatgooglymoogly - NY State
Yesthereare4ofthem - NY State
Brooklynmom - NYC
MKG - New Jersey
Mummimamma - PA
Twirl - MD

The South
Earlybird - Soon to be in TN
jabberwocky - TN
Sunchowder - Florida
Marls001 - Bentonville, AR
Tinpot ? NC

Midwest
Mamama ? Chicago
ChiTownLady - Chicago
Dodgykeeper - Dayton, OH
Chocchipcookie - Ohio

Rockies & Southwest
Alipiggie - Erie, CO

Northwest
dooneygirl - Oregon City, OR

California
SittingBull - nr San Francisco
Califrau ? Milpitas
Syd - Manhattan Beach, LA
SofiaAmes - LA
LATyke - Redondo Beach

Texas
Texan - Dallas
Tiggyhop ? Houston
Vixie78 - Houston
BananaPudding

Canada
Hellish ? Ottawa
Shouldlistenedtomymum - Hamilton

BVI Barefeete Bermuda Anorak Brazil
Albert, Brazil

Cali

Cali, I had to pinch my nose so my Sobe didn't come out of it, because I made the mistake of reading your walnut incident just as I was taking a drink.

oh, lolol, I did know the walnut story

Lol at teh walnut story. Reminds me that I'm actually going to see a MOVIE (the bucket list) tomorrow. I know this sounds incredibly pathetic but I don't think I've been to a movie since I was pg with ds2.

OR...does this mean what I think it means???

Ooo, I'm snuggled on the sofa, with a hot water bottle, watching the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle). What a lovely Sunday evening!

How was the movie, Jabberwocky?

I watched a good DVD this afternoon - Beautiful thing.

Hope Ali's move has gone well.

Oh yes. There are too many Over..s on Mn. This is temporary until I find something I love.

The movie was really good. I love Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Really great actors.

Dh, ds1 and my dad left on a guys trip today so it's just ds2 and me for the next 2 1/2 days. The house is really quiet...

OOOooo, love glue guns! Any excuse to use it. Picking the dried glue off things is almost as much fun as sticking things

Anyone got any good, easy recipies. I am sick of all the things I usually make and every time i open a cook book I end up making some kind of cake or pudding cause they always look good in the pictures .
most of my books are not much good anyway as I cant get the stuff here or the American version doesnt work as well. (mumbles in frustration and self-pity..) I will trade an excelent brownie recipie with anyone who has a good family meal I can make in less than 20min. That is your challenge should you choose to accept it.

Glad you enjoyed the movie, Jabberwocky. I was wondering about seeing that.

Dodgykeeper, here is my list of the main things I cook, copied from another thread. I am more or less veggie so don't cook the meat or fish things very often or I make vegetarian versions of them. I think most take under 20 mins to prepare. It's long but I hope it helps.

Menu planning meals

All are homemade, from scratch.

Red Meat

Mince
Spaghetti Bolognese
Shepherds Pie
Burgers
Lasagna
Chili (with rice)
Frito Pie
Meatloaf
Meatballs

Sausage
Sausage Casserole (tomato based)
Spicy sausage casserole with potato or celeriac mash
Spicy Sausage with Penne
Toad in the hole
Bangers & Mash

Lamb
Moussaka
Lamb steaks w/ redcurrant glaze

Beef
Beef in Beer Casserole
Goulash
Steak Sarnies
Stew

Bacon Carbonara Chicken

Chicken Curry
Roast Chicken
Chicken Casserole
Chicken Pie
Fajitas
Kebabs
Chicken and dumplings
Thai Chicken Skewers
Peas & bacon with Pan-fried Chicken
Chicken. Bacon & Leek Pasta bake
Chicken salad wraps w/ wholemeal wraps & yoghurt. Chop salad into sticks
Spiced Chicken
Chicken goujons/ nuggets
Chicken Parmesan
chicken parcels wrapped in parma ham
Chicekn Kiev

Fish/ Seafood

Fish
Tuna Pasta Bake
Fish Pie
Creamy Salmon pasta with veg
Coley/ white fish with cherry tom, capers and black olive topping.
Kedgeree
Salmon with Leek & Courgettes
Salmon fillets baked in the oven with sweet potato chips
Seared Tuna
Grilled White Fish
Fishcakes
Fishfingers
Haddock w/ fennel butter

Shellfish
Prawn Curry
Thai Pasta with Shrimp (Spaghetti, ½ can coconut milk, curry powder)
linguine with prawns and garlic
Scampi

Vegetarian:

Egg-based
Omelet
Frittata
Egg & chips
Fried Egg Sarnies
Quiche

Veg-based
Veggie Bake
Onion & Olive Pissaladiere (puff pastry)
Onion & Goat?s cheese tarts (puff)
Tomato & Tapenade Tarts
Sweet potato & chick pea curry
Baked spuds
Potato & Onion Tortilla
Spicy Roasted Veg
Veggie/ Allotment Pie
Leek and Potato Gratin
Paneer, peas and potato curry
Cauli Cheese
Baked Figs with Stilton
Stuffed Peppers
Stewed Okra w/ tomatoes
Baba Ganoush
Aubergine Parmegiana
Aubergine in cheese sauce
Stir Fry

Pasta
Pumpkin, Walnut & Blue Cheese Gnocchi
Spinach & Ricotta Lasagna
Lentil Lasagna
Tortellini
Ravioli
Pesto
Tagliatelle w/ Veg ribbons
Macaroni Cheese
Canelloni
Wholewheat spaghetti w/ fontina & Kale

Rice/ pulses/ grains
Risotto (mushroom, pea, mixed veg etc)
Mushroom Stroganoff
Couscous with spicy chickpeas & veg
Dahl & rice
Cheese & Lentil Loaf
Red Beans and Rice
Chick Pea Burgers
Lentil Stew
Lentil Shepherds Pie
Spiced Lentils
Quinoa w/ avocado and mango
Quinoa in coconut milk

Pies/ pizza/ Tarts/ wraps/ sarnies
Spinach, Goats Cheese & Pepper Quesadilla
Pizza
Cheese & onion pie
Leek & onion tart
Spanakopita
roast veg wraps with hummus, cheese and beans
Vegetable Tart
Toasties

Mexican
Burritos
Quesadillas
Mexican Lasagna (blackbeans, salsa, pasta)
Mexican Lasagna with tortillas (refried beans, sourcream, spicy veg)
Fajitas

Soup
Veg Soup
Tomato & Lentil
Onion
Winter squash (Roast pumpkin/ Butternut & onion)
Cream of watercress & stilton
Mushroom
Spicy Carrot
Pea and bacon soup
Borscht
Carrot and sweet potato
Pumpkin & Red Pepper
Tortellini Soup (w/ escarole/ spinach)
Tomato Veg soup
Split pea and ham
Asparagus

Salads
Pasta w/ green beans & mushrooms
Potato
Greens w/ warm bacon & eggs
Nicoise
Beetroot & mint
Fried Halloumi & grape
Tomato, Bean & fried Basil
Watermelon & Feta
Anchovy & roasted pepper

I love this Chicken Stroganoff recipe from cooking light. Not sure if it is your style, but it tastes great. I use regular bacon, and add mushrooms. I don't know how they got away without having mushrooms in a Stroganoff.

4 turkey-bacon slices
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (8-ounce) container reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles
Preparation
Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble. Add onion and chicken to drippings in pan; sauté 6 minutes. Add bacon, broth, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes.

Combine the sour cream and flour, stirring until smooth. Add sour cream mixture to pan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve over egg noodles.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: 1 cup stroganoff and 1 cup noodles)

This sounds odd, and I hate making dinner from a bunch of cans, but it is oddly good, and DH loves it, and will ask for it if I haven't made it in awhile:

Italian Sausage with white beans and Turkey

12 ounces sweet Italian turkey sausage
Cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, drained
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced Italian-style tomatoes, undrained
Preparation
Remove casings from sausage.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add sausage, and cook 8 minutes, or until browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in oregano and remaining ingredients; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

I use red pepper instead of green and add a can of hominy in there as DH loves hominy. This is Cooking Light, too, so they didn't add topping it with some sort of Italian white cheese of your liking, which I do. Sometimes I mix up what seasoning I use, and use fennel or something else. It heats up really well, too. I think DH likes it because it makes more than we eat, and he loves taking it for lunch.

I'm not a big fan of Kraftfoods.com, but they have a couple recipes I like.
Quick Chicken oops I forgot what it is called pasta

Hope you find something you like

Sorry it was so messy. Unless you subscribe to Cooking Light, I don't think you can view the recipes unless I would e-mail them directly to you.

I forgot one other quick recipe the kids love. Chicken Strips with a Blue Cheese Dipping sauce. I usually serve them with steamed broccoli and oven sweet potato fries, but the fries take longer than 20 min.

Chicken:
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound chicken breast tenders
1 tablespoon canola oil

Dressing:
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled blue cheese
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
To prepare chicken, combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a shallow dish. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a shallow dish. Dip chicken in buttermilk mixture, and dredge chicken in flour mixture.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan. Set aside, and keep warm.

While chicken cooks, prepare the dressing. Combine fat-free mayonnaise and next 5 ingredients (through black pepper) in a small bowl. Serve with chicken strips.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: about 3 chicken tenders and 2 tablespoons dressing)

I leave out the hot sauce for my 2.

Ok, I have one more. This one is about 30 minutes, but is a really good Chinese recipe. I hate, hate, hate Rachel Ray, but my friend raved about this recipe and sent it to me, so I just pretend it isn't from her.

Lemon Chicken

FYI: some people find different Lemon Curds are sweeter than others, and they adjust the quantity, but I make my own, and it seems to work just fine.

(I'm really geeky {as if you haven't figured that out yet} and when DH is playing his geek games at night, I sit on my computer and look up recipe sites and have so many sites and recipes, I don't even use a small percentage of them)

Ok, I'll stop posting now.

Family secret recipe? That is sooo funny, Cali. Never heard of lemon curd until I met DH. I think it freaks me out a bit to give my lemon curd recipe to someone from the British Isles, though. I picked it because it was fairly easy.

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed

The directions were to cook all in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat stirring constantly for 6 minutes, but from what I read, I fabricate a double boiler out of my largest saucepan and glass mixing bowl, because supposedly cooking it in a metal pan can give it a metallic taste. So I cook it closer to medium heat until it looks right. I know lots of other ones call for you to temper the eggs, but I've never had a problem with there being "bits" in this.

I have a lighter version I use also, but while it tastes good, I like this one better.

Off to google Welsh fruit cake.

I was thinking about Bara Brith today. Must remember to stock up on dried fruit.

I love Welshcakes. We used to make them all the time when I was in Primary School. No idea why- we didn't live any where near Wales. My Dad has the BEST bakestone but obviously it is thousands of miles away. Would it be terrible to try and make them in a frying pan? I know they won't be the same...

Is Lemon Curd really that straightforward? I always thought it was more complicated so I've never made it. How much does that recipe make, Dooneygirl? And how long does it keep?

It makes umm . . . more than I need. I found it in the food section of the paper a few years ago. I got it all messy, so I wrote it down and I always include the minimum of info needed.

It stores in the fridge for about a week. However, it freezes very well.

It came with this recipe where you took a pre-made graham cracker crust, added about 5 tablespoons and a tablespoon or 2 of sugar to some mascarpone (sp?) cheese to fill the crust, then added a tablespoon or 2 of the curd to blueberries, and then topped the pie and refrigerated it for a few hours. So simple, but it always gets rave reviews.

Ooohh! New found enjoyment of cooking! Lots of great ideas there.
We also made Welsh cakes at school, again very far away from Wales - very strange!

Ok excellent brownie recipe as promised. I will warn you that it makes alot of brownies but they always seem to get eaten somehow....

ingredients:
375g unsalted butter at room temp
375g dark chocolate (Gihardelli choc chips work well)
6 large eggs
Tbsp vanilla extract
tsp salt
300g walnuts (this can be swapped for diff nuts, white choc chips, coconut, broken shortbread or anything else you fancy!)

Oven on to about 350F.
Line bottom and sides of pan. I actually use a roasting tin but something about that size is fine. Just checked and my tin is 33cm x 23cm x 6cm.
Get a big pan and chuck in the butter and chocolate. Heat it slowly and remove as soon as it has melted.
I use an electric handheld mixer and just chuck everything else in except the nuts. If you are not using a mixer you need to be careful adding the eggs to the hot mixture. When its all mixed together, add the nuts and pour into the tin.
Bake for about 25 min if you like them really gooey, a bit longer if you want to be able to serve neat slices or if it is for a bakesale type thing. Even the really gooey one will set a bit if left overnight but lets be honest, that rarely happens!. It is very rich so small portions are fine and you can get almost 50 pieces if you need to.
Enjoy!

Under, I make them in a PamperedChef stone and they turn out brilliantly, and FWIW, I think the PamperedChef pizza stone is far cheaper there than here.

I just use the BBC recipe and bake them on the PamperedChef pizza stone I brought with me.

I'd hate to see what they cost over there then, seeing as I have one given to me as a gift, because there was no way I was going to buy it for that price.

Is pamperedchef really expensive then? I haven't really seen it over here. Will have to investigate and I definitely need something. Still pining for my Dad's ancient cast iron bakestone though. I wonder what else they are used for... ours was only ever used for Welshcakes. I know in Brittany they use the for Crepes but that's not very Welsh, is it?

Brownie recipe looks delicious. We had prune brownies for supper [poor attempt at trying to be healthy emoticon]