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Post by flanz on Sept 13, 2024 20:40:43 GMT
Life will be busy, this is baby #2. Big sis is not quite 2 yo. They are about 300 miles away from us so when I/we go, I usually stay for a chunk of time. Drop into bed exhausted but very happy. What a blessing to be a grandmother and to be able to help, to be wanted and appreciated. I don't take that for granted. We've loaded up their small extra freezer with some of their faves. I'll be up there helping when they want me, which they think is around day 5. I plan to do a lot of cooking while there and am looking for some new recipes, especially IP or casserole ones featuring beef or chicken. Would love your tried and true faves. Thanks in advance.  |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 13, 2024 21:56:23 GMT
I've been on the vegan circuit so you don't want my recipes. đ However, a little congratulations are in order for the world's best grandma. So excited for you Liz! I know how much you adore your toddler DGD. â€ïž You will be invaluable to the new parents.
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Post by Linda on Sept 13, 2024 22:13:35 GMT
This is quick and easy in a crockpot - we serve with diced cucumbers and tomatoes, sometimes on a bed of raw spinach, sometimes in a pita pocket. I have not tried freezing but if I did, I would freeze before the cream cheese step and then reheat before adding the cream cheese easyfamilyrecipes.com/creamy-greek-chicken/This is a favourite here. We serve over German egg noodles but I'm sure it would be good over mashed potatoes, rice, etc... You can sub beef broth for the wine if needed. It freezes well www.food.com/recipe/easy-beef-burgundy-for-the-crock-pot-373117congratulations on the soon to be new grandbaby! |
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Post by ~summer~ on Sept 13, 2024 22:47:50 GMT
A long time family favorite is butter chicken in instant pot.
Congratulations!!
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Post by scrapmaven on Sept 13, 2024 23:18:18 GMT
I'm just so happy for you and your family, flanz. Is your dd trying all of the tricks to start labor, yet?  |
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dawnnikol
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Post by dawnnikol on Sept 13, 2024 23:27:34 GMT
Congratulations! I wish someone had filled our freezer! It's so nice of you to handle that for them. This is an easy one, especially if you're chasing a toddler.  Teriyaki Chicken Casserole 3/4 c. low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 c. water 1/4 c. brown sugar (we omit this) 1/2 teaspoon g. ginger 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water YOU CAN SKIP ALL ABOVE AND JUST USE A THICKER TERIYAKI SAUCE 1lb boneless skinless chicken breast (we have substituted chicken tenderloins, too) 1 bag (12 oz) stir fry vegetables (found in frozen section) 3 c. cooked brown or white rice Preheat oven to 350, Spray 9x13 baking pan with spray Combine soy sauce, 1/2 c. water, brown sugar (if using), ginger and garlic in small saucepan and cover. Bring to boil over medium, remove lid and cook for one minute once boiling. Meanwhile, stir together cornstarch + water in a separate dish. Once sauce is boiling, add to combine. Thicken sauce, then remove from heat. Again, you can skip this entire part if you want to just use a store-bought thicker teriyaki sauce. It works just fine and is faster! Place chicken in the prepared pan, then place veggies around breasts. Pour 1 c. sauce over top, cover pan with foil and bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Remove from oven, shred chicken in the dish using two forks. Add the cooked rice to the dish, add the rest of the sauce. Gently toss to combine. Return to oven to cook 10 minutes until everything heated through. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. |
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Post by leannec on Sept 14, 2024 0:16:07 GMT
It doesn't fit your criteria but why not whip up a fresh chicken and veggie stir fry one night for them after baby comes home? Serve with rice. One can only take so many casseroles.  This is so very exciting! Your dd is lucky to have you there to help out! |
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Post by quinlove on Sept 14, 2024 0:25:06 GMT
Congratulations !! Being a grandparent is one of lives greatest rewards.
I donât really have any creative dinner ideas. Maybe some of her favorite dishes.
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 0:44:06 GMT
I've been on the vegan circuit so you don't want my recipes. đ However, a little congratulations are in order for the world's best grandma. So excited for you Liz! I know how much you adore your toddler DGD. â€ïž You will be invaluable to the new parents. You're too sweet! I AM smitten though! She's brought so much joy to our lives! (Personally I would love to know some of your fave vegan recipes.) |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 0:47:18 GMT
This is quick and easy in a crockpot - we serve with diced cucumbers and tomatoes, sometimes on a bed of raw spinach, sometimes in a pita pocket. I have not tried freezing but if I did, I would freeze before the cream cheese step and then reheat before adding the cream cheese easyfamilyrecipes.com/creamy-greek-chicken/This is a favourite here. We serve over German egg noodles but I'm sure it would be good over mashed potatoes, rice, etc... You can sub beef broth for the wine if needed. It freezes well www.food.com/recipe/easy-beef-burgundy-for-the-crock-pot-373117congratulations on the soon to be new grandbaby! Thanks very much, linda. Both of your linked recipes sound great.. but they don't have a crock pot. I'll try to find similar recipes for IP. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 0:49:10 GMT
A long time family favorite is butter chicken in instant pot. Congratulations!! Thanks, we'd enjoy that. Do you make it from scratch, and if so, do you have a recipe you could share? Or the name of the recipe author/website? I am going to make my menu decisions based on any cravings dd may have as well, but in "normal" times this would be a family favorite. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 0:50:38 GMT
I'm just so happy for you and your family, flanz . Is your dd trying all of the tricks to start labor, yet? Thanks very much C! She might be, but I wouldn't know about it. At this point DD wants to focus inwardly as much as possible and is leaving it up to her DH to let us know when labor begins and to update once or twice if he can before the baby is born. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 0:54:22 GMT
Congratulations! I wish someone had filled our freezer! It's so nice of you to handle that for them. This is an easy one, especially if you're chasing a toddler. Teriyaki Chicken Casserole 3/4 c. low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 c. water 1/4 c. brown sugar (we omit this) 1/2 teaspoon g. ginger 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water YOU CAN SKIP ALL ABOVE AND JUST USE A THICKER TERIYAKI SAUCE 1lb boneless skinless chicken breast (we have substituted chicken tenderloins, too) 1 bag (12 oz) stir fry vegetables (found in frozen section) 3 c. cooked brown or white rice Preheat oven to 350, Spray 9x13 baking pan with spray Combine soy sauce, 1/2 c. water, brown sugar (if using), ginger and garlic in small saucepan and cover. Bring to boil over medium, remove lid and cook for one minute once boiling. Meanwhile, stir together cornstarch + water in a separate dish. Once sauce is boiling, add to combine. Thicken sauce, then remove from heat. Again, you can skip this entire part if you want to just use a store-bought thicker teriyaki sauce. It works just fine and is faster! Place chicken in the prepared pan, then place veggies around breasts. Pour 1 c. sauce over top, cover pan with foil and bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Remove from oven, shred chicken in the dish using two forks. Add the cooked rice to the dish, add the rest of the sauce. Gently toss to combine. Return to oven to cook 10 minutes until everything heated through. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Thank you! Perfect, though I'd sub fresh veggies if I felt i had a bit of energy for extra prep! I will make the sauce and omit the sugar like you do. I find that store bought sauces are usually way too salty and sometimes too sweet. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 1:02:11 GMT
Congratulations !! Being a grandparent is one of lives greatest rewards. I donât really have any creative dinner ideas. Maybe some of her favorite dishes. Thanks, quinlove. It's the best club ever! I'll def be asking DD what she's craving. For some crazy reason I'm collecting new to me recipes... and it's probably the craziest time to be trying new things. I may save them all for later, or most of them, anyway! Thanks leannec. I have never had good luck making a stir fry that I really enjoyed. Don't know why... |
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Post by Lexica on Sept 14, 2024 2:30:34 GMT
Wow, baby #1 is almost 2 years old already? It seems like she should only be about 9 months or so. That just flew by. How exciting! Do you know the sex of the newest baby?
When I gave birth to my son, it was 3 days before Christmas. My parents always made pierogi for Christmas dinner so my dad had suggested they just make more and send me over several frozen ziplock baggies of them to have since he knew I would be too exhausted to cook. Dad had a sauerkraut/potato combo that I still drool over. My mom didnât think I should be having sauerkraut while nursing, but Dad and I both overrode that comment.
And of all of their grandchildren, my son is the only one that loved the sauerkraut pierogi and would stand on a chair next to me helping make them. For years, it was just he and I helping my parents a few days before Christmas with both sisters always coming up with excuses as to why they couldnât help. When we were children, the rule was if you donât help make them, you donât help eat them. I can remember all three of us as little kids standing on chairs pushed up to the counter and stuffing the dough squares. My mom would make the dough and cut the squares for us and my dad would cook what we stuffed. It was a little assembly line.
We always made hundreds of them in both my favorite sauerkraut/potato and a potato/cheese that the kids would eat. And all those years of helping me have paid off because his fiancé also grew up eating pierogi! She was shocked when she learned that my son not only knew what they were, but had years of experience making them. The first time my son met her mother, they had her over for dinner and my son made pierogi for her. She was tickled.
So that is my suggestion. Make her some pierogi. What was your familyâs favorite filling?
Oops. I just noticed the word âhealthyâ in your title. Pierogi are certainly not very healthy.
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Post by Linda on Sept 14, 2024 3:02:50 GMT
Both of your linked recipes sound great.. but they don't have a crock pot. I'll try to find similar recipes for IP. check the IP - many/most have a slow cooker setting that should work |
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Post by JoP on Sept 14, 2024 7:32:32 GMT
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Post by malibou on Sept 14, 2024 9:58:20 GMT
Congratulations! How very awesome of you to help out in such a loving way.
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 14, 2024 13:12:00 GMT
I've been on the vegan circuit so you don't want my recipes. đ However, a little congratulations are in order for the world's best grandma. So excited for you Liz! I know how much you adore your toddler DGD. â€ïž You will be invaluable to the new parents. I disagree! If you have a favorite recipe, I think you should share. I'm not vegan, but appreciate a good vegan or vegetarian meal occasionally. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 14, 2024 14:45:04 GMT
I've been on the vegan circuit so you don't want my recipes. đ However, a little congratulations are in order for the world's best grandma. So excited for you Liz! I know how much you adore your toddler DGD. â€ïž You will be invaluable to the new parents. I disagree! If you have a favorite recipe, I think you should share. I'm not vegan, but appreciate a good vegan or vegetarian meal occasionally. agreed |
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Post by ~summer~ on Sept 14, 2024 18:40:14 GMT
I've been on the vegan circuit so you don't want my recipes. đ However, a little congratulations are in order for the world's best grandma. So excited for you Liz! I know how much you adore your toddler DGD. â€ïž You will be invaluable to the new parents. I disagree! If you have a favorite recipe, I think you should share. I'm not vegan, but appreciate a good vegan or vegetarian meal occasionally. Oh that reminds me - one of my absolute favorite recipes in instant pot is a vegan chili. It has quinoa, black beans, kidney beans, corn, tomatoes, onions and wonderful spices. I would have to spend a while googling for recipe but it is soooo good. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 19:05:30 GMT
Wow, baby #1 is almost 2 years old already? It seems like she should only be about 9 months or so. That just flew by. How exciting! Do you know the sex of the newest baby? When I gave birth to my son, it was 3 days before Christmas. My parents always made pierogi for Christmas dinner so my dad had suggested they just make more and send me over several frozen ziplock baggies of them to have since he knew I would be too exhausted to cook. Dad had a sauerkraut/potato combo that I still drool over. My mom didnât think I should be having sauerkraut while nursing, but Dad and I both overrode that comment. And of all of their grandchildren, my son is the only one that loved the sauerkraut pierogi and would stand on a chair next to me helping make them. For years, it was just he and I helping my parents a few days before Christmas with both sisters always coming up with excuses as to why they couldnât help. When we were children, the rule was if you donât help make them, you donât help eat them. I can remember all three of us as little kids standing on chairs pushed up to the counter and stuffing the dough squares. My mom would make the dough and cut the squares for us and my dad would cook what we stuffed. It was a little assembly line. We always made hundreds of them in both my favorite sauerkraut/potato and a potato/cheese that the kids would eat. And all those years of helping me have paid off because his fiancĂ© also grew up eating pierogi! She was shocked when she learned that my son not only knew what they were, but had years of experience making them. The first time my son met her mother, they had her over for dinner and my son made pierogi for her. She was tickled. So that is my suggestion. Make her some pierogi. What was your familyâs favorite filling? Oops. I just noticed the word âhealthyâ in your title. Pierogi are certainly not very healthy. Great - thanks for sharing Lexica! I feel like I once knew but had forgotten about our Polish pierogi connection. A big group of us used to gather in the basement second kitchen of DH's parents to make hundreds of pierogi every time we were "back home"... a wonderful memory for our kids... and for us. Growing up, DH and fam made about 400 every month and he learned how to make the most tender, delicious dough for the pierogi as well as his mum's potato cheese filling (with a bit of lemon juice and a fair bit of bl. pepper). DD knows how as well. I'm far better equiped to boil them, melt and brown the butter they're tossed in before freezing in single layers (though my faves are right out of the pot, with more pepper and some sour cream), and I'm a great dish washer! It's rare that we make them now... maybe we should make some for DD and family. Thanks for the thought. Oh, I've never seen them made from squares of dough. DMIL had a great drinking glass that she used to cut circles. I love pierogi with sauerkraut and mushrooms, have never had them with sauerkraut and potatoes. Sounds great! DD has one sib, a brother, and was thrilled to know that her daughter would have a sister. We're so ready to meet her... and to see how big sis responds. A friend of mine sews really exquisitely made baby doll carriers for toddlers and we have one ready for our big girl to use when mom and dad take the newborn out in the front carrier. I think she'll be really excited. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 19:07:10 GMT
Thanks, Jo!~ This might be the first thing I make for them on this next trip up... but I will probably sub pureed cottage cheese for the cream cheese to up the protein. Yum!! JoP - this is a SUPER HELPFUL THREAD which I've now emailed to myself!! I MISS ELAINE AND JENJIE!! |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 19:08:16 GMT
Congratulations! How very awesome of you to help out in such a loving way. It's an honor and a blessing to have the luxury of time and resources to go and help and lend support however I/we can. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 14, 2024 19:09:57 GMT
I disagree! If you have a favorite recipe, I think you should share. I'm not vegan, but appreciate a good vegan or vegetarian meal occasionally. Oh that reminds me - one of my absolute favorite recipes in instant pot is a vegan chili. It has quinoa, black beans, kidney beans, corn, tomatoes, onions and wonderful spices. I would have to spend a while googling for recipe but it is soooo good. Thanks, summer! I'll def. make that for DH and me and for them at some point. Right now DD is all about lots of protein and fruit and veggies. It'll be perfect at our house, because DH doesn't eat meat and I can't eat fish, so vegan dishes are the ones we can share. |
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kate
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Post by kate on Sept 14, 2024 19:11:41 GMT
Congrats! So exciting.  |
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Post by kluski on Sept 18, 2024 1:34:57 GMT
Wow, baby #1 is almost 2 years old already? It seems like she should only be about 9 months or so. That just flew by. How exciting! Do you know the sex of the newest baby? When I gave birth to my son, it was 3 days before Christmas. My parents always made pierogi for Christmas dinner so my dad had suggested they just make more and send me over several frozen ziplock baggies of them to have since he knew I would be too exhausted to cook. Dad had a sauerkraut/potato combo that I still drool over. My mom didnât think I should be having sauerkraut while nursing, but Dad and I both overrode that comment. And of all of their grandchildren, my son is the only one that loved the sauerkraut pierogi and would stand on a chair next to me helping make them. For years, it was just he and I helping my parents a few days before Christmas with both sisters always coming up with excuses as to why they couldnât help. When we were children, the rule was if you donât help make them, you donât help eat them. I can remember all three of us as little kids standing on chairs pushed up to the counter and stuffing the dough squares. My mom would make the dough and cut the squares for us and my dad would cook what we stuffed. It was a little assembly line. We always made hundreds of them in both my favorite sauerkraut/potato and a potato/cheese that the kids would eat. And all those years of helping me have paid off because his fiancĂ© also grew up eating pierogi! She was shocked when she learned that my son not only knew what they were, but had years of experience making them. The first time my son met her mother, they had her over for dinner and my son made pierogi for her. She was tickled. So that is my suggestion. Make her some pierogi. What was your familyâs favorite filling? Oops. I just noticed the word âhealthyâ in your title. Pierogi are certainly not very healthy. Can I come over and learn? |
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Post by snugglebutter on Sept 18, 2024 4:55:10 GMT
soup - my family LOVES this soup. (It says 35 minutes for the first cook time, but I only do 15) We like it with parmesan on top.
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Post by flanz on Sept 18, 2024 5:57:22 GMT
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Post by quietgirl on Sept 18, 2024 17:28:32 GMT
Congratulations!
How about like a deconstructed spaghetti and meatballs. I cook 2 lbs of ground beef in the skillet, use Italian seasoning like basil, oregano, etc. After about 10 minutes at a medium type simmer, ill add a jar of spaghetti sauce. Then boil noodles, I wouldn't do long, spaghetti noodles here, but fusilli is really good with this. Anyway, do that. Then when the ground beef is done n the pasta drained, combine in the skillet and add more sauce as needed. Maybe 20-25 min total. You can add crusty bread and / or a salad.
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