Dancy's Open Salon Blog

What's for Dinner, Feb. 28-March 5

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 12:03:24 -0500

I made this entire meal from a recent Bon Appetit on Tuesday night, and it was a surprise smash -- roast chicken marinated in yogurt and garam masala, roasted carrots with cumin, and raita. I threw in roasted potatoes and some Trader Joe's naan, too. I wish I'd made more of the chicken; there weren't nearly enough leftovers. It was delicious--really flavorful without being so spicy the kids wouldn't eat it, and super-tender from the yogurt. I used boneless thighs instead of the bone-in pieces the recipe calls for, because that's what I had.

Last night, I tried out slow cooker lasagna. A good concept, but the proportions were off. I'll try it again with a third less sauce and a third more cheese.

The week's menus:

Sunday: Pork chops roasted with pears and thyme and egg noodles with cabbage.* A very brown dinner. Good, though.

Monday: Slow-cooker turkey breast*, sweet potatoes, brown rice with dried cranberries and pecans.

Tuesday: Yogurt and garam-masala-marinated chicken roasted with onions, roasted carrots and cumin, roasted potatoes, raita and naan.

Wednesday: Slow-cooker lasagna, garlic toast and salad.

Thursday: Hot dogs, baked beans, oven fries and coleslaw.

Friday: Homemade pizza.**

*Using only about a quarter of the butter in that recipe.

** The easiest recipe ever: Buy a frozen turkey breast (they were on sale this week for about $4 each!). Chuck it in the slow cooker, still frozen. Salt/pepper/season to taste. Cook.

*** Sort of. We start with purchased fresh dough from Trader Joe's.

The Ghost in the Bathroom

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:02:11 -0500

So I just sent this note to Magpie's teacher:

Dear Ms. M,

I thought I'd better warn you that Maggie is avoiding going to the bathroom near your room because she firmly believes it be haunted by the school ghost. It only haunts the girls' bathroom, and only the one near your room. It's a MEAN ghost, and apparently it writes things on the bathroom door in BLOOD. So be careful!

We tried to convince her otherwise, but Emily and Madison told her it was true, and whom would you believe? Your parents or Emily and Madison? Besides, Madison has been haunted THREE TIMES. And Emily saw a CLOUD OF DUST in the gym once.

I hope the hauntings aren't causing any problems. I reminded Maggie to please use the restroom, even if she waits to go at lunchtime (she claims she didn't go all day yesterday). And I thought you might enjoy a laugh!

Have a good day. Don't get haunted.

- Dancy

P.S. You know the art teacher? The one who was there before Mr. O? She went up to the attic once and was NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

100 Things

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:08:39 -0400

She's not actually Egyptian.

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:08:29 -0400

Things We Eat

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:08:27 -0400