Um…where to start….This is the lowest on our list of favorites. NOT a hit with us. We do not want to have this again. I would say that the main issue is that the rice seemed a bit soggy. It smelled good. The meat tasted good, but the texture was too mushy for our liking. Dutch said that it was the worst meal I have fixed. So, again, in case you missed it, we didn’t like it!
Em’s Review: Tiana Stew
I have to admit, I wasn’t looking forward to Tiana Stew – Ella talked me into this one! However, I was quite shocked at Bubba’s response! He liked it and it reminded him of something his mom used to make. The kids were not quite as receptive, but they never areJ! They were a little unsure based on how it looked. With a little prompting, all three of them ate a decent amount. I thought it had good flavor, but would have preferred it without meat – if you can’t tell, I’m not always much of a meat eater. Scout had some interesting commentary this evening. As he was complaining about dinner (the usual pre-dinner conversation), his eyes brightened! He said, “Mom, after we move, you won’t be able to do this cooking thing anymore, right?!” My response, “Of course, I just won’t be able to cook with Ella L.” As I’m sure you can imagine, that was not the answer he was looking for! I am sad that this process will change a bit after our relocation, but it really has made such a difference in the daily dinner time dilemma of what to make that I want to continue to make this work!
Ella’s Review: Lasagna
Nick chanted/shouted/yelled for joy, “Lasagna! Lasagna! Mom, is that Lasagna!?” Apparently, it is his favorite food! What a wonderful way to start dinner! Again, I was the “best chef in the world.” Penny ate 2 heaping helpings. Dutch always loves lasagna too….so this was going to be a hit the second we wrote it on the menu. It is one of our favorite dishes. Thanks to the side of the Barilla package, it is a delicious recipe. Hopefully, they remember how much they loved dinner and how great I am when I serve them “Tiana Stew” (otherwise known as Baked Jambalaya)….because I think it may be a bit out of our comfort zone. But, you have to try new things, right?!! At least, it will be an interesting tale to tell!
Em’s Review: Lasagna
My family began dinner without me tonight – I was helping at a school event – so I didn’t get their initial reactions. Scout picked all the meat out of the lasagna and just ate the noodles and Sport picked around the noodles and ate the meat. Princess wouldn’t eat until I got home and then she cleaned her plate! Bubba said it was good. I found the meal to be tasty, but probably would have preferred it without any meat – Scout and I are a lot alike! The lasagna was served with garlic bread, which was a big hit. Overall, tonight’s dinner was a success!
Ella’s Review: Meatloaf
Yum! The meatloaf was very delicious. My entire family loved it. I skipped the BBQ sauce on top that the recipe called for and went for a more traditional ketchup topping. Both of my kids loved it! Nick told me that I was the best chef ever…his best compliment he gives when he loves dinner. Ella told me it was awesome. Dutch thought it was tasty. I could have eaten more, but my family ate it all up! I served it with potatoes, so it was truly a “meat and potatoes” meal.
Em’s Review: Meatloaf
Well….what to say…the meatloaf had very mixed reviews! Normally all of my kids like meatloaf, so I don’t really know what happened tonight! I will say that they are all still reeling with the news that we have to move and they have been getting upset about weird things! All that being said, Bubba and I thought the meatloaf was tasty. I did top mine with bbq sauce and Bubba did request not to put that on top again. I served the meal with stuffing, which also did not go over well with the kids. Nick had dinner with us tonight, and he cleaned his plateJ! I have to say, I’m a bit jealous of Ella – her kids are a tad more receptive!
Ella’s Review: Chicken Durango
I loved it!!! I had to take Nick to swimming lessons, so I left dinner ready in the oven for Dutch and Penny. Nick and I ate after we got home. Before I took a bite, I asked Dutch and Penny (who had already moved on to the Wii…Sports Resort…fun!) how dinner went. I got a very cheerful, “It was good!” from Penny. Dutch said it was tasty. I served it with Stuffing, and Nick and I also thought it was quite yummy. I will definately fix this again! The chicken just had an overall great taste.
Em’s Review: Chicken Durango
My family had a deviation from the schedule today. We found out this morning that my husband is being transferred to the other side of the state. This news was very difficult for the kids and especially devastating for Scout. All Scout wanted to eat was chicken noodle soup, and Sport and Princess asked if they could have take-out. I agreed. We will be back on track with our meals soon!
Ella’s Review: French Stuffed Potatoes
This meal is pretty good. If you like baked potatoes, hamburger, and cheese, you’ll love it. However, even though we have eaten this before, my kids gave me some problems with this one. Nick said it looked gross and didn’t want it. Then he asked me if it was “Army Food.” Army Food is what my mom calls hamburger gravy over potatoes….she is quite brilliant because once the food had that name, it was the best food ever! She also serves Cowboy Stew and a few other craftily renamed dinners. Anyway, I told him it was a lot like Army Food. I knew he would think it tastes different, so I couldn’t call it Army Food. I told him it is what the Marines eat! He seemed pleased with that and gobbled it up. Penny, on the otherhand, doesn’t like cheese. She saw the melted cheese and immediately started giving me problems. She is also sick with a bad cold, and I think that may have played into the situation. I had to pull out my big threat (grounded for a week, therefore will miss play practice, therefore get kicked out of play, therefore ruin her life). After I got to 2 on the count to 3, she ate up. I should have kept the cheese off her part, but I was in a hurry and forgot. For her, it is just a cheese deal. Especially if she sees it. Dutch liked the meal. If you like meat and potatoes types of meals, then this is purely meat and potatoes…..and is for you! I found it very filling.
Em’s Review: French Stuffed Potatoes
This recipe was a repeat from last month, and one my family was looking forward to! When Scout heard what we were eating tonight, he responded with an exuberant, “YAY!!!” This is definitely a welcome reaction from the hardest to please member of the family! Everyone gave the meal 4 stars! I served this meal with a tossed salad and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.