So dinner for the family tonight was as follows:
chicken breast - breaded w/ flour & herbs (thin coating) and baked
cauliflower w/ cheese sauce (on my serving the cheese sauce was sparse) - The cheese sauce was butter, milk, flour, and cheese
asparagus w/ dijon mustard sauce - mayo, whipping cream, dijon mustard, egg
water
I cook from scratch for nearly everything we eat. Very little is processedexcept for shakes.
Where did I go wrong, if at all? And what can I change?
[quote]Gothic77 wrote:
So dinner for the family tonight was as follows:
chicken breast - breaded w/ flour & herbs (thin coating) and baked
cauliflower w/ cheese sauce (on my serving the cheese sauce was sparse) - The cheese sauce was butter, milk, flour, and cheese
asparagus w/ dijon mustard sauce - mayo, whipping cream, dijon mustard, egg
water
I cook from scratch for nearly everything we eat. Very little is processedexcept for shakes.
Where did I go wrong, if at all? And what can I change?[/quote]
Come over to my house for the next month and cook and I’ll let you know. 
LOL! Next time you’re in TX come by for a visit.
As long as you go easy on the bread crumbs, cheese and mayo, you’re doing alright.
I’m not a bread crumb kind of guy, so I wouldn’t eat anything lightly breaded (especially fried). And I can’t eat mayo…makes me sick as hell. Not that I’m complaining. I don’t like it anyway, and it’s not necessary. But hey, that’s just me.
If you eat many meals similar to this (lean meat and some veggies), then you should be doing good. Can you do better? Sure! But sometimes, you just have to live a little and enjoy your food.
Cool. Thanks, Nate.
Yeah, I don’t often bread my food and I never fry it - not even french fries! I slice, season, and bake.
You know, last night when I was prepping dinner I realized that it had too much fatty stuff. The cheese sauce is mostly for my 3 yr old so she’ll EAT her veggies. (My 5 yr old loves cauli & brocc!) As for the asparagus & dijon sauce… uh, never again. 
I’ll have to do fresh asparagus instead of frozen. The dijon sauce actually tasted a bit like devilled (sp?) eggs.
Anyway, not a culinary arts forum!
I’ll see what I come up w/ for dinner tonight. Probably turkey burgers w/ broccoli and baked french fries. Since they’re not technically fried, are they called French bakes?
I need to get rid of our ground beef, too. So I’ll do chili with that, I htink. Lots of beans, plenty of tomatoes and spice, and if I lay off my usual cheddar cheese topping, it should be decent, nutritionally speaking.
BTW, everytime I see your name I think of Nate Dogg & Warren G. (Reference to an obscure song that I liked when I was about 16.)
[quote]Gothic77 wrote:
You know, last night when I was prepping dinner I realized that it had too much fatty stuff. The cheese sauce is mostly for my 3 yr old so she’ll EAT her veggies. As for the asparagus & dijon sauce… uh, never again. I’ll have to do fresh asparagus instead of frozen. The dijon sauce actually tasted a bit like devilled (sp?) eggs.[/quote]
Yeah, I prefer just steaming my asparagus and then adding butter, salt and pepper. I like it firm, so I only cook it for a few minutes. BTW, butter is always a better choice than margarine or any other butter substitutes. And, believe it or not, butter is good on veggies because it helps your body absorb the nutrients better. That’s how I cook most of my veggies, including broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, spinach, etc.
You can always make your food taste good but leave out all the fatty stuff. When I use cheese, I usually buy the reduced fat stuff. The only time I use it is with home-made burritos (on low-carb whole wheat tortillas with lean ground beef, taco seasoning, avocado, lettuce, tomato and salsa - one of my favorite meals) and chili.
My chili is healthy too. I use 1.5lbs of lean ground beef, one can of dark red kindey beans, two cans of diced tomatoes and chili seasoning. For me, this only makes three servings, but for others, it will make 4-5 servings.
Here’s a trick I learned when cooking with ground beef. Cook it in about a cup of water. This helps to “steam” the meat and take the fat out. Then drain it all out when it’s nearly cooked completely. Put it back on the burner to finish the last minute or so.
Then I add one can of dark red kidney beans, two cans of diced tomatoes and sometimes I’ll add a can of corn for extra flavor and texture (but this is not needed, especially if worried about the sugar and carbs) and the “hot” chili seasoning. Let it all cook together for about 30 minutes and BAM! You have a very healthy chili meal. Add some low-fat cheese and you’re good to go. If cooking without the corn, it’s actually a low-carb meal with plenty of lean protein and good nutrients and fiber.
Even though you’re still “baking” them, I don’t consider them any better than regular French fries. You’re better off leaving that to the kids and eating your burger with a salad or some veggies on the side.
That’s why I’ve been called Nate Dogg. I was in high school when they became quite popular and everyone began calling me Nate Dogg ever since. I get called that, and in the last six years or so, I have friends that call me Nator Gator (I’ll explain that one some day!).
[quote]Nate Dogg wrote:
BTW, butter is always a better choice than margarine or any other butter substitutes. And, believe it or not, butter is good on veggies because it helps your body absorb the nutrients better.
[/quote]
Absolutely. My kids have allergies and sensitivities to artificial flavors & dyes as well as preservatives so 99% of what’s in our kitchen is whole foods and EVERYTHING is clear of artificial junk and petroleum-based preservatives. (They become violent, nasty little psychos.) The low-fat cheeses wouldn’t work for them, but it can work for me.
I did not know butter helps the body absorb nutrients. Do you have a source where I can read up on that?
And your burrito recipe looks awesome. I think I’ll try that out before I start the V-Diet.
[quote]
Here’s a trick I learned when cooking with ground beef. Cook it in about a cup of water. This helps to “steam” the meat and take the fat out. Then drain it all out when it’s nearly cooked completely. Put it back on the burner to finish the last minute or so. [/quote]
huh. I’ll give it a whirl. I hate fatty meat.
You know what else is good? Cutting up chicken and using that instead of ground beef.
And get yourself some 2-Alarm Chili Kit. It has all the necessary chili spices in one handy package. 
It’s in the spice aisle, red package. And it’s REALLY good!
You know what? I love a good salad. and so does my 5 yr old. So a salad it is.
[quote]
That’s why I’ve been called Nate Dogg. I was in high school when they became quite popular and everyone began calling me Nate Dogg ever since. I get called that, and in the last six years or so, I have friends that call me Nator Gator (I’ll explain that one some day!).[/quote]
We’re about the same age then, I guess. You know, I have not heard them since I was a teen. I wonder what happened.
Nator Gator? Um, ok. Looking fwd to that story!
[quote]Gothic77 wrote:
I did not know butter helps the body absorb nutrients. Do you have a source where I can read up on that?[/quote]
I believe it was Lonnie Lowery that wrote about it in an article. But I don’t remember which one or where to begin looking! Just trust me on that one!
Not my thing. I love beef. I only eat chicken a couple times a week because it’s healthy and a lean source of protein. Otherwise, I’m all over the beef and fish.
I’ve seen it and heard good things about it, but I have yet to try it. I’ll have to give it a go.
[quote]We’re about the same age then, I guess. You know, I have not heard them since I was a teen. I wonder what happened.
Nator Gator? Um, ok. Looking fwd to that story!
[/quote]
Nate Dogg is still making records. But he’s usually on someone else’s album.
50 cent…feat. Nate Dogg
I’ll reveal the Nator Gator story another time. 
Damn, between the two of you I’m starving.
Luckily I picked up three or four pounds of x-lean ground beef earlier today…
Time to fire up the old stove and see what kind of trouble I can get into in the kitchen!
Well, Vroom, let us know what you cook up. I’m always up for more recipes!
One thing I have to keep rmeinding myself of is that I no longer live to eat. Now I eat to live. (I’m such a food-aholic!)
Yeah, let us know what you’re cooking. I’m not cooking anything tonight. I’m thinking of going out and getting some sushi.
LOL, nothing all that exciting!
Half the ground beef, chili powder, green peppers, onions, garlic salt, a bit of this and that spice and lentils since I had no beans in the cupboard.
It’s good though.
[quote]vroom wrote:
LOL, nothing all that exciting!
Half the ground beef, chili powder, green peppers, onions, garlic salt, a bit of this and that spice and lentils since I had no beans in the cupboard.
It’s good though.[/quote]
As long as you like it. Peppers & onions make me gag (I’m thinking some sort of allergy or sensitivity), I know LOTS of recipes that use them quite well!
Sushi was good. Had a nice Hawaiian roll and added tuna to it (avocado, banana, mango, key lime, tuna) and a big plate of beef teriyaki with steamed veggies. M’m M’m good!
Tonight I’m carbing up with some whole-wheat pasta with lean beef/spaghetti sauce and a spinach salad.
[quote]Nate Dogg wrote:
Sushi was good. Had a nice Hawaiian roll and added tuna to it (avocado, banana, mango, key lime, tuna) and a big plate of beef teriyaki with steamed veggies. M’m M’m good!
Tonight I’m carbing up with some whole-wheat pasta with lean beef/spaghetti sauce and a spinach salad.[/quote]
Did you find a hot asian chick to go w/ your meal, Nate? I have never had sushi. The whole raw fish misconception.
I’m still trying to figure out what’s for breakfast. After 10 AM and I haven’t eaten yet! But I’m hungry. I will probably have oatmeal again w/ strawberry protein powder.
[quote]Gothic77 wrote:
Did you find a hot asian chick to go w/ your meal, Nate? I have never had sushi. The whole raw fish misconception.[/quote]
No, not hot Asian girls at the sushi place. Plenty of hot girls eating there. But no action for me. I suck.
Since many of my friends are A) Out of town, B) In a relationship, or C) Act gay about doing stuff, I went ahead and decided to go to the tattoo shop and add more to an existing tattoo on my arm. I’ve been working on this one for a while, and I only have a little more to go. So that was my night besides being online for a bit.
[quote]I’m still trying to figure out what’s for breakfast. After 10 AM and I haven’t eaten yet! But I’m hungry. I will probably have oatmeal again w/ strawberry protein powder.
[/quote]
Since I’ve been trying to get a bit leaner, I changed up my breakfast (usually eggs) a few weeks ago. I’ve been doing the oatmeal with two scoops of strawberry Low-Carb Grow too! LOL!
I find that everyting on the grill tastes better. But not a gas grill. Real charcoal. The mere act of cooking my meals helps sate my appitite even if the portion sizes are less than I like.
If you’ve never tried aparagus blackened on a grill cooked under some searing (lean ) steaks you don’t know what you’re missing. Sear the stakes over extreme hight heat two - three minutes per side place the aparagus on the cool side of the grill and place the meat over the asparagus. 10 - 15 minute depending on how you like your steak and how thick they are.
You can’t go wrong with a little grilled meat, vegetable, and a cous cous or brown rice.
[quote]Nate Dogg wrote:
No, not hot Asian girls at the sushi place. Plenty of hot girls eating there. But no action for me. I suck.
Since many of my friends are A) Out of town, B) In a relationship, or C) Act gay about doing stuff, I went ahead and decided to go to the tattoo shop and add more to an existing tattoo on my arm. I’ve been working on this one for a while, and I only have a little more to go. So that was my night besides being online for a bit.
Since I’ve been trying to get a bit leaner, I changed up my breakfast (usually eggs) a few weeks ago. I’ve been doing the oatmeal with two scoops of strawberry Low-Carb Grow too! LOL![/quote]
On no chicks: Bummer. Well, I know 3 cute Asian chicks but they’re all under 3 yrs old. LOL!! Hopefully you’ll find a cute chick you like that’s closer to your age!
Tat: COOL! Got pics?!?! I stepped into a tat/piercing studio for the first time in April of this year. I went to another in May, and once I have the bod I want, I will go again. April & May I got some piercings and when I meet my goal, I plan to get a tat.
I like the strawberry flavor! It’s reminiscent of the instant strawberries & cream of my childhood. (Ha! A good memory! Who knew?)
[quote]LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
I find that everyting on the grill tastes better. But not a gas grill. Real charcoal. The mere act of cooking my meals helps sate my appitite even if the portion sizes are less than I like.
If you’ve never tried aparagus blackened on a grill cooked under some searing (lean ) steaks you don’t know what you’re missing. Sear the stakes over extreme hight heat two - three minutes per side place the aparagus on the cool side of the grill and place the meat over the asparagus. 10 - 15 minute depending on how you like your steak and how thick they are.
You can’t go wrong with a little grilled meat, vegetable, and a cous cous or brown rice.[/quote]
Hey, that sounds good! I’ve been eyeballing grills lately. (Charcoal, not gas.)
I hear good things about grilled corn on the cob, too. I had it once as a child but don’t remember it anymore!
You’re making me hungry. I could definitely go for a steak and grilled veggies!