What are you cooking for dinner tonight?

Zeon · 02/12/2009, 05:07 AM

Not sure if this has been done here before, but even if it has I'm sure the thread is too old to justify reviving, so I'll just make a new one.

As the title says, what are you cooking for dinner tonight, or at least what do you plan to cook? It only counts if you are the one doing the cooking. It doesn't have to be homemade from scratch, though it's not very interesting if all you are doing is baking/heating a frozen pizza.

If you would, please share the recipe too. It's no secret that I love to cook and love to try out new recipes, and I am sure others do too.

So anyways there is this awesome Chinese restaurant in my hometown that has a delicious "Sesame Chicken" dish. I got the craving for some, but alas I am nowhere near my hometown. So I did some searching for recipes online and unearthed what I will probably be making for dinner tonight (I would make it right now at 4:00 am but I lack all of the ingredients.

) It looks pretty damned close to what they serve at that restaurant in my hometown, so here's to hoping it will be awesome.

INGREDIENTS

* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon dry sherry
* 2 tablespoons water
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
* 1 dash sesame oil
* 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed

* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
* 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons sesame oil
* 1 teaspoon chile paste
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup cornstarch
* 1/2 cup water

* 1 quart olive oil for frying
* 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. Sift flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder into a bowl. Pour in low-sodium soy sauce, sherry, 2 tablespoons water, vegetable oil, and a dash of sesame oil; stir until smooth. Stir in chicken until coated with the batter, then cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, bring chicken broth, sugar, vinegar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, chile paste, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Dissolve 1/4 cup cornstarch into 1/2 cup of water, and stir into boiling sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens and turns clear, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and keep sauce warm.
3. Heat olive oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to a temperature of 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. Drop in the battered chicken pieces, a few at a time, and fry until they turn golden brown and float to the top of the oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. To serve, place fried chicken pieces onto a serving platter, and pour the hot sauce overtop. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to garnish.

Only changes I will make is the omission of the dry sherry, chile paste, and possibly garlic clove, and also the possible substitution of Dark soy sauce with regular ordinary soy sauce (mainly due to budget reasons).

I will let you all know how it turns out provided I make it to the grocery store sometime today. Wish me luck

PCEngineHell · 02/12/2009, 02:00 PM

The pic looks like Alpo.

Sinistron · 02/12/2009, 02:20 PM

Alright- maybe its just me- maybe I'm a total jerkoff- if so- I can live with that-
but if what you're doing is listing an online recipe for a very common dish- a recipe that you haven't tried yourself, that you PLAN to cook tonight but don't even have the ingredients for... which I must say- judging from the picture indeed looks like a dog's dinner and not any succulent sesame chicken that I've eaten-
then I must say this thread is pointless- unforgiveable even. Surrender yourself at once. I've a nice cliff to throw you from- with big jagged rocks lining the descending wall.

PCEngineHell · 02/12/2009, 02:28 PM

Nope, got to agree, def shouldn't post un-proven recipes if you can help it, because it may be missing steps, ingredients, or the final product may just taste awful. You should come back, and repost it after you have cooked it a few times and refined it to your liking.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/12/2009, 03:52 PM

I dunno. Ill ask my mom when I get home.

PCEngineHell · 02/12/2009, 04:05 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/12/2009, 03:52 PMI dunno. Ill ask my mom when I get home.

We dunno either, so def be sure to let us know, ok?

Zeon · 02/12/2009, 07:49 PM

Quote from: PC-ENGINE HELL on 02/12/2009, 02:28 PMNope, got to agree, def shouldn't post un-proven recipes if you can help it, because it may be missing steps, ingredients, or the final product may just taste awful. You should come back, and repost it after you have cooked it a few times and refined it to your liking.

Nah, I don't see any harm in it, besides I told you I was going to cook it tonight

The topic does have a sense of "in the future" does it really matter if I haven't ever cooked it before? Does it even matter if it's a recipe posted all over the internet? Thought I would make a random thread on something that would spark discussion on cooking, apparently in a poor manner

In any case I am about to prepare it, did you really think I would post a random recipe without any intention of cooking it and letting you know how it is? I did say I plan on making it

I will return with the verdict....

Zeon · 02/12/2009, 10:04 PM

Well I just got through eating the dish, served with "Extra Super High Quality Jasmine Rice", and I must say I really like it. It was quite different from the dish I get at that restaurant in my hometown, but not is a bad way. A few notes: first off the sauce is very sweet, something that might be a turn off for others, but for me personally, I like it that way. Secondly I will try just 1 tablespoon of sesame oil instead of two in the sauce next time, it's a tad on the strong side. It doesn't overwhelm the rest of the flavors, but it's just a bit too strong for me.

Busted suggested coating the chicken in flour before putting it in the batter, however without doing that the batter did just great, it made a nice even coating, he also suggested not using olive oil to fry it with, however it wasn't much of a problem as the most prominent flavor was the sesame from the sesame oil and the olive oil didn't really interfere.

I might add the clove of garlic in next time and see how that turns out, but as it stands minus a bit of the sesame oil, I really like the sauce. I would definitely make it again sometime I am craving some chinese type food. Hell I'd make the sauce to use on rice alone.

On a side note I can totally see peoples angle on how it looks like dog food, but that's the nature of most meat dishes that are smothered with a gravy like sauce. Many canned soups with thick gravy make me think of dog food.

rag-time4 · 02/13/2009, 02:16 AM

I'm working on some bean pies as we speak...

2 pie recipe

1 cup honey
1 can evaporated milk
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
1 stick melted butter
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups cooked mashed navy beans
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
2 ready made organic whole wheat pie crusts

A taste of the hereafter! I'll post pix if I still have a roommate awake when they're done!

rag-time4 · 02/13/2009, 03:00 AM

Sinistron · 02/13/2009, 09:27 AM

Damn Rags! I saw at the bottom of the page a picture with you and some pies and I felt proud of you! You also look like you gained maybe five pounds! Then I scrolled up and saw they were "bean" pies of all things- what in the world are you thinking man?? Ruin some nice pie crusts like that??? One of these days we're gonna kidnap you so you can have a decent meal for once! No quail egg soup, no pigeon, no bean pies- just a nice porterhouse, sweet potatoe fries, assorted breads and a BEER for once! Oh- you'll eat it!!

Sinistron · 02/13/2009, 09:29 AM

btw- Awesome shirt, of course. Too bad the pies sullied the picture.

PCEngineHell · 02/13/2009, 09:31 AM

Quote from: Sinistron on 02/13/2009, 09:27 AMOne of these days we're gonna kidnap you so you can have a decent meal for once! No quail egg soup, no pigeon, no bean pies- just a nice porterhouse, sweet potatoe fries, assorted breads and a BEER for once! Oh- you'll eat it!!

Yea start him off at a Chinese buffet, then take him to a nice steak house, then a hot Mexican eatery. Get you fed proper Rags

rag-time4 · 02/13/2009, 02:23 PM

Hahaha ragging on rag-time again Sini?

There used to be a hawaiian style Chinese buffet in my hometown. Used to love it! Great foil-wrapped chicken!

Sinistron · 02/13/2009, 02:45 PM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 02/13/2009, 02:23 PMHahaha ragging on rag-time again Sini?

It's all out of love Rags!

NecroPhile · 02/13/2009, 02:53 PM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 02/13/2009, 02:23 PMThere used to be a hawaiian style Chinese buffet in my hometown. Used to love it! Great foil-wrapped chicken!

You do know that foil is inedible, right?

I'm curious - do those bean pies turn out a bit like pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie?

Ceti Alpha · 02/13/2009, 03:27 PM

Haha!! The Image Fight T-Shirt is awesome!!

Classic!

albinoMithos · 02/13/2009, 03:33 PM

Quote from: PC-ENGINE HELL on 02/13/2009, 09:31 AMYea start him off at a Chinese buffet, then take him to a nice steak house, then a hot Mexican eatery. Get you fed proper Rags

If you're gonna do that I'd be more than happy to take his place....

rag-time4 · 02/13/2009, 03:55 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/13/2009, 02:53 PM
Quote from: rag-time4 on 02/13/2009, 02:23 PMThere used to be a hawaiian style Chinese buffet in my hometown. Used to love it! Great foil-wrapped chicken!
You do know that foil is inedible, right?

I'm curious - do those bean pies turn out a bit like pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie?

Necro, they do come out like pumpkin or sweet potato, but with a more nutritous base (navy bean)

The recipe I used here isn't that sweet for me but a roommate reviewed it and said it was sweet enough for him. I'm a sweet addict so that's why, I guess...

For best results you need to totally liquify the beans along with the liquid ingredients in a blender before mixing in the spices.

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/13/2009, 03:27 PMHaha!! The Image Fight T-Shirt is awesome!! Classic!

Weren't some of you guys talking recently about having some shirts done up? My wife made me a few Image Fight shirts recently and sent 'em over! I've got a couple with screenshots, and a white and yellow version that you see in the pic, which is done with a silkscreen!

Ceti Alpha · 02/13/2009, 04:02 PM

Cool! What size? I take a medium.

Sinistron · 02/13/2009, 04:07 PM

you should make a shirt of you wearing the image fight shirt holding the pies. Here's some choice captions-

1) BEANS - IT'S WHAT'S FOR DESSERT
2) GO NAVY!
3) DID SOMEBODY SAY -- BEAN PIES?
4) IT LOOKS DELICIOUS! (but if I told you what's in it...)
5) FOREGO THE FRANKS - WE'RE MAKING PIES
6) RECIPE FOR DISASTER
7) PIE FAIL

SWEET SHIRT! HIDEOUS PIE!
9) SWEET BEANS!
10) THE ENDS DON'T JUSTIFY THE BEANS

etc.

rag-time4 · 02/13/2009, 04:10 PM

Quote from: Sinistron on 02/13/2009, 04:07 PMyou should make a shirt of you wearing the image fight shirt holding the pies. Here's some choice captions-

1) BEANS - IT'S WHAT'S FOR DESSERT
2) GO NAVY!
3) DID SOMEBODY SAY -- BEAN PIES?
4) IT LOOKS DELICIOUS! (but if I told you what's in it...)
5) FOREGO THE FRANKS - WE'RE MAKING PIES
6) RECIPE FOR DISASTER
7) PIE FAIL
SWEET SHIRT! HIDEOUS PIE!
9) SWEET BEANS!
10) THE ENDS DON'T JUSTIFY THE BEANS

etc.

HA!

Love number 10!

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/13/2009, 04:02 PMCool! What size? I take a medium.

All the Image Fight shirts are XL

Sinistron · 02/13/2009, 04:13 PM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 02/13/2009, 04:10 PMAll the Image Fight shirts are XL

XL? Dude that shirt looks tight on you... on you!
You trying to pull the wool over our eyes?

NecroPhile · 02/13/2009, 04:29 PM

Quote from: Sinistron on 02/13/2009, 04:13 PMXL? Dude that shirt looks tight on you... on you!
You trying to pull the wool over our eyes?

Image Fight - it's just an illusion.

Keranu · 02/14/2009, 02:14 AM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 02/13/2009, 03:00 AM

That shirt is totally awesome! Very legit looking!

I, for one, would love to try one of Rag's bean pies as well as any other Nation of Islam recipes.

Quote from: Sinistron3) DID SOMEBODY SAY -- BEAN PIES?
5) FOREGO THE FRANKS - WE'RE MAKING PIES

My favorites.

PCEngineHell · 02/14/2009, 09:28 AM

Quote from: Keranu on 02/14/2009, 02:14 AMI, for one, would love to try one of Rag's bean pies as well as any other Nation of Islam recipes.

You know,anymore when I think of you and Rags, I always think of this:

Sinistron · 02/14/2009, 06:44 PM

I love that scene!

Sparky · 02/14/2009, 07:01 PM

Quote from: Sinistron on 02/14/2009, 06:44 PM I love that scene!

the whole movie rocks... it has been awhile... have to fire up me old vcr to watch that one

Keranu · 02/14/2009, 09:00 PM

Quote from: PC-ENGINE HELL on 02/14/2009, 09:28 AM
Quote from: Keranu on 02/14/2009, 02:14 AMI, for one, would love to try one of Rag's bean pies as well as any other Nation of Islam recipes.
You know,anymore when I think of you and Rags, I always think of this:

Haha, great scene. Personally I kept thinking of that scene in House Party 2 when Kamron (AKA, that white guy) offers Kid a bean pie, during this thread.

rag-time4 · 02/14/2009, 10:07 PM

Quote from: PC-ENGINE HELL on 02/14/2009, 09:28 AM
Quote from: Keranu on 02/14/2009, 02:14 AMI, for one, would love to try one of Rag's bean pies as well as any other Nation of Islam recipes.
You know,anymore when I think of you and Rags, I always think of this:

HAHAHA Great call!

Are YOU CIA???

esteban · 02/15/2009, 03:23 AM

Rags, I love the shirt: it looks great.

As for the pies, well, I'm sure they were great as well.

Turbo D · 02/15/2009, 07:35 AM

Ragtime's bean pies aren't that out of the ordinary when you consider all of the bean concoctions out of Asia, lmao. Has anyone here ever had a red bean boba? That is a bean flavored tea, slush or snow; your choice. I believe you can even get it with the red beans in the bottom of the cup, idk. hahaha.

btw Ragtime, awesome shirt. Feel free to send me some

.

Tatsujin · 02/15/2009, 08:33 AM

not cooked, but eaten

/celebvn1.jpg

Ceti Alpha · 02/15/2009, 09:49 AM

I have just one thing to say...

...and that is...

Take me to Japan!!!

Sinistron · 02/15/2009, 12:07 PM

Yeah I've had red bean boba and ice cream- it's halfway decent. I had sushi last night too Tats! Sushi and peanut shrimp.

PCEngineHell · 02/15/2009, 12:32 PM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 02/15/2009, 09:49 AMI have just one thing to say...

...and that is...

Take me to Japan!!!

Where all drinking glasses are child size!!!!

Sinistron · 02/15/2009, 12:47 PM

Is it a birthday party for Tats Jr.?

esteban · 02/15/2009, 12:58 PM

Quote from: turbo D on 02/15/2009, 07:35 AMHas anyone here ever had a red bean boba?

Of course

. When I lived in southern california, you could find boba everywhere. Here in NJ, you can find them creeping out of the "ethnic" communities and into the malls.

If you go to an asian market, you can buy frozen tapioca balls and the jumbo straws. Making your own never seems as much fun, though...

I love those jumbo straws!

Turbo D · 02/16/2009, 05:50 AM

You're right, SoCal is boba heaven. I can get my fix whenever I please. I can even buy supplies to make my own from a local supermarket! haha.

Tatsujin · 02/16/2009, 06:50 AM

Quote from: Sinistron on 02/15/2009, 12:47 PMIs it a birthday party for Tats Jr.?

you can call it that way:)

bust3dstr8 · 02/17/2009, 09:11 PM

Penne with sudried tomato and basil chicken sausage.

/pasta.jpg

Tomato
Red Onion
Penne
Real Parm (canned shit sux)
Pinot Noir
Butter
White Mushrooms
Italian Black Truffle Sea Salt

/pasta2.jpg

Steaming the meats first.

/pasta3.jpg
Browning sausage, then added shrooms and onion
seasoned with black pepper and the truffle salt.

Almost forgot the garlic too, chopped it up quick and
added some.

/pasta4.jpg

Then I added the Pinot Noir and reduced by half. Turned to
low heat and added the butter stirring constantly so sauce won't break.
Add tomatoes, toss pasta and done.

/pasta5.jpg

Overall it came out well and everyone liked it. I wish I had some finely sliced
scallions to garnish it. The crisp texture and sharp flavor would of been nice.

Sparky · 02/20/2009, 10:00 AM

bust3dstr8... that looks good man and that looks to be something i could pull off for me and the wifey... maybe

also nice avatar... lol... Thundar the Barbarian!!!

bust3dstr8 · 03/10/2009, 10:37 PM

Lamb kidney chops seasoned with rosemary, smoked paprika, sea salt, coarse pepper and garlic
Red potatoes roasted with olive oil, salt, pepper and onion
Plain steamed veg

/lamb.jpg

/lamb2.jpg

Keranu · 03/11/2009, 01:53 AM

Yum.

esteban · 03/11/2009, 02:55 AM

Tofurkey sausage + pasta (alio e olio), garlic spinach, hummus, bread, water

no pictures, though. sorry.

NecroPhile · 03/11/2009, 09:54 AM

Busted: Did you enjoy a little of that tequila as well?

Tonight's dinner was Four Cheese Lasagna ~~Hamburger~~ Deer Helper.

Sinistron · 03/18/2009, 09:48 PM

busted's cooking shit up right

Ceti Alpha · 03/19/2009, 02:21 PM

Quote from: Sinistron on 03/18/2009, 09:48 PMbusted's cooking shit up right

Yeah, that meal looks effin' good.

Digi.k · 05/24/2009, 03:11 PM

its hot now.. go outside and cook!!

RoyVegas · 05/24/2009, 08:46 PM

I'll be warming up left over pizza, yummy!