Dick and Jane find the Kitchen

[skybluesky]

I started out cooking it in chicken broth--by the way cous cous is really good cooked in chicken broth-

but the orzo didn't seem to cook so I kept adding water and chicken broth.

[invisible_r]

I never thought about baking polenta, that's a good tip Laurie

Ryansgirl: quinoa just needs to be boiled, I normally add it in boiling water until most of the water is gone and the seed-like part in the middle turns whitish. Then turn the heat off and let it absorb the rest of the water

As for orzo, you just boil it like pasta. The best way to cook it is in the sauce so I would normally prepare the tomato sauce (i.e. fry onion, other veg, add tomatoes) and then add the orzo with the appropriate amount of water (usually twice as much). Then cover and simmer for 15 minutes until it's soft.

Alternatively, A great way of cooking it is in the over, so all you need to do is add all the sauce ingredients in an oven dish, then add the orzo and let it cook in medium heat- you might want to cover it first but it's nice to get it a bit crispy towards the end. This method takes a lot longer though, so I would budget about an hour.

[Kevin]

Lots of talk about sandwiches in the threads . Here's a little twist to jazz up an old classic :

Tuna and Black Olive Sandwich:

1/4 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 (6 ounce) cans light tuna packed in olive oil, drained

1/2 cup chopped drained bottled roasted red peppers ( or fresh bell peppers )

10 Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and cut lengthwise into strips ( green will work if that's all you have or prefer )

1 large celery rib, chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

1 (20- to 24-inch) baguette

2 tablespoons olive oil

Green leaf lettuce ( or spinach leaves )

1. Make tuna salad: Whisk together mayonnaise and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add remaining salad ingredients and stir together gently. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Assemble sandwiches: Cut baguette into 4 equal lengths and halve each piece horizontally. Brush cut sides with oil and season with salt and pepper. Make sandwiches with baguette, lettuce, and tuna salad.

[Kevin]

Laurie , I don't mean anything other than to point this out , but the main ingredients in your gnocchi recipe are also those of Pringle's potato chips ( minus the chemicals ) - except that they are then fried , dried and seasoned . I just saw a program on how they made them and was surprised to see that they are made from a dough rather than potato slices . Go figure !

[MuzikTyme]

As long as it stacks up.

[Kevin]

Oh , lord ! Go to bed already , Muzik !

[MuzikTyme]

I'm alone, hence my desire to defy all on-going theories of sleep deprivation.

Though, a good idea Kevin had.

[_Laurie_]

Hey Songfactors.....we are having a "Hawaiian" theme party at work and I need to make the appetizers...they need to be simple...any ideas?...thanks

[Blue Fish]

Pineapple chunks.....

[The Seeker]

Yes... just cut up some pineapple and throw it on a plate

[Blue Fish]

simple AND tasty....

[_Laurie_]

I was thinking maybe putting pineapple and sliced up mango on a kabob type of thing...and maybe some kind of dip for the fruit...

And maybe somekind of seafood appetizers?

[The Seeker]

The minute I posted I realised that maybe it's not such a bad idea after all

Maybe add some coconut too... you could put the slices back into the coconut halves or something... or just put them on the kabobs too

[Shawna]

I learned a very simple dip for fruit years ago that is soooo goood.

Cool-Whip with cinnamon and nutmeg mixed in. Just have bunches of fruit chunks with toothpicks and put out a bowl of that stuff, and I'll come over and eat all of it.

[The Seeker]

I like the sound of this : Tuna Balls. You could put some green stuff on it to make it look nicer... not sure how Hawaiian this is though

[Uncle Joe]

A pitcher of Blue Hawaiians.

Who's this dip you guys are talking about anyway?

[poetrychick]

You could always go traditional and make some poi or however it is spelled. Although I'm not sure people would enjoy it, but hey, you would be hawaiian.

Edited July 14, 2008 by Guest

[miamisammy29]

Tuna Balls.

Yes, these are very tasty with some garlic, parsley, oil and vinegar. You just have to remember to clip them off high up on the sack. And you will probably need two to three hundred pair, if it's a big party, because they're small and not very filling.

[The Seeker]

I knew someone would comment!

[Jenny]

How about Coconut shrimp?

[_Laurie_]

Thanks guys...I'm all for shrimp!...Shawna I like that cool whip idea...

Keep 'em coming...I have until August 13th...

[miamisammy29]

Hawaiian pizza, with ham and pineapple toppings.

[TheLizard]

Tuna Balls.

Ironically enough, this was my nickname all through middle school.

[The Seeker]

I'll try to spare your dignity by not asking why.

[Shawna]