Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #8

[IceIce9]

As broke college students, my friends and I loved Chi-Chi’s especially because they served free hors d'oeuvres in the bar during happy hour. The hors d'oeuvres were substantial: enchiladas, mini burritos, rice, beans, nachos, guacamole, and their excellent chili con queso.

We could make a meal from the free hors d'oeuvres bar as long as we each ordered a drink.

Much better than eating ramen noodles in our dorms.

 

[acutename]

With all the bad news about restaurant closings and food recalls, here is some positive news.

Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurant Chain Returns After 20 Years

It’s returning in 2025 thanks to a deal involving the son of the founder.

www.today.com

After all locations closed 30 years ago, Chi-Chi’s restaurants are making a comeback.

Chi-Chi’s was the restaurant where my friends and I would meet when I was in college, and celebrated special occasions when my kids were little.

Also, driving to Chi-Chi’s was a rite of passage when my friends and I turned 16 and got our driver’s licenses. When I was a teen my family lived in a smaller town that didn’t have a Chi-Chi’s so we would drive to Dayton, Ohio to Chi-Chi’s to celebrate.

giant margaritas; endless chips

 

[Mert]

My friends and I LOVED Chi Chi’s and spent many great times there in our late teens and early 20’s. Our location was in a building that was similar to adobe style (like NOTHING in this area) and was also very interestingly styled on the inside.
I will be in heaven if the original items actually return. We even sometimes buy the sweet corn cake mix from the grocery store to reminisce.

 

[IceIce9]

My friends and I LOVED Chi Chi’s and spent many great times there in our late teens and early 20’s. Our location was in a building that was similar to adobe style (like NOTHING in this area) and was also very interestingly styled on the inside.
I will be in heaven if the original items actually return. We even sometimes buy the sweet corn cake mix from the grocery store to reminisce.

Chi-Chi’s was the first Mexican restaurant I had ever experienced. The town where we lived didn’t have any Mexican restaurants, and truly the only Mexican food I had ever had before Chi-Chi’s was Mexican tv dinners.

Their El Grande Burrito covered with chili con queso was what I had on my first visit and it was very different than anything I had ever had before.

 

[Mert]

Chi Chi’s was the first and only for quite a while in our area, also.
We really liked the chicken nachos (may have been an appetizer) and I also remember a chicken burrito they had that actually had a bbq sauce.
We did not eat dessert often at restaurants but their fried ice cream and a cheesecake dessert were well liked.

 

[snooptroop88]

OMGOSH, LOVE CHI-CHIs!! I saw they have some products online and it made me happy.

I would love, love, love, LOVE to go back into a Chi-Chis. They had awesome food and drinks. There was a place in Chicago decades ago, it reminded me a lot of Chi-Chis, it was a neighborhood restaurant called Mi Pueblo over on Mozart on the South Side. BEST food EVER. They had wicked good flan. It's closed now, so if Chi-Chis actually comes back,I can go back to one of my places!! LOL.

 

[IceIce9]

Sadly, the entire Chi-Chi’s chain closed down 20 years ago after experiencing the biggest hepatitis A outbreak in US history st that time. Over 700 people were sickened and four died.

The contamination was traced to green onions that were contaminated when Chi-Chi’s received them from a supplier. The green onions were an ingredient in their salsa.

In 2018 there was an outbreak of Hepatitis A at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. This outbreak caused more illnesses and deaths than the Chi-Chi’s outbreak but didn’t receive the nationwide attention that the Chi-Chi’s outbreak of Hepatitis A received.

I remember it well because Indiana residents were advised to get hepatitis A vaccinations, and I received the two shot series then.

 

[IceIce9]

I just read an interesting fact about Red Velvet Cake. Personally I don’t eat red velvet cake unless it is made with natural coloring, like beet juice. Many Red Velvet Cake recipes, both commercial and home made, use large amounts of artificial ref food coloring.

The Adams Extract Company used Red Velvet Cake to promote their red food coloring. The company published a recipe for the "Adams Red Velvet Cake" in the 1930s.

When I was a teenager I loved to bake, and someone gave me a recipe for Red Velvet Cake. I couldn’t believe that one of the ingredients was a 2 ounce bottle of food coloring. Yikes! I didn’t make it and have always checked the ingredients before eating it ever since.

30 Types Of Cake, Explained - Tasting Table

Like other dishes, cakes are shaped by the cultures and ingredients that surround them. Here are some of the most popular cakes and what makes them unique!

www.tastingtable.com

 

[IceIce9]

I’m currently reading a book that briefly mentioned Amish Haystacks for dinner. It sounded interesting so I found a recipe:


Amish Haystacks

• 1 ¾ cups soda crackers, crushed
• 3 pounds hamburger, browned, and 3 tablespoons taco seasoning added
• 4 cups lettuce, shredded
• 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups green peppers, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• Spaghetti, rice, or both — cooked until soft

INSTRUCTIONS​

• Put some of each on your plate, onelayer at a time.
• Top with shredded cheese or a homemade cheese sauce.
• Also,salsa or ranch dressing is a good addition.
• . This will serve a family of six, but amounts can be adjusted

The article mentions that you can substitute any of the ingredients, and also that it is perfect to feed a crowd.

A Haystack Buffet is for a crowd, just put bowls of various ingredients on a long table and let everyone build their own haystack with ingredients they choose.

 

[whiterhino]

I’m currently reading a book that briefly mentioned Amish Haystacks for dinner. It sounded interesting so I found a recipe:


Amish Haystacks

• 1 ¾ cups soda crackers, crushed
• 3 pounds hamburger, browned, and 3 tablespoons taco seasoning added
• 4 cups lettuce, shredded
• 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups green peppers, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• Spaghetti, rice, or both — cooked until soft

INSTRUCTIONS​

• Put some of each on your plate, onelayer at a time.
• Top with shredded cheese or a homemade cheese sauce.
• Also,salsa or ranch dressing is a good addition.
• . This will serve a family of six, but amounts can be adjusted

The article mentions that you can substitute any of the ingredients, and also that it is perfect to feed a crowd.

A Haystack Buffet is for a crowd, just put bowls of various ingredients on a long table and let everyone build their own haystack with ingredients they choose.

I'm a bit confused about the first layer of crackers. Sounds like it would be easy to swap different veggies, seasonings etc. I feel like a shepherds pie version could be fun with the potato base and beef/veggies on the side. Cheese and gravy as "toppings"

 

[IceIce9]

I'm a bit confused about the first layer of crackers. Sounds like it would be easy to swap different veggies, seasonings etc. I feel like a shepherds pie version could be fun with the potato base and beef/veggies on the side. Cheese and gravy as "toppings"

There are many Amish Haystack recipes online. Some use tortilla chips instead of crackers, or potato sticks.


I think a base of tater tots or steak fries would be good.

I like the idea of serving a buffet with bowls of every possible ingredient and letting everyone build their own haystack.

 

[whiterhino]

There are many Amish Haystack recipes online. Some use tortilla chips instead of crackers, or potato sticks.


I think a base of tater tots or steak fries would be good.

I like the idea of serving a buffet with bowls of every possible ingredient and letting everyone build their own haystack.

Yeah, from the recipe you posted I'd have thought the rice or pasta would be the base. I've also never heard of an Amish Haystack though lol.

Ever since Covid, buffet style has me paranoid

Ok WS friends, I have a problem: My kale salad went into the freezer accidentally and now I am stuck with a bag of frozen kale. It was meant to go into my eggs. Can it be saved?

 

[IceIce9]

Yeah, from the recipe you posted I'd have thought the rice or pasta would be the base. I've also never heard of an Amish Haystack though lol.

Ever since Covid, buffet style has me paranoid

Ok WS friends, I have a problem: My kale salad went into the freezer accidentally and now I am stuck with a bag of frozen kale. It was meant to go into my eggs. Can it be saved?

I would think you could use frozen kale in soups or smoothies.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Busy morning food prepping for Kiddo. She lands at midnight. My oldest and I took her car over to Phil’s house where she’ll be staying.

Kiddo passed her cumulative final exam but she is exhausted. She is flying thru Miami and going thru customs is tedious. By the time she lands in Tampa and her sister gets her to Phil’s, she is going to sleep for days.
So I baked off a pan of the frozen veggie lasagna. Made a veggie breakfast casserole and milk chocolate fudge. We took some drinks and snacks over there too.

My friends Dad, Phil is 91 y/o today. His family is taking him to the train restaurant for a private dinner tonight.

Bobs Train - Resturant and Circus Museum

Bob’s Train is the best kept secret in Sarasota. Hidden away off the main road we keep our little piece of circus history alive.

www.bobstrain.com

 

[iamshadow21]

Yeah, from the recipe you posted I'd have thought the rice or pasta would be the base. I've also never heard of an Amish Haystack though lol.

Ever since Covid, buffet style has me paranoid

Ok WS friends, I have a problem: My kale salad went into the freezer accidentally and now I am stuck with a bag of frozen kale. It was meant to go into my eggs. Can it be saved?

Kale is essentially a kind of spinach, and people freeze and cook spinach all the time. The texture might be a little different, but it's going to be perfectly edible.

 

[whiterhino]

The kale looks OK but I haven't opened it yet... just in case anyone was wondering lol! Also regretting not buying the ginger bread loaf I saw at the grocery store

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I made Eggplant Parmigiana yesterday and was reminded why I don't make it often. Very labor-intensive but well worth the effort because it is so good. We hadn't been out to dinner since Halloween and went to Picano's on Sunday. DH had bronchitis that turned into walking pneumonia that lasted more than six weeks. I was craving Eggplant Parm, but it was not available because the restaurant was extremely busy with two private parties in progress. I got meat ravioli instead but still wanted eggplant parm, so I made it myself. It's delicious, and there is enough for a few more meals.

I'm not really feeling much holiday spirit this year and won't be doing much baking or candy-making. I found a second bag of cranberries in the freezer when I made cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, so I might make cranberry bread or "cranberry pudding" with butter sauce. I used to make the dessert frequently but haven't made it in years. It's actually a cranberry cake that is served warm with butter/sugar sauce. I've made the same dessert with blueberries and served it with lemon butter sauce.

I look forward to making ham and bean (or split pea) soup with a spiral-sliced ham and mushroom beef barley soup with leftover prime rib that we'll have over the holidays. While Nino's still has their prepared stuffing available, I think I'll make turkey meatloaf and/or turkey meatballs. I substitute the usual breadcrumbs with stuffing and serve the meatloaf or meatballs with mashed potatoes and turkey gravy. Our nephew might come to stay with us for a few days. He's in his 30s and has always been a fussy eater, so I'll have to ask what foods he'd like us to have on hand. I know I have to get Ranch dressing that he puts on just about everything

It's become very cold here, and we've had some snow but no significant accumulation as of yet. DH bought a new snow shovel to keep the front porch and steps clear, but we will have snow removal service for a second year. We have a long, curved driveway that is too much for DH to clear at his age.

Whatever your plans for the holiday season, I hope you stay well and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Cranberry Pudding Cake with Warm Butter Sauce - Taming of the Spoon

Cranberry Pudding Cake - this easy to make cranberry cake is perfect for the holidays with bright pops of cranberries in a tender cake topped with a warm butter sauce.

tamingofthespoon.com

 

[PayrollNerd]

I made Eggplant Parmigiana yesterday and was reminded why I don't make it often. Very labor-intensive but well worth the effort because it is so good. We hadn't been out to dinner since Halloween and went to Picano's on Sunday. DH had bronchitis that turned into walking pneumonia that lasted more than six weeks. I was craving Eggplant Parm, but it was not available because the restaurant was extremely busy with two private parties in progress. I got meat ravioli instead but still wanted eggplant parm, so I made it myself. It's delicious, and there is enough for a few more meals.

I'm not really feeling much holiday spirit this year and won't be doing much baking or candy-making. I found a second bag of cranberries in the freezer when I made cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, so I might make cranberry bread or "cranberry pudding" with butter sauce. I used to make the dessert frequently but haven't made it in years. It's actually a cranberry cake that is served warm with butter/sugar sauce. I've made the same dessert with blueberries and served it with lemon butter sauce.

I look forward to making ham and bean (or split pea) soup with a spiral-sliced ham and mushroom beef barley soup with leftover prime rib that we'll have over the holidays. While Nino's still has their prepared stuffing available, I think I'll make turkey meatloaf and/or turkey meatballs. I substitute the usual breadcrumbs with stuffing and serve the meatloaf or meatballs with mashed potatoes and turkey gravy. Our nephew might come to stay with us for a few days. He's in his 30s and has always been a fussy eater, so I'll have to ask what foods he'd like us to have on hand. I know I have to get Ranch dressing that he puts on just about everything

It's become very cold here, and we've had some snow but no significant accumulation as of yet. DH bought a new snow shovel to keep the front porch and steps clear, but we will have snow removal service for a second year. We have a long, curved driveway that is too much for DH to clear at his age.

Whatever your plans for the holiday season, I hope you stay well and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Cranberry Pudding Cake with Warm Butter Sauce - Taming of the Spoon

Cranberry Pudding Cake - this easy to make cranberry cake is perfect for the holidays with bright pops of cranberries in a tender cake topped with a warm butter sauce.

tamingofthespoon.com

Kiddo and I like eggplant Parmesan and my oldest and her boyfriend like eggplant in general. I've thought about growing it in my garden. However, with Kiddo in vet school now and my oldest living in the panhandle of FL, it's not worth it. I may have to go to a local Italian restaurant to get my "fix"! LOL!

 

[IceIce9]

Kiddo and I like eggplant Parmesan and my oldest and her boyfriend like eggplant in general. I've thought about growing it in my garden. However, with Kiddo in vet school now and my oldest living in the panhandle of FL, it's not worth it. I may have to go to a local Italian restaurant to get my "fix"! LOL!

I have found eggplant very easy to grow in my garden. Very prolific.

I bring out all my eggplant recipes in the summer when the eggplant is ripe.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

...Ever since Covid, buffet style has me paranoid ...

I did not like buffets long before Covid. When "salad bars" were popular, I did not have a salad with my meal. I also never go to the buffet on a cruise ship unless I walk in and out quickly to get a piece of the fruit during the afternoon when the venue is practically empty. I've seen far too many unhealthy infractions like tasting food with fingers, not using utensils/tongs to put items on plate, coughing, sneezing, wiping nose while making selections, etc. Not to mention also that many folks don't wash their hands or used hand sanitizer before entering the buffet. Absolutely gross and disgusting!

I read earlier this week that there is an outbreak of Norovirus on a Princess ship that is doing a round-trip Hawaiian cruise from San Francisco. There are apparently enough cases that events like the Captain's Circle cocktail party and a wine tasting were canceled. When the ship arrives at the first Hawaiian port, the ship was to undergo thorough disinfecting while most passengers went ashore. There was Norovirus on the same ship about a month ago, although there weren't as many cases of the illness as there are on the current voyage. Thankfully, this is not the ship that we'll be on at the end of January, but DH and I will definitely take every precaution to make sure that we don't catch whatever might be going around on the Enchanted Princess.