Late Nite Dinner and Other Food News

Happy November!! It's my birthday month and I've been promised a trip to Vermont as my present. We shall see. Money is tight for both of us, but other than gas, I think we can budget it fairly well. Maybe this time I'll get to see the Grandma Moses exhibit in Bennington that I was promised the last time we were there.

Apparently, I had an older version because ours had egg noodles.

Anyway, I am in the process of making Hamburger Helper Beef and Noodles, but I added a can of green beans to it as well as another cup of gravy so it will go farther. It always seems the gravy isn't nearly enough when you make these, but that won't be a problem this time. I'm also using soy milk instead of regular milk because my daughter has an unusual intolerance to milk. Most of us who have reactions have digestive issues. My daughter breaks out all over with acne. It's a shame because she just loves milk and dairy products, but as often as possible, we try to make them so she won't react. It's funny, too, because she can drink LactAid without a reaction, so it is apparently the Lactose that's the issue, but she doesn't have the most common reaction.

Anyway, I decided that, while the food is simmering the required 10 minutes, I would come in and post a long-overdue blog entry in my food blog.

I had the feeling when I wrote my last food blog entry that I was forgetting one of the places I had gone to eat. I just realized I'd forgotten TWO! LOL

Example of an Indian buffet

I went to another Indian buffet in Pennsauken called Palace of Asia. There have been others I liked more, but there have also been others I liked far less. The food was fresh and varied, something for everyone. I loved the fruit custard they had available for dessert. I'd love to know how to make the "custard" they put the fruit in. It wasn't vanilla or chocolate - it was fruit flavored, yet thick and creamy. Delicious!

Lobster Bisque

We also went to Cap'n Cats Crab Bar in Voorhees last week. It was my turn to treat and I had bought a certificate worth $30 for $15. So, that and an additional $6.21 at the end fed the two of us some delicious seafood. We both started off with Lobster Bisque, which was excellent. I had Coconut Fried Shrimp with onion rings and he had grilled Mahi Mahi, also with onion rings. He was a bit disappointed with the quantity of fish he got for the price, but otherwise it was all excellent. My shrimp came with a Pina Colada dip, but I opted for the cocktail sauce instead. And, we had a bottle of French cabernet; not one of my favorites, but I had a glass while he finished the bottle himself. Good thing I was doing the driving!

Packaged Yellow Rice - The Affordable Alternative

Iraqi Biryani (zaid khsro on Wikimedia Commons)

Have you ever decided to make something only to hesitate because it called for saffron or yellow rice? I'm telling you now, don't!! Although not all yellow rice is saffron rice, there are saffron yellow rices on the market that you can buy without needing to take out a loan.


Mahatma brands sells a saffron yellow rice. Have you ever noticed those small packets of rice wrapped in plastic wrap (you know the kind I mean - it crinkles when you pick it up; not soft like the kinds of bags dried beans are in.) If it's Mahatma brand, then you have your saffron rice. If it's not, then they probably used turmeric for the coloring, but you can still use it in those recipes.

A package of Mahatma saffron yellow rice (from  MahatmaRice.com)

I've bought yellow rice before in those packs. I remember paying something on the lines of $.69 for one pack, but I'm sure they're a bit more now. The last time I saw one, they were still under $1.00. Seriously, you can't beat the price.

Image from Goya.com

Of course, if you're a die-hard OCD perfectionistic kind of chef, my suggestion isn't for you. But, if you're an every day person with every day needs and every day budget struggles, then you'll appreciate knowing that you can make that desired recipe and your family will be just as satisfied. Really - will you use it 

often enough to warrant paying $10 for a half-gram bottle? It's true that a little goes a long way, but what if your family doesn't like what you just made? Heck, you just saved $9!!

Now, here are a few recipes, some using Goya (another brand offering yellow rice as is Zatarain), you can try using those wonderful little packets of yellow rice:


Easy Chicken and Rice (don't be afraid to add additional seasonings to your tastes)


Chicken and Seafood Paella (not comfortable with mussels? Use scallops or shrimp.)


Smoked Sausage and Yellow Rice (if you like sausage and peppers or kielbasa, you'll probably like this)


Puerto Rican Beans and Rice (replace the saffron and white rice with a pack of yellow rice in this one)


Don't let these recipes limit your choices. Yellow rice is found throughout the world's food cultures. Think Caribbean or Barbecue.  Think Indonesian, Indian or Cinco De Mayo!!! This rice would work with pork, with beef, with seafood and is perfect in pilaf. Enjoy your food adventures!