JULY-COOKING THE FAMILY FAVOURITES

With extra family staying with us the last few months, it was a great challenge for this cook to keep all ages satisfied. Lots of summer salads. Turkey breasts with mashed potatoes, peas and gravy on Thursday. Pizza Fridays with some homemade zucchini pizza along with a store bought one. Chicken parmigiano with spaghetti. Lots of vegetables- beans, rapini, cucumbers were a few. Tomatoes- large and small! Lots of summer fruit for appetizers or after the meal. Veggies and dip to start a meal! Many days of scrambled eggs and bacon! Some barbecues! No homemade pastas due to the humid weather. Gnocchi is just too soft with humidity! So something to start up in the Fall. The cook has had a break from homemade.

Barb is nagging me to go to some markets as time has prevented those jaunts with other community outings like the Pan Am functions on weekends. Now with August here and life changing again, time for some of those trips. I will  gladly be sharing any adventures about eating!

GRANPA'S HAUL FROM THE ST. JACOBS FARMERS' MARKET 2014

Returning to the St. Jacobs market after the fire in August 2013, it was still as lively as ever. The crowds pour in all day.
So what did I buy.

Cauliflower, new little potatoes, large white potatoes, flat green beans, cucumbers, fresh garlic and 2 large bunches of asparagus.

Beef steak tomatoes, peaches, apricots and cherries. I was already munching on my baguette bread as the picture was being taken.
Not a bad haul for a day's trip.! Nothing is better than fresh food from the farm!

With my trek trolley, always able to buy more than the arms can carry!
#stjacob'smarket#haulfromthemarket#trektrolleyhelpswiththefood#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA ENJOYS A SUPERBOWL PARTY PACK-2014

Superbowl Sunday is a day for the guys to get together and yell at the TV. It is really an American day of football delights but many Canadians enjoy it too. So Barb decided since we were not going to anyone's house as we have in the past to have our own little party at home. Ordering one of those party packs-pizza, garlic bread, chicken wings and dip- from a Pizza place would help with the mood. Of course, a nice platter of fruit to round off the meal! Nice to have a day off cooking! Sunday as you may know if you read my blog regularly is usually my day off!
#granpalovestocook#superbowlpartypack#wingsandpizza#garlicbread#wingsanddip

ENGLISH TRIFLE-A GOOD DISH ANYTIME

Barb made some English Trifle for a dinner party in December. She had not made it for many years as the children and grandchildren started to prefer other desserts. A group of friends made it more desirable.

INGREDIENTS

Pound cake 1 or 2 flavours- Barb chose butter cake and chocolate.
Chocolate jello pudding.
Powdered custard.
Jar of cherries.
Fresh or canned fruit. Barb chose a can of peaches. Or your fruit of choice.
Some liqueur or cognac or brandy or vermouth- 1 or 2 tablespoons.
Whipping cream.

DIRECTIONS

Make the custard according to the directions on the container.

In a fancy dessert bowl or trifle bowl, place some of the butter cake in sliced pieces to fill the space. Drizzle a tablespoon or two of the spirits of choice on the cake. Barb used some vermouth.

Sprinkle some cherries on the cake then add the cooked custard to fill the whole layer. Poke the cake so the custard can drizzle down to the bottom of the bowl.

Cut the chocolate cake in slices and fill the next layer to the edges.

Make the chocolate pudding.

Put the peaches cut in fine pieces on top of the chocolate cake. You can use any fruit you want. Strawberries or raspberries work very well in a trifle.

Put the chocolate pudding on top of the cake and peaches. Again make sure it drizzles along the edges.

The trick to a great trifle is to use fresh whipping cream. So whip the cream by hand or with a mixer adding a little sugar and vanilla extract if you want.

When whipped put on the top of the trifle. For some effect add a few cherries to the centre of the top.

Ecco la- English Trifle- Barb style!!

And with  some cherries on top! Our guests enjoyed this simple dessert!