GRANPA MAKES A SALAD FOR A BIRTHDAY BASH

Easy request for my daughter's birthday get together. Barb made her devilled eggs and I made a simple tossed salad. Pizza and appetizers- simple meal. Of course a birthday cake from Longos. My kind of simple celebration. Granpa loves to cook but also likes to eat with family.

ZUPPA DE PESCE FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT

I surprised Barb with a wonderful dinner on Friday night. Initially we were going to eat something simple. But a trip to a supermarket with good seafood. I came home with shrimps, scallops, white fish, mussels and clams. .

Chopping up some celery and onions, sauteing in some olive oil before adding the pieces of white fish.

Adding 1 can of tomato puree and 1/2 tin of tomato paste, letting it simmer for about 10 minutes- ecco la- zuppa de pesce/fish soup.

With some crunchy Italian buns from Grande Cheese and using up some Romaine lettuce to make a Caesar Salad, Friday night dinner was special. Barb had her usual glass of white wine.  She works hard for us. Besides when Granpa cooks for her, he gets to eat well too. Ho mangiato com'un porco!
#zuppadepesce#clams#granpalovestocook#italianbuns#tomatopuree#scallops#mussels#fridaynightdinner#cookingforBarbafterahardweekatwork#usingabigpotforzuppa

BACCALA SOUP IS GREAT FOR A COLD AND FEVER

The best decision I made was to make baccala soup which has lots of tomato broth in it to feed the fever and what ailed me. Barb had to cook but she never minds doing it. After a little nap yesterday I found a bacon and tomato sandwich plated on my Sudoko puzzle. I didn't feel like eating the garden salad with chicken chunks but Barb made lots as she knows I will probably snack on it later. Meanwhile I will finish my soup. With the fresh bread Barb made in the bread maker, it will be tasty.

WHY CHILDREN'S PARTIES ARE FUN!

The fun part about being a granpa is eating the food at a child's party.

From popcorn-

to cheesies-

to chips!

Great appetizers. Of course, healthy food was served. I had my share of salad with the chicken and potatoes. And only one cupcake!

Lets me be a kid again! There are more parties to come! And lots more fun eating!

RAGU ALLA BOLOGNESE

Ragu or meat sauce is always a welcome addition to a meal. Bologna- a city north of my region in Italy- is the home of this tasty sauce.

INGREDIENTS

Ground meat- 1/2 kg ( 1 lb) each of veal, beef and pork. Less or more depending of the amount you want. It's a 3 meat sauce.

1 onion-chopped.

3 garlic buds-diced.

Parsley- few sprigs. Fresh is better. Chopped.

1 can of plum tomatoes.

2 bottles of Pomodoro/ tomato Passata.

Olive Oil.

Salt, pepper.

Optional-tomato paste.

DIRECTIONS

Add olive oil to a large pot.

Saute the chopped onion for about 4-5 minutes adding the garlic buds diced..

Add the meat- salt and pepper to taste.

Brown thoroughly.

Add the chopped parsley.

Add a can of plum tomatoes crushed.

Add 2 bottle of tomato passata.

Salt and pepper again to taste.

Some  cooks may want to add 1/2 can of tomato paste.

Simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

This sauce is best on homemade fettucine. Penne and ziti are other dry pasta that work well with this sauce.

For an easy meal, this sauce  on pasta can serve as the meat portion. Served with a  salad, it is a complete meal. For the busy cooks- make a large portion so it can be used for more than one meal during the week. I usually make enough to give a portion to my two working daughters to help with their meal planning in their busy work weeks. My second cousin- Roberta, who lives in Cassino loves this dish. During her birthday on a Canadian visit in 2009, it was her request for this sauce so it was a big part of her celebration.
#ragubolognese#3meat#Cassinocooking#eatingwellItalianstyle#penne#ziti#homemadesauce#helpingthetwoworkingdaughters