GRANPA'S TRIP TO VINNIE ZUCCHINI'S FOR A BIRTHDAY BASH

One of my sweet grandsons celebrated a birthday-#7 so the kids took us all to Vinnie Zucchini's for a family/birthday dinner. Italian buffet style so there is something for everyone. I am the fussy eater but was able to enjoy many of the dishes. A salad bar that I missed on the first visit to the food stations when I went straight to the seafood area. Loved the calamari. A pizza bar. A grilled food bar with lots of fresh veggies grilled but not mushy. Variety of meat and chicken. Well you know how buffets go! A inviting dessert area too. With birthday cake, no need to eat too much of the sweets. The restaurant relocated from the Dufferin/Steeles area to the edge of Vaughan Mills- a huge mall in Vaughan just off the 400 highway. Easy parking! With the seniors discount, I just may take Barb another time for a quick dinner out!

Oh the service was good too! As soon as I left the table to get another plate of food, the dirty one was removed. The most important aspect was celebrating with family and to see my little grandson so happy!! My oldest granddaughter sat beside me too so it was a wonderful time.

LAMB AND LASAGNA FOR EASTER DINNER-WITH CANASCIONE FOR A TREAT

Barb suggested I make the cooking for Easter dinner easy with an expected crowd of 15! A simple pasta with sauce she said for the first dish.  I chose to be more complicated. So yesterday I decided to make lasagna. Put it in the freezer after completing it to cook it fresh on Sunday. My mother always made a lasagna for Easter so I thought I would  keep the tradition alive. Bedsides all my grandchildren, children, guests, Barb and I like it too!

So it was a busy day with Barb away at a conference. I even had to clean up all the pots and pans as my sous chef was not available.
My family like a variety of meat. But for me lamb is a must. So I bought a lamb roast and chops that I will make with some oven roasted potatoes with rosemary as the seasoning. With the Canadians in the crowd a ham to eat with pineapple slices as well as some chicken breasts and Italian sausages. Remember there is a lot of meat in the sauce I used for the lasagna so if some of the kids do not eat the meat dish they had some in the pasta.

If time I may try to make my canascione treat- a favourite from the Ciociaria region where I was born. A egg noodle shell with an egg, cheese and sausage mixture inside which gets baked in the oven.  Easter a time for good eating. Of course everyone will bring an appetizer and dessert surprise. The kids will enjoy the Easter egg hunt that must occur before dinner. I have not finalised all the vegetables but I will make- peas, rapini for sure though.

Barb likes to make prosciutto on a bread stick as an appetizer for the guys. The kids just like the bread sticks.
For those that are new to this blog- I did write a post on making the lasagna March 2012 and making canascione- April 2012. You can find in in the listings.  For those that read regularly you know how to find the recipes I have written. Happy Easter everyone- remember to thank all the cooks in your family!

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SHRIMP FETTUCINE FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT

I made myself some bacala soup. For Barb I sautéed some shrimp in garlic and butter to put on top of the fettuccine - freshly made in a cream sauce. For vegetables, rapini and roast peppers with garlic and olive oil. Not bad for a Saturday night quick meal.
During the week, I made some fresh egg noodle pasta with a meat sauce- giving most of it to my two working daughters and families. My sons-in-law love my cooking too.
As Easter approaches, I will be trying to blend the two cultures- Canadian and Italian. I have noticed lots of reads for my Easter canascione. It really is true dish from the Ciociaria region.

Meanwhile the daily cooking continues. Barb loved her meal topped off with a little glass of white wine. It will be a busy week for traditional cooks and bakers. Easter like other holidays has its festive dishes. I was thinking I might make a lasagna. My mother used to make one every Easter. It could keep some traditions alive. Happy Palm Sunday everyone as we enter the Easter Holy Week.

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MARCH A TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE SPRING GARDEN

Along with making a large pot of ragu sauce to go with the fresh gnocchi I made on the weekend, I have been busy seeding some tomatoes and other plants for the Spring garden. Snow is still on the ground but underneath lies the soil waiting for the good weather. I have a little spot by the back door in the kitchen with a good southern sun. Oh the gnocchi was a feast for my girls as well as keeping a meal or two for Barb. I am dieting so avoiding too many carbs but making pasta fills the need to have some fresh pasta in the house. With the weather slightly warmer, there is a pull to go outside and work. However two feet of snow gets in the way. Soon!

VALENTINE'S DAY BROUGHT A WEEKEND OF GOOD EATING

I made Barb and me a seafood feast Friday night.

Shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic and parsley, lobster tails broiled, asparagus, mushrooms cooked in olive oil with garlic, rapini, baked potato with sour cream and of course some fresh Italian bread. Barb topped her meal off with a glass of her favourite white wine.

Goodies for the family. Nut free cookies from Longos, Smarties and some heart chocolates. A little purple teddy bear for the youngest granddaughter.
A get together at a daughter's house with all the family.
Gnocchi with a meat sauce, salad, chicken and stuffed red peppers.

Since sweets are the reason for the day.

A big cookie with a heart.
And the romantic in me did buy my wife roses for the day.

Maybe it is a created Hallmark Day but a much needed break to the winter months.

A LITTLE ITALIAN/A LITTLE CHINESE ON A TUESDAY NIGHT

Cooking the same old thing every week is tiring. So on my early morning awakening, I decided to make some Italian stuffed red peppers. Going to the Chinese market I bought some Chinese noodles and bean sprouts to use in my pork stir fry.
The meal turned out quite tasty.

I prepared the peppers in the morning making 4 lovely ground beef stuffed red peppers that I baked in the oven later in the day just before dinner.

The stir fry was started early with the pork needing to be sautéed longer.

The carrots, onions and green pepper were cooked earlier too. Just before dinner, putting it all in the pan and adding the fresh bean sprouts. Cooking it enough but not to let the bean sprouts become mushy while the water boiled for the Chinese noodles.

Not a bad meal with lots of vitamins and minerals along with good taste. Needed some soya sauce to round off the taste. With a couple of peppers left over, Barb could bring one to work tomorrow. As long as I don't eat it for a midnight snack! So a little Italian and a little Chinese on a cold Canadian winter night!

GRANPA HAS A BIRTHDAY DINNER OUT

Locale in King City, just north and west of Richmond Hill was the location of a special birthday dinner for Barb and Me! Our 65th birthday celebration! With children, spouses and grandchildren, the table had 11 people. My favourite people! Italian cuisine! The food was tasty and fresh. I had the seafood linguine. While Barb had the patate pizza. Mixed greens, calamari and a couple of appetiser trays- cheese and salumi- a variety of salami rounded out the meal.

A beautiful birthday cake from the Artsy Baker was delicious. All edible fondant! Barb was most excited to get our joint birthday present- tickets to see Bob Seger and Silver Bullet Band. All in all a great night for the cook- and no dishes to wash!