DINNER OUT TO START THE LONG WEEKEND

Barb complained that we had not gone out to eat for ages. So Friday night, we went to our favourite Chinese Food restaurant in Richmond Hill. The Choice of the Orient has been in town for the same length of time we have- 27 years. We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and just Friday nights out there The usual- 2 spring rolls, chicken wings, Cantonese Chow Mein, Peppered Seafood Combination and Lemon Chicken. Barb had a Blue Hawaiian Cocktail instead of the usual glass of white wine. Sometimes we order more but it was enough and even took home some leftovers for Saturday lunch. We are known there as the owners always greet us. They wondered where we had been but actually for our May anniversary we had ordered takeout from them. Nice start to the long weekend and this granpa did not have to cook.

FRESH GNOCCHI FOR A SUMMER FEAST

Finding some ricotta cheese in the fridge, I decided to make enough gnocchi for 3 families.A cooler kitchen allows the pasta to be firm. Putting it in the freezer to keep it fresh for dinner later, a simmering ragu-meat sauce will complement the dish.  Although only the end of August, this cold weather dish is always a favourite with my family.

With just a salad it is a great meal. Or it can be a side dish for a full dinner. I often make it with potatoes but heh today cleaning out the fridge netted the family this hearty pasta treat!

FRIDAY IS PIZZA AND CALAMARI

So I bought my pizza for the gang from Grande Cheese as normal. I had bought a large bag of calamari or I thought they were calamari. Anyway sitting down to dinner Friday the calamari looked rather thin. My little grandson stated are they onion rings grandpa? Barb even dipped hers in cocktail sauce. They looked like calamari in the bag. So we had pizza and onion rings along with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden. Not time I will read the package. However, they were in the frozen fish section of the store!

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!

DEVILLED EGGS-EASY FOR AN APPETIZER FOR A PARTY

Devilled eggs are a fun appetizer for any party. Boiling the eggs, peeling the shells, cutting in half, scooping out the yolk and putting in a bowl mixing with mayonnaise and scooping back into the half shells. Put some paprika on top with a leaf of fresh parsley then you have a nice platter of devilled eggs. Of course, this is Barb's dish- she make it. I just eat them!

WARM WEATHER BRINGS BACKYARD BARBECUES

Potato Salad is great for any summer meal especially a Saturday night meal on the back porch.

Chicken wings on the barbecue.

A simple tomato/cucumber salad with olive oil and vinegar.

Oh those summer meals with fresh bread and white wine. Love the outdoors and the relaxation.

A MOTHER'S DAY FEAST-CANADIAN MUSSELS AND LOBSTER

I made my wife a nice mother's day meal last night. Mussels with a tomato sauce with some white wine and hot peppers.

The small lobster tails were broiled in the oven.

Fried left over pepper slices the grandkids did not eat at lunch in some olive oil and garlic.

Tomato wedges and cucumbers with red vinegar and olive oil- salt to taste.

Eating on the back porch area with our kitchen dishes on a warm Saturday night was enjoyable. Dipping the lobster into heated butter with slices of Italian bread, well it was a meal made for a "queen". Barb enjoyed it so off the hook do not need to go out for a meal. To all the mothers, Happy Mother's Day especially my two daughters who are wonderful mothers. Like a good son, I took a bouquet of flowers to the cemetery last Friday for my mother who will always be loved and missed.