GRANPA LOVES A CHILD'S BIRTHDAY GET TOGETHER

Yesterday it was a fun time at one of grandson's birthday family get together. He turned 6! Burgers, sausages and hot dogs on the barbecue along with veggies &dip, potato salad, Greek salad, fruit platter and of course the birthday cake, it was a simple but tasty meal. A burger with all the trimmings- tomato, pickle, onion, ketchup  and mustard- sort of a preview to the warmer weather where more barbecues will prevail. The best thing for this cook well is I did not have to cook! Going out and enjoying a family time, eating well and not cooking is rather pleasurable. Granpa loves to cook but also likes a night off too!

 

 

Of course the cherry tomatoes with boccicni were a hit too!

ITALIANS LOVE LAMB-CANADIANS LOVE HAM AND TURKEY-EASTER EATING

The Easter meal will have a variety of dishes this year. My daughter wanted turkey as well as the other dishes made at Easter. So Barb will make her bread stuffing. I am marinating the traditional lamb roast that Italians like to eat. Rosemary is the main herb to put on it. Since we are having Barb's niece and family I am cooking a ham with pineapple slices. But my son-in-law Andrew loves the ham! My other son-in-law Domi eats everything! No pasta dish as with the variety of veggies would be too much. I bought a focaccia-tomato pizza-  from Grande Cheese to include on the appetizer table. So a little pasta like item!!  Before dinner of course the kids do a little Easter egg hunt at Granpa's house. Nana has told me that I can not eat the eggs that are easily found. The girls will bring desserts so just some sweets in the house. Barb still has a dessert wine to finish from our Niagara trip last summer to round out the desserts. Oh my sister-in-law Marilee is visiting so like old times with her at the Easter dinner. Hopefully Barb will take some photos to show the great dishes or just tasty-food does not have to be great! So Happy Easter everyone! Buona Pasqua!
#lamb#breadstuffing#turkey#veggies#focacciatomatopizza#GrandeCheese#appetizer#pasta#Niagaradessertwine#Easterdinner#BuonaPasqua

SUNDAY DINNER AFTER A DAY IN THE GARDEN

Working in the garden works up an appetite so I put on a nice chicken broth to make some straccitella zuppa-using the broth, adding an egg and parmiggiano  formaggio scrambled putting it in the broth- to go with dinner. A simple meal with salad and chicken will be enough for a Sunday night. With all the bending and cleaning, 3 pounds lighter it was a good workout. At least I can bend now. Of course my sous chef Barb did quite a bit of the work. Too early to start the vegetable garden but the prep work has began.

I can't wait for the fresh items from not only the garden but many of the trips to markets that Barb will drag me this summer.

EASTER FAVOURITES MEANS SOME CANASCIONE IS ON THE MENU

Easter is 2 weeks away. Since we will be having a gang, the menu will be modified slightly. I like lamb and lasagna at Easter. But there are others who like other foods. So I bought a big ham for the non-lamb lovers. My grandchildren like a variety of foods but a couple love chicken-so some chicken legs and thighs. I am making lasagna for my littlest granddaughter's baptism in May so will have a simple pasta dish this year-maybe homemade fettucine or even some penne. There will be lots of veggies but they are bought closer to the day. My girls usually bring the desserts. Maybe I will make my Italian Canascione- a true dish from my region of Ciociaria. I posted the recipe for this authentic dish April 2012 so do not have to write it again.

There I was sampling the Canascione. I like this photo because I was 2 years younger! Don't tell Barb but I have learned to do some planning and buying for big events. Well the food events anyway!
#canascione#easterdinner#chicken#lasagna#simplepasta#veggies#granpalovestoeat

THE GNOCCHI LUNCH WENT WELL

The lunch went well. Something for everyone. Gnocchi was a hit-very little remained. Chicken- cooked in the oven as the meat dish as even the grandkids love it. Lots of vegetables-broccoli, mushrooms, potatoes, roasted red peppers, and a big dish of salad. Birthday cake for the birthday girl!! Even heart jelly beans in pink, red and white. To top off the lunch- a platter of fruit- watermelon slices, pineapple, grapes, strawberries and cantaloupe. Now back to my daily cooking. It did give me something to do at 3am when I was up!!

GNOCCHI FOR A DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY

With my daughter's birthday next week, I thought a quick Sunday lunch was a good thing to do. The kids are going away for her real birthday so an early celebration would do.So I boiled 1/2 bag of potatoes to make a few gnocchi for it. Well I needed to knead and knead the dough plus add lots of flour. I called my helper or sous chef as she likes to be called to help with the shaping and finishing of them. Barb said we will be here until midnight but actually once we got rolling, it was 9 p.m. Barb also commented- there is enough for several Sunday lunches. 

Of course we needed to have a few with a quick dinner during the week.
Gnocchi are a great side dish or can be the main event. For the Sunday meal, there will be a variety of chicken. Everyone likes chicken! Lots of veggies. Haven't decided yet on the final menu! A cake! I'll probably let you know how the event went.
If you need the recipe for gnocchi, just hunt in my list of posts and you will find it.
#gnocchi#redsauce#potatoes#potoatognocchi#birthdaycelebration#kneadthedough#Sundaydinner#souschef

MAPLE SYRUP-A TRULY CANADIAN FOOD

It is going to be a good year for Maple Syrup in Canada. The warm days of Spring and cooler nights will make a sweeter product. It will be a shorter season. Barb loves maple syrup. She tries to encourage me to use it in foods. She loves it on pancakes or french toast. There are many recipes that use it. It is really is a Canadian food that is good for your health. Don't know how I can use it in Italian cooking but thought I would pitch this wonderful Canadian food.
#maplesyrup#sweettreat#Canadianfood#springformaplesyrup#useonpancakes#maplesyrupfudge