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.

#shrimpfettucine#shrimpsforasaturdaynight#peppers#rapini#pastawithveggiesisagreatsaturdaynightmeal#lovingsimplesaturdaymeals#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

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!

A NEW YEAR FOR COOKING-2015

Ended the 2014 year with lots of good eating and some cooking.

 

Plenty of seafood during the Christmas season. Of course turkey dinner on Christmas Day.

 

                                              
                                                Fried chicken for picnics or a quick dinner.

But the winter is a great time for soups and sauces. The aroma in the house is very appealing to Barb. She like to use her bread maker her mother gave her years ago to have some fresh bread in the house. The machine does all the work.  Winter is boring without the vegetable garden. I find the fresh vegetables at the stores something to be desired. So a soup that can use soggy or less than fresh veggies works supplying the needed healthy ingredients. Besides for those like myself, time to shed some pounds. Homemade soups without any preservatives or too much sodium can help with that process.

 

Don't tell Barb but I am looking forward to being dragged to those summer farmers' markets. I have to get through the long winter months. Yes I have been reading some good books and doing my soudokos but there is just so much time to spend indoors. With the purchase of some low priced eggs from Shoppers Drug Mart, maybe the girls will benefit from some homemade pasta. Idle Cook, idle Mind! Here's to a new year of good cooking!

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER BLENDING TWO CULTURES

Combining traditions can be fun. Barb and I will spend our Christmas Eve dinner alone this year. So one daughter Sonya  and her husband hosted a family dinner last Sunday December 21 with everyone contributing some food items and fun. Two sauces- Sonya made the meat sauce with sausage while I made the seafood sauce. I also made the fresh homemade egg noodle pasta everyone loves. We do have to be careful with the seafood as one grandchild has a seafood and fish allergy. So the reason to combine the traditions. Chicken balls and sauce were brought by Natasha and Domi for the festive meal.

Lots of seafood too!

A festive table!

A variety of veggies such as peas, broccoli, as well as olives and other appetizers with dips. Of course, dessert for one and all. A cheesecake and apple cake!

Cookie decorating by the children.

A fun creative way to serve fruit to children!

So a dish with pasta with seafood sauce and meat sauce symbolizes the blend of both worlds, doesn't it. Have to love the Christmas season! Still more eating to go.