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