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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