ITALIAN CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER FOR TWO

Two types of shrimps dishes, clam sauce on fettuccine and seafood appetizer will be our fish dishes. Not the 7 dishes but four is not bad for two. Some flat beans and anise with olive oil, red vinegar and garlic will be the 2 side dishes. Nice hard crunchy Calabrese buns are good too. Barb bought some butter tarts for dessert.
Christmas Eve was always a traditional evening for my family. My Mother-mamma- always poured her heart into this meal to keep the Italian tradition alive. We used to make a big dinner too but the girls go to their inlaws Christmas Eve. My sister-in-law and children would eat with us but they live in another province so it is Barb and me on Christmas Eve now.

 A smaller dinner but a good one. Barb said I can wear clean PJ bottoms with my new Christmas sweatshirt.It says Merry Christmas you filthy animals!
She thought the grandchildren would like it! They love the movie Home Alone!
So tonight is the quiet celebration. Christmas Day will be noisy with the rest of the family.Lots of time for good eating.
#christmaseveitaliandinner#seafood#shrimp#seafoodappetizer#anise#flatbeans#calabresebuns#dinnerfortwo#mamma#mother#italiantraditionsdinner#butternut's

GRANPA COOKS CIOPPINO FOR A DINNER PARTY

Having friends over for dinner is always fun. The first course was California salad with Italian dressing.
The second course was coloured tortellini with white sauce.
The main dish was my idea.
Barb obtained a couple of recipes for Cioppino- A San Francisco Italian Fish Stew from the Internet.( for those that like to follow a recipe by the letter, check out the Food Network-Giada De Laurentiis or Elise Bauer- Food and Cooking Blog).
I reviewed the main ingredients but then did my own thing.
The ingredients are:
The sauce- simple-
olive oil- enough to coat the pot
onion chopped
garlic buds- 4 chopped or diced very finely
some red pepper flakes- to taste
can of diced tomatoes with the juice
1 or 2 cups of white wine
salt and pepper to taste
The good stuff- PEI  mussels, clams, peeled shrimps, scallops, cut pieces of white fish of your choice.
Fresh is best. Although some frozen fish items are good too if fresh is not always available. These were my choices but any seafood items can be used according to your own taste. You can improvise on how hot you make like it. So the red pepper flakes can be optional.

Make the quick sauce, let it simmer then when ready with fresh or frozen seafood ingredients, cook them. Serve soon after they are cooked.

Barb bought some fresh long loaves of Italian bread. Making a butter garlic spread to make crunchy garlic bread in the oven. Fresh crunchy buns are goods too. Why? To dip in the the juice of the soup!
It is a good dish for those that are not eating meat or cutting back on their meat consumption.
The meal was delicious and a hit with our friends.
#seafood#ciopinno#sanfranciscorecipes#foodnetwork#elisebauer#giadadelaourentiis#dinnerwithfriends#garlicbread#tortellini#salad#3courses#granpalovestocook

GRANPA HELPS WITH THANKSGIVING DINNER

Thanksgiving dinner is Barb's domain. Most of the ingredients are bought. My job now is to buy the fresh items like the Italian sausage from Longos, dinner rolls for the little one, brussel sprouts, broccoli and mushrooms. Barb makes an amazing stuffing that everyone loves. I help on Sunday Morning- we like to have the dinner Sunday so we have lots of leftovers on the real Thanksgiving to enjoy the day.
I help prepare the vegetables like peeling the potatoes for the mashed potato dish.
Yes, Barb can do it all but it is hard to keep this cooking granpa out of the kitchen.
My girls bring appetizers and pies so it is a real joint family affair. Of course pumpkin pie for Barb. I like apple pie.

#thanksgiving#dinner#October#italiansausage#Longos#broccoli#mashedpotatoes

NEW ROUTINE-GRANPA GETS A BREAK FRIDAY NIGHTS

Barb has taken pity on me. She suggested a couple of Fridays recently to let the cook have a break. Friday night is good. The restaurants are not as busy as Saturday. A nice end to the week.
Started with a trip to Swiss Chalet with the regular chicken- two leg dinner for me.
So one week, Abruzzo Pizza- a local Italian cuisine- take out veal parmigiana dinner with salad, spaghetti and tomato sauce and a panzarotte.
Another week, Chinese Food ordered and delivered from our favourite place- Choice of the Orient. We have eaten their food for over 25 years. We love their Cantonese Chow Mien as  well as the Peppered Seafood Combination.
To start the September Labour Day Weekend Barb suggested we go out. Decided on Lodestar- a local Texan style restaurant. We both ordered the steak with a loaded bake potato, steamed vegetable, potato wedges and onion rings.I had a coffee while Barb tried the iced tea margarita. Close to home and easy, fast service. I hate staying too long dining out.
So we must decide what to do next week. I'll keep you posted. I like eating at home better!
#granpa#SwissChalet#ChoiceOfTheOrient#Lodestar#AbruzzoPiazza#chinesefood#vealparmigiana#steak#bakedpotato#cantonesechowmein#givethecookabreak

SUNSET GRILL FOR A FRIDAY VACATION

Barb needed a vacation day. So today and Monday she is off. A nice start to a 4 day weekend was a nice breakfast at Sunset Grill at Dufferin and Major Mackenzie-Vaughan. I had the eggs over lightly with peameal bacon and white toast- no butter. Barb had her usual- The French Connection- scramble eggs, home fries, 4 sausages and French toast. It seems like a lot but she never finishes it but takes at least 1/2 home to eat off and on for the rest of the day. So when it is said it is an all day breakfast, well for Barb it really is!
#sunsetgrill#breakfast#coffee#eggs#peamealbacon

CANADIAN FRENCH TOAST FOR A HOLIDAY MONDAY

Barb's favourite is French toast.

Two eggs in milk. Let the bread soak up the mixture.

Then some butter in the pan. Let the slices cook.

When flipped a few times to take out the moisture. On to the plate.

With real Maple Syrup, Barb really loves it. Too bad there was no peameal bacon on the side. Perhaps, next time.

JULY 1ST BARBECUE FUN

A wonderful Canada Day at Sonya and Andrew's home. We all brought food. Barb bought those Maple Leaf Shaped Sobey's burgers.

Lots of salads- Kale, Tossed, Caesar, Potato, Bean. Burgers, hot dogs, sausage, chicken on skewers! Chips, veggies and dip! Desserts and drinks.

Canada day stuff to help with the celebrations.

The kids swam in the pool with parental and grandparent supervision. Of course, Granpa needed an after dinner nap.

#Canadaday#mapleleafhamburgers#salads#familyfun#150celebrations#barbecue

WHAT IS GRANPA COOKING FOR CANADA DAY 2017?

Well the traditional Canadian barbecue but this year with the Maple Leaf shaped burgers. Sausage. Lamb spaducci. Steaks. Barb and I will make a potato salad, bean salad, tossed salad and devilled eggs. We will make it at home to take to our daughter's place due to the little kids needing to be in their own homes. Yes the family and grandchildren will be the main guests. Of course flags, decorations and hats will be in tow. What are you doing for Canada Day?
#barbecue#mapleleafshapedburgers#sausage#lamsapducci#steaks#salads#deviledgeggs

GRANPA CELEBRATES AN ANNIVERSARY WEEK EATING OUT

Barb likes to take the week in May that coincides with our anniversary as a vacation week.. It is a good time to relax, work in the garden and to be outside. Of course Barb likes to go out for meals too.

So with some gift cards to use, Red Lobster was the destination for our Anniversary Lunch May 15th. Just north of Steeles on Yonge Street, an easy jaunt from Richmond Hill.

We ordered the new dish with lobster and shrimps on rice.

Barb tired the new zucchini and squash as her side. I had the salad.
With another gift card in hand, we decided to go to breakfast at Cora's today May 16th. We went to the one at Elgin Mills and Yonge.

A Canadian franchise of delicious breakfast food.
Perusing the menu- what to have?

So my regular-Canadian peameal bacon, eggs over lightly, home fries and toast with jam. Barb had the western omelette with cheese, ham, peppers with a side of home fries as well as toast. Of course lots of coffee! Staycations are nice because a short ride and back home!
#Redlobster#Cora#breakfast#lunch#shrimps

GRANPA REMEMBERS HIS HONEYMOON-1971 IN HAWAII

Cooking always came naturally to me. I helped my Mom as everyone knows from the initial posts I wrote about it.

Proof- a picture of me making pancakes in our economy hotel on our honeymoon in Hawaii.

Well it is my 46th anniversary. Of course, I will be making breakfast for Barb. Hum-pancakes!
#honeymooninHawaii#granpalovestocook#pancakes#cookingwithmymother#cookingonmyhoneymoon

GRANPA PLANNING EASTER DINNER 2017

The lamb roast is marinating and will be cooked later in the day.

I am making a ragu/meat sauce to use with my homemade egg noodles- spaghetti. A small ham with pineapples spears. Vegetables will include broccoli, mushrooms sauteed in oil with garlic, rosemary potatoes roasted in the oven, red peppers, brussel sprouts, peas and carrots.
Barb makes the appetizers- veggies and dip, olives and pickles, cheese and crackers and fruit platter for the dessert table. The girls bring the remainder of the dessert- cookies and cupcakes.
The little grandchildren have their Easter egg hunt before dinner. Everyone has their favourite beverage.

                                                              Images of past dinners.

A little slice of my Canascione with dessert is a must too. I might just have some for breakfast.
#lamb#canascione#easterdinner#ragusauce#pasta#rosemarypotatoes

GRANPA MAKES A SALAD FOR A BIRTHDAY BASH

Easy request for my daughter's birthday get together. Barb made her devilled eggs and I made a simple tossed salad. Pizza and appetizers- simple meal. Of course a birthday cake from Longos. My kind of simple celebration. Granpa loves to cook but also likes to eat with family.

GRANPA DINES AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE

Barb has two university friends she has known for over 46 years. Mary and Ben entertained us and our friends Rose and Paul

A nice array of appetizers allowed for friendly chatting until moving to the dining room.

Salad with a slice of Apple for appeal. Oil and Vinegar dressing.

Homemade lasagna by Mary.

Ben barbecued the steak and potatoes. Mary made the seafood platter with vegetables along with beans, asparagus and broccoli.

Red and White wine was served. Some of us just drink water.

Dessert was Zeppoles in honour of St. Giuseppe March 19th.

Tea and Coffee and more chatting, laughing and enjoying the evening. Time to leave came too soon. It's my turn to make dinner for the next get together. Granpa likes to cook but Granpa also likes to taste good food by others especially close friends.
#diningatafriends'shouse#zeppoles#fruitplatter#seafoodplatterswithvegetables#steakandvegetables#appetizertray#funtodineout#granpalovestocook#granpaloveseatingatafriend'shouse

WEEKEND OF LASAGNA MAKING OR HOW TO MAKE LASAGNA

A friend from the Club brought some farm fresh eggs for me to buy. Lovely yolks-big! Fresh egg noodle!  So I decided to make some pans of lasagna for the girls. Ended up with two large pans and made fettuccine with the rest of the home made egg noodle for Barb. Lasagna is so labour intensive, I always say I won't do that again. Plain homemade spaghetti with ragu sauce is my favourite. One of my earlier posts gives all the instructions for a homemade lasagna. Visit it for details.
March 8, 2012- Lasagna alla Granpa Adolfo.

ZUPPA DE PESCE FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT

I surprised Barb with a wonderful dinner on Friday night. Initially we were going to eat something simple. But a trip to a supermarket with good seafood. I came home with shrimps, scallops, white fish, mussels and clams. .

Chopping up some celery and onions, sauteing in some olive oil before adding the pieces of white fish.

Adding 1 can of tomato puree and 1/2 tin of tomato paste, letting it simmer for about 10 minutes- ecco la- zuppa de pesce/fish soup.

With some crunchy Italian buns from Grande Cheese and using up some Romaine lettuce to make a Caesar Salad, Friday night dinner was special. Barb had her usual glass of white wine.  She works hard for us. Besides when Granpa cooks for her, he gets to eat well too. Ho mangiato com'un porco!
#zuppadepesce#clams#granpalovestocook#italianbuns#tomatopuree#scallops#mussels#fridaynightdinner#cookingforBarbafterahardweekatwork#usingabigpotforzuppa

GRANPA SAYS FEBRUARY COOKING NEEDS SOME ENCOURAGEMENT

Cooking every day can become monotonous. The same old. So I have been making some eggplant casserole. Good hot and cold. Over the weekend made a big pot of vegetable soup. Barb likes to freeze some and take it for her lunches to heat up at work. We made some gnochhi with the ricotta cheese recently as we received it as a bonus from spending more than $50.00 at Grande Cheese. Barb always has trouble spending under $50.00. It is her favourite store! Of course when the grandchildren slept over, pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast were a standard hit for them. They love Granpa's pancakes! Barb is an easy customer- she is not fancy about her food like I am. As long as there are several food groups she is fine! Maybe I need to watch some more food shows to get inspired or even check my own recipes on this blog! Now that's an idea! Happy cooking everyone!
#februarycooking#eggplantcasserole#vegetablesoup#cookingforthefamily#gnocchiwithricottacheese#grandchildrenlovepancakes#breakfastistheasymeal#scrambledeggs#cookingeverydaycanbeboring

SLOW COOKER RIBS FOR SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Quick note to say, Barb made plain slow cooker ribs. Simmered all day in water with onion and garlic. Then taken out to broil for 15 minutes in the oven to crisp them. Barb put barbecue sauce on her ribs. Some carrots and celery sticks with dip along with homemade bread maker French bread, it was a simple night off for Granpa not having to cook. Now to watch the Superbowl!
#slowcookerribs#granpalovestocook#granpalovestowatchthesuperbowleatingribs#barbmakesribsforsuperbowlsunday#homemadebreadmakerfrenchbread

GRANPA COOKED FOR A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Barb and my son-in-law celebrate the same birthday. So my daughter Natasha had a family get-together for both family groups. She did not know what to order or have. So Granpa decided to make a good ragu/meat sauce to have with Cheese Tortellini- store bought. So I made chicken thighs with salt, pepper and rosemary roasted in the oven with some wedge potatoes and some chicken breasts for the girls too! Natasha brought the sweet and hot sausages to cook at my house too. To help with the appetizers, Barb made her devilled eggs. Salads, salami and cheese, cakes, drinks and coffee were at the birthday house. A basic fun family time with all enjoying a good meal! Granpa loves to cook for his family. Hearing my grandson Brody say- Granpa makes the best chicken made it all worthwhile! And there were few leftovers which I really like. I hate leftovers!
#celebratingbirthdsy#granpalovestocook#familygettogether#ragumeatsaucewithcheesetortellini#chichenthighs#usingrosemaryincooking#wedgepotatoes#chickenbreasts#sweetsausages#hotsausages

GRANPA OUT FOR DINNER AND A MOVIE

Barb made me do it. Montana's with a Christmas gift card to use. I had the burger and Barb had steak with salad and curly fries. It is a fun restaurant close to home with a outdoors theme. Country music songs provide the background to the meal. Next door is the Silver City Cineplex Richmond Hill. Barb could have seen any of the variety of movies currently available. I settled for the movie LION. It was a drama. At least it was not a chick flick. Surprisingly I actually stayed awake for the whole movie. Barb likes to make a birthday week celebration. So dinner and a movie it was!

GRANPA CARES ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES

I can eat anything but two of granpa's grandchildren have food allergies. Thus vigilance for food prepared at home. Buying products that are peanut and nut free for them. If cooking seafood or eating walnuts, being careful all the remnants are out of the house and counters cleaned well. Barb won't buy any nuts at Christmas now. Reading labels is our new mantra. Being aware of allergies is not hard work. It is just dedication to protect not only my grandchildren but anyone with allergies. I am allergic to Kiwi. Go figure!

CHINESE FOOD FOR OUR BIRTHDAYS.

I did not have the birthday celebration that was planned,  so on Barb's birthday January 22, we ordered Chinese Food from our favourite restaurant- Choice of the Orient- in Richmond Hill. The cook gets a break and Barb could enjoy some dishes like the Peppered Seafood Combination and Cantonese Chow Mein. Of course there are leftovers for another day. Chocolate cupcakes from Sobeys sufficed for a birthday cake! As long as there is some celebrating, life is good. Barb prefers to eat out at a restaurant but both of us are just tired from the last two weeks so home was nice and comfortable.

2017 A YEAR TO CELEBRATE GOOD EATING

Eating is not reserved for one year. A new beginning brings good eating.

Some meals can be simple. A quick pasta for a week night.

Farfelle pasta
Italian sausage
Broccoli

Cook the sausage in pieces frying in a pan. Cook enough bow pasta for two. Boil the broccoli.
Once all is cooked add some butter or cream sauce to the pasta- your choice.Then add the chopped broccoli and sausage.We like a little hot pepper to zest it up! Some parmigiana cheese finishes off the dish.
A tasty one dish meal.

Pasta is like this dish. Just take your favourite kind and add any ingredients you like!