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!
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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!