GRANPA CELEBRATES 45 YEARS MARRIED

marriage
Barb and I celebrated 45 years of marriage May 15th. Since it was a special occasion, she took a week's staycation to rest and celebrate. We started her week off with a dinner out at our favourite Chinese restaurant- Choice of the Orient in Richmond Hill on Friday night. Sunday was a Toronto Harbour Cruise with a lunch/brunch buffet. The food was okay but not nothing stellar. I cook much better but it was a time to sit down, eat and enjoy the view with Barb snapping pictures- even of one of me sleeping. I can sleep anywhere.
Last night we used a gift card to Montana's. I had the 8 oz steak, baked potato-loaded and corn. Barb had the sampler- chicken breast with sauce, shrimps, coleslaw. Drinks two loads mugs of coffee!
Barb always likes projects so for our 45th she finished our Cookbook of food from the Ciociaria region was finished in March. Of course entitled- Granpa Loves To Cook! Initially she wanted it written by me but if anyone really knows me not in this lifetime so Barb succumbed and has it written by both of us. It is a finished draft one of many drafts over the years. 85 pages.Three copies were made to be reviewed over the next couple of months by us and the girls. Deadline for September for any revisions. We want to self publish it for ourselves, family and see where it goes. Meanwhile, years of effort has been finished. Barb showed Sophia the picture of her making homemade pasta with her grandpa.

Sophia did not remember the picture but it was at a time when I watched her one or two days weekly to help out my daughter. My post from that time gives good instructions on how to make the "egg noodle" as it is called.
It is hard to come up with new recipes as the main ones from my original area have been written on my blog.
So what is next!! More cook trips to Farmer's Markets of course. Barb hopes to use these trips and photo journalism for guess what! Volume two of "Granpa Loves To Cook". Barb actually as you must know has already started it even before Volume One was done. She always has ideas floating in her head, then writes them down and keeps on going.

The most read post on my blog is Canascione- one of the most traditional dishes from Ciociaria. For some reasons it get page views weekly, As has been seen from my blog I do make some traditional Canadian dishes as well. Barb used to make the potato salad in the summer, for example, but it is now in my domain. She takes the pictures and writes up the information and even does more of the research. I mention some Italian concept and she takes it from there. So I have no choice but to continue to go along for the ride of market visits, pictures, and little posts about the visits.
As you know I love to cook because I really just love to eat. If I can cook for others like my daughters and families then it is even more enjoyable.

Remembering my traditions and blending them with modern times keeps me busy and out of trouble. Besides I get to eat!
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A GREAT CANADIAN TRADITION-BARBECUE SEASON!

Barbecue season is back.

Simple meal of burgers, sausage with all the condiments like onion, pickle, tomato, ketchup, mustard and relish- Barb likes it, I don't. Put on a favourite hamburg or hot dog bun!

The Canadian Barbecue! A little bit of fruit with the watermelon or an apple as an easy and wonderful addition to the meal! As you can see, I like the charcoal barbecue and not the gas one. It takes longer to get going but it is for me! So bring on spring/summer barbecuing. Can't wait to do steaks, chicken and grilled vegetables! Of course with as many meals outside as Barb insists on eating outdoors as much as possible. 

#summerbarbecueseason#hamburgsonthebarbecue#hotdogsonthebarbecue#lotsofgarnishesforthehotdogandhamburgers#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA IS BACK-WAS BUSY COOKING NOT BLOGGING

I did not realize I had not posted for a long time. I have been busy cooking but not blogging.
Easter was a feast of lamb and lasagna. Marinating the lamb roast just gave it extra flavour.

Making a breakfast omelette with peameal bacon, onion, green peppers and tomato.

An open faced sandwich- toasted Italian bread, round steak with a cheese melt for a Saturday night quick meal.

Appetizers for a special meal! Actually Barb did this for the event!

My favourite quick salad of cucumbers and tomatoes with olive oil and red vinegar.
So the cook has been busy, just lazy about posting to this blog!

LOTS OF GOOD EATING FOR THE COOK

Easter weekend was a feast of eating. Easter Sunday had a great menu. For a starter, appetizers by Barb- Veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, drinks while one daughter brought rice balls and dip. I spent Friday making the lasagna, leaving it in the fridge to cook fresh on Sunday. I made two extras for my girls to take home and cook another day. This cook made a lamb roast as well as lamb chops; ham with pineapple; sausage; chicken thighs with roast potatoes as well as mashed; broccoli; peas; brussel sprouts and fresh buns from Grande Cheese. Dessert was Easter chocolate cake, cake pops for the kids brought by my other daughter, chocolates and vanilla ice cream. Beer and Sangria for those who love a little drink with dinner. Espresso or regular coffee.

Barb made some freezer meals with the leftovers so all the hard work cooking could be appreciated another day.
Since the cook does get tired, Barb and I went to our favourite little hole in the wall Fish and Chip place- Allencourt Plaza Restaurant Friday night. No cooking or cleanup. Great way to start the weekend. Granpa loves to cook but also to have a break.

ZEPPOLE FOR ST. JOSEPH'S DAY

Yesterday was St. Joseph's Day- Joseph the husband of Mary. It is an important day in the Catholic faith.  I taught Barb about the eating of the zeppole a couple of years ago. It is a tradition on March 19 to eat it. Different bakeries may make a different version of them. Cream, eggs and a variety of fillings from cream to ricotta cheese can be used. Morello cherries are put on top. The Sicilians say it as their dish but according to research Naples lay claims to it saying it is a Neapolitan pastry created in 1840 by Don Pasquale Pinatauro-his hometown!

There is a home grown version of it- the pan fried zeppole.

Make your own dough or pizza dough can be bought  in the supermarket. Divide into little balls, then make a donut like shape.

Pan fry in vegetable oil, flip it and place the cooked item on paper towels to absorb the oil and sprinkle with some ordinary sugar. Some people like to add raisins! Best to eat them hot.  The store bought zeppole are a wonderful pastry with a cup of espresso coffee in a simple outing at a bakery with a sitting area. We stopped at St. Philips Bakery in Maple for such an adventure on a Saturday night. Although necessary on St. Joseph's Day, zeppole can be found year round at many locations. Here in Southern Ontario where many people are of Italian heritage, the 2nd and 3rd generation Italians carry on the tradition by seeking out zeppole on St. Joseph's day.

CANASCIONE FOR EASTER

One post I wrote that gets reads every week is my post on Canascione. Go to my post of April 8, 2012 for full details and the recipe. It really is an authentic Ciociaria dish.

 I love this picture. I can taste the food.

                                                        Enjoy! Buon Appetito!

WEEKEND OF GOOD EATING ENDS WITH HOMEMADE SOUP

We started the weekend Friday night with a pizza , veggies and dip and fresh fruit at one family home. The pizza was from Grande Cheese where the ladies there make a wonderful Ciociaria style pizza. Saturday was a club sandwich from Tim Horton's. But Sunday the cook was back. Fresh homemade vegetable soup simmered on the stove in the afternoon. I used up some left over meat sauce to make a small penne casserole with mozzarella baking it in the oven. With Easter on the horizon, I have to start planning the menu.