Friday, July 29, 2011

New Appetizers!

Well, last night I experimented with some new appetizers using Philadelphia Cream cheese.  The one I thought turned out really good was "Fruity Rollups".  This was so easy, I was really surprised.  I've been making tortilla rollups for my husbands workshops as a snack using cream cheese and ham and turkey.  Well, I decided to use the fruit flavored cheese and garnish with fresh fruit that matched.  Strawberry cheese with fresh strawberry on it,  blueberry cheese with fresh blueberry on it and pineapple cheese with fresh pineapple on it.  I cut them, added the fruit to each and wow,  they were fantastic.  Made just a few and my neighbor happened to ring the bell to see Fred.  OK,  they were all gone between the three of us in just a very few minutes.  I will definitely be making these little babies for my next party!  Try them,  they are great!  Oh by the way,  if you don't know what rollups are,  take a soft flour torilla, spread it with a good amount of cream cheese,  roll it up and cut it.  After the slices are on the plate,  add the fruit.  YUMMY..  till next time.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

"How about a strawberry pie?"

Went to the store today and saw fresh strawberries $.79 per quart container.  Bought two of them, brought them home, put them on the counter when my husband says "how about strawberry pie for dessert?"
I have to say these strawberries were just ripe enough to make a pie.  Never having done one before,  I washed and cut the strawberries,  took out a frozen pie crust, and added sugar, and flour to the berries.  I figured it works well with apples why not strawberries?  It turned out yummy!  I'll have to make another one soon as strawberries are at the height of the season now.  My husband Fred was very happy with his strawberry pie....Till next time....

Friday, July 22, 2011

Summer is flying by! It's Friday and I haven't written anything for a whole week.

It has been soooo hot here this week. I didn't feel much like cooking.  I used the grill tonight and could barely stand the heat outside while my food cooked!  Steaks marinated in olive oil and steak seasoning, cooked about 8 minutes on each side for medium rare.  Thermometer registered 165 degrees.  Perfectly done.  Don't forget the grilled zucchini and red peppers.   Sweet potatoes are a real treat this time of year.  The salad made with romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, black olives and smoked mozarella cheese made the dish a refreshing summertime meal.  It was delicious...Stay cool,  grill outside and enjoy the summer while we can.  Until next time!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Sunday Night Easy!

Here is an easy one for you to try.  Asparagus Frittata.  My mom used to make this all the time, and it is a really light, easy meal to serve with some warm bread.  Try it sometime.

ASPARAGUS FRITTATA
1 bunch fresh asparagus
4 eggs beaten
1/2 cup grated parmesian cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 T olive oil

Cook the asparagus until slightly softened.  
Beat the eggs, add salt and pepper
Cut the asparagus into bite size pieces
Add the cheese, garlic and asparagus to the egg mixture.
Put olive oil into skillet.  Heat on medium.
Pour the egg mixture in the pan
Let it cook approximately 7 minutes (be sure the eggs are cooking through)
Flip the frittata by loosening the edges,  put a plate over the skillet, flip the whole pan over and put the eggs back in the pan and finish cooking.

This is a great Italian Omelet!  Ciao!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Saturday Night fun!

Went to our friends house for dinner last night.  It was so much fun and I got to eat "adobo" a traditional phillapino dish.  Chicken and rice with adobo sauce was absolutely great.  I made a chocolate raspberry bundt cake and we all had a great time.  Two more of his friends came over the last minute and it was wonderful.  Sorry, no picture of the bundt cake.  :(

Thursday, July 14, 2011

OMG it's Thursday already!

I haven't gotten to the grocery store yet this week.  What to have for dinner?  Well,  I have some pasta, I have cream of mushroom soup,  I have a can of chicken.  Oh what the heck,  let's make a chicken casserole.


This is an easy, fast and delicious dinner.   Boil the pasta (1 lb), mix 2 cans cream of mushroom soup with 1/2 cup of heavy cream.  Add frozen peas and mushrooms for extra flavor,  granulated garlic and some dehydrated onions.    Mix it all together and then add the chicken.  When the noodles are done,  put it all together and top it with French Fried Onions.  Bake it for about 30 minutes and serve!  Delicious.  It will serve about 6-8 people.  Try it you'll like it.....

Monday, July 11, 2011

Busy Weekend

Saturday was a  busy, busy day for us.  Went to an open house for a dear couple we know in the afternoon, and then were invited to a birthday party in a beautiful lake home in Glenview.  Live entertainment and a lot of food and drink flowing!  Had a fun time.

Sunday - rested around the house today after that busy day yesterday.  Made lasagna for dinner.  Had all the ingredients in the house so, why not?  Turned out really good.  Infact, we will have it again for dinner tonight.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Friday Night

Friday night,  hot outside,  not really hungry, what to make?    I have some Barese sausage in the fridge and three green peppers I bought and didn't use yet.  OK,  Sausage and peppers with fresh tomatoes.  MMMM good.  I found 2 ciabatta rolls frozen (don't you love to find things you forgot you had in the freezer?) and put them in the convection oven for a few minutes.  A light dinner,  but a good one.   Sausage and Pepper sandwiches.  Tomato and mozarrella salad along with it and that's it.  Mangia!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Ahhh, Eggplant Parmesiana!

Tonight, I made eggplant parmesiana.  The best I have ever made.  I deviated from my mom's recipe a bit, and boy she would be proud!!
Here is the recipe:
EGGPLANT PARMESIAN

1 medium eggplant
3 eggs beaten
¼ c parmesian cheese grated
½ c flour
1 ½ c panko breadcrumbs Italian flavored
1 small jar of tomato sauce
1 c water
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
¾ c olive oil


  1. Peel and slice the eggplant into thin slices
  2. Lay the slices out on a cookie sheet
  3. Sprinkle salt on the eggplant
  4. Take the jar of tomato sauce and mix the whole thing with 1 cup water in a bowl. It needs to be thin.
  5. Beat the eggs with ¼ c parmesian cheese
  6. Have 3 dishes ready – flour, egg mixture, bread crumbs
  7. Rinse the eggplant quickly to remove some of the salt
  8. Have glass casserole dish ready.  Pour a little sauce on bottom.
  9. Put ½ c olive oil in skillet and heat
  10. Dip the eggplant slices in flour, egg mixture and then in bread crumbs.
  11. Fry them in skillet until brown
  12. Layer them on the bottom of the casserole dish in single layer
  13. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over eggplant
  14. Ladle sauce over the layer.
  15. Continue to fry the eggplant and make layers until all cooked up.  Add more olive oil as needed.
  16. Pour sauce over top and more shredded cheese.
  17. Bake in 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes until bubbly.

Makes about 6 servings.  Cook time 35 -45 minutes.

Try this, I'm sure you'll like it!  Until next time....mangia!