5 O'Clock On Any Given Sunday

Once again our family was blessed to gather around the table for Sunday Dinner. I can not recommend highly enough this tradition to you, my readers. Our family knows that on any given Sunday at five o'clock exactly where they will be, if at all possible. Not only are appetites fed there, but spirits nourished.

Our menu today was: BBQ Pork Ribs, Potato Casserole, Marinated Spring Vegetables and for dessert a delicious homemade Strawberry Shortcake.


It was obvious by the foods on our table that Spring has sprung! We had fresh vegetables galore in a tangy marinade. I couldn't help but smile at all of the different colors as I cut the fresh vegetables into bite sized pieces.



My sister made the BBQ Ribs. They were so tender that they fell off of the bones. There was no way to pick them up. It was more like delicious morsels of pulled pork. Yum! One of our favorite Sunday Sides, Potato Casserole was the perfect foil with it's cheesy creaminess to the BBQ's piquant bite.



After all that delicousness... the family still had one more treat to come. We had gorgeous Strawberry Shortcakes to take advantage of the beautiful berries available in the stores now. I made the short cakes from scratch with fresh butter and flavored them with orange zest and real vanilla. Sliced open, and filled with berries and cream, they were mind-blowingly good.



I hope to get back to post recipes. However, please feel free to message me if I am delayed and you would like to try any of the recipes.

Sundays are my favorite days! See you soon!

Sunday Dinner

Today we had our usual gathering for Sunday dinner at my sister's house next door. Our menu was simple and familiar comfort foods.

On the menu: Fried chicken, corn casserole, garlic green beans with sweet red peppers, house salad and for dessert: Chocolate Chocolate Cake.


We serve our dishes family style, and pass the bowls and platters.





There's something refreshing about a cool and crisp salad next to steaming hot crispy chicken and sweet and creamy corn casserole.



I bet you wanna see that cake, dontcha? Here it is... homemade Chocolate Chocolate Cake. Yes, as a matter of fact it WAS good.




If you would like a recipe in this post, leave your request in the comments.

Sundays... Our family loves them!

This Is The Day

For the first time in a very long time, I don't have Sunday dinner pictures to share. I didn't forget. And yes, we had dinner. It was just such a lovely time with lovely family and friends and I chose to enjoy the moment. I chose to focus on the people and the conversation.

The food was awesome! We had BBQ Chicken and Ribs, salad, baked potatoes, grilled vegetables and homemade bread. For dessert, we had planned a cheesecake that my sister purchased. But, that didn't work out. So, instead we had Root beer Floats!

I won't totally disappoint you, though. The grilled vegetables were delicious! So, I'll share the method, as it is more method than recipe. Even the most avowed veggie hater just might approve of them.

Today has been beautiful. From the bright, clear morning... to delightful Salsa courtesy of the Buena Vista Social Club and Celia Cruz... to dinner with loved ones. It has been a joy.

Today is the day that the Lord has made... I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today, I've been happier than I have been in a long time. Rejoice!


Grilled Vegetables


4 medium zucchini
2 green bell peppers
2 red bell peppers
1 large Spanish onion
1 pound of button mushrooms

Olive Oil
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Italian Dressing
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Onion Powder

Wooden Skewers


Soak the skewers in water for 2 hours. (It helps avoid burning on the grill)

Chop all of the vegetables into bite sized pieces. (I left the mushrooms whole)

In a large bowl, liberally season with seasonings and toss. Add a good amount of olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and Italian dressing. Toss again.

Allow to marinate at room temperature for at least an hour. (Two is better)

Thread vegetables onto skewers. Stack closely, but not tightly.

Grill over hot coals, while continually watching. Baste with reserved marinade a few times as you turn the skewers for even cooking.

Delicious!

Travel Via Palate

Today's Sunday dinner was simple but delicious. We feasted on sausages, sauerkraut with apples and onions and pierogies.

Dinner preparation came together in less than 30 minutes, excluding dessert.




Apples and onions were sauteed in butter, with a little kosher salt and pepper. When softened, I added the drained sauerkraut.

Polish sausages were slowly browned and crisped.



I used frozen potato and cheese pierogies. First they were boiled until they floated in salted water.



Lastly, the pierogies were drained and then lightly sauteed in butter. Yummy!


Here's my plate. I like a little sour cream with my pierogies.



My sister rocked dessert! She made an Apple Spice Crisp. And then she served it warm with a scoop of Bluebell Homemade Vanilla. Oh. My. Word.



Dinner was wonderful. A little taste of eastern Europe.

Sunday Sides

One of the wonderful things about Sunday dinner is that it is more "substantial" than our normal weekday dinners. There is the requisite protein and vegetable... but then there are extra starches and usually a decadent dessert.

Today, I'm back as promised to give the recipes to the two side dishes my family enjoyed this past Sunday. I hope you will try these easy and tasty side dishes. If you do, please let me know what you think. I love feedback!

Potato Casserole

24 oz. Ore Ida Hash browns
1 Can Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup
8 oz. Sour Cream
1/4 c. margarine or butter, melted
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
3 fresh green onions, sliced
8 oz. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
4 oz. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 c. Shredded Parmesan Cheese (use the real stuff)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking dish: I use non-stick spray. I think my dish is a 9 x 10.

In a large mixing bowl mix all ingredients, except the potatoes. Once well mixed, add the potatoes and mix well. Pour into prepared dish, spread evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. (or until potatoes are tender) Remove foil and return to oven to brown top as desired.



(I apologize for the blurry image)


Vegetable Gumbo

1 16 oz. bag Frozen Succotash
1/2 pound fresh green beans
1 16 oz. bag Frozen sliced Okra
1 14.5 oz can of Diced Tomatoes
4 oz. Tomato Paste
1 large Red Bell pepper, diced
3 medium Zucchini, sliced
2 Tablespoons Vigo Chicken Soup Base , divided
1 tsp. Onion Powder
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

Method:

Add succotash and green beans to a medium pot. Just cover with water. Add one tablespoon of soup base. Cook over medium heat, covered for ten minutes.

Add remaining ingredients, stir well. Cook covered until desired doneness.

Taste for seasoning and serve.

Sunday Dinner

There are precious few constants in most of our lives. However, our family is blessed to be able to stop everything and gather around the dinner table in the formal dining room for a meal each Sunday. The funny thing is that we tend to eat off paper plates...after all who wants to wash dishes after a feast?

Today was my day to cook. My Sunday menu: Roasted Chicken, Cheesy Potato Casserole, Vegetable Gumbo and hot rolls. I made a homemade Sweet Potato Pie for dessert.

Here's a look at the bird before carving. That's not burnt skin... that delicious seasonings and flavor!






Next, I'll show you the veggies in the pot. Yummers! It was a delightful mix of lima beans, okra, corn, tomatoes, green beans, zucchini and red bell peppers. Delicious!



Here's a picture of my loaded plate. I'm not much of a meat eater... so I usually just pick up a wing.




Another angle... Look at that yumminess!



And because I just can't leave it alone... a close up of the casserole and veggies.



Dessert was a southern classic: Sweet Potato Pie!






Well, this post is getting long. So, I'll be back with recipes for the Potato Casserole and the Vegetable Gumbo this week.

Happy Sunday!

The Perfect Junk Food For Women

I realize that some of my regular readers are men. And for that, I'm flattered. However, today's post will resonate deeply with women. That doesn't mean that savvy men can't read and learn. *wink* (Trust me... you may very well become a hero to a woman in your life's orbit.)

I am a firm believer in home cooked foods prepared with quality ingredients. But occasionally (read: hormonally) nothing will satisfy cravings other than junk food. The problem I have is this: First, you eat sweet...then must have salty...then sweet...

You know the routine. It may take two to three cycles to satiate the "hormonal craving beast" that lives inside.

Well, NO MORE! Again, I don't advocate a regular intake of junk foods. However, I have discovered the pure perfected essence that is craving cure Nirvana. Behold:




I chanced across these delicious, crunchy pieces of heaven in our campus bookstore while on a coffee run. Good googly moogly!!! I am too ashamed to tell you how quickly they disappeared. That are just that good. Better than chips, better than caramel candy... they are caramel corn to the nth degree good! Salty and sweet. The perfect storm to decimate hormonal cravings.

They are so good... they should be used only in dire hormonal situations.

Just sayin'.

You've been warned.

Wordless Wednesday

WIL: Eat Your Veggies!

I believe in the power of sister-friends. The older I become the more certain I am that sister-friends are life support, entertainment, wisdom founts and cheerleaders all rolled into one loving package.

I belong to a fabulous group of ladies called Women in the Light. Our fearless leader Jennifer V. established the group to encourage women of all ages, circumstances and abilities to build close and trustworthy relationships. We are a patchwork quilt of life seasons, careers, marital statuses and backgrounds. We all claim to follow Christ, but belong to different Christian denominations. None of us are hung up on the non-essentials of our faith.

The food theme for our get together this past Thursday was "Eat Your Veggies". While Jennifer V. is our fearless leader, veggies have not been high on her list of "delicious eats". She has made great strides in the three years I've known her and now will try (and sometimes enjoy) vegetables. So, I was floored when she suggested this theme. I have to hand it to her: she IS fearless.

The photo at the top of this post is a delicious salad that Kelly brought: Spinach, carrots, ripe pears, feta and dried cranberries. It was served with a raspberry vinaigrette.

Jennifer M. brought Balsamic Peppers. They were an awesome balance of sweet and tart. Yum!



Dawn V. made a potato casserole that was to die for. Unfortunately, I missed taking a photo of that dish. I forgot that it was in the oven finishing up. But can I just tell you this? Potatoes, sour cream and cheese = comfort. I also missed Michelle's Black Bean and Corn Salad. I did not realize it was on the menu until forks had been hoisted. And by then... well, it was too late. Okay, it wasn't too late. I just wasn't going to stop eating to take more photos. *blush*

Jennifer V. made a Broccoli Casserole and I made Asian Noodle Salad.






I ate entirely too much food. I had a nice bowl of salad and a plate of all of the goodness.





In keeping with the vegetable theme, there was Carrot Cake for dessert. I just couldn't manage any. I'd already filled up on my veggies.

After our veggie feast, we sat down to continue building our scrapbook cookbooks. Yes, we share all of our recipes between us. Didn't I say that sister-friends are invaluable???

Foodie Field Trip

Every weekend, I am blessed to share Sister Saturday with my older sister. The fact that our homes are built next door to each other is by no means a guarantee that we will see each other throughout the week. However, Sister Saturday is sacrosanct. Our Saturdays are spent together accomplishing a variety of enjoyable outings and necessary errands for the family.

Today, one of our diversions involved a bit of a "Foodie Field Trip" to Petty's Meat Market. Their fresh meats are really the very tastiest that I've ever had. Truly. No. Lie. Yet today we shopped the condiments, seasonings and cold cases. Wow. Forgive the photo quality. All were taken with my phone camera. (smile)

Different types of salt:



We browsed the vinegars. I love to switch up vinegars in home made salad dressings.



We noodled over to sauces, jams and seasonings:



























If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know about my love affair with cheese. Oh, be still my heart! How about some fresh Feta?







Petty's also has an extensive wine selection, but we also skipped that today. Sometimes they have in-store wine tasting with an expert on hand to answer questions.

They always have complimentary beer on tap near the take away deli counters. We did not indulge today... but sometimes do!

Did I mention that they have bulk candy jars? Who says foodies don't like their childhood favorites anymore?



I promise, I didn't buy any candy today. I left with a package of gluten free Lemon Pepper Noodles.... and a smile.


Disclaimer: I was in no manner compensated for this blog entry. I received no monies, discounts or special treatment. Petty's treats all of their customers to excellent customer service, warranting this praise.

It Warms My Heart

I spent the winter holidays year visiting my family and friends back home in San Antonio and my sister-friend and family in Virginia. As always, one of my expressions of love is food. I love to putter around and cook up love for my loved ones.

My first night in Virginia was a c-c-c-cold one. It was getting late by the time everyone made in in for the evening. Everyone was hungry. For me, that meant one thing: soup time!

I made my "semi-homemade" version of Pasta e Fagioli. Easy, comforting and delicious. I served it up with some hot garlic bread and everyone was happy. Soup feeds the body and soul.

Yesterday, my sister-friend called to ask how to make the soup. I emailed her the instructions talking girlfriend to girlfriend. I decided to post it as I sent it:



Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Bean Soup) E-mail Recipe

Pie,

Here are the easy steps:



1. The "Dump": In large pot dump all of the following:

* Beef Stock (2 Cartons)
* Diced tomatoes with juice (Medium can... 14 oz?)
* Both cans of beans with juice
* corn, with juice (small can...5 oz?)
* Spaghetti Sauce (Full Jar)
* Put on back burner of the stove to boil, turn down to simmer once boiling
* Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
* Add 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper

2. The Browning:

* Brown in cast iron skillet ground beef
* Season with Onion powder, Garlic powder, salt and black pepper (use the kosher salt)
* Brown, drain and then brown until caramelized. (Makes better taste in soup)
* Put browned crumbled meat into soup pot with other "Dump" ingredients
* In the same skillet, add two tablespoons olive oil. Do not wash skillet.
* Brown one onion, small diced. Two cloves of garlic pressed, and three ribs of celery small dice (important to caramelize!)
* Put browned veggies into soup pot with other cooking ingredients.

3. Simmer


* Simmer to meld the flavors about 15 minutes
* Add pasta (about 1 cup dry)
* Cook until pasta tender

4. Remove from heat


* Stir in on large handful of chopped parsley
* Check for salt/pepper
* Cover and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!


It warms my heart that she sent the picture above showing the results. She served it up with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese (just like I did!)

I love her.

Old School Friday: The Dramatics

I remember watching Soul Train as a little girl with my sisters on Saturdays. No one would move in the den while the show's featured guests were on stage.

I remember this one fondly.

Old School Friday: Mahalia Jackson

My mother used to listen to gospel and spirituals on Saturday mornings as we cleaned our home. We listened to many artists, some that I can no longer remember. We even listened to "static-ky" cassette tapes made from live worship services. (Any one else remember folks doing that in the seventies?)

I do remember a few artists and groups: The Blind Boys from Alabama, Aretha Franklin, Shirley Caesar,Chicago Mass Choir,Reverend James Cleveland, our local Walker Ford Singers and of course, Mahalia Jackson. Here she is singing Silent Night. Enjoy.

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Back in the Groove

Lately, life has been a bit more overwhelming, adventurous, frightening, busy and stressful. It has been a roller coaster of new experiences, destinations, crises and opportunities.I'll spare you the details, gory and glorious... and just say this: I think I'm finally back in the groove. A sense of normalcy is slowly returning.

It slowly dawned on me as I sat with my sister yesterday in Starbucks. We were enjoying our customary Sister Saturday. As we sat planning the menu for our family to enjoy for Sunday dinner, we chatted about a variety of topics that floated in and out of our imaginations. As the rain fell outside, all was right in our little world of steaming coffee and delightful sweets. (The cranberry orange scone was to. die. for.)

Tomorrow my youngest child will celebrate his eighteen birthday. In his honor, tonight's Sunday dinner menu included his favorites. We enjoyed Asian Chicken Wings and Asian Noodle Salad. We rounded out the meal with pot stickers and egg rolls. He was quite happy. This is my little plate. Sadly, I only ate one wing and the noodles. The rest will go with me to work for lunch tomorrow.



Normally the birthday young man asks for the same cake for his birthday:Dark chocolate with Cream Cheese Frosting. He surprised me by asking for a whole different type of dessert.



Behold: Turtle Cheesecake!

I had fun making it. I used my standard cheesecake batter and added a caramel layer, glazed pecans and my signature chocolate ganache. For some reason the caramel layer set up a bit too hard, but none of us minded much. The taste was out of this world.

So yeah.... I think I'm back in the groove. Living my life full of family, friends and food... Things are looking up.

Happy holidays everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

Old School Friday: Gone But Not Forgotten

While whiling away time on Facebook, one of my online friends linked to a meme he is participating in on his blog.

It got me interested... as I'm all about MUSIC.

So, with no further ado... with both feet, I jump into Old School Friday.

Enjoy:





See what other bloggers are putting out there for Old School Friday.