I love tarts. I adore asparagus. I am a fan of Gruyere cheese. Imagine my delight when all these things came together in one beautiful dish. Asparagus Gruyere Tart is the union of deliciousness encased in a puff pastry. What’s not to love? While this dish is amazing as a side dish to something grand, a tart this beautiful can also take center stage for a spring themed brunch.
A Tribute to my Beautiful Mom on Mother’s Day
My mom wasn’t the easiest person to get along with. At least not for me. The last conversation we had, I brushed her off. She wanted to go to lunch and spend the day together. After all, it was my birthday. It was also a work day. “Playing hookie” as she put it was not something I was willing to do. I wasn’t sick, and I wasn’t about to call in sick just to spend the day with her. “Some other time, mom. I have to work today.” I could hear the disappointment in her voice. She had called bubbling over with excitement and hung up hurt. Two weeks later, Mom died in her sleep. For us, “some other time” never came.
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French is What I Want Today
In case you missed my earlier posting, today is a grand, grand day. It’s Eat What You Want Day, and I want French food.
Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata
What a wonderful day to be alive! Did you know that today is National Eat What You Want Day? Well, it is. Eat What You Want Day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy. It’s the one day a year when we are to eat without regrets. Love donuts? Go for it. Love greasy spoons or fat food joints, indulge away. This day was intended to be a guilt-free day.
Steamed Broccoli Fish Bake
Here it is, another Catholic Friday. Fridays are great, the start of the weekend. While I don’t need to stress over work any more, I still look forward to the weekends. Everything slows down, even when we have a hundred things to do. Somehow on the weekends, we manage to remember the little things like holding hands and lingering over a nice meal.
Dill Shrimp Old Bay Deviled Eggs
Did you know that Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood? Guess Bubba was on the right track with his shrimp boating plans. The most popular shrimp dishes in North America are Seafood Gumbo, Shrimp Cocktail, Shrimp De Jonghe (a specialty of Chicago’s De Jonghe’s Hotel and Restaurant) and of course our Italian favorite, Shrimp Scampi. Scampi is so popular, it actually has its own National Day of celebration.
Company’s Coming Baked Baby Carrots with Peppered Oregano
Have you ever noticed that we can spend hours upon hours planning a main dish, or exciting the perfect dessert, but tend to slap something together for the second act, the side dishes? I will admit, when planing an elaborate meal, I spend as much energy on every aspect of the meal, from the first course to the last. When trying out new recipes, I’ll cook up something simple to go with recipes untried so that they receive my undivided attention. Even if that new recipe is a simple side dish.
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Three-Cooks Two-Cheese Bacon Potato Skins
Oh my goodness, what the heck am I talking about? Three cooks in the kitchen? Hardly! I’m talking about a potato skin that has been cooked three times. Yep, count ’em, three times.
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When I first saw this recipe for a slow-cooker Roast Beef Sandwich that was supposed to be “just like Arby’s” I was very skeptical. After all, the real key to Arby’s is that the meat is cut super thin. Unless you have an awesome meat slicing machine in your kitchen, chances are you aren’t going to get the millimeter thin ribbons of beef. That much I was certain, and in the end that much was true. We didn’t have Arby’s style roast beef sandwiches for dinner, but we did have an awesome chopped beef sandwich that rocked our worlds. While this isn’t exactly one of those throw it in the crock pot and forget about it suppers, a little tending isn’t much for a hot sandwich that is this delicious. You know me, once I realized we weren’t going to get that same thin sliced Arby’s sandwich from my slow cooker, I tweaked the final sauce just a bit and bam – it was awesome!
It’s National Have a Coke Day
Today is National Have a Coke Day. You know me, I like to bend the rules just a little. It’s hard to “have a coke” when you don’t drink soda. Once in a blue moon, I might have a Pepsi, or a root beer with a slice of pizza, but this isn’t National Drink a Soft Drink Day, it’s Have a Coke. Did you know that a man by the name John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola at Pemberton’s Eagle Drug and Chemical House in Columbus, Georgia? It was intended to be a patented medicine of some sort. However; a businessman named Asa Griggs Candler dominated the world of soft-drinks by marketing Coca-Cola as a soft drink rather than a medicine. Makes you wonder how many other medications out there might serve us better with a shot of bourbon and a twist of lime.
Appreciating Teachers with Apples on a Stick
Did you know that the first Tuesday in May is Teacher Appreciation Day? I have two sisters that are teachers. One is now retired, the other still teaching her heart out. I’m proud of both of them. When Kiddo was in grade school, we “appreciated” his teachers by taking them out to a nice dinner with their families. After all, it’s not just the teachers that are making a difference. Their families are equally important. Just think of all the nights and weekends those families sacrifice so that your child has a teacher dedicated to developing their minds.
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Elegant Surf and Turf for Mom’s Special Day
Naturally, I have saved the very best, most indulgent menu for last. This is deserving of the highest praise. Every aspect is unique and oh so delicious. While the menu may seem complicated, demanding great skills in the kitchen, when taken step by step it’s not all that difficult. While the recipes themselves are presented in the order they should be served, the dessert should actually be made the day before or early in the morning. The cake will need time to bake, cool, assemble and decorate. The salad can also be made in advance, to be finished just before serving. The potatoes are equally delicious served warm or at room temperature, just don’t garnish until ready to serve. The only aspect of the menu that proves to be a challenge is the Steak Oscar. While no one element of the steak is complicated on its own, timing is everything. If my guys can do it, (as they have) I’m sure anyone can do it too.
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Celebrating National Crêpes Suzette Day
Today has been set aside to honor one of the more unique and delicious of Food Holidays – the Crêpe Suzette! In restaurants, Crêpes Suzettes are often prepared at the table since the flambé presentation is quite the show. According to the National Holiday Calendar, the best way to observe National Crêpe Suzette Day would be to head to the nearest fancy French Restaurant and order some. Yeah, that would be great – someone else doing the prep, the assembly and the clean up. Or we could get really adventurous and make them at home. I’m game – are you?
A Mother’s Day Five-Star Seafood Delight
A few years ago, I put together several of my favorite things for a wonderful Mother’s Day Menu. My guys were able to handle all but the sauce for the scallops. To me, that’s proof positive that this menu may sound complicated, but is easy to execute. Granted, Kiddo is a whiz-kid in the kitchen. However, Hubby – well let’s just say he needs a lot of detailed instruction and supervision. Fire up a grill and he’s your man. In the kitchen, he’s out of his element. You would think after all these years of exposure to kitchen lingo he would get it, but he doesn’t. That’s okay, I know nothing about football despite the fact that I’ve spend many a Sunday cuddled up with my armchair quarterback. He even took me to a Super Bowl game once. Loved all the tailgate parties! Just don’t understand the game.
It’s National Hoagies Day!
I know, you were expecting something for Cinco de Mayo, but as it turns out the 5th of May is also National Hoagies Day. Yep, an entire day dedicated to a sandwich that has more alias than most bad guys. Sub, Heroes, Grinders, Blimp, Zeppelin, or Torpedo just to name a few.
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