vacation favorites

When we have gone on Spring Break vacations ( long before the boys were playing in h.s. spring tournaments) we would have one night where dinner was called Franchise Dinner. Mind you, we have 5 sons....
That meant, everyone could pick their favorite franchise, drive thru restaurant to get their dinner. Then we would take all these carry outs, back to the beach of our hotel and picnic. And one year, they were so cranky, we had to eat right on the curb. Fun Memories!

Quick! The kids are coming for dinner!

I'm under the weather, and am not used to working all day~ and two of the boys are coming for dinner tomorrow night. I'm freaking because I don't have much time after work tomorrow to come up with something. And the following is not a bad idea and it's all quick! One of them requested my homemade Irish cream- and it's already for tomorrow!
Roasted Chicken
Romaine and Potato Salad
Eggplant Gratin
Lemon Pudding cake

Mushroom Soup Substitute

I found this in a newsletter I subscribe to~ WorldWide Recipes. Canned Mushroom Soup Substitute

2 Tbs (30 ml) butter or olive oil
1/3 cup (80 ml) sliced mushrooms
3 Tbs (45 ml) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 ml) milk
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
A grating of fresh nutmeg

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over moderate heat. Add the mushrooms and saute for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the flour and stir until the mixture had formed a paste and the flour and the butter are thoroughly incorporated. Add the milk and stir with a whisk or spoon until the paste is completely dissolved. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring frequently. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Makes about 1 1/2 cups (375 ml).
I am not a mushroom lover so I don't often have mushrooms on hand. But I bet I could find some dried or mushroom powderand that could be used instead of the sliced mushrooms!

Spring Break Dinner Destinations

Every day, last week, I felt like that poor kid in a classroom of 20 who is the only one NOT going away for Spring break; all my paddle buddies are going away; most of the teachers I work with will be gone;all surrounding neighbors seem to be going away...
so today I came up with an idea I'm going to offer those on my personal email thingy and those I see on FB- I'm going to offer DINNER DESTINATIONS! They will be mini dinner packages for 4 that will also include recipes, some ingredients and music CD. And, it will only be offered during Spring Break week to those who are not going away.
Yesterday we had beautiful, warm weather. Today, it's snowing. So Chicago!

My St. Patrick's Day dinner

So I'm thinking about making a cheddar cheese spread, Shepherds Pie and a slaw my Mother always made. It's a German slaw and it's more on the sour side but made with eggs, milk and vinegar and small amount of sugar. And for dessert, we'll have these fab cupcakes I made today. I tested them on 7 people this afternoon- and they really, really liked them! Everything tastes better when someone else makes it! And I think I'll also make a batch of my Irish Cream.

Proper Sauteeing

Being on the Atkins diet, I'm so sick of cleaning my stove every night but it certainly has to be cleaned immediately or else, cleaning it requires getting outside elbow grease- my husband!
I wanted to share the correct way to saute foods.
First, make sure you pan accommodates the food. Wider is more important than higher.
Next, heat your pan and when the pan is hot, add your oil. I like to use a little oil and a little butter. Use only enough fat to lubricate the pan.
Next - Just before your oil begins to smoke ( you don't want it to smoke because then the oil begins to breakdown) you can add your food, distributing it evenly.If you are not sure if the pan is ready, drop a small piece of bread into the pan and see if it starts to sizzle.
Dry food- make sure your food is dry before you add it to the fat. If not dry, it will splatter and you could get burned.
Give it a chance- don't stir or flip just yet- wait till you get a nice color on one side. Then you can do what you need to do be it stir or flip.

Robert Irvine Blogs About His Return to 'Dinner: Impossible'

Robert Irvine Blogs About His Return to 'Dinner: Impossible'

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