Dinners Done Easy

 Sometimes you just want an easy supper. It could be a quick bowl of ramen or a corn dog in an air fryer. Both are good after a bosuy day.

I've felt like this lately, thanks to renovating my home. Cooking  in this case is just not doable. Maruchan Ramen soup is a must

                                       It's just adding the flavor packets and water to the  bowl.

                   Pop it in the microwave for three minutes and it's a full, satsifying meal.

                                           Then there are the Morningstar Farms corn dogs

            This was a quick fry in the air fryer. It just took about ten minutes at 380 degrees Farenheit.

                                   Air frying made the dogs crispy and golden brown. There's really no need to deep fry them.

                                The inside was a tender dog with a very crunchy exterior. It was a quick dinner  and a fun alternative to traditional hot dogs.

There are many ways to have a fast, hot dinner. Get a bowl of ramen soup. Fry up some corn dogs in the air fryer. They're great for eating dinner when you don;t want to cook.

Food's Greatest Hits A New Summer Hit?

Right now there's a dearth of reruns on TV, even with the channels dedicated to cooking. Yet the Cooking Channel has given us a fun filled,, fact filled.show. Food's Greatest Hits is a mash up of history, dares and recipes on some of our most beloved dishes.It's a frothy meringue of a show, worth watching.

The show had its' debut on the Cooking Channel last night at 10 'o clock and another at 10:30. (it's also shown on Tuesday afternoons between 2 and 3). The first episode was dedicated to cheese. They featured a salute to baked mac along with cheesecake. It's always interesting to know a recipe's origin and history. It's neat the way they do it with graphics and a time line. I didn't know that the two dishes started in ancient Rome and ancient Greece respectively. Another aspect of the show is how the show brings on chefs and food hosts from their various shows to try different variations of the dishes. My favorite was when they presented the participants with a Maine version of baked macaroni. It was mixed with lobster meat and served in a whole lobster shell. (and of course, the chefs and hosts who the show groups in pairs - wore lobster claw mitts). The cheesecake segment was also outrageous, with an Elvis style one loaded with peanut butter, bacon and bananas! There was also a bit on grilled cheese that went over the top too, especially the breakfast one..

The second show was devoted to carnival foods, especially funnel cakes.I had no idea that they came from Germany and that the Pennsylvania Dutch brought them over. What the show did with them was another matter. Funnel cakes are just good with a dusting of powdered sugar, but the show's chefs' took this simple treat to a whole other level. There was a funnel cake ice cream sandwich topped with a multicolored puff of cotton candy. Then there was the one topped with multicolored candy corn that would make even the fiercest sugar addict say "No!"Another interesting segment revolved around the corn dog and a segment on loaded fries . Many Cooking Channel fans will recognize some of the hosts, from Reverend Run to Haylie Duff, Alie Ward to Georgia Hardstock along with Justine Simmons.Future episodes include breakfast foods, sugar rush that features cookies, cupcakes and ice cream sundaes.Another upcoming episode that should be riveting is one dedicated to Mexican food. Hopefully they'll do episodes on healthier dishes along with fruits and veggies for those of us who are into more natural noshes

If you're looking for fresh , entertaining fare this summer tune in to Food's Greatest Hits. It's a fun romp into our favorite foods and their histories. It's a sweet treat for a summer's night.

Summer's Traditional Foods

Now that it is truly summer ,it's time to bring out all those great foods that are only served during these steamy days.Thanks to both it. Being harvest time as well as being too hot to cook in a traditional kitchen,annual caves come out.There are so many from barbecue fare to boardwalk and beach classics. Salads make a big come back when the temps soar.Nothing beats a simple lunch of iceberg lettuce ,and tomato wedges.Finish with a homemade French dressing of equal parts mayo and ketchup. another salad that screams not only summer but chicness is the Provencale salad Nicoise. This involves mixing greens and tomatoes with hard boiled eggs ,capers ,anchovies and tuna fish.It has a simple oil and vinegar dressing and is served with huge hunks of the crustiest French bread. Of course nothing beats good old fashioned burgers and dogs.Put them on buttered buns and load up with extras, like pickles and onions for the first and relish and mustard for the second. Of course summer means a return to Boardwalk and country fair classic foods.Nothing beats the rare treat of a corn dog ,a mix of sweet and savory.There's also sausage and pepper sandwiches , bursting with super spicy Italoan sausage and peppers. Sweets come out too, like the enticing and crackly candy apples,either dipped in nuts or coconuts along with everyone's must have cotton candy.No matter how old you are nothing finishes a night out like big fluff of the stuff.Luckily the warm weather provides us with nature's sweet treats. indulge in strawberries plums and nectarines.These make great snacks , especially on picnics or after the gym.Blueberries and cherries are also still in abundance.Scatter them over your favorite home made or store bought ice cream or turn into luscious compotes. Summer is officially here and with it all the foods we love. Enjoy them at the beach or the lake. make sure you serve them at your barbecue.Just celebrate these lazy hazy days with fun foods and fun times!