Lucky Foods

 Everyone has that one lucky dish they eat before a match or after a job interview to insure all things go right.It could even be a lucky first date meal with the eater chowing down on pasta or a hamburger to ensure a second date.

Here's the question - what's your lucky food? Lentils because they resemble gold coins. Or a bowl of buttery black eyed peas? Or leafy greens like kale because they represent money? Or simply that slice from your favorite pizzeria because it just meant a fun night ahead. I do like black eyed peas in melted butter. Yes, they're lucky but their taste is a sweet mellow nuttiness other beans don't have.

Let us know what you'll be eating this Friday the 13th. And good luck!

The Ultimate Empanada Cookbook

 Nothing beats a  homemade pastry filled with either savory or sweet fillings. empanadas are just this. The dense pastries can be filled with all sorts of yummy fillings from, meat to veggies to even fruit and chocolate They're perfect for lunch dinner and even picnics.  Now there's a new cookbook that has dozens of tasty recipes .

Donna Kelly is the author of a great cookbook titled Empanada (Smith Gibbs Publishing 2025). This is an exciting book.I love empanadas and have always wanted to create my own. Ms. Kelly begins the book with their history - starting in Spain around 700 AD. Most are fried , usually in a neutral oil however Americans tend to bake them. How they're prepared is up to you. She also has several dough recipes ranging from dough for baked or fried pastries along with one for shortcuts - tortillas and ones with traditional masa or corn dough.There are also helpful instructions on sealing them from the traditional rope to the pressed crimp edge.The recipes start off with a section dedicated to traditional Latin ones,The Mexican ones have a blend of potatoes and chorizo while Argentinian ones include the tangy green chimichurri sauce. A great way of using rotisserie chicken is the Venezualan Mojo chicken recipe, packed with the meat and a variety of fiery spices and honey. The Cuban style empanada is full of Havarti cheese, black beans, rice and diced ham. This is a whole meal in one pastry. Again all look so good  and it's a question of what to make first.

There are also North American recipes too that are just as delicious.I can;t decide which one to try.The spinach artichoke one is good for parties but also a great dinner one. The TexMex chili is another on the radar to try. The books also has international , dessert  and holiday recipes too.Pizza empanadas are so good and there is a a recipe for them.Imagine an everything pizza with two kinds of cheese in one empananda. There is also a caprese one stuffed with fresh basil mozzarella and tomatoes. The Korean bulgoki one is an interesting mix of sriracha, soy sauce and bok choi along with ground sirloin.The Halloween empanadas are a must bake for any holiday party. They have jack o'lantern eyes and mouth cut out to reveal a black bean and onion filling. There are even Thanks giving ones, perfect for the day after the holiday. The dessert ones are perfect not just for snacks but also for get togethers. The chocolate raspberry is a definite must bake as are the fruit ones, perfect for the peach and berry harvests going on now. Another plus is the section of dipping sauces from savory to sweet, The avocado sauce would work well with the chicken ones while the chocolate hazelnut one is perfect with the sweet.

Empanada lovers will go made for this cookbook.Empananda  has every kind of recipe from Latin to dessert, American to international and holiday. It 's a definite addition to any home chef's library.

Cherry Tomato Sauce New Product for A New Year

 There are a lot of products home chefs want to try in the new year.They can be an experiment to be used maybe once to try or if liked, incorporated into much loved sihes. ONe such is cherry tomato sauce. Who knew those little gems could be turned into something so rich and flavorful.

I saw Lidl's Italiamo  brand cherry tomato sauce and had to try it.It was too tempting to pass up.

This I could have fun with  was my first thought. Imagine what I could make with it.It would be a perfect addition to the Lidl sauces I already use. It's not only cherry tomatoes. There's carrots for sweetness, along with onions and basil to enhance the tomatoes flavor. Olive oil makes it smooth. I added a bit to last night's sauce

This was a wild thrown in into a pot .It was last night spaghetti with the sauce. The cherry tomato sauce was also great in making a cheese less French bread pizza for lunch.

I loved this., It was just slathering the sauce along with drenching a hearty slice of baguette with olive oil and oregano.Two minutes in the microwave produced a crunchy , saucy bite that was very satisfying and flavorful. You could also use this sauce for English muffin pizzas and regular ones too.

The new year is full of fun and products to try .Lidl's Italiamo Cherry Tomato sauce is one of them. Give ti a go for a nice variation on sauces and recipes.

Nibble In The New Year

 New Yea'rs Eve demands party food even if it's a party of one. Think fun appetizers and hors'douevres  for a fun ringing in to the New Year.. You can have a wide variety of bites from a mini charcuterie to saucy dippables .It's up to you to decide.

One fun thing is to create a charcuterie or sea-cuterie board. It doesn';t have to be grand. if there's only three or four  - or even two then think a good salami sliced along with slices of prosciutto and mortadella. Have slices or cubes of cantaloupe for a lovely savory - sweet flavor, along with  rounds of toasted Italian bread, crackers, olives and sun dried tomatoes in oil. I would also  include cubes of mozzarella and Parmesan too for fun snacking. A sea-cuterie can have chilled shrimp with  sauce along with crab cakes  You could include herring - a German tradition of ensuring good luck for the New Year along with anchovy fillets. Rice crackers wouldn't go amiss here. You could also have slices fo brown bread for the herring and Italian or zFrench bread for the anchovies. If you want to add canned salmon along with tuna in olive oil ,do that too.It's your board  so have fun with it.A cheese cuterie board is also fun too. Try different varieties of cheeses from Edam to Gouda. Have the centerpiece baked Brie in puff pastry. With this have apple and pear slices and various breads and jams that will go with the fromages.

Hot bites are always welcomed. Air fryer wings and /or drumsticks are perfect nibbles to ring in 2025. have them just oiled and then salted and peppered. These are the best. crispy and fried  and then dipped into a variety of sauces. Have little ramekins filled with barbecue, lemon  butter, and honey mustard.  Serve with little scoops of macaroni and potato salads. These with the chicken actually make for a filling meal. Mini or English muffin pizzas also make for tasty appetizers. These are so easy to assemble and then bake in whether a toaster oven or an air fryer. if there;s more than two people then set up a  toppings bar. Have olives  ,pepperoni,  sliced mushrooms and anchovies. Another fun idea is a basket of fresh from the oven garlic knots . You can get already made pizza dough or make your own. If you're making your own , the give the dough and hour to an hour and a half to rise. These can be baked in either the oven or air fryer. You can sprinkle a bit of Parmesan in for more flavor.  You could have a plate of olives or artichoke hearts as a nice accompaniment.

I'ts New Year. Ring it in with tasty nibbles. They can be cold or hot, but make sure they're delicious.

The Best Gift Homemade Food Baskets

 What do you gift foodies and gourmands for the holiday season? Try a homemade food basket. These are not only fun to give but fun to make. Even better is that they can be tailored to the person's likes.

The first thing to do is figure out how many you;re going to make and what each recipient's tastes are.ONce these are established then head to your local dollar or craft sote and pick up wicker baskets. Buy ribbon to wrap around the baskets and if you want buy some fake holly and berries or put a candy cane or two in front for a more restive look. As for wrapping the entire basket, consider buying holiday Saran wrap that comes in red and green tints.(if you can;t find itat your local grocery store, Amazon has the rolls for fifteen dollars). Now it's time to think about what to put in. Pizza lovers would probably like a bag of bread flour, olive oil , pizza sauce and a pizza cutter. You can add a pack of pepperoni along with a tin of olives or even anchovies. Include a shaker jar of red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese if they like their pizzas extra cheesy. pasta lovers would appreciate a similar basket, but with different kinds of pasta to try a long with a couple of jars of different flavored sauces. Include a pasta measurer and pasta tongs (again Amazon and Target sell these). Add a jar of Parmesan too along with bottles of thyme and oregano for flavoring. A garlic press would be a great addition too.

Barbecuers would love a basket filled with different hot sauces . Get then in varying degrees of heat so the griller can experiment. A pack of homemade or purchased dry rubs would be appreciated. A good dry rub recipe has a blend of brown sugar, mustard powder, ground pepper and onion powder. You can put this in  a mason jar and tied a festive bow around it.Add barbecue mitt too which can be bought at either Home Depot or Sur la Table. Ice cream fanatics would love a basket filled of  extras to make the perfect cone or sundae. Include a package of waffle cone bowls and cones along with both hot fudge and salted caramel syrups. Wet walnuts and a container of maraschino cherries complete it along with a variety of colored sprinkled. Add a bottle of hard magic shell sauce for those perfect Dairy Queen dipped cones.You can  also put in a set of sundae spoons and metal straws for those who loved ice cream sodas. Bakers would love a basket full of different flours along with dry yeast, cinnamon and other spices like nutmeg and cardamon,Add festive cookie cutters along with powdered sugar, food coloring gels and different decorations like dragees and sprinkles. Target has cute Christmas tree spatulas that would go well in this kind of basket.

Creating a holiday food basket is fun. It could be for the barbecuer or the baker in your life. It could be a treat for a pasta and pizza lover or an ice cream fan. Whatever you make will be most appreciated by any food lover.

Parent Dash

 Mothers and  fathers will always worry  - and cook for their young.It doesn't;t matter if your two or twenty-two, they'll be there if you need food.Yet what's good to make and to give? There are the classics and not so classic/

Most college kids appreciate and miss their mom's cooking. THis is when mothers - and even dads should think about make a double batch of sauce. A plus is that tomatoes from a late summer - early fall harvest cna be added for more flavor. If  the kids are vegan or vegetarian add in some plant based meat balls. Lidl has excellent ones from their Vendomo brand. Keep in mind if you do that the sauce then makes  for a great meatball sandwich too. Non meat meat balls can be frozen too , whether thye're in sauce or not. Add some ground beef , cumin and chili pepper to make a tasty chili. Throw in kidney and pinto beans for a heartier dish. This too can be frozen and stored in the freezer for months.Do you feel like your offspring needs a nudge when cooking? Then just send a care package or better yet - a gift certificate from their local grocery store. A care package could included canned soups , boxes of pasta and many a mini spice selection. YOu could also include a mini griddle and frying pan which can be found at any store.

Homemade treats have always been sent to kids away from home. Mothers  have a lways sent cakes and biscuits for their sons at the front and for those going to college. Now moms and dads are also experimenting with breads too. Since these go stale quickly try to make the bread the day before.It's Ok if it's a day old. It cna be turned into toast . Another idea is bringing the sourdough starter and baking with kids in their apartment or dorm (if it has a kitchenette) A good  idea is bringing pizza dough with you .This can be tuned into tasty [ies along with calzones for a hot filling meal.PIzza dough can be formed into balls and then frozen. They should be fine for transport Include pizza sauce and mozzarella too.Of course a ton of homemade cookies is always welcomed. Think one kind like chocolate chip or a variety that can include sugar , peanut butter and oatmeal. If you don't feel like baking then make cow patties , those non bake cookies that are a mix of peanut butter oatmeal and cocoa. These are fun and great to share.

Forget Door Dash.There's mom and dad who can cook and bake. Create tasty meals and desserts for your kids to have a taste of home.

The Rustic Baking Of Autumn

 The temps are starting to drops. The kitchen is inviting again.It's time to bake yet nothing fancy.That'll come in the new couple of months. Fall baking is simple baking. There's no fancy frosting or shiny decorations. It's the flavors that stand out - not the bells and whistles.

Surprisingly pizza is considered rustic baking. It's symbolizes a summer of harvesting tomatoes and basil, perfect for fall cooking. It can be made with just a simple crust made from flour olive oil, water yeast and sugar .The sugar activates the yeast and makes it rise. As for the topping ,again think a simple rustic one. Sliced tomatoes olive oil and little rounds of mozzarella. Do add basil and oregano from your garden if you have it. Another rustic bread is focaccia.Like pizza dough it's an easy bake.The dough is a mix of yeast, all purpose flour and warm water.Olive oil is added to create a silky crumb and rich flavor. Usually rosemary and sea salt is sprinkled on it and dimples made with fingers are on the top.These dimples serve as wells for olive oil added right before putting into the oven. The bread is a good accompaniment with a hot rustic soup like minestrone. It;'s also good as a base for salame and mortadella too There are other rustic breads too. A sourdough boule is easy to make and great to eat. What makes it stand out is the rough, crispy crust and the tender inside.

Sweet rustic baking is also a great treat during these upcoming cold days. Try a French apple cake, loaded with the gems of the season.It is rich with not only apples but also egg and butter too. It's not a fancy cake with just a simple dusting of confectioners sugar. An apple pie is another simple pie popular with home bakers right now. Try baking it in a cast iron skillet for a homey , old fashioned feel.There are no fancy ingredients here. Just Granny Smith apples, brown sugar and cinnamon mixed together. As for the crust try a butter one, rich with two sticks of butter. Simple cakes are also perfect for a snack or following a Sunday roast.A walnut espresso one is an easy bake and its' loaded with that much loved autumn nut - the walnut. This is an Italian recipe, redolent with espresso and the chopped nuts. Think of making this after a Sunday roast chicken or beef.Another fall flavor is pears. They're in season right now and the smaller Bosc pears would be perfect in a cake like this. Add warming spices of cinnamon and ginger to bring out the pear's flavor and give heat to each slice.

The cooler weather means baking. Create a rustic savory or sweet treat to warm up your family and yourself.These are the perfect recipes for autumn

The Best Pizza IN The USA

 This country can brag about having the best of many foods. we're good at making plump , juicy  hot dogs. Our fries are super crispy and deliciously salty .Then there's pizza. Surprisingly we are a country of good slices reflecting our varied ethnic history. What's the best? That's a hard call.

Regular contributor Brett Anderson wrote about America's great pizzarias and pies in todays New York Times Food section.Good pizzas nowadays isn;t just limited to just big cities ,It's everywhere from the Pacific Northwest seacoasts to new England coastal towns and Wisconsin.The food;s broad appeal coupled with the relatively low cost of opening up a pizzeria. It's also easy to acquire the recipes and mastery to create a top notch pie.All anyone has to do is learn how to make a simple dough and that's it.fromthere they can open up their own places.This renaissance in pizza making has enabled people around the country - even in such remote areas to enjoy such interesting extras like honey drizzled om top of toppings or Korean style pizza.There is Pizzeria Sei in Los Angeles that bakes Tokyo influenced pies and the city's pizza and oyster bar fusion pie rife with oysters.Ann Kim makes Korean pizzas, ones that she knows she would like.She had no background yet now she's an acclaimed chef.

The best pizza list is a wide one. Many come from businesses that aren't necessarily pizzerias, Bakeries like the Tinder Hearth in Brookville , Maine and Flour and Flower in St. Joseph Minnesota feature pies on select evenings.Is New York City mentioned on the list? No!!! The city does have excellent pizzas however it's the smaller towns that shine.Charlotte <North Carolina has Bird Pizzeria which features  caramelized crust pies and a dandelion pesto!Kerrel Thompson responded to the call for more pizziolos or pizza makers in the area and lived up to the name. Can a pizza be Southern too? Yes, if it's Nashville's City House! Chef Tandy Williams opened this favorite restaurant in 2007 .There are pies inspired by her mother;s love of tomato sandwiches along with ones topped with trout or dotted with peaches.Amar Pizza in Hamtramck Michigan celebrates owner's Kurshed Ahmed's heritage. There's a pizza made with a fish paste used as a condiment in Mr Ahme'ds childhood.There's also one topped with a Bangladesh veggie, naga peppers.There are several other pizzarias throughout the country that offer unique takes on sauce and toppings.

Pizza usn't just pizza anymore.The best also isn;t just found in New York Ciy. It's all over the country with different looks and flavors.

Lighten Up For Summer

 Memorial Day means one thing - it's time to eat light to fit into last year's shorts and bathing suits.After a winter and part of Spring eating heavy it's important to eat light especially in hot weather. it could be changing up your diet or even some recipes.

As much as we all like to snack, it's time to really look over what we've been snacking on. Most of us go for potato chips, After all they're fun to eat and that mix of oil ,salt and potato is too much to resist. Yet it's time to look into lighter fare. You may then want to reach for those tortilla chips and fresh salsa.Don't !!!! These have ten times the transfat as potato chips. A better choice is a place of already cut veggies. even grocery stores such as Acme and Stop &Shop have trays of broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and grape tomatoes. Some throw in celery too. These are the best nibble to eat if you're craving a crunchy snack. You can ignore the dip that comes with it and make your own light olive oil and red wine vinegar vinaigrette. A classic and always tasty low calorie snack is popcorn. Buy yourself a Colonel Popper.This is a silicon microwave popper that lets you make a big bowl of corn in in only a minute or two. Add olive oil, rosemary and sea salt for more flavor. what to drink with it? Diet soda works but a better choice is flavored seltzer .It's just as refreshing and full of bubbles as any cola.

Meals can also be lightened up too. You can still have pasta and pizza but don't add high calorie ingredients. Spaghetti sauce doesn't;t have to have sugar added. Use a tiny drizzle of honey to sweeten.Also try to use fresh veggies like grape or cherry tomatoes for a tasty burst tomato sauce or add some cauliflower and chopped bell peppers for a delicious spin on primavera sauce.even the rich Alfredo sauce can be turned into a light dish. It's just subbing in Greek yogurt for the heavy cream and using skim milk and broth as well to emulate the cream's consistency. What about a low calorie pizza? Yes it can be made!use baking soda flour and salt mixed with Greek yogurt for a thin crust.. As for the cheese sub in the vegan version .Vegan mozzarella has less fat and protein. Another must is having all vegan toppings. Think broccoli, and spinach fro a nice green spin or sliced baby Bella's and vegan pepperoni for something a bit heartier. As  for the sauce use a homemade one made with crush tomatoes, olive oil garlic and crushed basil. Again keep the sugar out of it As for fried foods, its time to use the air fryer, Try to eat air fried Impossible Burgers with air fried caulilfower instead of fries.

It's shorts and bathing suit season! It's time to fit into them!You can do this by eating right and healthy.

The Best Of Boston

 Boston is known for its brand a clam chowder. Yet there's so much more to this historicv, multiethnic town. It rivals New York, La and Chicago for excellent and varied dining. Boston may be known for it's great history but it's famed for its' great foods.

Today's New York Times Food section esplored all aspects of the town's  vast array of eateries.,Yes, there is seafood and the best is found at Belle Isle Seafood.It's located in nearby Winthrop a seaside town near Logan Airport. You can splurge on the lobster pie but also try the fried seafood with a side of onion rings or fries. There is clam chowder too if you want a cup. There is also Row 34 which has fresh locally sourced lobsters caught by the chef Jeremy Sewalls' cousin and his son. The restaurant even makes its; own satime crackers!These  work with the smoked fish that's cured on the premises.Boston is an Italian town with a rich history of immigrants contributing to the city's table. Try Via Cannucia run by Stefano Quaresima. Chef Quaresima is known for his baking skills , supplying the restaurant with cream buns and bombolini doughnuts. He also creates flavorful frittatas and mouth watering red and white pizzas as well as in house  baked desserts. Giulia's  in Cambridge,is another great Italian eatery that is a must try.Diners get to enjoy the homemade wild boar papperdalle  along with bucatini ameritriciata

Asian food is also popular here. Tourists should try Ming Seafood Restaurant in Quincy where they can have a plate of shumai, steamed dumpling that features a shrimp truffle filling wrapped in a cuttlefish ink wrapper. For fun the chef sets a Mano pudding set in a rubber ducky mold. There is also The Eaves ,a Viernamese restaurant in Union Square.Chefs, married couple Vincenzo Le and Duong Huybh reimagine classic Vietnamese dishes with a New England twist. Cha Cha la Vong usually made with catfish in Hanoi is remade with New England monkfish, The city is usually known for its' clam chowder but Yume Ga Arukara is changing that. It serves udon, those thick Japanese wheat noodles in a dashi broth Diners can choose to add in scallions or beef slices along with crispy tempura bits. Toro offers Spanish tapas,  a nice change up from the other cuisines.There's a wide range of seafood along with meat  and vegetable small plates. Diners can enjoy croqueta de bacalao,  salt cod croquettes along with flank hanger steak or pimentos. There's also a  choice of delicious paellas  that come in two types a vegetable one and a seafood one. American restaurants loke Field and Vine and Cutty's are also featured too along wht Sofra a Greek pastry shop.

Boston is not just beans and clam chowder.It has a rich and varied table.There is seafood but also other dishes from other cuisines that are flavorful and tasty.

An Oscar Party For One

 The Oscars are a big deal. The Oscar parties are not - really. It's is fun to sit with friends but it's even nicer to sit in your jammies and enjoy goodies alone in front of the TV set. Ther'es nothing like a good old fashioned party for one. Eat what you want .Drink what you want. It's all up to you .

Surprisignly you can indulge on a budget.If you;re craving lush food but don't have the budget , try Lidl. The store features frozen lobster tail for around $14.99. Add some butter and grill some asparagus and you have a Hollywood worthy meal.LIdl also has excellent deals on shrimp and scallops too if you want something a little less rich. You could also get wings and nuggets and just pop them into your air fryer. Serve with a variety of different sauces, from ranch to barbecue. You could also buy  a rotisserie chicken, eat what you want and save the leftovers for either Monday's lunch or dinner. Buy a side of macaromi salad giardniera , pickled veggies for a tasty late supper. A simple pizza for one can also work. You can easily whip one up using already made dough and sauce. Toppings can be anything from spinach and onions to pepperoni and salami. a smaller version is an English muffin pizza, easily baked in a toaster oven.  One can satisfy anyone with a small appetite. You could also whip up a mini hero too, using your favorite cold cuts and cheese along with  sliced tomatoes and lettuce.

Of course an Oscar party means indulging on snack food too. You could use the air fryer again to make your own potato chips. It just takes Russet  potatoes  - use these because they are the best for not maintaining moisture). olive oil  and seasonings.After the slices have been soaked and  drie coat them in olive oil and air fry for twenty minutes at 325 degrees Farenheit.  A simple onion dip is perfect here.It;s just emptying a packet of French onion soup into sour cream ro plain Greek yogurt and stirring.If you use the Greekl yogurt for dipm you don;t have to worry about extra calories.Loaded nachos are another fun Oscar night snack.It;s just ouring queso cheese on nachos and then topping them with sliced jalapenos, black olives and tomatoes Microwave for a minute or two for the cheese to get all melted. Add some kidney or black beans for protein. Open a Corona and enjoy. If these are too much, then stick with that movie classic - popcorn. It pays to have a microwave popper like Colonel Popper to give you a better type of kernel without all those additives. Melt butter to drizzle over and enjoy.

It;s your Oscar party. Make the foods you love , sit back and root for your favorites to win. Enjoy any of these treats while you sit on the couch .

Hot Or Cold Table?

 The Big  Super Bowl Game is tis Sunday and there are choices to be made. Do you have a hot table? A cold one? Or a little of both? What can be served to satisfy guests?

A hot table can be a buffet or a bg crock pot of something. The first question you should ask is what do your guests want  along with how much should you make. A buffet can range from three or four dishes Or a whopping ten.Popular hot dishes are anything with chicken , from nuggets to drumsticks and wings.This is broken down into flavors too. Not everyone likes super spicy Buffalo wings. Other flavors such as lemon pepper and honey barbecue should also be served. You could also serve chicken patties that can be turned into sliders. Chili is another Super Bowl favorite. Again make a mild and a fiery one  for those who love and don't love fire.Fire up the grill if you want too. Nothing beats a party full of hot dogs burgers and ribs. Set up a toppings bar  too.People can add everything and anything from pizza sauce to relish along with guacamole and sliced tomatoes.. Another fun dish are personal pizzas. Again guests and family can go wild with freating their favorites, from meat lovers to veggies and hot peppers.

What about a cold dish buffet? The most obvious answer is a charcuterie board. A classic ones includes an array of cold cuts like salame, ham , prosciutto and mortadella.Add dried figs, and breena nd black olives too. There should be a good choice fo cheeses from the deliciosuly runny Brie to a firm, buttery Edam. Have a sliced baguette along with a good variety of crackers, from Ritz to water to act as a base to all these foods. If you want to splurge have a sea-cuterie. This is a melange of chilled shrimp, crab legs, oysters and scallops .Make sure there are plenty of lemon wedges , tartar and shrimp cocktail sauces.Not into that fancy stuff? Then make hero sandwiches. You can use any kind of bread, from baguettes to those long Portuguese rolls. Add such tasty cold cuts as roast beef, sliced turkey and ham, along with such Italian sub classics as capicola and salami. Again these sandwiches demand cheese . have slices that match the meats. roas tbeef and turkey can go with a sharp cheddar or mild American. Ham works well with Provolone as do the Italian cold cuts. What goes with these? Large bowls of potato chips , Funyuns and all sorts of Doritos.

What 's the best choice? Your choice. Hot or cold , the food at any Super Bowl Party is bound to be fun and tasty.

Snow Days Fun Recipes

 Snow days don;t always have to mean Zoom meetings or classes. It could be a day in making and balong fun recipes. It[s a great way to use up the day and even try new dishes and treats.

Of course pizza is always the recipe of chpice amongst everyone. Pizza dough is easy to make. It's just watrr flour , yeast , sgar and salt.It's also a good introduction to working with yeast. Once made you can have all sorts of fun with toppings.If you want a no fuss, then buy the pizza sauce that comes in the easy to squirt bottle (it looks exactly like  a ketchup bottle). Shredded mozzarella is good for an even cheese layer  but use cunks fo it if you want to create a traditional Margherita one.Everyone can create their own toppings. Make sure you have plenty of vegan and meat pepperoni, bacon bits, olives, peppers and for those into healthy eating - spinach and brooccoli. You could also make the extra fun  and easy garlic knots or twists. They're super easy to bake and thn dip into a zingy marinara sauce (for this you can just use the pizza sauce heated up in the microwave). Another fun dish? Chicken wings!!! Thy're made even easier in an air fryer. Just toss them in olive  oe vegetable oil first then give them  good toss in chili or garlci powder. Add salt and pepper to this for more ;flavor.

Of course a snowy day also means baking., Have a couple of rolls of Pillsbury cookie dough on hand for easy baking and eating. (also ave plenty of milk on hand for this as well) You can also buy cookie mixes too from Betty Crocker and create tasty plates of oatmeal and peanut butter ons. A fun snowy day activity is baking sugar cookies and letting the little ones (and bigger ones) decoare them with homemade or store bought icing and such decorations as sprinkles and mini chocolate chips.Bakibng a batch of cupcakes are another fun stay indoors activity. Use cake mix for an easier route. Again the frosting can be storebought or homemade. Have plenty of decorations on hand so the kids can have a field day with them. A snowy day can also mean a foray into candy making., Try your hand at fudge or peanut briittle. Fudge just requires chopped semi sweet chocolate pieces, condensed milk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. You could add dairy or plant butter for a smoother consistency and better taste. Of course peanut brittle is a blend corn syrup, water and peanuts cooked and later mixed with baking soda, vanilla extract and butter. It's then poured onto a loaf pan an d let cool. (this cna even be outside).

The weather outside may be frightful., The cooking and baking insid will be delightful. Make and enjoy these treats on a frosty day home from school and work.

Your Party Your Way

Sometimes you just want to be alone despite eit being New Year's Eve. That's OK.  You can have your own party for one. It's a good time to just to treat yourself.

Most go for takeout. Chinese is bif and you cna easily get a small meal. Go for somethign that's idulgent like shrimp in lobster sauce or fried pork or chicken dumplings. These are good also as leftovers on New Year's day.If you're just having one or two friends over. Some pizzerias can make a pie for one.If not treat yourself to some garlic knots and a good scratch made stratichella soup. You could also eat out too. There are restuarants who can squeeze a solo diner . if that's the case, treat yourself to an indulgent meal. Try a French restaurant where you can indulge in a rich bouef bourgignon or even a French onion soup. If you don't want to deal with a crowd , ordrr ahead and just take out. You still get restaurant quality food and enjoy it in the privacy of your home. Of course if you're craving a burger than stop at your local Wendy's or McDonalds. Go all out for a bacon cheeseburger and fries. Order a shake if you want too.

Home cooking can also work for a party of one. Stores such as Aldi,Lidl and Acme have exclllent choices for appetizers and hors douevres. Aldi has an excllet array of frozen snacks like corn dogs and creamy mini quiches. Serve upa plate of their Mac and cheese bites.Try Lidl;s veggie egg rols that can be easily air fried toa crispy, golden brown. They even come with their own little packets of duck sauce. They also have the richly indulgence escargot or snail puffs from France,They also offer vegetables au gratin,. small cups that are filled with carrots, zucchini and eggplants. Treat yourself to their chicken fries or chicken wings that can be air fried or oven baked. Acme along with many other grocery stores offer good cold cuts and cheeses. Arrange a mini charcuterie plate fro yourself with yoru favorite cold cuts like prosciutto cotto or salame along with Brie and Edam. Slice up a small Portuguese roll instead of buying a whole French ro Italian bread .Add olives and artichoke hearts if you like them. Since it's only you also buy a good bottle of champagne to drink as well. Save some for the next day for indulgent mimosas at your New Year's Day breakfast.

There's nothing wrong with celebrating on your own. Indulge yourself. Enjoy a dinner out or a dinner in. I'ts your party.

A Good Lidl Haul

 LIdl is fast becoming a favorite of American shoppers. Not only do they have good prices but also good food on many unusual imported treats. It's a fun trip to see the stroes. You'll never know what you'll find.

I recently went to my local Lidl in Elmwood Park, new Jersey,. I was not impressed on my very first trip there but almost a year later that changed.I always lik their focaccia pizzas,. Those are great but that was it.,Now they have much more, very much like another German import Aldi. 

I fell for their frozen chestnut squash soup which when heated for five to six minutes transforms from chunks of frozen soup to a creamy potage. This is going to be first course for my Thanksgiving dinner. Their croissants are pure heaven, done correctly with crunchy layers and an airy middle. I bought apricot jam to go with them.

I'vve been into Greek olive oil recently,preferring its' rich flavor to the Italian variety. This was a steal for six dollars.This will b eperfectin for sauting the frozen veggie and potato mix I also  bought a margherita style frozen pizza.

Along with two packages of steamed veggies with potatoes.Lidl

has some excellent vegetarian and vegan choices, including their version of Impossible Meat.

Of course Lidl has some good sweets too. I could not resist their version of the classic fudge stripes and straight from Fmance macarons.

I definitely could not resist Diana's Chocolate Covered bananas.

This I will be buying over and over. My whole haul, including a big family box of Cheerios

was only forty bucks total!!!! I'm definitely holiday food shopping here!

If you want good and gourmet food for much less, then head to your local Lidl. You'll find some interesting foods that will enlarge your culinary palate. It's worth a trip.

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Summer Theme Birthdays

Those who have summer birthdays have an exrta layer of  fun.It's nice to have a birthday in the other three seasons however a summer party  can be an extravaganza .You can have all sorts of fun themes and foods.

Of course a pool party is the ultimate hot weather bah. Kids would love fun finger foods like English muffin pizzas and ice cream sodas. The first is an an easy make , perfect for a small party with five or six little guests. These can be customized to suit everyone's tastes. Have fun toppings like pepperoni and olives on hand along with rotisserie chicken shreds and pineapple chunks. As for the ice cream sodas, you could use Coke (if the moms allow it) and a variety of different ice creams. Kids can add in chocolate chips and sprinkles  for more crunch and fun. If you want to save the ice cream for last then think a sundae bar. Have two or three flavors set up with two toppings, like fudge and salted caramel, along with whipped cream. Make sure there are plenty of toppings like M&M's gummy bears and even cereal like Lucky Charms. A baseball park themed party is also fun. Kids love hot dogs and this  theme is perfect for them. You could also make boxes of popcorn too. target sells cute popcorn boxes if you need them.  Also think  those big pretzels with  mustard too. What to drink? Lemonade is the best bet here. The cake could be a copy of a baseball inflield. Cupcakes can look like baseballs.

One of the classic summer to dos is the drive in movie. This is perfect for teens , tweens and adults. Set up a movie screen in the backyard. Show the  birthday boy's or girl's favorite movie. As for snack bar fare, think burgers loaded with cheese and bacon, along with pickles and onions.Fries are a must here and large batches are easy to make in an air fryer. You could also fry up waffle style in both Idaho and sweet potato varieties. Set up cups of ketchup in cups for dipping.Pizza is another big snack bar  treat. Whip up  several using premade dough for easy baking. Serve plain pizzas and ones with different toppings.Of course popcorn is a must too. Buy bags of buttered flavored corn like Wises or Herr's if there's a large crew coming. If not you can easily make a bucket in the microwave. Soda is important to wash everything down,  however you may also want to get Slushies which can be bought at stores like Acme. This is a hybrid fo juice and ice , perfect for a hot summer's night. Ice cream cake and ice cream cupcakes would be a perfect end to this party along with caramel corn and boxes of such snackbar faves as Raisinettes, Milk Duds and Junior Mints.

Summer parties mean tasty treats and fun. Pick and theme and run with it. Celebrate the day with the best time of year.Q

Oscar Nibbles

 Tomorrow is Oscar night and that means parties. You can still have treats if it's just you and your TV set.Whether it's for a big party or a cozy sit on the couch ,bring on the bites.

Pizza in any form is always a fun nibble during this classic awards show. Make one with a different twist.Use Middle Eastern lavash bread  for a truly crispy crust. Two flat breads can fit n one large cookie pan.You can have one loaded with meat while the other can be pure veggie. If it's just yourself or another person, then think that kid classic English muffin pizzas. Again you can have fun with the toppings and put evertyhing on from anchovies to olives You can do the same with everything bagels too. For even crispier crusts and even quicker cooking use an air fryer. Both types can be baked in under a few minutes. You could also buy a bag of Totino's pizza rolls and air fry them for  a tasty hors d'ouevres.  Of course popcorn is de rigeur for this ultimate movie night. Your best bet is popping kernels in a Colonel Popper for a healthier pop. These can be popped in olive oil and then flavored with Kernel Season;s popcorn seasonings. This  brand is neat with all these different flavors. Try the movie corn one which os a blend of butter and salt along with their ranch.They also have caramel along with chocolate and sugar cookie for a sweet bite.

If you're having a party or just have a appetite, then think appetizers.PF Chang's has some interesting ones like their vegan egg rolls which come with a sweet duck suace and their Kung Pao cauliflower. These are perfect bites to watch as favorite movies and actors wins. If you want something a bit more sophisticated then then think spinach cups.These are puff pastry cups filled with a spinach -cream cheese and feta cheese mix, spiked up with sauteed onions, lemon zest and dill. Egg binds the filling together and gives it a custardy feel. These only take twenty -five minutes to bake up in muffin tins and the filling can be made well in advance.Serve these along air fryer crab cakes for a lovely sophisticated bite. Crabcakes are an easy make , using lump crab meat, egg for binding galric powder and chives Panko crumbs give them body and a golden hue when fried in an air fryer. Wash these down with a good champagne to celebrate. If you want something heartier, then think small French dip sandwiches with individual ramekins of gravy for guests. If it's just for you then, soak the sandwich  in a big bowl and enjoy.

Oscar night means Oscar nibbles. These can be  homey English muffin pizzas or sophisticated crab cakes.Make it a fun food night no matter what you serve.

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Food And War

 War affects how countries eat. Moatly, as seen recently in Ukraine, cause shortage and starvation.Yet the one good thing about conflict is that it introoduces service people to other cultures . Despite the harshness and scariness it does bring people together. Mostly that occurs in eating. There's something communal in sharing.

It's the American conflicts that have created firsts. The Revolutionary War was the first to introuce rations for its' troops. Thanks to the Continental Congress of 1773 colonial fighters were able to receive a pound of beef, and half a pound of pork or salted fish a week. There were also three pints of bean or peas along with a pint of rice or meal a week too. They also got flour or hard bread along with cider or beer. Everything was salted for preservation. As for veggies, onions and turnips which were easy to carry and cook also were part of their diet.Vinegar was later added to prevent scurvy. Did these men bring their wives' and mothers' recipes with them. Probably. Did they swap them? Most likely , being the first to expand the American palate. The Civil War saw canned foods on the troops' menu . Condensed milk, pork and beans were fed to the Union troops.Cattle also moved with the men, being slaughtered for the only fresh food. There was chicken fricasee if they could gert their hands on poultry and Union forces also made mushroom ketchup by boiling mushrooms. They may have brought the recipe home. There were also Cornish game hens and ham and beans stew to eat .

It;s the Twentieth Century wars, however that created the modern American cuisine that we know.The Spanish American War saw troops being deployed to the Phillipines and Puerto Rico. These troops may have tried some fo the native foods like curries from the first and mofongo from the second. The First World War saw Americans going off to fronts in France ,Italy and Germany. Some may have tasted the dishes there and brought dishes such as duck stew, risotto and wursts.(althought they could easily get some variation of these in immigrant communities back in the States). Yet it was the Second World War that brought more recipes to the American table. GIs stationed around Naples brought home pizza , loving it so much that it became part of the American diet from Maine to California. This also happened with lasagna too, with servicemen bringing home recipes that they got form the Southern Italian villagers they protected. It happened with Japanese food, especially during the Korean War when servicemen spent their R&R in Tokyo.Japanese restaurants grew in popularity after that. Recent wars like the Vietnamese Conflict along with the Gulf and Afghani wars saw refugees brining their dishes to the US.

War is hell. Yet it does bring about innovations and exploration into different cultures. it shows in our many different dishes brought about by conflict.

Sweets From The Grill

 You may feel that it';s time to pack up the grill now that labor Day is just around the corner. Don't. You can still grill. In fact you can use it for baking some treats with fall's fruits.

Anything you can bake in an oven you can bake on a grill.It's just a matter of geting the right temp for baking batter and dough. This usually means putting down the lid to get the desired temp, usually 350 degrees Farenheit. Separate the ashed briquettes from the others.what would make a good dessert? Depends on what you want to serve after the dinner. You can try cupcakes using a scratch recipe or a box mix. Some home bakers add pudding to keep the crumb extra moist.Instead of topping themwith buttercream frosting think whipped cream with soem berries Yes you cna still get strawberries and it's the start of the second raspberry season). You could also top chocolate ones with toasted marshmallow for a take on s'mores.Cakes can also bake on the grill,Indirect heat creates the best ones.To get airier layers, bake the pans on the different tiers, like the  warming tray and the actual grill. You can also bake over a pan of water placed on the briquettes. This works well with upside down cakes like pineapple upside down as it it infuses the cake siwth a smoky flavor and keeps the fruit incredibly moist.

Of course you can also bake pizza on the grill.It does help to have a stone but you can place the pie directly on the grill plate. Just brush the grill with olive oil or a mox of garlic and oil for more flavor. Toppings can be wihatever you want. Try fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden. You cna also add diced peppers and broccoli if yo want or turn it into a meat lover's treat.  Close the lid and cook until the cheese melts . You can also make individual pies too.  A savory galette is also a great treat treat. Try one with tomatoes and onions or leeks and mushrooms. This rustic pie is also known for beinga sweet dessert filled with fruit. Since we 're coming into apple season, think a galette filled with Granny Smiths , mixed with cinnamon and sugar. You could also grill bake a raspberry one, regular pies can also be baked on hot coals. You can use what's known as fire bricks for even baking. Any Lowe's or Home Depot sell them. They/'re usually wrapped in tin foil before using,

Try your grill for baking. It's a fun way to cook up cakes and pies. You can create anything with dough , batter and hot coals.

Home Alone The Kitchen Version

Here's that age old problem that happens with every summer vacation - what do you feed the kids? Do you let them cook? Leave sandwiches? Or give them money for take out? The best solution? Teach them how to cook.

First of all ask yourself is my little one ready to cook, especially alone in the house? Most parents have no qualms about letting their twelve and thirteen year olds know how to cook. The younger set , those below the age of  eleven and ten are usually at some kind of camp, summer school or relatives house where meals are no problem. The older tweens want to be home on their own, possibly with friends or just hanging out in a quiet house. What you can do is let them make their own decisions when it comes to what they want to eat. They may just want a microwave French bread pizza for lunch or a Hot Pocket. Again you can easily store up these quick to cook meals. You can also try healthier alternatives like The Tattooed Chef. This brand makes good for cauliflower and cheese bowl along with a pesto harvest bowl. They also have smoothie bowls packed with fruits, dark chocolate and cold brew for an alternative to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. You can also go with Amy's Frozen dinners which are all naturally made. The company makes everything from enchiladas to pasta so there's a wide choice.

If the kids do insist on cooking for themselves. then think easy dishes. They can whip up scrambled eggs mixed with herbs and served on sourdough bread. Have them microwave bacon (which is easier and safer) to go with it.  They can go vegan by subbing in Morningstar Farms soy bacon strips for the real kind. A frittata is another easy lunch , flavorful with any kind of veggie and cheese tossed in. Make sure you have either shredded or ground cheese like Parmesan. Again this is wonderful when served with toasted Italian bread.An air fryer is simple to use and your young chef can cook up a variety of hot lunches from hot dogs to hamburgers in one. They can also air fry fried chicken too. This would be a good time to teach them how to make the batter for wings and drumsticks . Kids are just as health conscious as their elders. They can create a lovely protein packed one , filled with the veggies and even fruits that they love.Have one or two lettuces for variety  along with grape and cherry tomatoes to mix in with cauliflower and broccoli florets. Almonds and sunflower seeds will give it crunch and color. Croutons also are a fun add in. Let them get created with the dressing and whip up their own.

Home alone in the kitchen isn't such a bad thing. Teach your tweens how to cook and they'll be able to feed themselves for a whole season. It may even become a passion.