Pre-Christmas 2022

Nate’s visit 

My secret lasagna recipe!

Before

After

Our grandson Nate came for an early Christmas  visit on Friday.  He goes to school at NCU and works too.  He doesn’t get a lot of free time but managed a short visit with us.  Our son and his family joined us.

It was such a good evening of good food and the best conversation.

I was sorry that the evening had to end but he’s coming back for a short breakfast visit on Sunday.

He did request anise pizzelles and loves banana cream pie so I made a banana cream trifle.  A few small cannoli and my usual Biscotti.  I made a few snowball cookies too!

Our main menu was a small charcuterie board.  Usually I go crazy with something new in that area but this year kept it simple.  

A large Italian seasoned salad(my secret dressing).

Small Charcuterie board 

Fresh baked bread 

Poppy giving his o words of wisdom! Lol

Nate and Zoe two of our five grandchildren. 

Zoe

Nate

Our son Mark and I.

A few bottles of wine to start.  Not all

Are shown lol

Of course a small cookie platter I made.

My lasagna made with fresh hot and sweet sausage.

Love my Spode dishes. I have the set.

In a blink of an eye it was over although I will say a wonderful relaxing evening to add to our memories.

Christmas Dinner from my kitchen to yours!

I was thinking of changing the Christmas Day menu but it seems this year will be a repeat of last years.  I asked the kids and they said"Mom make it easy on yourself" so I am.

I make my chicken soup early in the week and clean up the pot so the broth, chicken and carrots are cut and are nicely placed in containers in my refrigerator.  I bought the homemade cappelletti's this year.  I usually make them but this year I'm letting someone else have that job!

 I will get soup and antipasto together a few hours before the children and grandchildren hit our house.

Everyone will be hungry and excited so we'll nibble a bit and eat and nibble but there won't be presents opened until we have our dinner. 

First Course:  The Soup

Second Course:  The Antipasto
I love making the antipasto so that is easy for me.

Last but least the lasagna.  The sauce will be prepared this weekend and on Wednesday I will put it all together and refrigerate it until early Christmas morning when I'll take it out of the refrigerator about an hour before I place it in the oven. 

Desserts we'll have to see but requests from the grandchildren are Italian Anise cookies.  That's all they want so I'll  make a double batch of them on Sunday.

  

 I've done the spiced pecans and pretzel turtles and they are in tins in my garage.  Knowing me I'll surely make a few other delights, that is unless I get the urge to buy an ice cream cake  roll. (the one that is a rolled chocolate cake (jelly roll type)filled with vanilla ice cream).  I just love them and no one seems to sell them anymore.  

The grandchildren are excited every year because first they are with their cousins who they love and we even set up a table so they can eat and chat without the parents.  We all sit and have dessert together and then we play a game involving both families and modest gifts.  We give them hints and the family that comes closest to guessing correctly wins the prize.  It's always fun with laughs galore!

Make some memories.  One of my greatest enjoyments is seeing them (all 5) coloring something holiday on a tablecloth I bought years ago and laughing at how terrible they think they colored then.

  So much Love to share. 


Merry Christmas to you and yours,
                                                                                                                                        

A Very Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year From my Family to yours,

 M.j. Al,  Son Mark, Daughter Susan and their families

12/19/14

Easy Gnocchi!

*****Updated gnocchi today with leftover mashed potatoes.

Updated photos 11/5/2023

2 or 3 cups (room temperature )mashed potatoes 

2 eggs at room temperature 

3  1/2 + cups flour ( approximate) you may need more.

NOVEMBER 29,2022

Original 2017
By now you should know I love gnocchi and I have made them several different ways.  Sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter was fabulous!  Gnocchi, using ricotta cheese instead of potatoes was wonderful!  My favorite are potato gnocchi with my traditional red sauce.

Today I played around with refrigerated mashed potatoes and I have to say these were by far the easiest.

  

***I used a 1 lb. pkg. (16 oz.)of refrigerated mashed potatoes at room temperature,an egg and approximately  3 1/2 cups of flour.  

That is all it took 3 ingredients and I used my freshly made red sauce. If you don't have some feel free to use your favorite jar sauce. 

The next time I make the yummy gnocchi they will be swimming in some pink vodka sauce.  You can be sure I'll be looking for sales on refrigerated mashed potatoes because I can never have enough gnocchi.  My freezer will be stocked.

Note: You may like to make some of these and top with butter and grated cheese for the kiddo's.   Something I think they'd enjoy!! :)

Happy Cooking!

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a bit of salt, add gnocchi, stir , turn down heat to medium, stir again and when gnocchi come to top let simmer for a few minutes and drain well.

Updated 11/29/2022

6/17/13

9/3/2018

All recipes and their respective images are the sole property of I Like to Bake and Cook2013, all rights reserved. All content herein is meant for your personal enjoyment only and is in no way to be used for commercial purposes. Use of this site automatically constitutes your agreement to these terms.

Pasted from <http://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/>

Easter 2022

Traditionally we have lasagna or ravioli for Easter..

This year I decided in with the new. A small cheese and olive appetizer and  spiral ham with delicious sides and salad. 

Fresh baked bread and a Chocolate chip Ricotta cake and Ricotta cookie roll for dessert!  Yummy!

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Updated photo 2/7/2023

I love Casseroles!  and this has to be one of my family's favorites, especially our son.  This one's for you Mark:).

A short story to go along with this yummy meal.  There were days that our son had a friend over and of course I would always invite them to eat with us.  His very good friend's mom called me after Danny had eaten with us and said "can I please have your recipe for pot pie"?   Her exact words were "'Danny loved it and is begging me to make it".  It was an honest feel good moment.:) for me.

 At that moment I realized sharing  recipes was a  wonderful giving experience and that I would do forever. We have lost contact with Danny and his family but  I am sure without a doubt Danny's mom has now made this pot pie recipe for her grandchildren.

  Enjoy! and pass this recipe to others so that they will enjoy it too.

Betty Crocker and I have been long time friends..Years ago 
I experimented with a version of Betty's chicken pie recipe, by adding some peas, carrots and potatoes to it.  I realized long ago I must  get some veggies in as much as I could with our children and this casserole surely did it.  It was one of my son and his friends favorites.. Several of their mom's asked for the recipe..I top it with Bisquick Biscuits mix and bake..

  A tasty meal and leftovers are great..Here's my adjusted version..Happy Cooking!

6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons flour
 1 3/4 cups chicken broth( I used my homemade soup)but I have made it with Swanson's Chicken Soup.
2/3 cup cream or milk
3 small potatoes diced and cooked
3 small carrots sliced and cooked
1/4 cut frozen peas
1/2 tsp. salt 
2 cups cooked diced chicken (I'm sure you could use canned chicken as well)

***Biscuit Topping

1 pkg. Bisquick brand baking mix Complete (7.5 oz.)  or you can buy Bisquick brand in a large box for convenient recipes. Note:   I mix the Bisquick with milk instead of water.

Heat oven to 425 degrees..Heat 6 tablespoons butter over low heat. Blend in flour until mixture is smooth.(it's called a rue)   Stir in broth and milk.  Bring to a boil stirring constantly about 1 minute. It should thicken slightly.  Stir in chicken and vegetables. Pour into baking dish.  Top with heaping tablespoons Bisquick mix ( follow instructions on box.  ( I use Bisquick Complete Mix). 

 Bake until Biscuits are slightly browned approximately 20 minutes. Serve by heaping spoonfuls..

Note:  I cook my chicken, potatoes and carrots ahead to save time and  I Refrigerate them until ready to use. Another way to speed up this meal is to use canned chicken and broth as well as frozen vegetables.. 

Happy Cooking!

Repost 10/12/18
original 2011