On of the many reasons I love visiting our roots! Nothing like food memories!

Hi everyone!

This is a re-post of a great time hubby and I had visiting mom.  Great memories!

I've been visiting-my family the last few days and other than it being so wonderful seeing my mom, brother, sister -in-law and brother's in- law's, nieces, Liz and Ness, FOOD, along with great conversation, was one of the many highlights of this trip.

We all love pizza and honestly I could travel all over the world but pizza from NEPA (North East PA) has to be the best! Crispy, light and tender. The perfect tomato/cheese blend. Oh my!!!

Some think pizza is basically all the same. NOT! They are so wrong! Our pizza is called a tray! Not a pie!! And no mozzarella or provolone loaded cheese. Special mouth watering soft not stringy cheese blend. I haven't figured out the secret recipe but I'm working on it!.

Also our bakeries are real bake shops not grocery chains . You can tell the difference. Here's a few photos I like to share:).

Our Favorite Pizza

Mom, my brother and I

Italian Rum Cake

5/10/13

New Year's Eve Appetizer: Cranberry Spread

We're going to a social on Saturday night to celebrate the coming of 2012..

I'm not much of a New Year's Eve party gal..I prefer to sit by the television all curled up with a blanket and ring in the New Year in the comfort of my home but this year on the encouragement of a few friends we're getting out(going to our Clubhouse) and ringing in the New Year with our party hardy friends..After throwing a few appetizers around I think this one I'm bringing for sure..You spoon the cranberry mixture over the cream cheese so I know it's going to be delish!.... Happy New Year!! from my kitchen to yours. 

1 cup of water

1 cup of granulated sugar

12 ounces of fresh or frozen cranberries

½ cup apricot preserves

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/3 cup slivered almonds toasted

8 oz. cream cheese

In saucepan over medium heat bring water and sugar to boil without stirring..

Boil 5 minutes  add cranberries..

Cook until cranberries pop and the sauce is thickened about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat

Add preserves and stir in juice.

Cool

Add almonds..

Place block of cream cheese on serving dish and spoon berries over top.

Serve with crackers

 

Chicken Skewers with peanut sauce!

People Mag.

16 bamboo skewers
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch strips
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 T. soy sauce
1 tsp. white sugar
2 drops hot pepper sauce
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 cup water.

Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle chicken with salt and sugar.  Put chicken into a resealable plastic bag.  Add coconut milk and marinate for 30 minutes in refrigerator.

Remove excess coconut milk and thread chicken onto skewers.. Grill on barbeque or on the stove with a grill pan until cook through.  Approx. 10 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, hot pepper sauce and garlic.  Gradually stir in 1/2 cup water until sauce is smooth.  Warm sauce before serving.