Quick Sauteed Beans and Tomatoes

Here's another quick and easy side for chicken. 


2 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic sliced very thin
1 pt small cherry tomatoes
1/2 sprig fresh rosemary chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine or red wine vinegar
1 19 oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
Kosher salt and pepper
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally until starting to brown(do not burn).

Add tomatoes and rosemary and cook stirring for about one minute.  Add the wine and bring to simmer.  Stir in the beans and salt and pepper and cook until heated through, about one minute more. Toss with parsley.

Serves 4

Tips to make entertaining easier!

I have stressed about entertaining and have found that it isn't so much about what I'm serving or how much food I have; having a friendly relaxed environment for friends and family to gather and  share some good conversation is the key to a successful evening.

  Sure making some good choices about what you will serve are important but don't stress.   I hope to offer some help in that area and hope you'll share with me some suggestions that will help me and others start to enjoy entertaining and socializing without a fuss.. 


Some entertainment suggestions:

Invite those who you would like to invite at least a week in advance or if you want to make it an impromptu get together call them.

Make it simple in the food and beverage area. A very easy as well as enjoyable appetizer is using a block of creamcheese and then pouring jam or preserves over it.  Add some crackers or thick pretzels.

 

Wine, Beer and CHEESE are always a good  choice.

Warm appetizer.  Spinach Artichoke dip

 

Veggies and dip as well as fruit are other good choices.

Texting or emailing is easier but a heartfelt call is better.

When inviting guests try to invite guests who have something in common.  Conversation will be easier if they are on the same page.

Appetizers and Beverages:

Make the menu easy and as far as Alcohol goes you don't have to have a complete bar menu.  Keep it basic.  Beer, wine should be enough and remember to have diet and regular soda as well as water chilled for the non drinkers.

Several appetizers(two or three) some chips, nuts and pretzels should do it.

 Remember you are looking for a non stress evening so I know for me to enjoy my party I can't fuss for days or it'll never happen again.  

One more thing.  Don't invite too many guests.  Keep it small, about 12 or less would be the number for me.

Enjoy the holidays!

     As always,

Our Traditional Thanksgiving 2014

I'm home and have my pj's on.  I am so full.  I didn't eat that much but a little of everything which obviously was too much being that I feel a slight bit uncomfortable.

We ate an early dinner at our daughter's which was fine with me because the older I get the more I am ready to get home at an early hour and relax.  Not that I don't relax there because I do.  Her home is very very comfortable and cozy too! She is an excellent cook and her specialty is turkey and chicken.  She has a gift for cooking one.  Tender, moist and cooked just right it; it is always cooked to perfection. 

We had plenty to eat as well as dessert too..


Here's a few photos showing our day.  Enjoy!

Small Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Anise Cookies

 We had turkey obviously, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, marshmallow topped sweet potatoes, baked corn, sweet kernel corn, rolls and cranberries.  Dessert was fresh apple pie, pumpkin custard, pumpkin and plain cupcake cheesecakes and Italian Anise cookies.  Way too much but nothing will go to waste I am sure.  There are 4 grown men in the house.  Need I say anymore. :)

I only had a little bit and this really isn't a good representation of the meal but it was delicious.

The boys aren't babies anymore so good conversation and laughter is a big part of the fun of getting together with them telling stories.  The youngest though has to be pryed away from the TV.  He is so in to sports so getting him into the dining room was a little bit of a task but he came before anyone got upset.  Off goes the TV when we eat and I am for that for sure.

 Daniel the oldest said grace and everyone dived in anxious to eat.  We are so blessed!

Little Sophee was surely looking for some turkey too!

 

Sweet and Spicy Steak

I never know what to make for my grandsons.  Quite honestly they'll take fried or frozen anything and that really upsets me so when I get the chance to show them what good food is I go all out.  I usually make something that I hope they'll like with a meal and also with dessert.

I make one and only one meal.............and they'd eat it or not?.  No other choices.  When I was raising both of our children  that's the way it worked. Period....... No choices and they were expected to at least try a tablespoon of whatever vegetable I made and then if they didn't like it they didn't have to eat it for the time being. Eventually all worked out and they both eat just about any vegetable, meat, chicken or fish.

Now not my grandsons.........................I won't say anymore about it just that when they visit me and Poppy they eat what is on the table.  I am one who does make several items and yes they'll eat whatever I make, the youngest at times reluctantly.

 This one was new is a spin off of my baked steak recipe which they love.  The Sweet and Spicy steak recipe is posted below and according to our daughter she said everyone loved it.  p.s. I helped her out since she has been working some overtime and it's a nice way to get to see those wonderful grandsons.  They love spicy so it has a bit of a bite to it.  Enjoy! 

Brown in olive oil and garlic too!

I really love Tuttorosso tomato products.

2 lb. round steak cut in large size pieces
4 T olive oil or canola
1 glove minced garlic
1/2 tsp. dried or fresh basil
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 to a pinch of Cayenne pepper depending on how much added heat you like)
4 T brown sugar (great addition for those who like a slight sweet taste).
1 large 28 oz. Tomato sauce
1 large 28 oz. Tomato puree

Lay steak out on a sheet of waxed paper and season with above ingredients for the exception of brown sugar.  Place oil in a large stockpot type pot.  I use one that can go into my oven as well.  You can make this recipe in a crockpot too!  I prefer to brown meat first though.  Once meat is browned add sauce and puree as well as brown sugar.  Simmer until steak is tender or  place in oven covered at 350 degrees until meat is tender. If using a crockpot for 5+ hours or more on low.

Serve on rolls or with a side salad or steamed broccoli.

Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts

I'm thinking of making these as a side for our holiday dinner.  I love Brussel Sprouts so it's a definite veggie for those who love them.  Love them or don't like them someone will surely enjoy this recipe..

1 1/2 lbs. Brussel sprouts
4 T olive oil
4 sliced shallots
salt
Fresh ground pepper
4 T butter
4 tsp. lemon zest

Blanch Brussel sprouts in boiling salted water until al dente.  Four or 5 minutes or until tender.

Remove and place in ice water to retain green color.  Drain well

Remove stem and slice in half or cut in quarters if sprouts are large.  Drain again if necessary.

Heat a pan over medium heat with olive oil.  Add sprouts until heated all the way through.  Add shallots and cook several minutes more or until shallots become translucent and sprouts start to brown.  Season with salt and pepper.  Now add butter to one side of the pan pushing sprouts to other side of pan and cook 1 minute or until butter begins to brown.  Toss sprout mixture with browned butter.

Remove from heat and add 1 tsp. lemon zest.   Add more if desired. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!