Our yearly Dinner with Nonna 2014

Maria (Nonna) and yours truly

 First the Appetizers

Stuffed mushrooms and stuffed petite peppers

Meatballs marinara

Thinly shredded tuna on crostini

Mozzarella stuffed with ricotta.  Lightly roasted peppers also with a balsamic glaze

Where has the time gone?  It seems like yesterday we moved from the city of Harrisburg, Pa to the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pa.  It's been over seven years and quite honestly I'd like to stop the clock and slow things up a bit.

Our youngest grandchild was 4 when we moved here and he'll be 12 soon.  He is no longer a little guy who I watched over a few days a week to a very involved boy who loves sports and doesn't spend nearly as much time with Poppy and I as we'd like.  The other four grandchildren are teenagers, two being off to college next year.  Wow, this is what I mean when I say time flies.

One of the best decisions we made when leaving Harrisburg was to move to a community where there were others who made the same decisions as we did to move closer to their children and grandchildren and downsize to a condo type living.  It was very hard but both hubby and I realized that we weren't getting any younger and a big house and yard was way too much work and we wanted to spend time doing other things rather than raking leaves and shoveling snow.

This is where this story begins.  When we moved to the little community of Cobblestone Village we didn't know if a condo type living arrangement would work.  I was used to a house and garden. We had a circle of friends who we loved.   My hubby worried I wouldn't be able to handle it. He was still working so his life would not change dramatically.   I knew I'd be able to. I was ready!!  My only concern was socialization.  We new no one for the exception of our family and I did not want to rely on them for our socialization.  They had already established their own circle of friends and I did not want to infringe on their life.

 Here are a few of the highlights of the afternoon.  Yes we do this dinner at 1 p.m. on a Sunday!!  A holiday dinner with our friends. Hoping you have enjoyed my early Christmas story.

Spinach, ricotta and fennel gnocchi

Roasted beef n a mushroom and wine sauce

Giambotta(garden veggies roasted and tossed)

Mediterranean salad

Tiramisu

We are very fortunate that where we live there are people who too made their decision very similar to ours and right from the first day we moved here we made friends.  There is a clubhouse, pool and there is usually a social at the clubhouse each month.  You have a choice to go or not. So if you don't care to monthly socialize you can but I have to say knowing there are people who surround us and if need be would be less than a few steps away is a nice feeling.

 We starting going to the socials and met many wonderful people and actually here's where the really good part comes in we developed a circle of 4 couples who from day one clicked and after 7 1/2 we are going strong.  I think about now it's time to get to my point!!!!!

One of the best things that became of our move is we as couples do a yearly dinner.  That doesn't mean we don't see each other at other times because we do but our Dinner with Nonna is on it's 4th year and we already made reservations for next year.  See how much we love it!!!  



  Love, Peace and Blessings,

Today it's Stuffed Green Peppers (Meatless Meal)

 

The recipe I made today I used variegated peppers!  

I know most people are familiar with Stuffed Peppers using  ground meat or turkey and adding onion and rice. In our house my mom made they most amazing stuffed peppers using bread stuffing. It has become my all time FAVORITE stuffed pepper recipe. It is definitely a great meatless meal with super flavors bursting in the stuffing.

This is a recipe I have shared before and honestly all my neighbors make this now as an easy meatless meal.  I am thanked over and over for suggesting it. Hope you decide to try it.. Enjoy! This recipe serves two.  Double or even triple the recipe for your family.  Happy Cooking, 

Love, <3 

M.J.

2 Green Peppers(hollowed out and washed)
1/2 stick butter or margarine
2 large stalks celery (chopped)
1 small onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup grated Italian cheese
pinch pepper
1 egg slightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 loaf Italian Bread(regular bread can be used as well)
1 -28 oz. can crushed tomatoes or 1- 28 oz can Tomato Sauce

Saute onion and celery in butter until translucent and tender. Break bread into pieces. Add egg, salt, pepper, cheese and milk. Work with hands until well blended..Fill peppers.

In a medium pot on low heat put 4 tsp.oil.  Place peppers in pan and cook on low heat until bottoms are slightly browned. Add tomatoes and cover pot slightly..Cook on medium heat for 1 1/2 hours or until peppers are tender.  Serves two.  I usually have a little stuffing mixture left so I make meatball size stuffing balls and add to sauce after it has cooked about 1/2 hour.  Nice addition when you love those extra carbs.  Yummy!

Serve with salad and a few slices of Italian bread for dipping if you would like...

If using crushed tomatoes add

1 tsp. or 2 fresh basil leaves and 1 clove minced garlic..but if using sauce maybe just a pinch of salt and pepper if needed..Happy Baking and Cooking!


1/25/12 

 

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/>

Making some Irish Soda Bread

 Below is the original post when I made this Irish Bread.  Today I decided to try the same recipe and make mini cups using the same batter.  Using my kitchen sheers I cut my mixed *dried berries into small pieces(it really didn't take much time) and folded them into the batter before I baked them. 

They are perfect for your morning tea or coffee and I definitely would make some for company. I also did a few in *small bread loaves to give as gifts.  We love them!  Here are a few of the photos.  They have no sugar in them, just the sweetness of the dried fruit.  Jam and cream goes perfect with them as well.  I love the idea and I just had to share.  Have a great holiday and a wonderful New year.  Love, M.j.

 I originally made this recipe for St. Patty's Day but last week I was at a small social gathering(tea) and they had some similar to these made in mini muffin pans.  I thought it was a great idea and the next time I make this recipe I'm trying it in the small muffin size.  Cute size for a bite or two.  Note:  Look for smaller pieces of *dried fruit or maybe cut some with kitchen shears in bitty pieces and add to batter before baking.  Adjust baking time as well.   Enjoy!

 

I've never made Irish Soda bread. When we have our Irish stew on St. Patty's Day I'm thinking of making this recipe I caught in a local newspaper insert.. When I saw what seems to be a very easy recipe for it I decided to give it a try.

  (Epicurious.com). I'm hoping to make two loaves for St. Patty's Day but just in case I don't get a chance to make it here is the recipe.  Enjoy!!  Happy Baking and Cooking!

-->

1 cup raisins(I used dried Cran raisin's for this recipe)

4 cups bread flour

1 tablespoons baking powder

1 tsp. salt

¾ tsp. baking soda

2 cups buttermilk

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

  Lightly grease a baking sheet.  Soak raisins in hot water for 5 minutes and drain.

In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.  Mix in raisins

Add buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough.  Turn onto a floured work surface; knead for 1 minute.

Cut dough in half and form 2 large round loaves.

Place on baking sheet.  Cut a large X in center of each loaf.  Bake for 45 minutes or until tester comes out clean.  Transfer to wire rack.

Hands on: 10 minutes.    Total: 55 minutes from start to finish.  Makes 2 loaves

3/16/13

Chocolate pecan pretzel pie!

 This has been on my I must make list for so very long so I'm sharing it today hoping you'll make it............

I have all the ingredients so I was joking above but if you happen to make it before I do and want to share it on my Facebook page I'd love it.

It doesn't look difficult so just maybe there will be a Easter dessert that I'll be serving on Easter for the family.


 1 refrigerated pie crust

2 eggs

1 cup light corn syrup

2 T unsalted butter, melted 

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 tap. Grated orange zest 

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 cups pecans

1/4 cup mini pretzels broken in pieces

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Fit crust crust into 9" in pie plate. Make sure you create a thick rim.  Crimp and refrigerate until ready to fill.

In a large bowl whisk eggs, corn syrup, butter,vanilla,sugar and orange zest cinnamon and salt.

Stir in pecans, pretzels and chocolate chips.  

Spoon mixture into prepared pie crust.

Bake for 30minutes.

Cover the pie with foil and bake until the filling is puffed and the center is set.  15 to 20 minutes more.  Transfer to rack and cool to room temperature.

Gifts, Gifts and more Gifts

How about some easy snacks for gift giving or some reasonable and affordable kitchen friendly items or for the person who loves plants here are several selections.

 Click on the highlighted link for a few as well as several other ideas in the post.

Hoping to help with your gift selections.

A great hostess gift that will be appreciated.

Hostess Gift  

Dollar store container filled with goodies.  Pennies to make.

Aprons for the kitchen king or queen

Cool Gifts  

A plant or herb they would enjoy.  Christmas Cactus or a pothos plant are beautiful and easy to maintain.  The cactus produces flowers this time of year the the Pothos plant comes in a variety of variagted or green leaves which is great for a low light areas.

Christmas Cactus

Pothos

 

Jade Plant

A colorful plant container(Rosemary plants) are available this time of year.  They are easily kept indoors for all year round herb use. This is my Rosemary that I took outside in summer after spending the winter inside my home.

Why not make a basket with some kitchen or garden tools?  I love mine!  Go to your local garden center or discount department stores and buy a inexpensive basket or garden container and fill with useful garden tools and supplies.  There are so many to choose from and as a person who loves anything garden friendly I would love anything from there.  Tools, plant spikes, gloves, etc.  They'll love it to name a few!



 For the baker or cook a new cookbook would be appreciated.

 
One more gift idea is a Gift card to their favorite grocery store.  Who wouldn't like that?  Practical and definitely would be appreciated.

I'm hoping some of these gift suggestions have been helpful and they won't break your gift budget either.

Ho ho ho and Merry Christmas to all! xo