2016 Christmas Appetizer

It's a Tradition that hubby and  I host Christmas Day Dinner.  It's been this way since forever and although I make too much in the way of the food and desserts I am happy to do it because for all the crazy days in-between it brings my family together. 

We moved to Pittsburgh about ten years ago and until then the children would pile up the grandchildren and make the trip to our house in Harrisburg or we'd drive to their house on Christmas Day.  Once we made the decision to move closer to them it took pressure off all of us.

It was a very hard decision because both hubby and I loved Harrisburg. It was convenient to visit our family in the Wilkes-Barre /Scranton area from Harrisburg easily but Pittsburgh is quite a drive.  From Harrisburg it is about 3 1/2 hours and from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area about 5 1/2 hours.  All and all we have been driving these drives since our son went to college in Pittsburgh which was 1987. Whew!

On to the main reason of this post.  I was completely off track....LOL  

This years Antipasto!

This is my attempt to do another unique antipasto which unfortunately isn't some of my best work.  It'll be fine but it was just a day my creatively was challenged and I just went with the flo. 

I started with Styrofoam balls (bought at craft store) that I covered in saran/ cling wrap.  Attached the base with double face tape and I used wooden skewers to hold them together and then placed in a nice size pretty glass dish.  Remember that your dish must fit in refrigerator to store overnight so be careful of size.

Lay out on a flat surface all the food you will be using along with a whole box of toothpicks. Colored are nice.

Lay out all your meat, cheese and olive items so they are handy for you to use.

Then on to adding your items.  I started at the top but suggest you start at the bottom.

Garnish with variegated lettuce on bottom to fill in empty spaces.

From my kitchen to yours,

Pre Christmas

Just a little sharing of my table and goodies for Christmas Day.

Our immediate family will be here as well. I baked and cooked preparing for this time that we manage to get us together at our house.  I feel blessed beyond words.

Our oldest grandchildren now twenty are home from college and that just adds to a great holiday. The youngest is almost fourteen and the two in the middle are seventeen and sixteen.

Hoping that you enjoy your holiday or special time of the year.

I'll be posting Christmas photos first chance.  I'd love hearing from you in my comment area.



Love, peace and kindness!

M.j.

Life is Good!

 Winter is here in the north and I'm feeling blessed to have a warm and cozy place to call my home..

My menu is planned and I'm about to set the dining room table.

All this year's baking is done for the exception of some pizzelles that I intend to bake tomorrow.

I'm was up very early today and I was reflecting on life. My thoughts quickly went to those who are missing their loved ones or struggling in everyday life in some way. It really makes you realize there is so much hurt in the world.

I feel so thankful for our dedicated military and their families who sacrifice so much for our freedom.

Then I think of those who need a little love. ❤️ I  I hope in some little way I bring a glimmer of hope, a splash of faith and a whole lot of inspiration to never give up.

Please try to pass on a smile, a gentle tap on the shoulder, or an ear that is open to listen.

 My aunt used to say that we must remember although we like to think it's a perfect world for some people "everyone has something " that at some time they must deal with so don't think you are alone. You are not!

Take one step forward and don't look back. Make that  promise to you! Life is good!!

Love, peace and prayers. M.j.

te

Today's Chicken Scampi

Easy chicken scampi today! 3/26/24

I used basic ingredients as below but lemon juice and small amount of broth and breadcrumbs. Baked potato on side.

It's a cold and windy day today in Pittsburgh and hubby and I are staying put.  We've been on the go for weeks trying to get things up to date.  Doctor's appts. visit to mom's and just everyday must dos that we have to so we can sit back and relax a bit.

We went to visit Mom for two days and when we get home we are exhausted.  I'm actually quite exhausted before I go.  I try to get all the things she asks me to take with me and all the little incidentals for her that make life a little bit more pleasant and carefree.  At 93 she deserves it.  My Dad would have wanted it this way.  I miss him so very much but you all know that.

Since we were not venturing out today I did have all the ingredients for chicken scampi.  I just made it easy with really no recipe but I'll try to be a little specific for you. Enjoy!

yours,

 1 lb. chicken tenders

2+ cloves minced garlic

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup olive oil

2 T butter

dried parsley

Sprinkle of breadcrumbs (about a tablespoon)(optional)

Italian grated cheese to your taste.

8 oz. angel hair pasta cooked, drained (reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water)

Fresh lemon

In a deep skillet I melted my butter and olive oil.  Added minced garlic and started simmering on  low.  Once incorporated I added my chicken tenders, salt and pepper and a pinch or two of dried parsley.  When chicken started to brown slightly I added the broth, lemon wedges and simmered it slowly for a few minutes.  In a separate pot I brought salted water to a boil and added my 8 oz. angel hair pasta.  Cooked for several minutes, drained, reserving some pasta water just in case I needed to thin the sauce.   Incorporate pasta into sauce and Add several T grated Italian cheese and yum....Serve immediately.

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

My Christmas Menu 2016

A few of 2016 Christmas memories.


Every year I host Christmas Dinner since we moved to Pittsburgh.  I usually had both holidays when we lived in Harrisburg but since the move ten years ago some of the hosting has been shared with my daughter and daughter- in- law which I really appreciate.

I love the holidays but quite honestly they are tiring.  I love baking and cooking and enjoy how much my family loves what I prepare but I have many memories of my mom being the host and she was always so tired.  Her house was small and her kitchen was so small it was hard for her to move around if we gathered around her while she prepared so she shushed us away to the other room while she got everything ready.  We always asked to help but other than set the table she wanted to do it by herself.  She would have the kitchen window open (in the middle of winter) and she would be perspiring something terrible.  I used to feel so sorry for her but she liked having us there but it really was too much for her.

I now see where I am getting to the age that all this is starting to get me tired as well so I decided I would do things a little differently than Mom did or even my mother- in -law.  They worked the day and eve of Christmas instead of preparing ahead of time.

I believe that doing some early prep works for me.  I don't feel my mom ever really enjoyed holidays because other than cookies she made the salad and pasta whether it was ravioli or cappelletti very close to the actual holiday. Actually that day or a day before.

I start the beginning of December making my pasta dish, soup and sauces and so far this year I have already made 10 bags of gnocchi and froze them, several pounds of braciole and sausage, hot and mild and meat and marinara sauce. Today I made my soup and mini meatballs for Wedding soup.All freeze well and will be fine for Christmas.

All in all I feel this works for me and when Christmas comes I plan on the night before putting together our antipasto and then removing any items the night before from the freezer(gnocchi not until I am ready to cook them on Christmas) so as to thaw and the next morning only have minimal cooking and plating the dishes.

Dessert will be cannoli, ricotta or custard, Molten lava cake with vanilla ice cream and a few cookies I plan on making. Probably Italian, pizzelles and possibly chocolate chip.  Not too many cookies this year.  I'm leaning on cookie bars as a possibility.

This is my plan and I know it will work. Below is an example of what my Christmas dinner this year will include. 

Large Antipasto

Wedding Soup

Potato gnocchi (photo is ricotta gnocchi)

Braciole

Sausage and meat sauce as well as marinara sauce

Cannoli both custard and ricotta filled

Chocolate Molten Cake too!