Sunday Dinners

I have really wanted to get into the mode of making nice family dinners. Last week was Halloween so we just had pizza but this week I had a plan.

I had a nice London Broil and decided it was time to make it.

Pepper Crusted Steak with Horseradish cream on Garlic Crostini

Marinade

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

1 Tablespoon peppercorns, cracked

1/3 cup of olive oil

2 lbs of London Broil

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Combine all ingredients in a Large ziploc bag completely covering meat. Let all air out of bag and let sit at least 6 hours, or overnight.

Preheat grill or broiler for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle meat with salt, grill or broil until med rare (or however you prefer your meat to be cooked). Cooking time will depend on thickness of the meat.

Let the meat stand for at least an hour, then slice thin. Serve on Crostini. Top with Horseradish sauce.

For my Crostini I had some roasted garlic from my butternut squash soup that I mixed with olive oil, salt and pepper.

I cut the bread on an angle and then with my silicone brush put the garlic/olive oil mixture on them. I then put in the broiler (Our grill did not have any propane).

The Horseradish sauce I made was

1/3 cup of horseradish

1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1/2 pepper

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1/2 cup of sour cream

I also made a Butternut Squash Soup. The recipe is from my husband (who attended Culinary school - The Culinary Institute of America)**

1 Butternut Squash

1 1/2 head of garlic

1 onion

1 leek

salt

pepper

1/2 ginger

2 sprigs of thyme

1/2 lemon

Olive oil

32 oz Chicken Stock

Preheat oven to 350. Oil, salt and pepper squash. Place on a baking sheet and bake, rotating squash every 15 minutes until tender. Sweat the onion and leeks in olive oil, season with salt and pepper. When squash is tender, immediately remove squash from skins - very hot but it comes out easier this way. Add squash to onion and leeks. Puree squash, onion and leeks. Simmer 15 minutes. Add warm chicken stock, slowly, pureeing as you go. I tend to like it think but make it a little thinner because you will let it simmer for 20-30 minutes and it thickens up then. You don't need to use all the stock but I usually do. While it simmers I put the ginger (chopped) into a sachet and the same for the thyme (2 separate sachets).

I do another puree in the middle of simmering. Serve warm with Cream Fraiche on top. It is great to keep in the house during the winter. It is one of my favorites. Enjoy.

Enjoy.

Cake Pops Part 1

Okay, my baby had decided that she wanted a Halloween party for her birthday, so me being the mom I am obliged.

So, now I am doing everything I can to put togethe

r something that will be really awesome.

I am making her Cake pops. I started this evening.

Step one was to bake a cake as per directions. Cool cake and then crumble. Recipes have suggested to put it into a Cuisinart. I only have a small one, the blender was not really an option so I used my Cuisinart Blender stick (LOVE). It worked out great.

Step two was to mix with frosting and then roll into balls.

Step three was to let it sit on the tray overnight in the refrigerator (tomorrow I will be dipping them in chocolate and decorating them).

I am so excited to see what happens. I chose for these pops to make a confetti cake mixture and cream cheese frosting.

If I am able I am going to attempt to make a bunting with some fabric I have had for a few years.

Some eyeball cupcakes, bones chocolates and maybe, just maybe homemade candy corn. Hmm maybe I need a day off. Oh and Maya just asked for petit fours like the ones I made for her party last year! Thank goodness I have those ingredients in the pantry. I also was thinking of doing caramel apples with the kids.

That reminds me, I need to call one of my sitters to come and "assist" the party. Toodles for now.

Zizette

Sunday Dinners

As a teenager I recall having Sunday dinners made by my dad. My dad would be making shrimp on skewers with my bestie Jen and I putting it together and enjoying a great meal with my family. Everyone loved coming to my house on Sundays for dinner. I really enjoy having Sunday dinner for my family. It gives me a chance to cook and make fabulous meals (or not so fabulous meals) and at the same time have my children eat outside of their little boxes.

So, on some Sundays I am able to make fantastic meals that the children will try and we both enjoy. Tonight was one of those nights.

Tonight I made a Roast, with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Green beans with dill.

We actually had an added guest this evening (son's best friend) and we had a great time (I even made them chicken nuggets in case they wouldn't eat the roast).

Roast Beef with Dijon Caper Sauce

Roast Beef:

• 1 3-pound eye of round beef roast, trimmed of excess fat and sinew
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
• 2 cups low-salt beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons drained capers

For roast beef:
Sprinkle beef with 1/2 teaspoon salt; let stand 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix thyme, basil, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in small bowl. Heat oil in large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook until browned on all sides, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with herb mixture. Transfer skillet to oven. Roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meat registers 130°F, about 40 minutes. Transfer to cutting board; let rest.

For sauce:
Place skillet with juices over medium-high heat. Add butter; stir until melted. Add flour; whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in broth; bring to boil. Boil until sauce is reduced to 1 1/4 cups, whisking often, about 6 minutes. Whisk in mustard and capers. Season sauce with pepper.

Cut beef crosswise into very thin slices. Transfer beef to platter. Serve with sauce.

Roasted Garlic Mashed potatoes

2 lbs of potatoes

1 head of Garlic

Salt

Pepper

Olive oil

Butter

cream

Truffle oil

Cut off the top of the head of garlic, drizzle with oil, salt and pepper. Place in foil and wrap with top exposed. Put into an oven at 350. Peel and cut potatoes in quarters. Put into boiling water. When tender, remove from water, melt butter and cream.

Add warm butter/cream mixture to potatoes as you mash them, add the roasted garlic (just squeeze the garlic out of the skins and add truffle oil (Fairway has a nice olive oil with truffles that is fabulous). Add salt and pepper to taste.

Green Beans with Dill

Melt 1 TBS of butter in pan. Add Green beans. Little salt and Dill, toss. Serve. Very tasty.

It was a fabulous meal by all. I look forward to making some more in the future.

Zizette

Bad Mommy Award or Just Evil Mommy?

I think that is what I am in the running for today.

You see I have told my children a little white lie.

Actually I didn't lie, it was an omission, or rather an assumption by them (see I am putting it off on the little lads - bad mommy, huh?)

I decided that my little children needed some variety in their diet.

They love the same foods all the time. I try to have some diversity but they are who they are and I guess it is mostly my fault so now I have to work hard at getting them to eat new foods. The thing is there was a time when my pickiest eater son, did eat any and all foods his nanny, Julie gave him and then one day something changed.

So, tonight I did a trick from the past.

I have done it before but one day got caught so I have not dared to do it again,

until

TODAY

I was shopping and bought Boneless Pork Loin Chops.

You know, the thin ones that you can totally pass off as chicken, specifically Chicken Cutlets?

I did it.

I made the pork cutlets and the kiddies thought they were chicken cutlets. I never said chicken, I just said cutlets. Sam even asked to have his with cheese on top - like his chicken - "No problem" says his evil, I mean Wonderful mommy.

Can you believe they ate EVERY.SINGLE.MORSEL?

They had a fabulous dinner, Pork with Cous Cous and Green beans (fresh from the Farmers Market - more on that later).

Oh yeah, my other time. In the past I have passed off fresh fish fried as a cutlet and the kids have loved it as well, until one day I bought frozen flounder from a favorite place. It was not good, too salty or something off but I did not know until Sam tells me after one bite, "this is the WORST chicken you have ever made MOM!" I said, "No it's not, it's the worst fish I have ever made!" He could not believe I tricked them. For a while he wouldn't eat my chicken and he loves my chicken. So, I had to wait until the memory was out of his head. Today it was. My husband asked if he should tell the kids about the pork, I told him "NO WAY."

So, am I really that bad since I did something good? I am happy they liked it and it gives me more to give them.

Zizette

Fasting = Feast

I am fasting today as part of my religion. While this may be my least favorite holiday obligation it is sort of my favorite holiday.

I love the "Break Fast" food.

All my faves bagels, cream cheese, lox, whitefish oh the list goes on and we traditionally break it first by having an nice Bloody Mary. That's the way we roll in my house.

Years ago I made an egg salad. No biggie but it has now become a MUST HAVE at our table. I know I am making it but a few nights ago, late by my standards (9:30) my step mother calls and says, "you are making egg salad, right? Hugh and Jeannette are coming over and you know how they love your egg salad." To which I replied, "absolutely, how could I not?"

So, this am while I am fasting I will make the egg salad.

Zee's Fab.U.Lous Egg Salad (at least to my peeps it is)

1 dozen Large Eggs

2 1/2 Tablespoons Mayo (more or less to your liking)

2 Tablespoons finely chopped Capers

1 Tablespoons finely chopped Shallot

1 Squirt of Dijon Mustard (again more or less to your liking)

2 Teaspoons finely chopped Tarragon

Place eggs in pot with 1 inch of water covering, once water is boiling cover for 1 minute then turn off water and let covered pot sit for 15 minutes. Prep other ingredients. Remove eggs from water and put into ice water bowl to cool. Peel and cut eggs, separating whites and yolks. Chop whites. Mash egg yolks and mayo. Combine all ingredients. Serve on top of a salad or your favorite bread.

Bon Appetit!

Last Days of Summer

Wow, has this summer flown by?

It was a great summer filled with camp, friends, family and fun times.

The kids had a a great time at camp.

We all had great times at the lake, swimming at Papi's and going to the beach.

There were some birthdays, visiting grandparents and even a fair or two.

I love the beach and next year have to go much more.

BUT

I love fall.

I love the leaves changing, the food cooking in my home, the apple and pumpkin picking. I love how the weather gets to be just right - warm during the day but a little cool at night.

So even though I love the summer, I look forward to the fall.

Zizette

Lake Time

I am getting in some last minute time at the lake.

The kids and I are going up for two days, then coming back so I can see my new classroom and then heading back up on the weekend with the hubs for the weekend.

I still have so much to do but I will do it on Friday, somehow.

Here's a little peek into where we will be

A view of the lake from the pool

Maybe I will get some alone time in the pool

Pool Table / Grandpa's office

Dining room where we gather for big meals (during the cold seasons)

Breakfast room with mural of the houses on the lake (way back when)

We are very fortunate to have a beautiful place like this to go. My in laws have expanded the home to fit the expanding families as their children got married and had kids.

My children love it here and as a child I had a lake house to go to and hang out with my cousins (who were like siblings because at the time I was an only child). I am happy that my children also get to have close relationships with their grandparents and cousins. (My parents live just 3 blocks away and the lake is only and hour and a half away).

I will hopefully get more pictures today and post them, my mother in law has a kitchen I would die for.

Have a great day my friends.

Zizette

I Might Melt

Today in the North East it is supposed to be dreadfully HOT!

And

We have a birthday party, no scratch that we have a Birthday POOL Party.

That means being OUTSIDE. IN. THE. HEAT.

No Fun. Not to mention the fact that there will be approximately 30 kids there.

Again, not so much fun, actually chaos.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE pool parties but they make me really nervous.

This means I will have to be on guard (watching me kiddies, even though they know how to swim) with so many kids in the pool.

I quite possibly might melt out there.

I will be dreaming of this:

this:

and this:

I can dream can't I? I do love a good pool party but I am dreading this dangerous heat.

We will have lots of fun since there will be lots of food, music and fun.

The kids party is only from 2-5 pm and then we will stay with our good friends and be more relaxed.

The party is supposed to be for our friend's 7 year old (Little Miss' BFF) BUT my friend (the wife) thinks her husband turned it into his 40th celebration since he keeps adding things to the agenda, menu, guest list (OH BOY!).

That part will be fun! We always have GREAT BIG Fun with our friends.

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures (hopefully I can post them ;) on here -hehe).

Have a great Saturday and Keep COOL.

Don't forget the contest ends tomorrow - I just realized that I made a mistake on the date - I said Sunday July 22nd and it was supposed to read SUNDAY JULY 25th.

You still have time.

Zizette

Friday Funnies

I love a good road trip, I really do. I have driven cross country and back. One day I hope to tour the USA with my kids, I really think it is cool.

As a kid I went back and forth between San Diego and Phoenix by car to visit my grandparents.

Easy drive, done it a million times.

A few years back I visit my mom in San Diego with my children for the first time. They were 3 and 5.

My mom, wanting everyone in AZ to meet my kids for the first time, suggested we take a two day trip there. Sure, I say.

Now, my mom is not one to have the greatest of cars and on one of my last visits to her, before kids, her own car broke down between Sand Diego and Phoenix, But that is another story.

So, when she suggested said trip I asked if her car was okay. She assured me most definitely is the car ok, she just had it checked. Okay. In fact she said she has NEVER had a problem with this car (famous last words By the way).

Now, since this was the first time I traveled anywhere with my kids by myself I was prepared - DVD player, LeapFrogs, Coloring package, you get what I mean, right?

So we head out. Now we stop in Yuma (halfway between SD and Phx) to use the bathroom at a McDonalds. When we get back to the car, it won't start!

I am in the middle of the DESERT and the F****** car won't start! Are you kidding me? Is g-d playing a trick on me?

So, dear mom, who has a history of bad cars DOES NOT HAVE TRIPLE A. Why should she? This car has always been good to her.

I actually have Triple A but in an effort to not carry so much crap in said wallet I only brought the necessities. I had to call my husband for the number.

Some nice tow company jumps our car, my mom, ever the New Yorker asks him to follow us to the gas station while we pump gas - just in case.

Good thing for just in case, because the car DIED AGAIN!

Now we are stuck in a gas lane with tons of cars waiting and the car is DEAD.

He finally gets us to his garage, where we wait. We waited 4 hours, 4 hours I tell ya. My kids were so good.

There was tons wrong with the car, the battery, the alternator, and blah, blah, blah.

Finally we got back on the road. And finally we got to our little motel in Phoenix in the dead of night. What was supposed to take 5 hours took 12.

Can you say, I wanted to shoot myself? And the funny part here is that when I would recite this story either to someone else or to my mom explaining my trip, she would just laugh. Actually she would Cackle because that is how she laughs.

I look back now and it was funny and I guess that is what road trips are made of but I swear I will NEVER go on a road trip with her again.

You want to know something else even funnier? My mom recently remarried and her new husband travels in a 60 or 70 foot Massive Motorhome with a Prius towed behind them AND they are touring the USA. Can you believe that? I hope her luck has changed since then or I really feel bad for her new husband.

Happy Anniversary

Ten years ago, my husband and I stood before our family and friends and pledged our love to one another.

The Cantor who married us, spoke of Beshert, meaning that two people who were meant for one another.

She really understood us and we had our video guy keep all of what she said in our ceremony in the video because it meant so much to us.

Since then we have had highs and lows, I will not lie.

We had two FABULOUS children.

Shared dreams, trips and laughter with each other.

We have even had some bad things happen, illness and death.

But

The good times out-weigh the bad - and make us stronger.

Here's to 10 more years!

Love you very much my dear.

Zizette

Seafood Sunday

Well, as I may have told you before my husband graduated The Culinary Institute of America.

He doesn't cook much but when he does, watch out!

Last night he once again out did himself.

He took care of the appetizers, they included Clams and Shrimp. Not together but as follows.

Clams on the grill

2 dozen Clams

1 bunch of cilantro

5-6 cloves of garlic

1 bottle clam juice

1 cup of white wine

Put all ingredients in aluminum pan, cover with aluminum foil. Put on hot grill, clove cover. Cook about 10-15 minutes (or until clams open). Take foil off of pan and serve. Enjoy!

So easy-peasy you will love it.

Shrimp on Grill

2 dozen large shrimp (11-15 a dozen)

Cajun seasoning

Butterfly and devein shrimp (PIA), put in aluminum pan or bowl to toss seasonings all over shrimp. You can skewer shrimp or just put them on grill. I highly recommend that you oil the grill first (meaning take a small bowl with some olive oil and a paper towel, get your trusty tongs (the big ones) and hold paper towel with tongs and dip into oil. Then rub oiled paper towel on the grill (shrimp won't stick then). Grill until pink and serve. Enjoy!

Make sure for these kinds of meals to have a graveyard (bowl for shells and tails).

It was a nice starter to the meal and end to a long lovely day.

Wild Boar

A few weeks ago I spoke of a Wild Boar sitting in my Fridge waiting to be cooked.

We did in fact cook it as a tribute to my baby bro who passed who loved to eat FuNkY Foods.

Now Boar is just a pig but this was a WILD Boar! Wild like my Mike.

I love to cook, my dad is an awesome cook, my husband is a CIA Graduate and my youngest brother loves to cook. So we cooked it together.

We made it like a stew, oh yeah along with some Goat Loin (Hey I have a weird friend who hunts and gave it us).

We cooked it in the Big Ole Le Crueset Dutch Oven on the stove.

We seasoned the meat and seared it in the pan, then with all the good bits added some wine to make a nice sauce.

Threw in some onions, potatoes, carrots and peas.

It came out really nice. A nice Stew. It was one of those recipes where we put stuff in willy nilly so I am sorry not to have a recipe or measurements.

However, I did make a HORRIBLE risotto. I had not planned on making it and my dad said oh, make your risotto. IT STUNK!

I made it in a pot that was too small and I was rushed. You cannot rush risotto so it was like paste because it was overcooked. Never again will I do that (because believe me, a week later my dad still reminded me I messed up the rice).

I am in the mood for a good risotto though, maybe this weekend.

Zizette

Michael

Today is my baby brother's birthday. He would be 26. A beautiful person taken way to soon from us.

He was just coming into to his own and being that he and I are 13 years apart this was really being the first time in our lives we were connecting - we were connected but we were connecting as adults and it was nice.

He died 9 days after my son was born and one of my last memories with him is when I was in the hospital the day after and his mom was with me visiting and the hospital phone rings and he was calling to see how I was doing and how his nephew was doing. It was so cool and funny ay the time. I always checked on him, I changed his diaper and now he was checking on his big sister. The picture above is actually of him holding my baby. It is one of my favorite pictures and it sits on our mantel.

He was an amazing human being. He would give to anyone, defend anyone, help anyone and it never mattered to him who, what or where you were.

Everyone truly lost someone who could have done so much.

I miss him and some days you just don't think about how deeply you feel but I do right now as I share him with you.

I know he watches over my babies and keeps them safe.

So today we will celebrate! He loved weird foods and trying things different. A friend is a hunter and he gave us some wild boar ( I don't know if I can eat it ). So my dad, my other brother, husband and I will cooked together since that was something that Michael loved to do.

I'll let you know how the boar comes out (oddly enough I found a recipe on Epicurious.com for it). Should be interesting.

That is my tribute to a very special man who I love and miss very much.

Have a great day!

Zizette

Amazing Road Trip

Life is about experiences.

The experiences you give your children and ones you have learned yourself are the b

est.

No amount of learning in the classroom can compare to what you give your children.

This week I brought my children to Washington D.C.

We had so much fun. Hubby could not make it since he had to work. So we did our Road Trip

on our own.

The beginning of our trip after we purchased new sunglasses

We were there to see the cherry blossoms after all (I think I need one for my garden and a magnolia tree)

I love this picture of the kids and the Washington Monument and Reflection pool

WW II Memorial - Maya's favorite because it was so beautiful

Sam looking cool in the Chinese Garden in Chinatown - I know this will be a favorite in the future (possibly Blackmail?)

The kids had a great time. I had them walking on Friday for 8 hours! (To tell the truth it is Sunday and my legs and hips still hurt - boy do I need to start exercising!)

We saw amazing things: the Washington Monument, The National Mall, Abe Lincoln, The Capitol and of course my inspiration to go there - The Cherry Blossoms! They were gorgeous! I really got to use my camera.

It wasn't until we were leaving that I saw a Tulip Gallery - it was a huge garden full of all types of Tulips. I would have loved to take pictures of that.

So many beautiful opportunities to take photos. I will post some of my others that I took.

We will be going back again, maybe the same time next year. (We met another family from our area and they have gone this same weekend for the past 3 years - could be a nice new tradition)

A funny thing happened, my son said to me when we were close to home, "Hey mom we had our first Road Trip" - (then he made the fist punch action with me). He's getting so cool ;)

Good memories for all and we are now happy to be back home.

Zizette

Happy Easter

I would like to wish all my lovely friends and family a very Happy Easter.

Enjoy the day with your families.

Zizette

Holiday Cooking

I love cooking.

I love cooking for other people.

The holidays are an opportunity for that.

But

We always attend dinners at our family's houses (one night his and one night mine).

This year my parents are away - no problem.

So I decided to make a dinner for my family.

I saw a friend in the store (actually her husband - he does the shopping) and asked what they were doing, they had no plans for the second night. I invited them to come over.

She called me back and we made a plan.

I love having friends over.

So, here's my menu:

Brisket

Turkey Breast (have to have variety)

Matzoh Ball Soup

Apple Matzoh Kugel

Charoset (gonna try something new from here)

Matzoh Crunch

Chocolate Covered Macaroons

The Brisket is cooking now. Recipe is easy-peasy.

Brisket

Onion soup mix

Ketchup

Onions

Pre-heat oven to 350. Mix onion soup mix and ketchup to paste like consistency. Cut onion into rings and lay on bottom of pan. Lay brisket on top of onions and rub paste all over it. Put in the oven, covered. Cook 2-3 hours or until tender. Remove from oven and let cool. When it becomes room temperature slice against the grain and put back into the pan (with the onions and juices). Refrigerate or freeze. Reheat when ready to serve. The longer it sits the better it tastes.

I will let you know as to what I make next.

Zizette

Acts of Kindness

I love acts of kindness.

I try to do them as much as possible, I try to get my children to be aware of them and do them themselves for others.

Their school has a program called Kindness Counts where every time they are "caught" doing an act of kindness they drop a ball in a big jar in the school office. The goal is 500. They will make it. My children have each gotten a chance to drop a ball in the jar.

We donate regularly to those less fortunate than we are, it's important to show this to your kids.

They need to know. They donated change in their school for Haiti.

I wasn't planning on this as my post but I was watching tv and they showed the guy Danny from Biggest Loser. WOW. The Doctors are giving him a tummy tuck and breast reduction. He was so grateful.

He worked hard. Not saying the skin removal is something that is important but they felt that was something they could give him. It made me cry. (I know I am such a sap)

I know that many people here are very kind - some came together for Haiti and others make their contributions elsewhere.

I applaud everyone and we should keep up the good work.

Zizette