Food, in the company of friends!

I recently came accross Erma Bombeck' quotes about regrets.

                      " IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck"


I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it .. live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us. 

      I enjoy this philosophy and decided to make it's suggestions my New Year's resolution. However I needed to do this in the company of food. I started by inviting five friends to my small condo for dinner. I decided not to worry that there might not be enough room around the table in my small kitchen and just pulled it out from the wall a bit. To my surprise we were as comfy as could be. I set the table with my mother's fine china and serve Italian food in her memory.

I served a tossed Italian salad, with warm garlic bread. For the entree I made ravioli and meatballs with some more warm garlic bread. My guest asked what they could bring and in the past I would have said,  "you don't have to bring anything."
But I realized that these friends would feel uncomfortable arriving empty handed. So one person brought the wine and another the dessert. It was a very nice visit and everyone enjoyed making memories in the company of food.

Lemon my chicken!

Italian roasted potato

Lemon chicken

 Tonight I am making lemon chicken with Italian fried potatoes and carrots for dinner. It is a quick and simple dinner using my favorite saute and bake formula. I begin the carrots quickly bringing them to a boil and turn off the heat to finish, as they are a vegetable that will not get soggy or loose flavor. Then I slice an Idaho potato into circles and brown in olive oil seasoning with pepper, garlic salt and oregano. When they are nice and brown on one side I flip and adjust the seasoning. I then place them in a 350@ oven to finish cooking. Now it is time to cook the chicken. I lightly flour my chicken breast and saute in butter in my antique copper saute skillet. When it has browned on one side I flip, turn off the heat and douse with the juice of a whole fresh lemon. Then I place the chicken in the oven to finish cooking with the potatoes. Voila, dinner is ready!
     The best part is that I have the remnants of the fresh lemon which I use to shine my kitchen faucet and sink. This is a powerful friend in the department of home beautiful. Lemon juice will remove nasty stains and lime buildup. And this lemons job is still not done. Instead of throwing it into the trash  grind it in your garbage disposal for a refreshing cleansing and sweet smell.

Going green!

     I wish it could be as simple for me.  I have watched thousands of people eat their dinner salad at our restaurant with tons of dressing to smother the taste of the fresh vegetables. But for me, like any other food, my salad has to be an adventure. From the beginning it has to be a delicious work of art or not worth consuming. This is one of my summer favorites, tossed salad with tuna. Accompaniments to a salad depend upon what is in the fridge or cupboard, but the basic premise is nice fresh mixed greens, chopped hard boiled egg and any other fresh vegetables that are in house. I am never without fresh garlic to mince for all my favorite recipes. I always toss the salad with olive oil, red wine vinegar, ground pepper, garlic salt, oregano and  Parmesan cheese. If I have fresh baby spinach it is a wonderful addition. Above all, this is a light meal that is easy, healthy and delicious for lunch or dinner. Most  salads that I make are for a meal not a side. I find that if I eat a salad before a meal it fills me up too much to enjoy the main course.  At restaurants I order my salad served with my meal .

     Some salads are memorable. When I visited my brother in California my sister-in-law made a dinner salad that has become one of my favorite lite dinner fare. The ingredients are simple but the palate punch is awesome. Of course, when tomatoes are bursting with flavor from the summer garden this salad is even more delightful. But any time of year it is a gourmet treat. Slice a firm tomato into wheels, top with chunks of Gorgonzola cheese, capers and smother with balsamic vinegar. That's it, Really! I like to serve it with some warm Italian crusty bread. My mouth is watering I think I will have this for dinner. But truly, salads are an excellent meal choice if you do not smother them in dressing.
     Leftover chicken is another perfect topping for salad. I have a passion for not throwing food away, if possible, there are too many people around the world who go hungry.  Chicken Cesar salad is a very popular menu item in restaurant today. I remember the day of the true Cesar salad prepared at fine restaurants. The server would approach the table with all the ingredients on their cart and prepare the salad table side. The ingredients included raw eggs and anchovies, romaine lettuce and Parmesan cheese, olive oil and red wine vinegar, plus spices.  The the anchovies were mulled the eggs whisked in the bowl  and the other ingredients tossed together. It was absolutely delicious and obviously bad for us as raw eggs in any dish now are a no-no.
     Speaking of leftovers an excellent side salad for a meal is leftover cauliflower or broccoli. Soaked with red wine vinegar seasoned with ground pepper and garlic salt, chilled and succulent it is the perfect addition to any dinner. Step out of the box and make salad a treat instead of a dinner side dish.