A Stomach on a Mission!: May 2012

"Scrapple"

I have no idea if I have spelled that correctly or not ... but I do know that I tried it the other morning. I had never heard of it before two days ago when I tried it for the first time. My folks used to get it "a lot" when they lived in Pennsylvania and as I was very small when they lived there I don't recall it.

Scrapple is created from the "scraps" of pork that - I gather - a butcher has and someone - way back when (and when exactly is way back when? well i haven't the slightest clue) - decided to put them all together (they are all bits of pork after all) and created another form of breakfast meat. Phew ... that sounds, um appetizing now doesn't it?! Ha ha ha!

The bits of meat are combined with corn starch (I believe) to hold it all together.

Apparently my Stomach on a Mission Daddio's Dad used to eat it and love it and passed the love onto my father. So we had it the other morning with our eggs and toast. You de-container it and slice it and cook it on a bit of oil the way you would a breakfast sausage - it gets a bit crispy - and to my taste buds it is really similar to breakfast sausage in taste.

Not bad. Give it a try at some point.

Summer Time and the SALADS are easy...

10 Points if you know the song I'm referencing! :o) And Happy Memorial Day to All!

Now, summer time means BBQ's (I love me a good bbq, grilled meats, salads, "favorite beans" and beer ... mmm) and BBQ's aren't "real" unless those staple salads are there!

Staple summer time salads for me are:

Potato Salad

Tomato Salad

Cucumber Salad x2

Three Bean Salad

Coleslaw

Rice Salad

Beet Salad

(have I forgotten any???)

I love that everyone makes these salads differently - though mine are THE BEST of course! :) And my salads are pretty much identical to my mother's - she is the one who taught'em to me after all - and yet, we still do some things differently.

Which one shall we begin with ... ???!!!

POTATO SALAD

Potato's

Eggs

Carrots

Celery

Onion

Mayo

Spices: parsley, garlic powder, salt & pepper, paprika

HOW TO MAKE IT:

Cook potato's and eggs in a large pot of water until a fork slides easily into potato.

While potato's and eggs are cooking finely chop carrots, celery & onion (as much or as little as you would like) and set aside.

When potato's are done drain and let cool a bit - peel skin off of potato's while they are still hot/warm - whatever your fingers can handle. (If you use baby red potato's leave skins on, but clean them before you cook them.) When peeled cut into 1/4 inch sized bites and put in large serving bowl.

Peel and chop egg and place in bowl.

Add chopped veg.

Add mayo - to taste/consistency.

Add garlic powder, salt & pepper and parsley.

Stir.

Sprinkle a little more parsley on top as well as paprika.

Serve and devour!

*Interestingly I find that most summer salads taste EVEN better when they've been allowed to sit in the fridge a bit (or the next day as left overs).

How is your potato salad different than mine?

Easter Dinner 2012

Ok I've slacked a bit since getting a full time job and all that...time to do a little catch up and keep this blogity blog going!

So, step into your time machines folks 'cause we're going back to April 8th 2012 to say Happy Easter Everyone!

This is the first time in 33 years that I have cooked Easter Dinner and it included three firsts for me!

1.) Baked Ham - truly, the only other ham I've ever cooked was soaked in Guinness (um so good).
2.) Quiche - first time I've ever made one, ok ok ok, I used store bought crust. To be fair, I didn't know I was making them until Easter morning...vegetarians...but I digress, I LOVE QUICHE and they are so freaking easy to make!!!
3.) Raisin Sauce - this is served with the Ham and it is soooooooooooooo good! It's something Mimi - my Dad's mother - used to make whenever she made ham, well special occasion ham 'cause let's be honest folks, a trip to Mimi and Granddad's always included baked ham! It takes a while because you have to keep it on the stove and stir it so it doesn't burn for quite some time while it thickens, but damn is it tasty!!! (Inquire within for the recipe!)

So, below you will find the menu and some snapshots of the food! I do believe all who ate were very happy with these tasty dishes! :)

Menu:

Ham

Raisin Sauce

Greenbean Casserole

Steamed Asparagus

Scalloped Potatoes

Asparagus & Cheese Quiche

"Orange" Jello Shot Slices (with VODKA)

Photos of my efforts...

The Table is Set