Insalata Russa [Russian Salad]

July 26, 2011 by Monica in Entertaining, Family, Family Cookbook, Main Courses, Salad, Vegetable

This is another recipe plucked right out my Nonna’s A cookbook. This salad was served in all of our family “special events”, so any birthday, baptism, party, Christmas, anything that involved a gathering of more than 20 people and this dish would make an appearance.

Since I been reminiscing my younger years in the last couple of weeks, I of course made this. This dish, as my grandmother use to tell me could be found in any “antipasto” offering in Italy. During my travels, I have found countless versions of this salad but I always go back to my grandmother’s italian version.

In Italy it’s mainly made with diced vegetables like potatoes, peas, carrots, green beans, and combined with homemade mayonnaise.

Baked Leeks in Béchamel Sauce

July 24, 2011 by Monica in Appletizers & Snacks, Baking, Dinner, Entertaining, Savory, Sides, Vegetable, Vegetarian

A couple of weeks back when I was planning our Paella party – that never happened, I had round up a couple of tapas recipes to served while our paella was cooking on the open flame.

This dish was one in the list. Today, as I opened the refrigerator to get some cheese to make myself and Tom a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches, I notice the leeks and remember this recipe. After a bit more of investigating, realized that I had everything I needed to make it and off I went to test my memory bank. I did this on the fly, because after looking for over 10 minutes ALL OVER MY HOUSE could not find the original printed/marked recipe in any of my print outs or books.

I’m happy to say my memory is just fine, thank-you-very-much.

Spiced Indian Rice with Peas

June 14, 2011 by Monica in Dinner, Entertaining, Main Courses, Quick Meal, Vegetable, Vegetarian

This past weekend we celebrated Tom’s birthday.

Well sort of.

Since we will be leaving for our Mexico vacation in FOUR DAYS… last week was really tough to fit a birthday party. We started with all the intention in the world, but by Thursday I was having a little bit of nervous breakdown. I was putting 12-hour workday, and coming home with no brainpower to even think about a menu for 25 guests – let alone shop for ingredients, prepping and cooking the food.

And if you need to know something about me, I love to entertain, and I put like a huge amount of effort in it, and when I cannot do that, I simply panic and get all crappy and moody.

Tom was in no disposition to put up with that attitude put his foot down and told me to just cancel the thing and that once we got back from sunny Mexico we could just re-hatch the party plans.

I have never loved that man more.