Italian Flat Bread

Flat Bread Pizza

Italian Flat Bread
Another Rizzo inspired recipe! A glass of red wine and an Italian Flat Bread Pizza … Nothing easier and Nothing better. Add a vegetarian topping for a vegetarian dinner: ragu, grated mozzarella, sliced green peppers, sliced olives and sliced mushrooms … Or add your favorite Italian meats. Can easily go Vegan!

The bread recipe is simple … it does require a resting period but otherwise fixes up in minutes. Enjoy!

Continue reading


Queso Fresco Enmoladas

Fresh Mexican Cheese Enchiladas with Mole

EnmoladasAmazingly Simple! Amazingly Delicious! In minutes! Authentic enmoladas.

Thank you Arcelia! She’s my mother’s favorite cook. Arcelia can take anything out of the refrig and turn it into something wonderfully palatable. We call her a master cook but she is my mother’s companion. Lucky mom.

Enjoy this enchilada option but if you prefer the more known version try Cheese Enchiladas and Beans, here.

Continue reading


Willitts Wild Duck

Wild DuckThis was one of the Willitts’ Pump Company Christmas Party favorites. Here is what my brother remembers: I’d remove the foil and lid in the last minutes of cooking so the aroma filled the shop. I’d plate it (usually 6 ducks) with sliced oranges and parsley  And put forks on the tray for a taste. It was gone in minutes!

Along with wild duck, cheeses, breads, pit meat, homemade olives for this party was my dad’s Portuguese Beans. Enjoy recipe 1, here, and recipe 2, here.

 

Photo by David Willitts. Thanks David!

 

Continue reading


Simple Albondigas Soup

Meatball Soup

Albondigas SoupThis is one of my brother’s family favorites and I can see why. Use your favorite meatball recipe or mine, meatballs … And with the simple addition of tomatoes and onions to a beef broth you’ve Albondigas Soup.

The secret is to keep it simple.

 

Thank you Ruth, my sister-in-law, for the suggestion and recipe … I can see this as our family favorite too.

 

Continue reading


Home Ground Wheat Loaf

Wheat LoafDan, my brother, visited from Oregon this last week and brought me this absolutely perfectly baked delicious wheat bread. Yep, he grinds the wheat himself. Gluten free? Definitely not! He adds gluten! I’m still waiting for the recipe, Danny. I guess I’m going to have to give out your email address here for those who want to try it out. Ha-ha. Hurry!

FINALLY, the recipe!! Thank you to Kay Patterson, Dan’s neighbor, for sharing this lovely recipe with our family!

Continue reading


Beef Ragù with Kale or Spinach

Sunday Pasta

Beef Ragu with Kale

Nothing more comforting than Sunday Pasta and a glass of red wine … for so many reasons. This recipe can provide a one dish meal. Or add a little side salad to complete. Hope you enjoy this easy Sunday Ragù as much as I.

Continue reading


Miss and Me

Me and Miss

Here we are! My lovely daughter and me. I’ve had so much fun with my blog … And so excited my daughter has decided to begin her own. Missy is a great everything … mother, daughter, cook, organizer, decorator…. Hers is a personal style blog!

Her debut is April 13th! Put this on your calendar … And don’t let her know I mentioned you can preview. sapphirediaries.com

 


Banana Nut Cake

Caramel Glaze

Banana Nut Cake with Caramel Glaze

This is an old fashioned recipe or two … made for my mother. She has been very ill and you may have noticed this has impacted my posting. She is recuperating well and I’m making my way back to full swing.

This quick dessert is a simple 8 inch square banana cake … One of those last minute one bowl mixes providing a use for those over-ripe bananas. Delicious with coffee, tea or milk.

Continue reading


Belly Button Mac N Cheese

Tortellini, A Different Style

Tortellini Mac N Cheese

And then there’s Ina Garten … Cheesy dishes are one of her specialities. When I say cheesy there is no other way to put it. If you aren’t into cheese just forget it! Some years ago my oldest son requested her 5 Cheese Penne Pasta for his birthday dinner. Little did I know one of the guests didn’t like cheese. Can you imagine! She didn’t tell me directly but she stirred her food to appear eaten. With four kids I knew what that meant.

This beats any cheesy recipe Ina has but in reality it’s a make over of her Mac N Cheese. Be prepared … this is so rich just a little will do you.

Continue reading