Fab Foodie Mama

Ravioli Ready for the Freezer I have published the recipe for my ravioli here on my blog previously-->>  Ravioli I wanted to do more of a step by step method with some photos from my 'test kitchen' here.  Hope this helps! Ravioli Filling: 1 lb Top Round Steak, trimmed 6 Slices (about half baguette) French Bread 4 - 5 Cloves Garlic or equivalent minced garlic 1 T Olive Oil 1 Can Spinach, drained 1 C Chicken Broth 3 Eggs, beaten 1 t Nutmeg 1 t Ground Cloves 1 t Salt 1/2 C Parmesan Cheese 1 C Fresh Parsley, chopped or 2-2 1/2 T dried  Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over low heat and add the garlic.  Stir for a few minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.   Cut up the round steak and add to pan.  Add salt and pepper.  Cook until well done.  Remove steak from pan and set aside.  Add chicken broth to plan and deglaze.  Remove from heat. Browning the round steak Put 4 ...

Last Saturday evening, Ron and I were going through the exercise we often do while deciding where to go out to dinner.  Living in such a small town, we are limited in our restaurant choices.  While we often go to Gemignani's for lunch, I don't know that I have ever had dinner there.  We arrived at about 6:00, which is earlier than normal for us.  The place was busy, there was pleasant music playing to set the ambiance:  some Sinatra, some big band, and it was loud enough to create a good mood. 2009 Mirassou Pinot Noir We sat in a booth near the window and ordered a bottle of Mirassou Pinot Noir, 2009 ($19).  We were still undecided on our meal choices so figured a Pinot Noir is light enough for a pasta dish and also works with a heavier dish.  Mirassou makes a decent wine, from central California.  It's also very reasonably priced.  Their Chardonnay is also very good. I decided on the Smoked Salmon Linguine ($15) and Ron chose the...

Will always loves and always asks for my Mom's spaghetti sauce.   He likes it even more then the Bolognese sauce I make (but today I found out only because it is so much quicker - when he is hungry, he doesn't want to wait 2 hours).  I make her version sometimes.  It is very good and super quick and easy (20 mins) where mine takes a full 2 hours.  I had misplaced the recipe for it so Will called Grandma tonight to get it. He wrote it all down and then handed me the recipe.  I said "Ok, Will why don't you make it for us tonight?" Will prepared the entire meal:  cooking the pasta sauce, including taste testing for perfect spices, the boiling of the pasta, getting the dishes ready etc  -  all  with good timing. While he was cooking he was so excited and kept saying that he was so glad he would never starve (or be stuck eating Ramen noodles and mac and cheese) now that he can make the sauce.  He also said, "This is so easy.  All...

My Grandma and Grandpa always hosted Christmas Eve Dinner at their house for as long as I can remember.  I am the oldest of 9 Grandchildren and I fondly remember every Christmas Eve spent at my Grandparents' house for a great Italian dinner with all the aunts, uncles and cousins. I know it is already February but it took me a while to get to this blog. When we moved back here in 2004, I started having the traditional Christmas Eve dinner here at our house.  My Grandma's health was not the best and it was harder for her to host the 30 plus people and do all the cooking.  I definitely had some big shoes to fill.  She was a wonderful cook.  This past Christmas was the first one without Grandma P.  She died in January of 2010.  I usually always make most of her recipes anyway, but this year I decided to make everything that was perfected by her, from the appetizers to the dessert. A lot of these recipes can be made ahead to save time in the kitchen d...

Day 6 was the drive back to Talegante, and in the evening we went to church; a quiet day.  The morning of Day 7 a usual, was beautiful.  Probably about 75 and sunny with no humidity (no thermometers to speak of either).  Veronica and I went for a walk together and even though I speak almost no Spanish and she (really) speaks decent English, we communicated wonderfully.  A lot was through gestures and pointing.  What we could not figure out we said that we'd ask Juane to translate when we got home.  We walked near the school where all of their children went.  We walked past a lot of small restaurants and shops that were in like long pole barns divided up.  All were serving empanadas and other local food. We also walked to a garden supply store and looked at some flowers. I was pretty embarrassed by my lack of Spanish.  I definitely had ample time to learn some before our trip.  When I did speak it was a mix of Italian and French ...