This week we returned to an old favorite – chicken parm. The new twist was that we broke out the record player to enjoy “Recorded Live at an Italian Party: Chao Chao,” while cooking up a storm. In all fairness, not everyone was equally thrilled with the music selection. For some reason, “Uptown Funk” was…
Grandma’s Chicken and Dumplings
If you found last week’s chicken and dumplings bait and switch disappointing, we hope that this week’s recipe makes up for it. With pointers from my mom that I added to the margins of my Betty Crocker Cookbook in 1987, Ben and I recreated one of my favorite comfort foods from childhood. Chicken and Dumplings…
(Not Your Mama’s) Chicken and Dumplings
Calm down, all you central Pennsylvania friends. We are not providing a recipe for the “Pennsylvania Dutch” floating pie crust square version of chicken and dumplings that is very popular in this region. We went a different direction and made Asian chicken fingers, fried rice, pear cucumber salad, and Chinese dumplings we pulled from the…
Going to the Hukilau
In lieu (luau?) of a vacation of any kind for the past two years, Ben and I planned a Hawaiian day at home. None of us have ever been to Hawaii, but we imagine a tropical pig-centric paradise. If you have been there, and you were not feted with a pig roasting on a spit…
Peter Piper
True, we neither picked nor pickled them, but a peck of peppers presents a particularly puzzling planning predicament! This week, Ben said he wanted Mexican food, which he asks for nearly every week (after he pitches steak and gets rejected). Can’t blame him. Mexican food is awesome. I knew it was the time of year…
You are…..delightful
Ben is digging his adult life these days. Though we set out guidelines for what treats he can consume during the day, and his caregivers are great about sticking to the plan, he is making full use of various gift cards to places like Walmart, where aisles brim with earthly delights, like soda, chips, and…
Home is Where the Pierogies are (and “You gotta see this.”)
Disclaimer: We are not Polish, and I had never heard of pierogies before moving to Pennsylvania. This week, we needed something fast, nutritious, and satisfying for supper, so we turned to this recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/20-minute-crispy-pierogies-with-broccoli-and-sausage-3363184 This pierogie sausage broccoli dish comes together in no time, and (bonus) it was really tasty. Phil is given to making…
“Squitching” Things Up
Big doings for us this these days! I started back to school, where I am teaching in person, Sophia has taken a new teaching job and apartment in the area, and Ben began his life as an adult! He will be served by several different agencies for activities and life skills at home and in…
Keep the Yottle in the Bottle
Our meal this week was inspired by an appetizer we had at Barrel 135. Ben took one bite of the Mexican elote flat bread, and declared we should make it for Ben’s Day Wednesday. I did my best to recreate what we ate, but I have never actually had elotes (grilled Mexican street corn) so…
Oodles of Zoodles! (The Great Zucchini Rebellion)
At some point, Ben discovered that zucchini is Phil’s least favorite vegetable. It will come as no surprise to you, that this only made Ben request it more. He knows that I will never turn down a vegetable request, and if it has the added benefit of sticking it to the man, where’s the down…