Mozzarella stuffed with ricotta. Lightly roasted peppers also with a balsamic glaze
Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday we moved from the city of Harrisburg, Pa to the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pa. It's been over seven years and quite honestly I'd like to stop the clock and slow things up a bit. Our youngest grandchild was 4 when we moved here and he'll be 12 soon. He is no longer a little guy who I watched over a few days a week to a very involved boy who loves sports and doesn't spend nearly as much time with Poppy and I as we'd like. The other four grandchildren are teenagers, two being off to college next year. Wow, this is what I mean when I say time flies.
One of the best decisions we made when leaving Harrisburg was to move to a community where there were others who made the same decisions as we did to move closer to their children and grandchildren and downsize to a condo type living. It was very hard but both hubby and I realized that we weren't getting any younger and a big house and yard was way too much work and we wanted to spend time doing other things rather than raking leaves and shoveling snow. This is where this story begins. When we moved to the little community of Cobblestone Village we didn't know if a condo type living arrangement would work. I was used to a house and garden. We had a circle of friends who we loved. My hubby worried I wouldn't be able to handle it. He was still working so his life would not change dramatically. I knew I'd be able to. I was ready!! My only concern was socialization. We new no one for the exception of our family and I did not want to rely on them for our socialization. They had already established their own circle of friends and I did not want to infringe on their life.
Here are a few of the
highlights of the afternoon. Yes we do this dinner at 1 p.m. on a
Sunday!! A holiday dinner with our friends. Hoping you have enjoyed my
early Christmas story.
Spinach, ricotta and fennel gnocchi
Roasted beef n a mushroom and wine sauce
Giambotta(garden veggies roasted and tossed)
Mediterranean salad
Tiramisu
We are very fortunate that where we live there are people who too made their decision very similar to ours and right from the first day we moved here we made friends. There is a clubhouse, pool and there is usually a social at the clubhouse each month. You have a choice to go or not. So if you don't care to monthly socialize you can but I have to say knowing there are people who surround us and if need be would be less than a few steps away is a nice feeling.
We starting going to the socials and met many wonderful people and actually here's where the really good part comes in we developed a circle of 4 couples who from day one clicked and after 7 1/2 we are going strong. I think about now it's time to get to my point!!!!!
One of the best things that became of our move is we as couples do a yearly dinner. That doesn't mean we don't see each other at other times because we do but our Dinner with Nonna is on it's 4th year and we already made reservations for next year. See how much we love it!!!
The recipe I made today I used variegated peppers!
I know most people are familiar with Stuffed Peppers using ground meat or turkey and adding onion and rice. In our house my mom made they most amazing stuffed peppers using bread stuffing. It has become my all time FAVORITE stuffed pepper recipe. It is definitely a great meatless meal with super flavors bursting in the stuffing.
This is a recipe I have shared before and honestly all my neighbors make this now as an easy meatless meal. I am thanked over and over for suggesting it. Hope you decide to try it.. Enjoy! This recipe serves two. Double or even triple the recipe for your family. Happy Cooking,
Love, <3
M.J.
2 Green Peppers(hollowed out and washed) 1/2 stick butter or margarine 2 large stalks celery (chopped) 1 small onion 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 to 3/4 cup grated Italian cheese pinch pepper 1 egg slightly beaten 1/2 cup milk 1/2 loaf Italian Bread(regular bread can be used as well) 1 -28 oz. can crushed tomatoes or 1- 28 oz can Tomato Sauce Saute onion and celery in butter until translucent and tender. Break bread into pieces. Add egg, salt, pepper, cheese and milk. Work with hands until well blended..Fill peppers. In a medium pot on low heat put 4 tsp.oil. Place peppers in pan and cook on low heat until bottoms are slightly browned. Add tomatoes and cover pot slightly..Cook on medium heat for 1 1/2 hours or until peppers are tender. Serves two. I usually have a little stuffing mixture left so I make meatball size stuffing balls and add to sauce after it has cooked about 1/2 hour. Nice addition when you love those extra carbs. Yummy!
Serve with salad and a few slices of Italian bread for dipping if you would like... If using crushed tomatoes add
1 tsp. or 2 fresh basil leaves and 1 clove minced garlic..but if using sauce maybe just a pinch of salt and pepper if needed..Happy Baking and Cooking!
1/25/12
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Below is the original post when I made this Irish Bread. Today I decided to try the same recipe and make mini cups using the same batter. Using my kitchen sheers I cut my mixed *dried berries into small pieces(it really didn't take much time) and folded them into the batter before I baked them.
They are perfect for your morning tea or coffee and I definitely would make some for company. I also did a few in *small bread loaves to give as gifts. We love them! Here are a few of the photos. They have no sugar in them, just the sweetness of the dried fruit. Jam and cream goes perfect with them as well. I love the idea and I just had to share. Have a great holiday and a wonderful New year. Love, M.j.
I originally made this recipe for St. Patty's Day but last week I was at a small social gathering(tea) and they had some similar to these made in mini muffin pans. I thought it was a great idea and the next time I make this recipe I'm trying it in the small muffin size. Cute size for a bite or two. Note: Look for smaller pieces of *dried fruit or maybe cut some with kitchen shears in bitty pieces and add to batter before baking. Adjust baking time as well. Enjoy!
I've never made Irish Soda bread. When we have our Irish stew on St. Patty's Day I'm thinking of making this recipe I caught in a local newspaper insert.. When I saw what seems to be a very easy recipe for it I decided to give it a try.
(Epicurious.com). I'm hoping to make two loaves for St. Patty's Day but just in case I don't get a chance to make it here is the recipe. Enjoy!! Happy Baking and Cooking!
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1 cup raisins(I used dried Cran raisin's for this recipe)
4 cups bread flour
1 tablespoons baking powder
1 tsp. salt
¾ tsp. baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly grease a baking sheet. Soak raisins in hot water for 5 minutes and drain.
In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Mix in raisins
Add buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured work surface; knead for 1 minute.
Cut dough in half and form 2 large round loaves.
Place on baking sheet. Cut a large X in center of each loaf. Bake for 45 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Transfer to wire rack.
Hands on: 10 minutes. Total: 55 minutes from start to finish. Makes 2 loaves
