Monday Mother-in-Law Meatloaf with Mashed

Many people can agree on a short list of comfort foods and a common dish among them is likely to be meatloaf.  I also know many people look forward to having a left over slice on a sandwich but I even have an alternative for any remaining meatloaf.

My mother-in-law was the first to teach me that you can "stuff" a meatloaf by simply dividing the meat mixture in half, placing one half in the shape of a loaf or in a pan then adding the "stuffing" - in this case a fine mozzarella cheese then cover with the remaining half of the meat mixture.   Woah.  Really, what could be better or easier?  The loaf may be topped with tomato sauce if desired.  But think about it, you can adapt this technique to any combination of fillings and toppings and that is the beauty of cooking.  Once your eyes are opened to an alternative preparation, your own creativity can kick in and customizing begins.

To compliment this particular Monday Night Meatloaf, simple fresh green beans with a little olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

I know my mother-in-law would not have appreciated the crispy finish we prefer.  In fact, we joke that she would have likely sent the beans back for more cooking and softening if she received them in a diner or restaurant.

Although the tomato sauce would compliment the cheesy goodness of the meatloaf, I do prepare a quick Knorr brown gravy to go with, what else...

Yukon Gold mashed potatoes.  Yes, also a bit of garlic and the photo of the masher is to verify the authenticity of the freshly mashed potatoes!

 

Plated - it may not be fancy but it is the kind of meal that feels like it hugs you.  It is culinary assurance that yes, everything is going to be alright and tomorrow the sun will rise again.

After all, we need tomorrow to enjoy the leftovers.  About that, take one slice of meatloaf per person on Tuesday (or Wednesday if you need a break) and cube it in individual dishes, cover with another layer of cheese and sauce, heat and serve with pasta.  Yummy and the additional layer of comfort food will leave you feeling Fed Well!

Sunday Morning Pancakes - Blueberries Optional

Though the saying is something like, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," I believe having someone who cares about you prepare you food is a fabulous way to express your feelings.

I would love to say this culinary adventure was all about me, it wasn't.  However, it did morph just enough to include me.

A father, sort of steered in the direction of cooking pancakes for his 24 year old son, "like the old days" stood in the kitchen and prepared breakfast.  He successfully flipped a platter of plain and then specially prepared a pair of blueberry, for me.

In the meantime, our son warmed the syrup and although I used to place the jug in a simmering pot of water, tossing it in the microwave for a few seconds does in fact get the job done.

The glory days of fatherhood are behind him and the journey is leaning more and more each day toward an empty nest.  We were recently derailed entirely from our adventure and are now trying to figure it all out once more.  In the meantime I truly enjoyed the memories and continue to look to the future to see if we will indeed be together and Fed Well.

Special Order Cupcakes

Celebrate life.

Celebrate the good times.

Congratulate people on their accomplishments.

Seems simple enough.  Sometimes we are caught in the trap of our own life, our own problems, our own struggles and think we don't have the time or the energy or the money or whatever to give a wink and a nod to someone else.

A woman I met at work and has elevated from "coworker" to friend has bought her own home.

Isn't that amazing?

She happens to love cupcakes and hugs.  Some who know me really well know I struggle with hugs, but I thought I could surely give cupcakes.  After calling two closed bakeries and one that was charging almost $4 per gourmet cupcake I ended up calling my local grocery store bakery department.

It took a little negotiating and understanding to explain what I was looking for and finally we agreed on, "18 cupcakes - mix the flavors and frostings and please make them look pretty for a party."

These are what I picked up:

Mission accomplished I'd say.

They were delicious and my friend was surprised!

She is currently taking the week off to make her home clean, freshly painted and move in.  

Congratulations to everyone who has something to celebrate.

Thank you to the people who ensure they are recognized and Fed Well.

Lobster Pier

http://www.lobsterpierchester.com/

A birthday dinner with my estranged husband, his mother and our sons.  Of course seafood is the answer for us.  

We have been spending time together but are in a kind of relationship-no-mans-land.  We are unsure of what our comfort zone is but we seem to want to be together.  How do you celebrate something as simple as a birthday?  Well, I put together a goody bag gift including his fav cookies, coffee, candies, a magazine, and a few small items found in the local grocery store.  Personal without being overwhelming.

At the restaurant we know the salad bar will have something for everyone from peel your own shrimp to traditional salad components.  Unfortunately we found the iceberg lettuce to be quite brown. The bruschetta was zesty and full of flavor.  Additionally, two family members were not at all disappointed by the Manhattan Clam Chowder.

The Mr. enjoys crab and since it is not soft shell season, he switches over to my side and we each have the New England Shore Dinner special which includes a split lobster, clams, mussels, corn on the cob and potato.

Funny enough, when it came time for our plates to be cleared, the Mr. and I both left our boiled potatoes untouched but had pretty much cleaned our plates of everything else.  It was sweet, succulent, fresh, and simply fabulous.

One son ordered the Sea Food Possillippo and while the phone on my camera really does not offer a great representation, I can assure you it was enough food for a hungry 19 year old to have 2 meals, weighed a ton and the discarded shells quickly filled a bowl on the table.

Our sons left before dessert, but when the birthday celebrant order the deep fried cheesecake, his mother and I sang a quick and hushed version of "Happy Birthday to You."  The dessert was unlike any I'd ever had and though it was a generous portion, I only had maybe 2 forkfuls because I was absolutely stuffed to the gills.

3 dates in a row.  What does it mean?

One thing I know for sure, I have been literally Fed Well for the last 3 days and am quite spoiled by not having to prepare my own food.  On the other hand, I miss my kitchen, cooking and sharing meals with the ones I care about...all of them.

Villa Borghese Wedding Dinner

http://www.thevillaborghese.com/

The perfect cocktail hour, for me, is really a blend of elements from buffet foods, plated foods, tables with chairs, a selection of drinks, space and loved ones.  A family wedding at Villa Borghese offered all of the above.  I sat near or with some of the most important people in my life and we talked about the foods we selected and ate.  Loved the Italian sliced meats, cheeses, and a number of the passed hot hoers deouvres from cocktail wienies to one of my favorites, a plate of jumbo shrimp cocktail for those of us at the table to share.  To drink - a crisp, clean, vodka with 7 up.

Many hugs and kisses.  Families reuniting and those who thought my husband and I had called it quits were celebrating our prospective reunion.  We are quiet and reserved as we continue our journey.

The cocktail hour ends and we move to one of the ball rooms.  The bridal party makes a stunning and entertaining entrance with Tebow poses, the switching of attire by a bridesmaid and usher, and other hilarious wedding day tricks.  The first dance, the maid of honor toast and the light hearted toast from the best man.  Grace was given by a dear Aunt and the next round of eating and celebrating begins.

I thoroughly enjoyed the penne's sauce, but thought perhaps the pasta was a bit too firm for my taste.

A salad came and went as we hugged in a slow moving circle on the dance floor.  Yes, our wedding song was played and we danced.

Dancing, dancing, and a bit more drink.  One of my favorite champagnes, Verdi Spumante, was served for the toast and I enjoy a second glass :)

The main course arrives and I wish for a steak knife...

My husband ordered the chicken...

We love the family wedding.  The joy of the newlyweds, the well wishers, the dancers, the families and friends, but the evening comes to an end with a bit of tension.  Perhaps like over eating, we have pushed our time together to the waist band breaking point.  We may have done too much too soon and can not enjoy whether or not we have been Fed Well....

to be continued

La Vera Cucina Rehearsal Dinner

La Vera Cucina

The night before a family wedding the family and the bridal party gather for a meal at La Vera Cucina in Monroe.  The large group is broken into segments and even the future bride and groom are separated so they may sit with their prospective "sides" one last time.

A favorite starter for this large family is an anti-pasta platter with a blend of salty meats, peppers, olives and creamy cheeses drizzled with balsamic.  Please pass the platter again and again.

A second starter included perfectly golden fried calamari followed by a hearty bowl of chicken tortellini soup.

We are offered dinner choices of Veal Parmigiana, Chicken Francaise or salmon.

Is it odd to be served mashed potatoes with veal parmigiana?  Is it odd to be at a wedding rehearsal dinner with your estranged spouse?  We were recently heading for a divorce and have since put that plan on hold as we see if that is the right decision or if staying together and working things out makes more sense.

Generally, I don't eat veal for a number of reasons so I enjoyed the moist, succulent and flavorful chicken. 

At one point during the meal I noticed a man at the bar.  He is the owner of the catering hall we recently held our 25th wedding anniversary vow renewal.  We exchanged pleasantries and I thought about how mysterious the universe really is and the signals we receive.  

The main course was followed by a choice of either Tiramisu or Strawberry Shortcake.  I enjoyed the cake with fresh strawberries and a cup of tea.  I especially enjoyed spending time with the side of the family I have received as a result of my marriage.  It was loud, crowded, fun and full of laughter and stories.  

Later in the evening my husband and I saw the owner of the catering hall a  second time and he said, "It's good to see you two."  Indeed.  We are still deciding if we will be Fed Well together.

Perkins for Girl Talk

A few years ago, I decided with a few "ladyfriends" the best time to get together and talk it over may very well be Sunday breakfast/brunch.  No men, no kids, nothing but us and our conversation.  We rotate through a cycle of locations including local diners and Perkins.  I love the breakfast potatoes at Perkins, but sometimes the crowd forces us to end our time together a bit sooner than we may be ready. 

This visit was timed perfectly and we were left alone for quite some time in a booth out of the way of traffic.

I look forward to these times and whether it is my hyper-type A personality or simply an organized mind that needs to clear away the clutter and chaos of small decision, I have already decided what I will order.

Perhaps I will leave the reveal until the end.  For readers who know me fairly well, it should be easy to see which order is mine.  

Is it the eggy, yet crisp French Toast...

 

 with a side of sausages,

 

or the tomato and mozzarella omelet (which is not on the menu, but an attentive server checked with the kitchen and though the mozzarella is designated for sandwiches, they can certainly cook it on the eggs) with breakfast potatoes and a side of fruit?

We talk the way women do, about life, love, family, vacations, work, the Steelers and the Jets.  I know, you are probably very surprised to hear we discuss work, but sometimes women simply have to share and get it off their chests, woman to woman.

A coffee refill, an order of orange juice, a few laughs and surprises, we really talk it all over. 

Yes, it was I who ordered the custom cheese omelet.  I have this thing for tomatoes & mozzarella as well as eggs and potatoes - so to enjoy 2 of my favorite pairings is a treat for the mind and palette.  Sharing this time with a pair of wonderful ladies keeps me feeling Fed Well.