12/20 another office party tonight! i tried very hard to fill myself up on selections from the veggie tray, but did have to enjoy some of the other snacks offered. cocktail meatballs are one of those magic creations that can't be ignored! yes, the kind that starts with grape jelly as a base. they can not be resisted! those plus a deviled egg and all the veggies? i found myself pleasantly full.
12/21 as much as i love lasagna, i can only have so much of it.....and unless i'm making it for a crowd? there are always too many leftovers. so i've gotten in the habit of "lasagna rolls". filling individual cooked noodles with the fillings and rolling them up to bake in the sauce of choice. so much easier to control portions this way! tonight's lasagna variety was a creamy chicken caesar. the filling is roasted chicken mixed with wilted spinach, caesar dressing, cream cheese and parmesan. then the rolled noodles are topped with more caesar dressing and a sprinkling of more parmesan. a very rich and flavorful meal. i couldn't eat more than two of these! i recommend pairing with a salad to lighten the heavy meal a bit.
12/22 tonight was our monthly dinner club! a lovely evening out with lovely friends. tonight we met at a nearby italian place that specialized in brick oven neapolitan style pizza. i opted to try the most simple and basic (and in my opinion the most wonderful) option of the margherita. i was not disappointed! a delicate tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella and a sprinkling of basil. the crust was thin and crisp. just as it should be!
https://www.ovvioosteriava.com
12/23 i'm up at the family compound tonight to visit the 'rents for the holidays. i continued my italian kick by joining them at the local "olive tree" for dinner. i enjoyed their version of chicken marsala for my dinner. this was the first chicken marsala i ever had, and the inspiration for me learning to make my own. i still think it's one of the best restaurant versions i've ever had!
12/24 it's a sort-of tradition that my mom makes cream-of-crab soup every christmas eve for dinner. a rich and hearty soup full of lump crab meat, tender corn and spicy old bay. a wonderful holiday indulgence i always look forward to!!
12/25 merry christmas from the midwest!!! tony and i flew into des moines this afternoon to spend some holiday time with his family. it's strange weather here. strong wind and thunderstorms (more of a dark grey christmas than a white one). but spending time with his family makes up for it! his mom made one of tony's all time favorites for dinner, stuffed cabbages. she also prepared a host of other tasty eats. ham, roasted potatoes, fresh veggies, cranberry sauce......and cookies. oh so many christmas cookies!! a wonderful way to spend the holidays!!
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