Grammas Cooking Lives On

Friday, May 17, 2013

Funny Cooking Stories

Pin It Now!
I'm sure we all have some funny cooking stories, things we can still look back on to this day and laugh and laugh! I'll share two of mine!

When we were growing up, my dad worked in New York City, downtown, by the Trade Center, on Wall Street. Every Wednesday, he would go to spend the night at his parents' house in Queens, so we had a fun night with just mom! It was great because we got a fun dinner too. One of our favorites was grilled cheese and tomato soup! It was especially yummy on a cold, snowy winter New York night.

Mom was busy doing something, probably working on the house, painting or whathaveyou. And so... she made the fatal mistake of allowing us kids to make Wednesday night dinner thinking, how bad could it be, it's only grilled cheese and tomato soup. Well, let's just say, our meal looked NOTHING like this from Living Well with Mariya.

The kitchen didn't do very well either. It sorta looked like this:

I've since learned to clean as I go. Hey, we were very young, maybe eight and nine (myself and my cousin), and mom did teach us to clean as we go, however, we were a bit overwhelmed and couldn't get it down. The soup was still cold and the grilled cheese was burning. The pans were burnt, soup dripped everywhere, crumbs all over the counters, butter smeared, you get the idea. I thought my mom's eyes were going to bulge out of her head when she stepped into the kitchen!

Amazingly, she ate our meal, burnt sandwiches and now burnt soup, since we put it up higher to get it hot since the sandwiches were done. We kinda forgot to stir it though and the bottom burnt giving the soup a burnt taste. She gave us a few tips on how to do things better next time... LOL

Veal cutlets. Just the mention of those two words creates laughter and conversation in our family! Oh boy, I will never live down the veal cutlet fiasco!

Mine did NOT look like this from Beefvault.com.

It looked more like this from The NHL:

My parents owned a restaurant. I used to watch the little ones and do the cooking sometimes. Well, I got a little confused one night. I remembered my mom putting cutlets (PORK) cutlets under the broiler and them coming out delicious. I did it with veal cutlets. Let's just say they weren't that delicious. They were shriveled, hard hockey pucks. And... my dad ate them, with no complaints! To this day, that story is brought up at least twice a year and the laughter ensues, along with the teasing. I have since learned to not mix up my cutlets.

So who has some funny cooking stories? Please share.

Also, if you have an Idol, share that as well!

If you have any questions, want tips or would just like to chat, feel free to email me at Reenepisi56@gmail.com!

Reene Pisi

For my intro click here

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

My Idol

Pin It Now!
Who do you look up to? Who do you find intriguing? Is there a Youtube channel or a blog you like to go to first when you need to smile, need an idea, are looking for a recipe or just feel like relaxing and watching/reading?

For me, it's Laura In The Kitchen. I find her intriguing, interesting, easy to listen to, fun to watch and very informative. I love her recipes and her methods. Sometimes I watch her videos just to relax, she has a way about her that calms, in my opinion.

She reminds me of being in the kitchen with my family as a kid. My favorite videos were of her and her grandma (nonna) when she was in Italy visiting. Those videos were so special to me for two reasons. First off, I loved to cook with both my grandmothers. Secondly, it's my dream to visit Italy one day! The bonus is hearing her speak Italian, I miss it so much. I used to love hearing my Grandmother speak in Italian. I never understood or spoke, just words here and there, but I loved hearing it.

For an interesting bio on Laura click here.

Thank you, Laura, for the wonderful recipes and how to and for sharing your tips, techniques and theories! Watching you makes me feel at home.

One of my favorite recipes is Laura's Eggs in Purgatory, I've made it several times since watching her video. It came out delicious each time!

So who is your idol?

If you have any questions, want tips or would just like to chat, feel free to email me at Reenepisi56@gmail.com!

Reene Pisi

For my intro click here

Monday, May 13, 2013

Chili In The Crock Pot

Pin It Now!
There are so many ways to make chili. I love changing it up and keeping it interesting. I had no plans to make chili over the weekend, in fact, I was looking on your blogs for a great ground beef recipe to try. However, hubby requested chili, so chili it was! I made it again with ground beef but also like to make it with ground turkey.

Check out my Superbowl Chili made on the stove top in one of my favorite pots, from a pot set I received two years ago from a friend when I was getting married!

Chili in the crock pot this time around.

Ingredients:

olive oil
ground beef
onion
peppers
kidney beans
crushed tomatoes
tomato paste
salt
fresh basil

Coat the bottom of the crock pot with a very small amount of olive oil. Set to high. Add ground beef. Add chopped onion. Add chopped peppers (I used red and also decided to add some yellow).

Once the meat is brown and the onions and peppers have softened, add in the two cans of crushed tomatoes. Add a little bit of tomato paste. (My camera battery died and I had to recharge, so I didn't film adding in some salt and fresh sweet basil). Add salt and basil to taste (I didn't add any sweetener due to the tomato paste being bitter since the peppers and basil are sweet).

Let the sauce cook about 20 minutes to a half hour. Lower the crock pot setting to low and let simmer. Add kidney beans and cook until beans are hot.

Cook brown rice or any rice of your choice. Serve chili over rice. Enjoy!

I had a wonderful weekend, especially yesterday, Mother's Day! I hope everyone had a great weekend and a special Mother's Day!

I will link this recipe to Foodie Friends Friday Linky Part, Whipperberry, The Chicken Chick, Countrified Hicks, Swap N Share Sunday, Try A New Recipe Tuesday, Saturday Dishes and One Creative Mommy. Click on the links to check them out or check out my sidebar for links to their sites!

If you have any questions, want tips or would just like to chat, feel free to email me at Reenepisi56@gmail.com!

Reene Pisi

For my intro click here

Mother's Day Fettuccini Alfredo

Pin It Now!

mom's alfredo sauce

My mom has always been my best friend. Not to say she wasn't the mother, the authority figure, the one in charge and the one to be respected. She was all of that and a friend at the same time. It's an awesome combination.

mom's lasagna and garlic bread

I learned many, many things from her, but one of my favorite lessons was in cooking. I always enjoyed cooking, from when I was a young child. I was the one right in there asking to help in the kitchen. She let me do things, really help, and she explained along the way. Not only did I learn to cook, but, we had many laughs and wonderful conversations during that time spent together.

I also loved to cook with my grandmothers, also both excellent cooks. I can still hear their voices now. I can hear them and see them telling me how to do something and demonstrating it as they spoke. Sometimes when I cook, I "hear" them with me, "telling" me how to do something or I remember a funny story they told or remember an fun event.

Mexican appetizer

Tomorrow we will all be at my sister's house. They have requested I bring the same Mexican dish I made for Easter as an appetizer. Well, my sis asked a bit late and I didn't have all the ingredients in the house. Also, the last time I made it, I did the meat and refried beans in advance. I didn't want to rush around first shopping then cooking all morning, so I promised to make it again with more advance notice another time!

We had a great day. Hope all you mom's out there had a wonderful day today as well.

Mom insisted on cooking, trust me she is an absolutely amazing cook! My parents owned a pizzeria/restaurant at one point. Below are some pics of her amazing meal and our yummy sweets afterwards!

Mom's Alfredo Sauce

Inredients:

heavy cream
half and half
butter
egg yolks
Parmigiano cheese
salt
chicken breast

Melt butter in a saucepan on low heat. Add heavy cream and half and half and egg yolks (beaten lightly). Add salt (go light as cheese is salty) Cook until thick, stirring often. Add parmigiano cheese just before serving.

Cook chicken breast until browned nicely and cut into small squares. Do not season as you don't want to take away from the flavor of the alfredo sauce. Add squares of chicken into the sauce, just before you are ready to pour the sauce over the fettuccini.

Boil fettuccine, do not over cook, you want it fairly firm (al dente) as when you pour the hot alfredo sauce over the fettuccini it will soften some more. You don't want a bowl of mush. Pour sauce over fettuccini generously, it will soak it up so don't be afraid to add a lot. Be sure to leave some sauce for the side. Add some more Parmigiano cheese sprinkled on top of bowl of pasta. Serve and enjoy!

Mom's fettuccini alfredo - my sister made a pork roast

you haven't had fettuccine alfredo until you have had mom's.

yummy!

pork roast

mom makes awesome salad too! People literally rave over it.

sweets

If you have any questions, want tips or would just like to chat, feel free to email me at Reenepisi56@gmail.com!

Reene Pisi

For my intro click here

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Veggie Omelette Again!

Pin It Now!
We love omelettes. Here's another fun egg dish I made.

Veggie Omelette

Ingredients:

onions
peppers
scallions
zucchini
egg whites
2 whole eggs
American cheese

See video below. For other great egg dishes click on links below.

The Ultimate Omelette
Eggs In Purgatory
Eggs with cheese
Egg whites with ham, cheese and salsa
Zucchini and eggs

If you have any questions, want tips or would just like to chat, feel free to email me at Reenepisi56@gmail.com!

Reene Pisi

For my intro click here

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Roasted Red Potoatoes and Peas

Pin It Now!
I'm a night owl, always have been. I know it sounds crazy to some, but I cook late at night at times. I do a lot of things late. I was cleaning the bathroom at 1 a.m. (by then it's morning, I know) :)

Last night I made roasted potatoes with peas, I grilled some chicken breasts for hubby and I put up some chicken for the dog which makes great stock for soups and other dishes!

Roasted Potatoes

Ingredients:

small red potatoes
white onions
red onions
garlic cloves
oregano
parsley
salt
butter
olive oil
water
peas

Wash potatoes in cold water. Cut into bite sized pieces (try to keep all pieces the same size). Chop white and red onions and garlic. Coat roasting pan with some cold water. Add in potatoes, onions and garlic. Season to taste with oregano, parsley and salt (you can also add red or black pepper if you desire). Add a small amount of olive oil and a few pats of butter. Cover with tin foil and roast in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Stir and add water if necessary. When potatoes and onions are soft add in peas (if you use fresh or frozen add them to dish from beginning). Cover and cook, again stirring often. Uncover and roast about 10 minutes to crisp up potatoes and peas! Stir and serve. Enjoy!

I couldn't resist, I had a small plate around 11 p.m.