Steak Béarnaise, A Book Review, The Weekly Menu

This classic French dish is simplified with an easy, quick Béarnaise sauce.  Nobody will realize that you took a shortcut to make this impressive dinner.

I was inspired to make this dish when listening to another fun novel by Maddie Please.....

K is for Kielbasa

Fresh Kielbasa, Onions, Potatoes, and Brussels Sprouts parboiled on the stove top before being transferred to a sheet pan and roasted to perfection for a simple rustic dinner that your family will love.

K is for Kielbasa.......

Strawberry and Tomato Salad #SundayFunday

This fun summer salad takes only moments to put together and makes a delightful addition to whatever you are grilling and serving up.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating National Strawberry Month....

Cinnamon Roll Bread, A Book Review and the Weekly Menu

 This delicious bread contains cottage cheese for extra moistness and nutrition.  They will never know.

I was inspired to make this bread after reading The Grey Wolf by Louise Penney.....

Grilled Chicken with Balsamic Peach Glaze #BBQWeek

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts basted with an easy peach and balsamic vinegar glaze for a quick and tasty dinner.

This is the final day of BBQ Week......

Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad #BBQWeek

All the flavors you love about Jalapeno Poppers in Potato Salad form.  A delightful surprise for your next picnic or potluck.

It's Day 2 of BBQ Week........

Homemade Hoagie Rolls #BreadBakers

These rolls are perfect for serving sausages, French dip, and pulled meat.  They only take one rise and are ready in less than 2 hours.

It's time for Bread Bakers.......

Pellet Smoked Weisswurst #BBQWeek

 Tender Weisswurst is deliciously flavored using a pellet smoker in only an hour.  

Welcome to BBQ Week.......

Jalapeno Pecan Cream Cheese, Roatan Recap, and the Weekly Menu #SundayFunday

This simple appetizer is easy to make with ingredients you can stock in your pantry to have on hand.  Perfect for unexpected guests pop in or you get the munchies while watching a movie.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Cheese Ball Recipes today......

Honduran Baleadas #EattheWorld

 Baleadas is a traditional Honduran food consisting of thick flour tortillas smeared with refried beans, sprinkled with queso, then topped with avocado and a drizzle of sour cream.  It is folded and eaten by hand, making it a wonderful street food.

We are traveling to Honduras today as we Eat the World......

Sipping a Chardonnay from the Finger Lake Area #WorldWineTravel

Many years ago, before I began blogging.  Before the age of cell phones and portable computers.  Back when you used a camera with film that had to be taken in for development.  Way back then, we met our friends Keith and Kim in the Finger Lakes Region of New York for a Murder Mystery tour of the area wineries.  

Photo courtesy of Google photos

J is for Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Fragrant and flavorful, chicken is marinated in jerk spices made popular in Jamaica, before being grilled to a smoky goodness.

I substituted Jalapenos for the Scotch Bonnet Peppers because Frank is spice-sensitive and J is for Jalapeno.

Honey Mustard Chicken Strips #SundayFunday

This quick and easy chicken dish uses strips for a short cooking time before glazing with a delicious mixture of honey and dried mustard.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are Celebrating Moms today......

The Life List Round-Up #MoviesandMunchies

I chose the Netflix movie The Life List as our Movies and Munchies film this month.  It is a very touching movie that had me laughing one moment and crying the next.  

photo courtesy of Netflix

Asparagus Farro #SundayFunday

 Crisp, tender asparagus mixed with hearty, nutty farro is a delicious side dish or vegan main course. 

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are excited to welcome in Asparagus season.....

Getting ready for Island Life and the Weekly Menu

The Easter Leftovers are gone.  Time to decide what we will be eating around here this week.  I am still held captive in case I am needed for jury duty, so we couldn't take the trip out to see Chuck, whose birthday was yesterday.  

However, we do get to have our Angel Face for this weekend.  It was her Mama's Birthday on Thursday, and Daddy took her for a well-deserved, long weekend getaway.

Today is our German son, Max's, birthday.  We last saw him over a year ago when we visited Europe and we hope to see him again this Fall when we visit Italy.

Today is also the day that I lost my dear friend and soul sister, Kirsten.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.  I miss her terribly, but celebrate that she is safe and happy with her granddaughter and all the other angels in Heaven.

We have been having fun with our girl since she was dropped off yesterday.  Grampy and Uncle Doug are taking her to her soccer game today.  Aunt Amy and I are going to a vendor show and out to lunch with Cathy.  Grampy is making her spaghetti for dinner tonight.  It is her favorite meal to have when she visits.

We are attending a wine dinner with the Luths and Bonacorsis on Monday evening.  Tuesday, I have a hair appointment and am donating blood after receiving an SOS from the Red Cross advising that they are in great need of O+.  If you haven't donated in a while and are able, it is an easy and safe way to show love for others.

Then we will start packing and getting our dive gear ready for our trip to Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan.  

Banner page from Anthony's Key Resort website.

We are meeting with the others at a hotel near the airport on Friday evening, as our flight leaves at 6:30 am on Saturday.

So here is our Weekly Menu.  There will be no menu next week, but I will be sharing some recipes for events that are scheduled. What's going on in your life this week?

Saturday

Spaghetti

Sunday

Grilled Chicken

Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad

Monday

Wine Dinner at Testa Bara

Taco Tuesday

Baleados

Wednesday

Bratwurst and Red Cabbage

Thursday

Hamburgers

Friday

Dinner with Gang by Airport

 

Pizza Frittata #BrunchWeek

Pizza for breakfast? Absolutely, especially if all those wonderful flavors are cooked into a frittata.  Perfect for Brunch or Brinner, it will certainly be a hit with your resident pizza lover.

Welcome to the final day of Brunch Week 2025.......

Fruit and Granola Tart #BrunchWeek

This beautiful tart is perfect for brunch.  The crust can be made up to two days in advance, and it only takes minutes to fill and top it for serving.

Welcome to Day 2 of Brunch Week.......

I is for Italian Ice

Italy's version of a sno-cone is made with real fruit instead of just flavoring the ice with colored syrup.  It is a delightful, healthy treat.

I is for Italian Ice.....

BLT Eggs Benny #BrunchWeek

Candied Bacon, Spicy Arugula, Acidic Tomato, Savory Egg, and Bright Hollondaise for an explosion of flavors and textures in each bite.

It's time for Brunch Week 2025.......

Caramel Apple Tea Rub for Pork #SundayFunday

Boneless pork chops are seasoned with a caramel tea rub, pan-fried, and topped with sautéed apples.  This rub is very versatile and can be amended for use on any amount and/or cut of pork you desire.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are having a Tea Party......

Marinated Bean Salad, A Movie Review, and The Weekly Menu including Easter

This quick and easy salad, inspired by the Netflix Original Movie The Life List, goes together in a flash, starting with purchased marinated bean salad.

Shrimp Dip #SundayFunday

I had some leftover shrimp in my refrigerator.  There was not enough to make a meal or to put out as shrimp cocktail, so I made this dip as an appetizer for a family gathering.  It was a huge hit.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Seafood recipes today......

Two Italian Dinners, Two Wines from the Italian Alps, and a Book Review #ItalianFWT

The Italian Food Wine and Travel bloggers are visiting the Italian Alps today.  I have two wines from grapes grown in this area and two dishes that pay homage to the towns in the area.

I will start with a dish commonly found in the Alto Adige area that I served with a wine made in the USA with grapes imported from the foothills of the Italian Alps.

Sourdough Sandwich Bread and the Weekly Menu #LitHappens

This Sourdough Sandwich Bread is simple to make, but it does require an overnight rise so you need to plan ahead.

I was inspired to bake this bread while reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

Oka a'i #EattheWorld

This delicious tuna ceviche is a popular Samoan dish.  Make sure you use sushi-grade tuna and give yourself an hour or so before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

We are traveling to Samoa today as we Eat the World.......

H is for Hamburger

Lean Hamburger meat stir-fried with red peppers, carrots, jalapenos, and scallions in a savory, flavorful Thai-inspired sauce, served over steamed white rice and topped with a perfectly fried egg.

H is for Hamburger......

Carrot and Thyme Sourdough Boule #BreadBakers

A Rustic Sourdough Boule flavored with Shredded Carrots and Thyme is the perfect addition to your Easter Feast.

It's time for the Bread Bakers.........

Smoked Salmon Dip and a Book Review #SundayFunday

I love serving brunch buffets when celebrating with a large group of people.  I like having an assortment of dishes to offer my guests.  This smoked salmon dip is a perfect addition to the buffet.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are serving up Brunch today......

Anchovy Pesto Toast and the Weekly Menu #CooktheBooks

Pesto and Anchovies are combined and placed onto sourdough bread, sprinkled with Mozzarella and toasted before being finished under the broiler. 

I was inspired to make this dish after reading The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson.

Apple Corn Muffins #MuffinMonday

Savory Corn Muffins studded with bits of fresh apple.  These muffins were perfect with pan-fried pork chops topped with sauteed apples.

It's time for Muffin Monday.......

Grilled Cheese and Avocado Sandwich #SundayFunday

Three types of cheese and creamy avocado stuffed between two thick slices of buttered bread and grilled to ooey, gooey perfection.  Perfect for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or a light Dinner.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Grilled Cheese Sandwiches today.....

Pasta Portofino, A Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I had almost forgotten about the Dan Armstrong/Oscar Cozy Mysteries until my friend Cam posted a review of 3 books of the series, reminding me that I had fallen behind.  So I ordered Murder in Portofino, the 8th in the series, published in August 2024.

Mixed Berry Lemon Loaf #SpringSweetsWeek

Delightful Lemon Loaf studded with three types of berries and topped with a delicious crumble.  This loaf is perfect for all your springtime celebrations.

Today is the final day of Spring Sweets Week......

G is for Garlic

Skinless, bone in chicken thighs, cooked in a garlic and honey sauce that reduces to a wonderful, sticky glaze.

G is for Garlic.........

Nutella Stuffed Crescent Rolls #SpringSweetsWeek

Looking for a quick and easy pastry for your Easter or Mother's Day Brunch?  Look no further than these no muss, no fuss stuffed Crescent Rolls, requiring only 2 ingredients and 15 minutes.

Welcome to Day 2 of Spring Sweets Week.....

Irish Apple Cake #SpringSweetsWeek

I served this Irish Apple Cake as dessert on St. Patrick's Day but it is a delicious dessert that is perfect for anytime.  Dense, yet moist, stuffed with apple slices and served with a creamy, custard sauce it is a little taste of heaven.

Welcome to Spring Sweets Week......

Greek Lamb Meatballs #SundayFunday

Flavored with Feta cheese and fresh mint, these tender lamb meatballs can be browned on the stovetop and then transferred to a slow cooker to finish cooking in a savory sauce.  Perfect for a large gathering when you want a make-ahead meal.

The Sunday Funday bloggers are sharing lamb recipes today.....

Garlic Butter Salmon and the Weekly Menu

Welcome to Fish Friday, Lenten edition.  Fish Fridays are a constant struggle for me.  My husband likes fish, fried.  He will eat shrimp occasionally, but also prefers it fried.  He will eat scallops once in a blue moon.  He will eat calamari, fried, of course.

So I am constantly looking for fish/seafood recipes that he would like that are a little healthier than the fried foods he prefers.

Orange Blossom Cocktail #Movies and Munchies

This cocktail made with freshly squeezed orange juice,  flavorful gin, and a touch of sweet grenadine syrup is the perfect way to welcome in the Spring.

I was inspired to make this cocktail after watching Wild Mountain Thyme, our Movies and Munchies film for this month.....

Easy Pretzel Ring with Beer Cheese Dip #SundayFunday

This is a super simple way to make pretzels starting with refrigerated biscuit dough.  Make a ring of dough in a cast iron skillet.  Fill the inside with beer cheese.  Bake and serve in the same pan.  So easy and so good.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating St. Patrick's Day.......

Grilled Gruyere and Sweet Onion Sandwich, a Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I am nearly to the end of the Gamache series written thus far.  Today I am reviewing the 18th in the series, A World of Curiosities.

This book was written in 2022.  There are two more currently available, released in 2024 and 2025.  I look forward to those.

F is for Farro

This colorful, nutritious, and tasty bowl is a perfect Lenten meal.  It is meatless yet hearty and filling with fiber from the Farro, protein from the beans, and vitamins and antioxidants from the vegetables.

F is for Farro........

Swiss Onion Rye Batard #BreadBakers

Delicious, hearty rye bread stuffed with sweet onions and Swiss cheese.  This recipe makes one large Batard or two smaller loaves.

Welcome to the March 2025 edition of Bread Bakers......

Roasted Eggplant Salad #EattheWorld

Roasted Eggplant mixed with diced tomatoes and red onion is a perfect addition to your grazing board.  Schmear it onto crostini, fresh sliced baguette, or crackers and enjoy.

We are traveling to Moldova as we Eat the World......

Panera Copycat Turkey Chili #SundayFunday

This delicious soup is nutritious, filled with lean turkey and tons of veggies.  It is also gluten and dairy-free as is the version offered at Panera Restaurant.  This is my adaptation of their recipe.

Amy of  Amy's Cooking Adventures invited the Sunday Funday Bloggers to share Fast Food Copycat Recipes.......