Overnight Focaccia #BreadBakers

This delicious bread is the perfect make-ahead recipe.  It needs to rest in the refrigerator for at least 18 hrs before being formed, and then another 2 hrs. before being baked, so you need to plan ahead, but it takes very little hands-on time.

The Bread Bakers are baking up Italian Breads this month.......

California Recap and the Weekly Menu

The Angel Face and I had a great trip to the central coastal area of California to visit my brother and his family.  We landed in San Francisco and drove down Highway 1 to my brother's house.  It adds a few hours to the drive, but it is well worth it just for the views.

We made a lot of stops along the way to enjoy the beauty of the area and explore the beaches.  Melody especially loved the Elephant Seal Vista Point.  We got to Santa Margarita around 7:30 and visited with my brother, Larry, his wife, Mary, their second son, Chad, and Chad's daughter, Molly, before falling into bed with the Angel Face, remarking that we had traveled for 17 hrs.

Day 2, I awoke early and went for a walk with Chad's wife, Natasha.  The Angel face hung out with Molly while Mary and I ran some errands.  After lunch, I took the Angel Face and Molly to Avila Beach where they explored the tide pools. 

I took a quick nap when we returned home, before preparing a pot pie for dinner.  My eldest nephew, Scott, came by for a visit and invited Melody to hang out at their pool while she's here.

Day 3 was another beautiful sunshiney day, perfect for a trip to Morro Bay.  We enjoyed the beach, the view of Morro Rock, watching the sea otters frolic, and exploring the strand.  

When we got home, we headed over to Scott and Julie's for a family dinner.  We were missing Scott's eldest, Quinn, who is off to college.  Julie coaxed the tortoises, Wilma and Willie, out of hiding with some Romaine, their favorite treat.  The girls enjoyed the hot tub, creek, and pool, while the adults caught up.

Day 4 started off quietly. Natasha and I went for a walk-and-talk while the Angel Face and Molly hung out.  Then the Angel Face went to Molly's house, watched Ice Age, and helped garden while Mary and I ran some errands.  

After lunch, I took a nap, and then we went to Avila Valley Farms, where we fed the animals, did some shopping, and got some ice cream.  On the way home, we stopped at Bubble Gum Alley in San Luis Obispo, and the Angel Face made her mark in history.

For dinner, the whole family went to Toshi 1.0,  and the Angel Face bought herself a cool t-shirt as a souvenir of the visit.  Early to bed tonight....it's been a busy few days.

Day 5 dawned cloudy and colder.  Natasha and I enjoyed our walk, and then we rested up until lunch time. The Angel Face took a 2-1/2-hour nap, and then we went to In-N-Out for burgers.  After lunch, we went to an Escape Room and finished with 13 seconds to spare.

  

Woke up to drizzling rain on Day 6.  Natasha and I took our last walk and talk, then Larry, Mary, and the girls joined us for breakfast.  The Angel Face and Uncle Larry started with a huge cup of hot chocolate.

We said our goodbyes and headed north, meeting up with my friend, Cam, at Quail and Olive in Carmel Valley Village, a specialty food store owned by Cam's friend, Anni.  Cam collaborates with Anni and her husband to create menus featuring their products.  I had been wanting to check it out, and I was not disappointed.  We then walked over to the Big Sur tasting room, owned by her friend, Lenora.  We tasted some lovely wines.  I ordered products from both stores, so stay tuned for them to be featured in future posts.

We enjoyed dinner with Cam, her husband, Jake, and their eldest son, Riley, at Tarpy's in Monterey.  Cam ordered ceviche that came topped with an edible flower that the Angel Face enjoyed trying.  Back to the room early enough to enjoy a movie before bedtime.  

We stayed at the Olympia Lodge in Pacific Grove on our final night of the trip. This is the view from our room when we returned after dinner and when we left in the morning.

We had a wonderful breakfast at the Red House Cafe, and then we set off to explore the area via the PG Recreational Trail.  Angel Face explored down low and up high.  It was a beautiful walk with terrain as varied as you chose.  You can see the weather moving in on us in the last two photos. God is good. We stayed dry the entire hike.

It was an amazing trip, and the Angel Face suggests that it become an annual tradition.  It is so good to be home, settling back into our routine, starting with the Weekly Menu.

On Wednesday, we are attending a wine-pairing dinner at J. Baldwin's with the Luths, and Thursday evening, we are headed downtown for the Broadway in Detroit showing of Suffs.  We will have dinner out before the show.

Here is what we are eating the rest of the week.....

Monday

Pork Tenderloin

Sweet Potato Planks

Tuesday

Hamburgers

Wednesday

Wine Pairing Dinner

Thursday

Out before the Theater

Fish Friday

Salmon Packets

Egg Foo Young #SundayFunday

This popular carryout dish is a Chinese/American version of an omelet.  Chock-full of flavorful pork and vegetables, it is cooked much longer and browned much more than a French omelet, then smothered in a flavorful, savory gravy. 

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

An Algerian Chicken paired with Organic Wines from South Africa #EattheWorld #WinePW

When I was visiting my friend Linda in Tucson last month,  she gifted me a packet of Ras el Hanout that she had picked up during a cruise to northern Africa.  I decided to use it to make this Algerian Chicken dish.

Then, since I am hosting our Eat the World event this month, I invited the others to visit Algeria with me.

Bocata de atún #CooktheBooks

This traditional Spanish Bocadillo (Sandwich) is stuffed with canned tuna, roasted piquillo peppers, hard-boiled egg, olives, and tomatoes with a schmear of mayonnaise, all wrapped up in parchment to keep it together as you eat.

I was inspired to make this sandwich after reading Call of the Camino by Suzanne Redfearn.  I was inspired to use tuna as I made this sandwich on a Lenten Fish Friday...

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese #SundayFunday

This Macaroni and Cheese Casserole can be made ahead of time to be baked right before dinnertime.  Nobody will know that the creamy deliciousness is due to the inclusion of cauliflower in the sauce, packing extra nutrition, to boot.  The perfect side to that Easter ham.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Make-Ahead Easter Recipes today...

G is for Gruyere

Puffed pastry stuffed with Ham, Spinach, and Gruyere Cheese makes a delicious and fun appetizer or first course.  I enjoyed the leftovers for lunch the following day. 

G is for Gruyere........