Summer BBQ

We have been very busy getting things done around the house that I haven't had time to think about special meals. There is nothing that says "Let's get some of our projects or cleaning done" better than having a get-together. Our first annual "Back to School BBQ" was a success, but our list (or I should say my list) was a bit too long to get everything crossed off.

Our BBQ fare was simple, the grilled burgers and hotdogs and a variety of salads, some I could eat and others I could not. I made sure to have lettuce out to wrap my burger and saw that a few other guests were eating their burgers the same way. My favorite potato salad is great dish to have for everyone. And because I can't make anything small, we have leftovers for at least a few days. Tonight we had the salads with grilled lamb steaks, cut from a boneless leg. Yum, the taste was great but next time I will marinate them to see if they turn out a little more tender.

Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna

Thank You Angelo for helping me come up with this great tasting dinner!

1 lb. ground turkey

3 eggplant, sliced lengthwise 1/2 inch thick

6 tomatoes, coarse chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil

6 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup shredded or grated parmesan cheese

sea salt and pepper, to taste

olive oil

Line two baking sheets with foil. Line eggplant on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil. Turn eggplant over and do the same on other side and sprinkle with salt. Roast in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. In the meantime, pour 2 tablespoons olive oil in a frying pan and brown the turkey. Add the garlic, tomatoes, salt, pepper and basil stirring to combine. Simmer together for 20 minutes. Take eggplant and layer with meat sauce like a lasagna, starting with a small amount of sauce on bottom, eggplant, sauce, cheese and then repeating. Heat in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until bubbling. Serve with gluten free breadsticks. Enjoy!! Serves 6.

Project Time

After a great three days with Aunt Joan and Aunt Bev (my other moms) it is time to start finishing projects that have been neglected for the last 10 years. Today, I started painting the hallway. Just the primer went on today; tomorrow I will paint. Now it is time to start thinking of what to make for dinner. Before I go searching the internet for things to do with my ground turkey I will tell you about the meal I made Monday night for my favorite aunts and uncle. It was a wonderful recipe, from a gluten free site, called Apricot Chipotle Chicken. This was the second time I had made the recipe and this time I used skinless/boneless chicken, which I thought worked better. We had smashed potatoes and a salad with our entree. Dinner was a hit, Uncle Harold even had seconds.

Wow!! Angelo just gave me an idea for dinner tonight. I think I will take his advice and make a dish with eggplant, tomato, ground turkey and cheese. Tune in tomorrow to see the recipe.

Make it a great day, as mine have been lately, and keep your heart happy by staying in touch with family and friends.

Motor City Weekend

It has been hopping around here this weekend, with the 15th annual Dream Cruise taking place just about a mile away. What a wonderful week leading up the big event and this weekend is beautiful too. I think we are hotter here yesterday and today than parts of Florida. We watched the parade in Berkley Friday night, after having leftover hamburgers and a salad. Saturday, after Kasey's baby shower, we had dinner at Panera Bread and their Cobb salad fit the bill for dinner.

Baxter update, he finally got to run yesterday along the fence with the neighbor dogs. And YES, he did jump into the pond, several times I may add, and then bath time commenced. Today he has been in the pond, but he dried off outside and is now napping (in the air conditioning).

We just had a wonderful brunch, hashbrowns, over-easy eggs and wonderful Coleman bacon. The bacon is uncured and has no nitrates or nitrites in it.

I'm off to clean the house and sew a new bathroom skirt for the sink. Tonight the plan is to grill some t-bones and have potato salad and broccoli. Yum, what should I make for dessert?

Perfect Summer Day

Spent a considerable amount of time outside today. The dogs are quite tired and so I am after our walk and all the gardening in the backyard. Baxter didn't even play in his pool he was so tired. It is going to be a night out today, I'm going to dinner and a movie with a friend. Lunch today was just some leftover corn/rice pasta I had a couple nights ago with some fresh tomato and basil sauce. I'll post later what I order for dinner. Here is my Baxter.

I have been lucky and found I can tolerate corn products. The small amount of rice flour is pretty insignificant once in a while also. Tonight was good and a beautiful night for a grilled dinner. Hamburgers on the grill (yes I eat the burger without a bun) and homemade onion rings. Yes!! I modified an old recipe and even the onion ring lovers in the house thought they were great. It has been a long time since I have eaten an onion ring and not regretted doing so.

Tortilla Crumb-Crusted Onion Rings

1 cup all-purpose gluten free flour

21/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp white pepper

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

1 1/2 cups tortilla crumbs

1 large white onion (or vidalia)

Oil for frying

Mix the flour, salt and white pepper. Add the eggs, milk, whisk gently until smooth.

Stir in 1/2 cup of tortilla crumbs. Spread remaining crumbs on a plate.

Heat the oil, about 3/4 of an inch, in a large heavy skillet (about 375 degrees).

Peel onion and cut crosswise into 1/2 thick rings, separate the slices. Dip each ring in batter and then use a spoon to sprinkle crumbs over rings. (Work quickly so batter doesn't drip off the rings before they get in the hot oil). Put onion ring carefully in the hot oil. Cook until underside is golden-about 2 minutes. Turn and cook another 2 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Continue until all onion rings are gone. These won't last!! They are nice and crispy!

* I have purchased tortilla crumbs at Meijer- if you can't find them just use regular tortilla chips and crush them in a food processor. Make sure to sprinkle them over battered rings or the mixture clumps together.