Superbowl Sunday 2010

Who's playing the game? Who cares? Ok, ok - I know plenty of people care. I'm just not a big football fan, although there is a good chance I'll watch some of the game. Oh - and Michael tells me the Colts and the Saints are playing. I'm sure the game will be on the television in my parents living room. Here is what I plan to have on the menu...

I'm leaning towards a semi Tex-Mex menu. I'll make a Healthy and Hearty Smokey Black Bean Dip and Spiced Chili-Lime Corn Chips. I found both recipes on Chowhound. Tex-Mex Corn Chowder sounds yummy too.

I think a salad with fresh grapefruit will be refreshing. Because so many of the recipes that popped up when I searched for "grapefruit" salad have avocado in them, but none are just what I am looking for, I think I'll make this one up. I'm going to use grapefruit, avocado, fresh greens, toasted pecans (I have quite a few pecans still on hand), goat cheese (just because I love goat cheese), maybe some red onion, fresh lime for the zest and juice, maybe a few chopped kalamata olives, maybe a fresh jalapeno pepper, a bit of kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. I might try to make a dressing with olive oil, grapefruit juice, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and brown rice syrup or I'll use Maple Grove Farms Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing.

So, we're basically having soup and salad with chips and dip. I haven't come up with dessert yet.

Grapefruit reminds me of the absolutely best ever Cosmopolitan I ever had - it was a grapefruit Cosmo. This was a few years ago in Seattle at a restaurant kind of close to the main library. Yummy mussels, scallops, and fresh fish dish (yeah, I know, what else would you expect in Seattle?). The Cosmo though, mmmmmmm...makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Do you think I could remember the name of the restaurant? Of course not.

Anyway, it's Tex-Mex for Superbowl Sunday dinner. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Not This Week

This Sunday my sister and brother-in-law are hosting a party for my terrific nephew Chris who turns 21 on Monday! Gee - it's amazing that 21 years have passed since Chris was born. We'll look forward to visiting Fast Eddie's Bon Air in Alton, Illinois with him something (no-one under 21 allowed in the place).

Anyway, since we'll be celebrating Chris I won't be preparing Sunday dinner. Stay tuned for next week - I believe that's Superbowl Sunday. Wonder what we'll have? Hmmmm...

After Dinner Thoughts

Mmmmmm...I really, really like Pad Thai; and my making it hasn't changed that at all. This was the first time Mom and Dad had ever had Pad Thai and the first time I had made it. They really, really liked it too! I added a few baby portobella mushrooms sliced thin and shredded carrots to the original recipe. Also, I used peanut oil for the cooking oil. Instead of crushed peanuts I used crushed cashews. It was yummy! I'll make this again and will probably add even more vegetables in the future.

I remember the very first time I had Pad Thai. It was at a restaurant in Springfield Illinois of all places! My friend Sharon Ruda took me to this place on the curve of MacArthur (if I'm remembering the street name correctly). It was in this little A-frame building. The restaurant is gone now, although the building might still be there; last time I was in Springfield I think it was a Subway. Anyway, I am forever grateful to Sharon for many things and turning me on to Pad Thai is just one small example of the kindnesses she has shown me.