My Mum and Dad...

It has occured to me in writing about food, that it was my Mum who was so influential to me. My Mum when I was growing up was having 50 lb bags of whole wheat flour, oats, all of these wonderful things delivered to our home. And that was in the 60's!
At the time it was embarrassing to be eating whole grain breads, granola , everything homemade, though I thought at the time she was crazy. All my friends were eating white squishy bread, oreos, potatoe chips, soda, nope not us ! Along with the whole foods, we were gagging down cod liver oil and the plethera of vitamins doled out to us each morning, ugh.
In retrospect, I get it , and got it along time ago. She was an amazing woman, the Adele Davis of her time. One of the other many appreciations is how there was never any talk about calories, fat, weight, it was simply about eating extremely well . She took my Dad's turned up nose, at some of this lovely food in quiet stride especially when the meatless meatloaf arrived on the table, though he would quietly grumble, Dad adored Mum too much to do otherwise. Dad just was not  as adventureous as Mum!
My Mum passed away January 2010, and Daddy passed away in July 2010, We miss them so much  and forever beyond grateful for what they gave me and taught me, If not for Mum, I would not be doing a second career in food!!!!

Earth Fare!

O.K! Those of you that know me, know that I am a foodie, I love reading about it , talking about it, and cooking it!  Most of all eating it! Crazy, maybe not, I love food shopping, even more than shoe shopping (although my husband would not believe that).
My absolute favorite market is Earth Fare in the Westgate shopping center. The customer service is unbelievable, couldn't be better, the endless choices, the freshness of it all. Ahhh.....
I never know when to go to my favorite department first or save the best for last.... yep , the cheese dept. Carrie, is magnificent in helping you pick the absolute best combinations of cheeses to go on a cheese board, she has a solution for it all. The olive bar , now that's my kind of bar, is beautiful, one just wants to have a bit of everything. Needless to say we are so happy to have Earth Fare!
Did you see the Brie they were giving away, yes giving away this week? Of course you need your coupon! Simple! Thankyou Earth Fare!

Food for Friends...

Our very dear friends just had their second baby, for me it meant that I was chomping at the bit to deliver a lovely meal to them, Yes, I know you have seen the picture of my portabella lasagna with a bechemel sauce, it's because it's sooooo easy to make! The recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa At Home cookbook.
I just love her because her recipes are so do-able, things you might have on hand, again, she does use lots of  butter but we have to remember quality over quantity and that is just some of what she has created!
All that said, I simply made the lasagna, with a simple salad of arugula with a homemade lemon vinaigrette, a lovely bottle of red wine, then just a nice dark chocolate, and fresh fruit! Easy, and a great gift to exhasted new parents!  My recipe for the lemon vinaigrette is on my website, any thoughts , ideas are welcomed!    Warmly, Maggie

Yes, you know what this is , the best lasagne ever, start with the lasagne, then the salad or any order that suits your fancy!

Simply, start with Arugula, then add a luscious lemon vinaigrette dressing!

Ahhh ...... eat, enjoy, breathe......

Meal, complete, with a happy family, and a very happy cook!!!!!