Heritage Siblings Dinner

Thursday is the day to visit one of my favorite places in the cyber-world, Susan's blog full of luscious tablescapes and decorating ideas!

This week, I'm partying with the best of them, sharing my own tablescape and celebrating America's freedom and our family's heritage! I'd been planning this tablescape since our last siblings dinner in April!

Our quarterly Siblings Dinner was fantastic. Spending time with Doug's brothers and sisters and their spouses is the best!

I was quite pleased with the meal and I fell in love with the tablescape. So much that I'm keeping the table setting until the fourth of July! Our theme for the evening was "Heritage", so the patriotic table was perfect to go along.

The menu:

Sun-dried Tomato Pasta with Roasted Chicken

Linda's Garlic Bread

Garden Fresh Peas

Caesar's Salad

Fruit Platter

Rhubarb Cake

The little party favors/placecards, filled with Hershey's Kisses, were quick and easy to make and were just another little thing to make the table pop! And yes, I used my everyday dishes, plain white Corelleware for this setting. Every home needs a good set of plain white dishes!

Our table talk was the highlight of the night for me. The theme was heritage and all of the questions brought fascinating conversation. We always learn so much about each other!

My sister-in-law shared an intriguing story from her family about her great grandfather, who'd purchased a ticket to travel to America on the Titanic. His sister convinced him to stay longer, so he never boarded the ship. He was listed among those lost at sea, but was safe at home with family. There were many stories to be told and each one was as intriguing as the next.

Heritage Table Talk Questions:

• Use a list of five words to describe your own heritage.


• How has your heritage reflected the way that you were raised and the way you are raising your children?


• What’s the best thing that you do to connect with your heritage?


• What scents do you remember about your grandparents’ home? Your parent’s home?


• What was the most important value taught to you by your mother? Father?


• What family heirloom has been placed in your possession to be passed down to future generations?


• If you could have one momento of your parents’ or grandparents, what would it be?


• If you could go back in time, and visit with one ancestor, who would it be?


• What is one story that’s been passed down through the generations of your family that is told over and over again? Why do you think that one was "the" one?
  
• Do you have any family mysteries?


• What would be your parents (or grandparents) biggest surprise about you today?


• Describe which physical qualities you share with your parents and grandparents.


• What talents do you share with your ancestors?


• What talents of yours would you hope that your posterity would inherit?


• Tell how you got your name. If you don’t know, share how you chose your childrens’ names.


• Is there a certain specific place that you have a fond memory with an ancestor? Do you visit it? Have you shared this spot and the memory with others?


• Is there a song that reminds you of an ancestor?


• Did your parent have close friends? Was there a friend of your parent that made an impression in your life?


• What famous person did your parent love/respect/admire? Did that influence you?


• Do you feel that your parent had any type of prejudices/perceptions that impacted you?


• What one lesson did your parents teach you without ever saying a word about it?


• What thing/things did you do that you knew would always make your parents happy?


• What characteristic do you have that is the most different from that of any siblings or your parents?


• Share something that you learned about your parent that you never knew/realized as a child?

For us, family is what matters most! So, our evening was a perfect way to escape from the rest of the world and connect with each other.

Scones a la mode

You call this leftovers? When Liza heard that we were having Navajo Tacos last night for dinner, she volunteered to bring something wonderful for the "leftovers". A few hours after dinner, she prepared these tasty treats for dessert. If they were this good, using three hour old re-heated scones, I can't imagine what they'd taste like with fresh out of the frypan scones! What a combination!

For the scones, I use my own basic roll dough, posted here on the blog. Let them raise, then roll them out very thin (about 1/4") and cut them to size with a pizza cutter. Dip them in hot oil (375°) to deep fry until they are golden brown.

Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel for a second, then dip both sides in cinnamon-sugar. Place on a plate and top with scoops of vanilla ice cream. Top the ice cream with cherry pie filling. Sprinkle with more cinnamon-sugar. Enjoy!

The BEST garlic rolls EVER! EAZZZZZY!

Seriously, the first time I tried one of Linda's garlic rolls, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! They are the best and so totally simple to make! One thing about my friend, Linda, though is that if she's making it, she's being generous with every ingredient that is sweet or fattening! That's why everything she makes, tastes so good! These babies are almost gooey with the topping that she puts on them. Divine!

2 T. Yeast
2 T. sugar or honey (Linda uses honey)
3 cups warm water
1 t. salt
8 cups flour

Mix until doughy and form into bread sticks. I let them double in size before rolling them out. Linda doesn't. Linda rolls them about 3-4" long. They bake to be about half the size of a hotdog bun... sort of short and fat.

Before baking, mix:

2 sticks butter
1/2 cup mayo or miracle whip
½ cup parmesan cheese

Dip and roll the breadsticks in the bowl of butter until they are dripping in it. Place on a jellyroll pan. Pour any remaining butter over breadsticks. Season to taste with garlic salt. Let rise for about twenty minutes. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy! Plan on an extra four mile walk tomorrow.

Creamy Tomato Soup

As everyone knows, my favorite ingredient in anything is cream cheese! Here's a very simple soup and it's most important ingredient (in my opinion) is cream cheese! I'm not a big tomato soup fan, but this one is worth the try. It's also very tasty sprinkled with cooked popcorn just before serving. Serve with a nice summer salad and it's good, even in July! Try it, you'll love it!

1 quart milk
2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained or 6-8 fresh out of the garden tomatoes!
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped finely
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Mix all of the above ingredients, except the cream cheese in the blender until smooth. Pour into a large saucepan. Add the cream cheese and cook until heated through. Enjoy!

Keeping it Simple

Our Senior Singles Family Home Evening "Beginning of summer Picnic" ended up being moved inside due to another amazing thunderstorm. Even so, it was a delightful evening. I quickly grabbed a few red, white and blue things from my son's Americana bedroom and around the rest of the house for some simple table decorations to match these fun paper goods! Perfect for a June/July picnic! I can't believe that I forgot to take photos of the dinner! It was fab!

Dinner

Pulled pork sandwiches

Potato Salad

Chips

Pickles

Fresh Fruit with a Tasty Dip

Brownies with Strawberry Ice Cream

Nothing formal about this tablescape, but summertime is a great time to enjoy paper goods, which can be just as fun and festive on occasion! The patriotic theme, even with our unexpected thunderstorm, left us feeling like we were enjoying a perfect summer breeze instead of, literally, flood-damaging downpour!

Red Hot Caramel Apples

I tried and altered this recipe a bit for Quayd's class report and it turned out to be a huge hit here in the Corbridge home. The kids in Quayd's class were pretty funny to watch. Some didn't want to even try it. Those that did all went crazy over the apples and then those that didn't decided that they wanted to try it after all. Quite simple. Very tasty and, although, I think I'd prefer it in the fall, it would be a great simple treat in the summertime served with a big scoop of vanilla icecream over top of it. Cooked in the crockpot, the oven isn't needed in the heat of summer. After trying it once, I think that you could also use sliced apples instead of cored. Either way, try it, you'll like it!

Core the apples. (I used Fuji apples and seven fit inside my crockpot.) Place them in the crockpot and fill the opening of each apple with:

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. butter

3 brachs caramels

5 red hots

After all the apple cores are filled, pour 3/4 cup of apple juice over the top. Cook in crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with a scoop of vanilla icecream! Enjoy!

Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Ravioli

I have a new favorite! I admit that I had seconds on this last night at Bunco and, truth be told, I could have eaten every bite and then lapped the plate clean with my roll afterward! t barely! Here's the deal. If my friend, Linda, is cooking, you know it's going to be delish! And I've quickly come to know that the same is true for her daughter Hayley, who Linda got this recipe from! This photo is Hayley's photo from another time, but, last night at Bunco, Linda served the sauce already mixed with the pasta and then slices of grilled steak over top of that. Not at all a dieters dish, but ooooooooh, myyyyyyyyyyyyyy, this recipe is every bit as good as anything I have ever tasted at Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill! A must try!

2 Tbsp. butter
1 garlic clove, minced (more if you want)
1 c. chicken stock or broth
1/2 c. sun dried tomatoes
2 cups whipping cream
3 tsp. cornstarch
8-12 oz. fresh or frozen ravioli * She used bertolli 20 oz., and there was plenty of sauce

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp. dried
2 T. chopped fresh parsley (only if using dried basil)
salt & fresh ground pepper

Melt butter in med. saucepan over low heat. Add garlic and cook 30 secs. Add stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered over medium heat about 10 mins. or until tomatoes are tender. Remove tomatoes with slotted spoon. Cut into smaller pieces. Return tomatoes to saucepan. Add cream and bring to a boil, and add your corn starch stirring consistantly. While this is simmering cook ravioli according to directions. Drain well. Add basil and/or parsley to sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix with your pasta, and that's it.

Hayley says, "Serve with a side of crusty bread to sop up the extra sauce, and there you have it!" Linda added the sliced grilled steak. I'm thinking that it will be fabulous with grilled chicken too! OH MY! It was fab! Enjoy!

Funky Hotdogs and Mac

Here's a fun treat/dinner for the kiddos! Not my idea, but suggested on my email group. Just slice and then stack the three hotdog slices at a time and thread three spaghetti noodles into them, then slide them along the noodle, spacing them equally. Boil, as usual. cooking along with extra noodles. I added my own homemade cheese sauce over them, but you could do spaghetti sauce or just about anything. Another friend suggested using meatballs instead of hotdogs. Quick and fun for the kids. Enjoy!

Crunchy Poppyseed Chicken Salad

Natalie made this fantastic salad last weekend, so I asked her to bring it to the shower that we hosted last night. Everyone went crazy over it! It's most delish!

4 cups of Broccolli slaw (shredded broccoli stalks)

2 large red peppers, thinly sliced

4 medium carrots shredded

1 can pineapple tidbits, drained

sliced, grilled chicken breasts (about two large breasts)

1 bottle creamy poppyseed dressing (The recipe suggests Kraft)

1 cup peanuts or cashews

Mix and serve cold. Enjoy!!

RHUBARB CREAM CAKE

I'm so not a rhubarb fan, but a few weeks ago, at Doug's Mom's birthday party, I tried my sister-in-law, Jill's cake not knowing what I was tasting. OH MY HECK! It was out of this world delish! Everyone was ranting and raving over it and the pan, literally, was licked clean! I couldn't wait to come home and try it myself. Note...A nummy custard will form at the bottom of the pan as cake bakes. It's so simple, so nummy! You'd never know that rhubarb was the fruit in it!

1 (18 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix

4 c. rhubarb, diced

1 c. sugar

2 c. whipping cream

Prepare cake mix as the package directs. Pour into greased and bottom floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Spread the rhubarb evenly on top of the cake batter. Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb. Pour 2 cups whipping cream evenly over entire mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.Serve warm. You may add whipping cream on top, but I don't think that it needs it! Store in refrigerator, if there's any left to store. Enjoy!

This is my first time joining in on the fun at Designs by Gollum, Foodie Friday! Check it out for more great cake recipes!

Spinach Salad

Here's another fantastic spinach salad recipe! Try it, you'll love it!

1 -10 ounce bag fresh spinach

1 can mandarin oranges, drained

3 green onions, chopped

1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms

1 large avocado, sliced

1/2 - 1 pound cherry tomatoes

1/2 - 1 cup craisins

Dressing:

1/2 tsp. grated orange peel

1/2 cup frozen Orange Juice Concentrate

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbs. sugar

2 Tbsp. vinegar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Combine dressing and chill. Toss lightly over salad just before serving. Enjoy!

Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry

I made this favorite for dinner last night and you've have thought we were giving the babes ice cream! You can use either thinly sliced steak or leftover roast or even ground beef. It's a simple meal and can be prepared while your rice or pasta is cooking. We usually serve it over rice and everyone loves it, but it's great served over cooked angel hair pasta or spaghetti noodles! This is one of those, add a little of whatever you would like recipes and it just gets better and better!

2 carrots, thinly sliced

1 pound broccoli , cut into bite size pieces or 1 bag frozen

2 stalks of celery, sliced

1 package fresh mushrooms, sliced or halved

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 sliced pepper

1pound thinly sliced or ground beef

1 tbsp. fresh garlic

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. cornstarch

1 tbsp. fresh ginger (I keep my fresh ginger in a ziplock bag in the freezer and grate it whenever I need it)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp. sesame oil

1/2 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp pepper

1 Tbsp. oyster sauce (You can make it without, but it enhances the flavor.)

Stir-fry the veggies in a couple tablespoons of olive oil until cooked tender, but crisp. Stir-fry the meat and mix the two. Add remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl then pour over the meat and veggies. Heat until thickened a bit. Enjoy!

Butter-Pecan Oohey-Gooey Cake

Oh my! That's all I have to say about this quick and easy cake mix!

1 pkg. butter pecan cake mix
1/4 c. water
2 eggs
3/4 c. chopped nuts
1/4 c. melted butter
1/4 c. brown sugar
6 oz. pkg. chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 x 15 inch pan. Combine cake mix, water, eggs, butter and brown sugar in a bowl. Mix thoroughly. Stir in chips and nuts. Bake 20-25 minutes. Frost with chocolate frosting. Enjoy!

Pineapple-Pecan Cake

Originally, it was called Mexican wedding cake. Whatever it's called, to us, it is Doug's Favorite cake in the world. This is one of the most easy cakes you'll ever make and it's always a hit! Whenever you make it or wherever you take it, you'll be asked for the recipe. It's so simple you'll know it right off the top of your head! But, best of all about this cake is that it's more moist than any cake I've ever tasted!

2 cups flour (whole wheat flour is outstanding for this recipe!)

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. baking soda

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple - undrained
1 cup crushed pecans

Mix well and bake in a 9x13" pan for 45 minutes at 350.

Cream cheese frosting

8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup softened butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups powdered sugar

Mix until creamy and fluffy. Frost the cake while still warm, but not hot! Enjoy!

Family Fiesta

I'm excited to start participating more often in the Tablescape Thursdays at Susan's amazing "Between Naps on the Porch" blog. So, I'll be double posting my parties and tablescapes here on the cooking blog from now on. If you've never checked out Susan's blog, it's a must see!

We were pretty well-fed last night at our siblings dinner... fed in food, fed in laughs, wisdom and experience. Doug said, afterward,"Thanks, Babe. Each dinner just gets better and better." I agreed. I'd been pretty nervous about the meal coming together because I wasn't sure, logistically,how it would work with so many cooks in the kitchen. But, it was like clockwork! I asked everyone to bring their share of the goods for sizzling fajitas. As soon as everyone arrived, we got busy. We had two large frypans on the stovetop, an electric griddle and two electric frypans. So, everyone was stirring up something from the mushrooms to the onions and peppers to the chicken and steak. The meal came off perfectly and oh, my, it was wonderful! We ate ourselves silly! I really enjoyed the time in the kitchen together. It was just plain fun. The teasing and tasting was great...I may never look at mushrooms, one of my favorites, the same again. Somehow, eating fungi, something that grows on your feet, doesn't sound near as tasty as eating sauteed mushrooms. The time in the kitchen was also the "activity" for the evening because it did take a while to get everything hot and sizzling. No games, just tabletalk before dessert. And dessert. .. Oh. My. Gosh! I made Tres Leches from scratch. This is not a quick and easy recipe and it cost an arm and a leg to make, but, OH. MY! It is a must try recipe!

Our table talk questions were a little deeper this time and I was touched by some of the comments made about parenthood. We discussed everything from hair care to housecleaning to loving our children so much it hurts. Doug's family are very reserved, for the most part, and I know that these questions sometimes, can mean exposing yourself a bit. However, I feel that we've grown to know more about each other in the past year and half during these dinners than we have our entire adult lives. When Doug and I decided to do this almost two years ago, our purpose was to bond more with each other as siblings. He has this magnificent family and we want to have friendship with his siblings, not just family ties. We've learned much about each other during tabletalk. It's always my favorite part of the evening. A few others have said the same. And one sibling's reaction when the table talk questions come out is always the biggest laugh of the night! At one point during table talk, I thought about how much I love and appreciate every one of Doug's siblings and their spouses. It was a touching moment for me to think about how lucky I am to be married into and a part of this awesome group of people! I think that of all the entertaining I do, sibling dinners has become my favorite! I've already started planning our next one!

The menu:
Steak or chicken fajitas with peppers, onions, mushrooms and fresh CilantroSpanish RiceGuacomoleSpanish BeansPepper Jack and Sharp Cheddar CheeseSour CreamSalsaChipsPina Colada SlushCitrus WaterTres Leche with fresh strawberries
One other thought about the table... I asked a bartender how they frost the glasses the last time I did this and thought I'd share. Dip the rim of the glass into pineapple juice and then dip it in a bowl of sugar. JUST the rim. Hold it upside down for afew seconds to keep the juice and sugar from sliding down the sides of the glass. This can be done hours in advance.

Table talk questions:
What would you say is the most important material "thing" in your life right now?
What's a typical day in your life right now?
If you could, what would you change in your life right now?
What's the first thing you think about in the morning?
What do you think is your most valuable role in your life at this moment?
If you could be someone else for a day, who would that be? Why?
What do you do every day that you would love to hire someone else to do for you?
What rituals do you go through every day for the sake of your good looks?
What are your favorite words to live by?
Who do you talk on the phone to more than anyone else?
Aside from the temple or the ranch, Is there a place you've been that made you feel closer to heaven?
Can you pinpoint any one moment in life that you'd call a "turning point"?
What mannerisms would you say that you have that are strikingly similar to one of your parents?
Aside from Christ, who in your life have you tried to pattern yourself after more than anyone else?
What one experience would you count as the highlight of the last five years?
What has been your greatest success and what did you learn from it?
Do you feel that you are a better parent than your parents were and why or why not?
What is the happiest memory of your childhood?
What song did you sing as a child that you've taught your children to sing as well?
What prejudices have you overcome that you once had? How?
What are you teaching your children about life that you did not know as a child?
What character traits do you think that you have passed on to your children?
How is your life different today than you pictured it being ten years ago?
Aside from the Sunday School answers (pray & study scriptures), what's something that you do every single day that you could not go a day without doing?
What would you say is the most important material "thing" in your life right now?
What's a typical day in your life right now?
If you could, what would you change in your life right now?
What's the first thing you think about in the morning?
What do you think is your most valuable role in your life at this moment?
If you could be someone else for a day, who would that be? Why?
What do you do every day that you would love to hire someone else to do for you?
What rituals do you go through every day for the sake of your good looks?
What are your favorite words to live by?
Who do you talk on the phone to more than anyone else?
Aside from the temple or the ranch, Is there a place you've been that made you feel closer to heaven?
Can you pinpoint any one moment in life that you'd call a "turning point"?
What mannerisms would you say that you have that are strikingly similar to one of your parents?
Aside from Christ, who in your life have you tried to pattern yourself after more than anyone else?
What one experience would you count as the highlight of the last five years?

What has been your greatest success and what did you learn from it?
Do you feel that you are a better parent than your parents were and why or why not?
What is the happiest memory of your childhood?
What song did you sing as a child that you've taught your children to sing as well?
What prejudices have you overcome that you once had? How?
What are you teaching your children about life that you did not know as a child?
What character traits do you think that you have passed on to your children?
How is your life different today than you pictured it being ten years ago?
Aside from the Sunday School answers (pray & study scriptures), what's something that you do every single day that you could not go a day without doing?

Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted.