In Season Recipes

Momine

I made a leek pie yesterday with thick filo dough and a little feta. It was good and I can recommend it as a nice fall food.

apple

leek pie sounds wonderful.  there is a lot of kale and greens on sale (not leeks) but i love that sort of thing.

Teka

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Momine

Sure, but it is very simple. I buy the filo dough and defrost. I prefer the thick one, also called "country-style" or similar sometimes. The filo is brushed with olive oil between each layer and the tin is brushed with oil as well before starting.

For the filling I used 5 large leeks, a large onion, 3 cloves garlic, a bunch of dill, a thick slice of feta cut in small cubes (about 6 oz), about half a cup of milk or yogurt and 2 eggs.

I halve the leeks lengthwise, then cut into inch-long pieces and wash them 3-4 times. Heat a bit of oil in a large pan, saute the sliced onion and garlic till soft, then add leeks and saute on high heat till leeks are soft and most of the water evaporated, then add chopped dill, salt and pepper. Stir eggs, feta and milk together, then add to leek mixture. Pour into tin that is lined with filo. Cover with more filo, brush top with oil, make a few holes in top for steam and cook in a medium oven for about 45 minutes. The pie should be really well browned. Let it cool a while before cutting. Can be eaten warm or cold. If you make a minty tomato salad for a side, you have a pretty good meal.

Greeks also sometimes put sliced green olives in this. Green olives and leeks go together well.

Teka

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Wren44

Teka, that looks like my Mom's receipe for oatmeal cookies. Instead of chilling it and making into balls, she would make a roll of dough then cover with foil and freeze. When time to cook, just slice and bake. It's a great way to have fresh cookies on hand for visitors. They are crisp, not soft. I may have to go make some now.

Teka

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Teka

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Blundin2005

Buon giorno...from Philadelphia!  We arrived yesterday. We're getting our wind before boarding for San Fran>San Jose to visit with my sons!  I'm so excited. I've been working the full time job of travel agent for weeks. The only down side is that I miss my dogs so much. 

We finished all of the cookies that I made for Holloween with the help of friends. I've taken pics of meals thinking to you all. I just haven't had the time to get them loaded. Maybe one of these mornings while I'm wide awake and everyone around me is asleep.  My DH took pics of his hamburg platter last night! So funny. But that was one of the best hamburgs I've eaten in years!

We'll be having Thankgiving in Medford OR...a well deserved vacation for both of us. Who knows what we'll eat! This is a big adventure!

A friend celebrated her 80th birthday recently...she's a Brit. So she asked for a British Breakfast to be served at the cafe where we meet every Sunday. The Italians were stunned. It was so much fun. Yes, those are some of the pics of food...I promise I'll get them loaded.

Family near NY had electric returned yesterday! yes yesterday! This has been an educational opportunity on many levels. I suggested that they may not flip the light switch in the same manner ever again. I know I have many memories of such lessons of life. Life is good...it's what we make of it.

Best wishes to all as always,

M

Teka

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Teka

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Blundin2005

Buon giorno from Oregon!

We are without wifi and hardwired to DHs computer until they can sort that out. Not a  sufferance and somewhat real vacation from a steady stream of info beyond our control. We mastered my cousin's truck that she lent us. We made a run to Trader Joe's for supplies, then stopped at a pottery exhibit...a railroad exhibit there on Thanksgiving. The pottery was beautiful. Stopped to buy a travel hair dryer and picked up a table cloth, napkins and place mats...to feel more like home. Last night we made beef filet, salad with a Napa red...ahh just like home.  The rental house sits high above the city with a view of the lights and fog that rolls in the morning. The landscaping is natural with the visions of the Chinese owner. I love it. In the morning...around 7:30...we receive visitors...a herd of deer. They find their way through the yard to the apple tree, stay a bit, then meander elsewhere. The mother with her fawn stop by the picture window briefly to see if we have objections to their presence, one after the other turn their head and look straight at me, then move on to the apple tree. When it's time to leave, the mother nudges them along with a tap of her hoof on their back if they hesitate to step out in front...it's time it seems for them to learn this.

Hope to get my computer connected soon. Can't load pictures without it. 

The drive from San Jose to Medford reminded us of Umbria...beautiful mountains.

Yesterday at Trader Joe's I bought cranberry sauce...a real treat because it doesn't exist in Italy except at the specialty shops near the Embassy. Our thanksgiving meal will be special in that we are here in US to enjoy it. It will be simple...slices of turkey breast, sweet potatoe mashed, string beans with onion crisp and pumpkin pie of course. Mostly, we plan to enjoy the life around us...wishes for you all to enjoy the same.

I thought to you all as we flew in to US...you were all closer than ever. Apple we passed over Kansas I'm sure...would have sky dived in to see you but they were a bit fussy about opening the door! Imagine?!  

This trip has been a test of our resolve. I can't say that the travel has been easy, but I can say that it has been worth it. Spending time with my sons was a treasure even though they darted between work and us. We are still hoping they can get up to Medford before we leave on the 29th for Philadelphia and the last leg of our adventure.

Best wishes to all as always,

Marilyn

Teka

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Blundin2005

Teka, I just heard from one of my sons...he's driving up!  Still no wifi so still using DH's computer so can't share the pics yet. 

Yesterday we visited a butcher shop and a growers market...it was almost home but better. At the butcher shop, I bought a chocolate truffle topped with bacon! It was incredible flavor! We were eating on the run so I also bought a cup of french onion soup and it was yummy. DH ate some of the food we bought at the growers market...raw food biscuit...also good. We found olive oil, fresh breads, a fantastic assortment of wonderful veggies and nice people. We brought home our buys after a day of traveling from town to town. 

What comes to my mind through our travels is "Whereever you go, there you are". A good read if you can still find it in print. It seems people always want to be somewhere else. When we tell them that we may move here, they can't fathom why we want to move from Italy. But then, they probably only know Italy through the romantic movie prism. Don't get me wrong, I love Italy too...I am missing it as we speak. But the US is a stunningly beautiful place too as are many of the people.

More later...Happy Thanksgiving to all wherever and however you share the day.

Best wishes to all as always,

Marilyn

Teka

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Blundin2005

Teka, so true   ... and your meal sounds wonderful.

My son came for the day and for that I was very thankful. Our meal however was Trader Joe's because our rental has minimal cooking utensils. He's coming to Italy at Christmas so we'll make up for that. 

Our thanksgiving continues ... 

Best wishes to all as always,

Marilyn

Teka

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Teka

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Mandy1313

Those pies of yours sound fantastci Teka.  And it is always wonderful to be surrounded by fmaly for the holidays. I am so lucky in that both my duahgters were with me for Thanksgiving.

Good luck with all of the shopping.

Teka

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Blundin2005

Teka...you are a pearl! We returned to Bracciano this morning. Need to unpack, pick up the dogs (can't wait to see them), reorient to our surroundings, then download the pics to upload here. Much to show and tell. 

In a word, it was a good trip. The USofA is an extraordinary country that we take for granted. Once again, we met so many people who will never be forgotten. We spent quality time with family and friends and shared the good, the bad and the ugly that life presents...leaving wordless but enduring hugs and the promise to return soon.

Oh, and we bought a house in Oregon. We hope to move there over the next year.

Best wishes to all as always,

Marilyn 

Teka

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Mandy1313

Hi Everyone!

As the holidays draw near,I wanted to wish everyone a woderful holiday season.  And if you have a favorite holiday recipe, please share if you have the time.

All the best to you and yours,

Mandy

Teka

*Meatballs Recipe*

1 lb ground beef

1 egg

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup minced onions

1/2 tsp salt

pepper

garlic powder

Zap meatballs (size of a golf ball) in microwave on (high power) for 5 minutes.

Heat oven to 350*

Heat meatballs in pasta sauce until bubbly in oven.

We love "Reggano" traditional pasta sauce from Aldi's.

Mandy1313

Teka,thanks for the recipe!  It sounds delicious!!!

Blundin2005

Buon giorno!

Anyone know why photobucket doesn't work anymore? I can't get the photos posted! I've been trying for two days! 

Any suggestions welcomed.

M

Teka

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Blundin2005

Teka...then we'll just do it the old fashioned way...writing!

BTW, love your recipe for meatballs. Simple and with love. The best combination. We use that a lot around here.

Christmas is celebrated in our house and days are going to be full here in Bracciano. My son arrives on the 20th. The family gathering will be the 24th. DH is decking the halls and planning the meals.

This Sunday we will have some young couples over for polenta. I had pictures to show you of our new copper polenta pot with and automatic stirrer. It cooks in 20 min. We've done the stir by hand and it takes 45 min. This is much easier for us old folk. Can't wait.

We'll enjoy our holidays one hug (abbraccia) at a time. 

More later....

Abbraccia tutti,

Marilyn

Sherryc

Here is a recipe for Corn Casserole.  Everytime I make it everyone says it is the best they have had.  I am taking it to a Christmas party tonight.

1 can corn, whole kernal

1 can corn, cream-style

1 package jiffy corn muffin mix, 8oz

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease a 9X13 inche baking dish or large casserole dish.  Mix together the corn, Jiffy, sour cream and butter in a large bowl.  Stir in the cheese.  Pour into the prepared pan.  Bake for 55 minutes, or until golden brown and set.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.  This super easy!!!

Teka

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