So yeah I know today is “Tuesday” but since I was busy on Sunday with my in-laws, I figured I’d write about it now.
Now if you recall from my last post, when my in-laws come over I always cook a feast and tons of breads. This Sunday was no exception.
I started off with baked Artichoke Spinach dip and shrimp cocktail. K, first off… hot cheesy spinach dip is da bomb! I mean I literally think I could O.D. on this stuff!
Next came dinner… Turkey Burgers for his Mom and I (well okay I had a slider). Funny story the burgers… but wait until you see what I made for Mr. Fantabulous and his Dad. All I’m gonna say is this was referred to as the ‘Lousy Turkey Burger’.. LOL
So now for the men… being hardcore Italian men, it HAS to involve pasta, naturally. At the request of my dearest husband, he wanted Cappellini di Mare in a Fra Diavolo Sauce. What in the hell is that, right? It’s a pasta dish using a very thin noodle with seafood (mussels, clams, etc) in this super oh-my-god-it’ll-melt-paint-cause-it’s-so-friggen-spicy red sauce. Literally this sauce, at a minimum, calls for at least 1 Tablespoon of red pepper flakes. AT LEAST! Seriously, if I ate that flames would come out both ends! However since my baby wanted this, I obliged. Unfortunately I had to travel to 3 different grocery stores to buy the fresh seafood. *Note: country bumpkin living isn’t always a blessing!
So as you can see below, this dish is huge. Well my father in law’s eyes were priceless when I set this in front of him. The smile he got on his face matching the sauce on his fingers & lips was the best compliment I could have ever received.
As a side dish, I made spinach stuffed mushrooms and fresh Artisan breads
Now back to the turkey burgers and my mother in law. My mother in law is like I am – we cannot handle spicy foods (okay I can handle a bit more than her). And since her stomach was on edge that day I opted for the turkey burgers as they are light but super flavorful. Well when I set the pasta dish in front of the boys, she puts down her burger and says “Gee, I see how you rate there guys. You get this gourmet meal and I get a lousy turkey burger!” Thing is, she didn’t put that burger down because it was so good. To know me, I can be a smart ass (in a good way). I instantly followed up her comment with “Well Mom, I gave you the lousy turkey burger and them the gourmet meal because I love them more.” 🙂 HAHA I know, I’m such a shit. LOL She then threatened to beat my butt. Nah she was just playing around. I absolutely LOVE my in laws. And yes, I speak with my mother in law every day. She’s an amazing woman!
So now eating with my father in law and husband is a trip. See I don’t think my husband actually chews his food. I truly think he inhales it whole as before I take 2-3 bites of anything, his plate is spotless. He said growing up, being 1 of 3 boys, you had to eat fast as if one boy finished first, they’d take food off of your plate just because they ‘won’. LOL Now you’d think us being married all these years he’d realize that I’m not going to take food off of his plate but nooooooooooo, he still eats that way. What’s funny is that his father I think literally chews each bite 32 times. What’s awesome though is he’ll take a bite then tell amazing stories of the kids growing up or of his own childhood. Dinner lasts eh a good hour or so which is great for me and the others as our food can digest. Unfortunately Mr. Fantabulous is chomping at the bit for dessert and he knows I won’t serve it until everyone is done.
Dessert ended up being Caramel Swirl Banana Muffins with a Caramel Buttercream. THESE were a huge hit…
What I loved is my in-laws came to the house carrying a bag (for the hot tub) and ended up taking 2-3 bags of goodies home 🙂 That just warms my heart.
When I spoke with my Mother in law on Monday she told me she had some of the banana bread I made. I said “Oh, how was it?” Her response was classic… “It was awesome. It tasted like more!” LOL
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