Shark Attack Movie Night

While staying at our family's house in Washington, my sister sister-in-law Donna decided to have a shark attack movie night. She rented Jaws II and made Captain Jack's Shark Attack Popcorn. We turned out the lights to watch this "scary" movie. I think the music was the scariest thing about it. The kids mostly laughed at the outdated special effects and had a great time trying to predict who would get eaten next. We were scarfing the popcorn down faster than Jaws could eat that poor water skier and her mother. This popcorn is delicious. My nephew Jack said, "Auntie Robin can you put this recipe on Big Red Kitchen?" You betcha man! Can't turn down a request like that.

So low and behold when we got home one of our TV stations was running the Jaws Marathon. We planned our own Shark Attack night to watch Jaws III, the one with Dennis Quaid. Meh, pretty lame but when you have two little boys in the house all that stuff just ROCKS! I made the Captain Jack's Shark Attack Popcorn and Shark Attack Italian Sodas. The kids had a blast pouring the "blood" in their seltzer.



Captain Jack's Shark Attack Popcorn
4 ounces cinnamon red hots
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup light Karo syrup

1 cup popcorn kernels, popped

In a medium-sized sauce pan over medium high heat, melt the first four ingredients, stirring constantly until melted and bubbly, about 8 minutes. Place popcorn in a huge bowl and pour red sauce over popcorn stirring frequently to cover all the kernels. Place on a large jelly roll pan, it will be piled high and bake in a 250 degree oven for 15 minutes. The original directions say one hour but it didn't really need it and I was hungry for crying-out-loud! Let cool and break apart into bite-sized pieces. Serves a crowd.


Shark Attack Italian Soda
seltzer water
Torani strawberry syrup
ice

Fill a tall glass halfway with crushed ice. Fill the glass with seltzer water leaving about and inch head space for the "blood", ahem, syrup. Pour in about one ounce of syrup and watch the "blood" spread through the water. The kids go nuts for this stuff.







This "pour" shark ate too much of this popcorn and went belly up. Poor buggah. I remember watching the first Jaws as a kid and it scared the pee out of me, I about had a stroke when that head fell out of the boat. The music was something else as well, what suspense. Living at the beach in Jersey, I was petrified of being eaten by a shark but our sharks were tiny but could still do some damage. The only thing that attacked me while I was swimming was a crab who was doing the backstroke while I was doing freestyle. I had no idea the things ever surfaced to swim but this one did and boy oh boy I think he released all his claws and legs I screamed so loud (they'll grow back.) The boy next door was always trying to attack me too. Remember him, Ma?


PS- My kids got those sharks in their Shark Attack drinks at Glory Days Grill, they use Sprite though. I think the Italian Soda is more sophisticated which is very important during an attack.


2008 Shark Team USA Wins Gold in Synchronized Swimming
I assure you they are all 16 years old. Wink.

Come back on Monday for Chocolate Abundance Part II: The Chocolate Flower Farm. You won't want to miss it. Super simple and delicious recipe included!

Robin Sue

My Big Fat Italian Sandwich

We had a grand time at my folk's house at Smith Mountain Lake this past weekend. My Dad took the kids sailing on the Mirror Dinghy, they fished, swam and played, and we went to my girlfriend's parents home for lunch and rides on the Sea-Doo. Those Sea-Doo's are a blast! My Dad said it was an expensive day because he had to go home and get him one. I relaxed a lot. Nice huh? Mom prepared some easy and kid friendly meals and was ready with a ton of snacks for hungry, water-logged kids. I did manage to make one thing. I had boating on the brain, so I thought to make one of My Big Fat Italian Sandwiches that reminds me of a boat. My cousin Maryanne brought this sandwich to a cookout once and it was gone in minutes. It is a fancy Italian Sub all dressed up for parties. The Giardiniera Mix makes it extra special.

My Big Fat Italian Sandwich
16 oz jar Giardiniera Mix*, drained
4 ounces cream cheese
6 oz sliced provolone cheese
3 oz sliced Capicola
4 oz sliced Mortadella
3 oz sliced salami
1-2 Roma tomatoes sliced, seeds removed
3-4 Romaine leaves, torn
sliced Vidalia onion
one pound loaf soft Italian Bread

In a food processor, process Giardiniera Mix and cream cheese until well blended, put aside. Using a serrated knife cut out center of loaf, careful not to cut through bottom or edges, be sure to keep the cut out piece whole, you will use that to top the sandwich. See picture upper right. Click to enlarge. Starting with cheese, layer in bottom of "boat". Then layer capicola, mortadella, and salami. Be sure that the meats go up the sides of the "boat". This will help hold the filling. Spread the entire amount of giardiniera mix over meat then top with onion rings, sliced tomatoes, and lettuce. Now take the piece you cut out of the bread and trim it so that there is only a one inch thick piece, so it will be the crust and one inch of the inner bread. Carefully place that on top of the sandwich pressing down firmly on the entire loaf. Wrap very tightly in foil and chill up to 12 hours. To serve slice into 1 1/2 inch thick slices. Serves 4-6.
* Giardiniera Mix is found in the Italian section of your grocery store or in the pickle section. It is a mix of peppers, carrots, pickles, and cauliflower.

Robin Sue

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This is one of my go to recipes when I want to serve an hors d'oeuvres that is hot and savory. I received this recipe from my sister-in-law, Tonya, my brother's wife. She does a fantastic job when planning menus for her gatherings. I based some of my rules on her example. I think you may be surprised that there is a packet of ranch dressing in this dip. Well let me be the first one to tell you that that one ingredient alone takes this dip over the top. This goes together quickly and is usually gone immediately. Bring it to your next cookout and come home empty-handed but full bellied.

When hosting a cocktail party that is centered around heavy hors d'oeuvres, I have created the following guidelines for myself:

10 Commandments of Hors d'oeuvres

1. Serve an odd number of hors d'oeuvres: 3,5, or 7.
2. 1-10 guests/3 types hors d'oeuvres, 11-20/5, 21-30/7, being sure to double and triple recipes if necessary.
3. Choose one of each: savory, sweet, spicy
4. Choose from a variety of hors d'oeuvres: canapes, wraps, rolls, spreads, dips, cheese flight, sushi, bruschetta, pastry, crudités, and crackers.
5. Choose one of each: hot, cold, room temp
6. Include fresh fruit and vegetables.
7. Have some vegetarian choices.
8. It must be something that can be eaten with one's hands and is not messy.
9. Be sure you have a way to keep hot things hot and cold things cold.
10. Be sure that many of the items can be made ahead of time.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
1– 10 ounce package chopped spinach, drained well (squeeze as much liquid out as possible)
8 ounces sour cream
1 jar artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained, and chopped
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 package (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan or Pecorino cheese

In a microwave safe bowl mix all ingredients until well blended. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir well and microwave one more minute or until mixture is hot and cheeses are melted. Serve with long, soft French loaf, sliced. Serves 6.

Note- In addition to the hors d'oeuvres, I like to put a out a nice box of Godiva Chocolates or any other specialty box of chocolates. I open the box to display in the middle of the table on a lovely pedestal dish. A delicious centerpiece.

Hearts of Lettuce Salad

Isn't that picture dreamy? Doesn't it remind you of years gone by when we used to sit for hours after church on Sunday eating a wonderful supper and sipping lemonade then taking a long slow stroll. That's what we did yesterday. We had good friends over after church for just that. Eating. Sipping. Strolling. The above picture is of the children cooling off with a nice wade in the stream below our house. It was about a half a degree cooler down there.


Hearts of Lettuce Salad is an oldie but goodie. I had many of my older clients order this when I was a waitress so long ago. I had to laugh at the price of these simple salads too. Six bucks for a chunk of lettuce, iceberg no less! It is probably more now. This is a nice salad, a pretty salad. I like the tray of individual wedges and toppings. We joked with our friends and said that we were having a Wedgie Bar because everyone loves a good wedgie. Do you have friends whom you can be silly? Well the wedgies were a hit and I really liked these with my homemade Ranch Dressing, bacon, hard boiled eggs, shredded cheese, and tomatoes. I think everyone liked picking out their own wedgies.


I also served Rotisserie Roast Beef Sandwiches, a platter of watermelon, and my Easy Mac and Cheese. Oh and lemonade and limeade too.



Keep your eye on the cute little girl in pink. She is mine as well as the two toe-headed boys.


Do you think Diddle Boppus had to go potty or was she just lifting her shorts up to prevent them from getting wet?






You decide....


I have a list of things my children will never do. I think we all have (had) those lists. I will never have a child who picks their nose in public. Cross off. I will never have a child misbehave in a restaurant. Cross off. I will never have a child who has temper tantrums. Have two. Cross off. I will never have a child who holds their privates, especially in public, when they have to go potty. Cross off. Tear up list and just, well, surrender and laugh.

Epilogue- Diddle Boppus did "fall" in at one point but we will never know if it was a true fall or if she left a small donation to Wolftrap Creek. Or maybe she just had a Wedgie....Smile.

I will never have a child who picks their wedgies in public. Cross off. Give it up already.

Grilled Saturn Peaches In Praline Sauce À La Mode

When I had my parents over last week, I wanted to serve a dessert that screamed Summer. It also had to be simple and delicious. Ice cream is always a simple and welcomed dessert especially when it is accompanied by a gooey sauce and some seasonal fruit. The Saturn Peaches are out in abundance and incredibly flavorful and juicy so they were the perfect choice. This Praline Sauce is my secret weapon. Is it pronounced Praw-lin. Or Pray-leen? Anyway, it will have you licking the bowl and anything else it touches. Spoon, finger, countertop...


To grill the peaches simply wash, core, slice in half, brush with oil, sprinkle with brown sugar, and grill skin side down first then flip. It only takes a minute per side. Be sure your grill is greased and your exhaust fan is on if you are doing this inside. Caramelized sugar equals smoke. Outside no worries. Here they are. Beauties ain't they. I know ain't ain't a word. It's Texas talk. Learned it from my Dad.


Praline Sauce
1 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup Buttermilk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons Light corn syrup
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1/2 cup Coarsely chopped pecans

Combine the sugars, buttermilk, butter, syrup, and baking soda in a heavy saucepan. Bring to the boiling point, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and nuts. Cool completely before serving. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.


PS- This Thursday, July 17th is National Peach Ice Cream Day. So grab your canvas bags and hit the markets for all the makings of this recipe to celebrate in flavor.

Dig Deep

You remember this picture from Friday, don't you? It's Monday and I promised the answer to the UFO. Just a little longer, let me talk first. I got this recipe from my old roommate, Sara. I met Sara in 1990 at Deborah Heart and Lung Center in NJ. We were both going through the ICU preceptor program, she SICU and I MICU. We happened to live next door to each other in the Nursing Quarters behind the hospital as well. Those were the cutest little studio apartments. It was a greatroom which included a small kitchen with an Easy Bake oven, no lie, it was about that big, a walk-in closet, and large bathroom. Perfect for a single nurses who worked 12 hour night shifts.

Sara and I became great friends, she was even my maid of honor! When my folks moved out to California, Sara's family adopted me and I spent many Sunday afternoons at her folks' house. Sara had 7 other brothers and sisters so it was a full house with them and the grandchildren. The best though were the feasts. Her family could cook some amazing foods. And that is how I got this recipe. It is called Dig Deep.


Some of you may know it as Seven Layer Salad but Sara's family called it Dig Deep because when her mother made it, she layered it all in a huge and very deep lasagna pan. Hence the name Dig Deep because we had to dig deep if we were going to get to the lettuce. Plus it is just fun to say. Dig Deep, Dig Deep, Dig Deep.


I thought it would be interesting to layer the ingredients in individual cups, just for the wow factor of course. I loved it this way. Very pretty on a tray. The great thing about this salad is that it can be made ahead, even up to 8 hours, so that the flavors will marry. Romantic huh? Either way this salad is delicious and beautiful.






Dig Deep Salad
One head Romaine, not just the heart
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
frozen baby peas
shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp
3 hard boiled eggs

Dressing:
One heaping cup mayonnaise
2 t. white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sugar
pinch kosher salt

Tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Wash and spin very dry. In 6- 9 ounce plastic cups fill halfway up with lettuce. Press lettuce down firmly until the cup is filled halfway, don't worry it will bounce back when turned over. Now layer the following items in this order being sure that you can see the items in each layer and tamping down each layer firmly before adding the next ingredient. Also be sure that there is at least 1/2 inch head space for the dressing, so tamp hard!

1 T. red onion
2 T. peas- I did not defrost
2 T. cheddar cheese
one piece bacon crumbled
1/2 hard boiled egg chopped

For the dressing; mix the ingredients for dressing well and divide evenly over the 6 salads. Be sure to spread the dressing to the edge of each cup. Top with dried cranberries, nuts, seeds, or what ever else you think is pretty. To eat, either Dig Deep! Or turnover on to plate as shown above. Enjoy. This can also be layered in a small glass casserole dish. Serves 6.

Company Pork Tenderloin

My folks came over for dinner the other night. It is nice to have them over for dinner, they had me over for dinner many years. I wanted to make something special and I have been saving this recipe just for that purpose. Although we get together most Sunday nights with them and my brother's family, this was more formal. I actually called Mom, set the date and time, and ended the phone call with, "OK, I'll see you tomorrow night at 6:30." Yes very proper of me.


We dined on this Pork Tenderloin recipe, Crash Hot Potatoes from The Pioneer Woman, bread, and something else. Everyone loved the dinner. Mom said that this Tenderloin was her new favorite tenderloin. Have you ever had Pork Tenderloin rubbed with cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon. No? I didn't think so. How about that same rubbed tenderloin topped with spicy, garlicky brown sugar that forms a delectable crispy crust while roasting? I didn't think so either. Well now you can. Try it this weekend and wow all your family and friends.

While eating, my Dad just sat there and "moo'd." That's what my Mom calls it when Dad is eating and saying, "Mmmm, mmmm, MMMM!" I call it "mmmm'ing" but she calls it "moo'ing." The dinner was fantastic as well as the company, especially when the company does all the dishes. I'll make this meal again and probably invite those people again too.

Now look a this picture below. What on earth is that thing at the bottom of the picture. A UFO? Unidentified Food Object. Hmmm. Any guesses? Stay tuned for the answer on Monday. Ma and Dad don't let the answer slip. Or you either, Himself. It's a cliff-hanger...hanger...hanger...


Oh look more aliens. Naw, these are what the kids ate for dessert while the adults ate.....another blog mystery. These are Orange Sherbert/Vanilla Ice Cream Push Pops with a gum ball at the bottom because, by golly, that's how I got them from the ice cream man when I was a little girl. There is no ice cream man in my parts so I make these for my little ones. Oh the memories.


This is what happened to Littleness' gum ball. She is 5 and reads at the 2nd grade level and got in line twice when God was giving out curiosity. "I don't know how it got there" was her first response but then I got this out of her, "I did it on pupose (she can't say her "r's"), I wanted to see what would happen." A 15 minute spa session with blobs of peanut butter, enduring mom laughing while grabbing the camera, and a bath in the afternoon is what happened.


She's a doll though.

Hosting Book Club

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again.....

In my book club, we have read some books that have been challenging (boring), fascinating, unforgettable, emotional, and adventurous. Sometimes we are able to serve some of the foods that are described in the book as our snack for the evening. For “Princess Bride” we ate plenty of chocolate and a chocolate “ball” that represented the “pill” that was made by Miracle Max for Westley to get him well again. For “A Day No Pigs Would Die” we snacked on bacon, crackers and cheese, and chocolate cake with nuts on top (you’ll have to read the book to figure that one out! Ewww…!) And for “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” we sampled cotton candy, popcorn, fruit kebabs, lemonade and other boardwalk goodies. However, this time we read the gothic romance and thriller, "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier, a gripping and suspenseful read.


We dined on tea items reminiscent of Manderly, the looming mansion described in the novel. Here was our menu and if you click on the highlighted words you will find the recipes...

On page 24 of "Rebecca" the protagonist is sipping her citronade explaining her unusual name to Mr. de Winter. Therefore we sipped lemonade and of course hot tea as well. Page 187 describes the visit the new Mrs. de Winter makes to her husband's grandmother and with great joy it was "watercress day." We joined them with these delicious (best egg salad I have ever had) Watercress and Egg Salad Sandwiches only I added 1/2 tsp. curry powder and served them closed. Early on in the book a foreshadow occurs describing the relationship between the soon to be Mrs. de Winter and Mr. de Winter while eating a sour tangerine. I transformed the sour dish into a sweet dish of St. Joe's Oranges, recipe to follow. On page 10 the narrator describes how she is served ill carved ham due to her lowly status. We nibbled nicely carved Ham and Cream Cheese Pickles, a tasty finger food treat where salty meets creamy and crunchy. And then came the chocolate mention on page 87 and chocolate must always be copied. "Chocolate Bars, the easiest dessert and the most appreciated." Susan, a fellow book club member and I blurted that little saying out at the same time. Jinx! But it is true, do not fuss over dessert, simply set out an array of chocolate bars on your prettiest plate and you will have happy guests. Plus it is du Maurier's birthday today so chocolate was in order.

After each member discussed her thoughts on the book we had a little contest naming the un-named Mrs. de Winter. She is the narrator of the story and our low self-esteemed protagonist who does posses an unusual, lovely and fitting first name, but the author chose not to reveal it. We took it upon ourselves to reveal the poor gal's name and here it is: Emilia. From this day forth the second Mrs. Maximilian de Winter is hereby Emilia de Winter. Has a nice ring, don' it?

St. Joe's Oranges
6 oranges, peel and pith removed
olive oil
fresh cracked black pepper

Slice oranges and arrange on pretty plate. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with pepper. Serves 6-8.
Note- The above version is the sophisticated version. Here is how we make them most of the time. Leave the peel on and slice, then drizzle with vegetable oil and sprinkle with sugar. Everybody digs in and goes to town. They love peeling the "wheels" while eating. The name of this dish comes from my cousin Joe of California who created it.


I hope this has inspired you to either read "Rebecca", join/start a book club or both. Happy Reading!

PS I'm in 2 book clubs- so much time, so little books.

Baby Shower Review

The sun finally came out in Northern Virginia making the throwing of a baby shower most delightful. We hosted a Jack and Jill Baby Shower in our home last night for one of my hubby's associates. Jack and Jill Showers are hugely fun as the men are invited into a world that is usually experienced by women only. When the men are invited we women behave differently as we do not tell our labor stories, mention words like breast pads, nipple guards, or Tucks and the oohing and aahing is more subdued when we pass those cute and tiny garments around upon gift opening. We do not play the usual shower games like who can put the most cotton balls on their head or who can name the most baby things on a tray that they stared at for 20 seconds. Nope none of that. With men we get to well um hmmm....we get to eat more guy-ish fare, make predictions and develop office pools on the date and time of the baby's birth and place our bets (only after Monday's March Madness ends of course), and help the couple decide on their next vehicle that holds baby and all their gear. Men do not just run to the dessert table squealing in delight over the cute cupcakes, they are cool about it, a type of saunter via way of the TV and basketball scores before the sly approach to the sweeties table. I love Jack and Jill Showers, I think the guys make them so much fun! Try one some time.


Decore.
My favorite entertaining decoration is fresh flowers. I own a few glass block type vases so that I can create my own center pieces. I enjoy sending the flowers home with the guest of honor too. Most flower purchases are done at Trader Joe's or Costco. I also love the clean and crisp look white table cloths lend to a party whether formal or not. It is fun to be spiffy once in a while. I purchase my cloths from Sam's Club or a restaurant supply store. They usually come in packs of three and are a 50/50 cotton-poly blend. You want that blend for the crispness of the cotton but the washability and wrinkle-free look that the poly gives. The cloths are affordable and wash up beautifully. I like cloth napkins but this time chose a quality paper napkin matching the square paper plates I found in Target.


Menu.
For the food everyone from the office pitched in. These Chicken Enchiladas were made by Jon and Kristen and were out of this world yummy, I will be hounding them for the recipe. Sally brought the chips and salsa and helped me with setting up. Other items were guacamole, pepper jelly over cream cheese with crackers, chili and fixens, and corn bread. Yup you guessed it, a Tex-Mex dinner as per request of the pregnant one!


Fruit Salad.
A word on fruit salad- I love them just can't stand making them. Washing the fruit, peeling the fruit, cutting the fruit, blah. So I like a nice berry salad. A gentle bath with the fruit and veggie cleaner and a quick hulling of the strawberries, done. Layer the berries starting with the strawberries, then blackberries, followed by blueberries and some roughly chopped fresh mint, tossing is unnecessary, and look how vibrant the colors are.


Beverages.
Everyone pitched in and contributed to the beverage bar. We had Corona and other beers, fantastic white and red wines chosen by our resident sommelier, Marjorie, sangria ("Reál Sangria" has to be the best bottled sangria I have ever had), Italian sodas, and bottled water. This is the first time I used large containers filled with ice to display the drinks and I quite liked it. Very convenient. A note on bottled water- at the end of the party do not throw away the stray half drank or drunk water bottles, use them to water your plants.


Distraction.
It is usually my policy to not have dishes in the sink when guests arrive. My sink is usually filled with warm soapy water but I got side tracked by this guy. My littlest child came to me while I was prepping the fruit salad and said that there was a snake in the house. I asked her if she was teasing mommy but then she started to cry so I knew she could not be that creative to get my undivided attention. Sure enough there was a snake in my foyer. After shooing it out I got some neighbor men to take it away, hubby was at son #2's baseball game. Yes it is Springtime in The Den! I think the snake really wanted one of these.....


Dessert.
I love, love, love chocolate covered strawberries. I think I would take wages in chocolate covered strawberries. When I was in High School the boy across the street paid me in chocolate covered strawberries to drive him to and from school every day. Deal! For a whole school year I had a fresh dozen chocolate covered strawberries paid to me weekly. The cupcakes are Chocolate Mocha with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and chocolate piped "baby" words on them. According to the guests they were delectable. I also entered them in Martha Stewart's Cutest Cupcake Contest. I do not think they are so much cute as they are elegant and sophisticated. My mother taught me about improvising when baking and improvise I did with these cupcakes. For some reason the cupcakes "fell" when I removed them from the oven causing a great well in the center of each one. To improvise I filled each well with a bit of butter cream and topped each with the chocolate decoration. The best part was that the cupcake to frosting ratio was just right. All things work out for the best in the kitchen, don't they?


Hospitality.
Now for the potty. I like to make sure this little place is clean for my guests. Checking for enough TP, air freshener, and clean towels. But I have added something new to the repertoire, a touch of feng shui and spa to my little bath haven. I got the idea somewhere, can't remember where, to place river rocks in the sink. I like the look, so earthy. Just be sure to use round smooth rocks so not to scratch your sink and be sure the rocks are large enough not to go down your drain or you will have the plumber at your shower too.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at and reading about the shower as much as we ALL did in throwing it for our ready to bust pregnant friend, Laurie.

PS- A huge thanks to our office spy, Kristi, for her sleuthing to find out what the happy couple needed, purchasing and wrapping that monstrosity of a gift as I'm sure it took a football field of paper to cover it.