The Last Weekend Cookbook Challenge - With Love

I admit that I haven't contributed to EVERY Weekend Cookbook Challenge, that wonderful monthly event conceived of by Sara of I Like to Cook way back in 2005 - Holy Cow!!! And now I'm really sad that this roundup will be the last. Nothing is forever, but...I will truly miss these.

The very first WCC challenge was to choose a recipe from your oldest cookbook. I made an Italian Braciuolini served over pasta (surprise, surprise!). It was from the original Doubleday Cookbook and so I thought I'd marry the Love theme of this month with the Oldest theme of the first and share my most romantic dinner for two dish from the also no longer in print - except in second hand stores or on eBay if you're lucky (whew that was a mouthful) Time Life Series - Foods of the World Series - Cooking of Spain & Portugal

Bife à Poruguêsa

You know the expression "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach"? Well this is the dish they were talking about. And it takes so little time to prepare that you'll even have time to dress up and set a romantic table.

I think this is a fitting tribute to WCC's last meal. So with love, thanks Sara (and all the guest hosts over time) for the love fest. What will I swoon over now?

The Breakfast Sandwich

I guess breakfast is on my brain, but the article that stood out for me in this month's Esquire Magazine is about the Griddled Egg & Bacon Sandwich. And when I went to their site, I found this article on the 50 Best Breakfasts in America. Naturally I got side tracked for a moment and had to share....flip through the slide show with commentary, it's fun, but I digress.

The article (and slide show) of what chefs make for breakfast is great too. And that's where I found the sandwich. Truth is, I prefer something like Evan Funke's Green Eggs & Ham. Healthier, and just way more fun for me.

But back to "fast food" breakfast... a recent issue of Men's Health had an article about best/worst breakfast sandwiches and MacDonald's Egg McMuffin won best fast food choice hands down. Of course, I need to have mine with the artery clogging sausage or why bother, which tips it into the "worst" basket. Sigh!!!

Anyway, this morning rather than send my Honey out for a Tim Horton's Breakfast Sandwich - apparently they're awesome (at least according to my Honey and my daughter Sharron, I've never tried one), but I digress yet again. Obviously not enough coffee.

I decided to come up with my own breakfast sandwich:

Ingredients:
Multigrain bread
Thin layer of Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
1 Slice of havarti (lite) cheese per sandwich
2 slices back bacon (also known as Canadian bacon, eh) per sandwich
2 eggs, whisked and seasoned with salt, pepper and some freshly chopped cilantro (per sandwich)

Directions:
1. Fry the very lean back bacon until crisp and set aside. (healthy alternative to regular bacon)

2. Fry up the eggs, pancake style, so they don't crumble and fall out of the sandwich. Should be dry so the sandwich is not soupy.

3. Lightly butter (or use a little olive oil in the pan - healthier version) the outside of the bread, spread the other side of the bread with pesto, layer the cheese, bacon and egg and cover with the last slice of bread.

4. Use a griddler, griddle pan or (like I did for less clean up) the same pan used for the eggs - just clean it out with a paper towel first.

Definitely a healthier version to a sausage McMuffin, but...who am I kidding, my mouth still waters at the thought of all that greasy, salty goodness.

Everyone Has a Favorite Diner - What's Yours?

There is nothing like a great neighborhood diner. I don't know what it is exactly that is so wonderful. Is it the menu right out of the '50's &'60's? Is it the really inexpensive meal-especially in these difficult economic times? Or is it the homey vibes?



When we lived in Toronto we went to Leonard's Family Restaurant, which we called Effie's Place. She was our awesome Greek waitress - not related to the Leonard's, but a fixture, none-the-less. And if she wasn't there, we weren't nearly as happy. We still talk about her and she's our benchmark to measure all wait staff in any diner we go to.

You can read about our Halifax favorite local haunt in my article for foodtv.

The question I want answered is...what makes a diner special for you? Admit it, you might not go daily or even weekly, but you definitely have one somewhere. We even look for them when we do road trips.

Admittedly our road trips have only been in Canada & the US. So as part two to the question....what is the equivalent (local, cheap, friendly) in the rest of the world?

Happy Second Birthday Presto Pasta Nights

Happy Birthday to us, happy birthday to us! Presto Pasta Nights is officially two years old today...and what a wonderful journey it's been. Thanks to everyone out there who's ever submitted a pasta dish, hosted a party or just plain visited often.

And thanks to Theresa of The Food Hunter's Guide to Cuisine for hosting brilliantly last week - and to each of you who sent in a scrumptious dish. I'm still trying to work my way through the lot.

First in this week - actually...Kitchenetta of Got No Milk was in before last week's roundup was actually posted! I guess she's as excited as I am about birthday parties. And, seriously...check out her gorgeous Pumpkin Orzo with Sage!


Pam of Sidewalk Shoes made Pastitsio. Looks delicious and it's inspired by Weight Watchers, so it only looks sinful.


A Sweet Kitchen , first time PPNer - welcome and hope to see you here often...goes to the other extreme with this mouth-watering (serious drool here as I write) Farfalle alla Panna con Funghi e Pancetta which even sounds fantastic.


Muneeba of An Edible Symphony (and this dish certainly is!!!) sent us Sweet & Hot Chicken Pasta for the perfect love in - Valentine's Day, Birthday Bashes...actually any day is made special by such a dish!


Ching of Little Corner of Mine is back with a simple and simply delicious Stir fried Flat Noodle with Pork and Black Pepper Sauce.


Sara of I Like To Cook (and if you've ever visited her site, you know it's always good too) made a perfect party dish - Breaded & Fried Ravioli and look at that gorgeous plate she served them on.


Hillary of Chew on That made some of her favorite dish - Whole Wheat Spinach & Mushroom Lasagna like her mother made...You think she can make some for us? Actually, it sounds simple enough for us to do ourselves.


Bellini Valli of More Than Burnt Toast has been a long time PPNer and always shares a great treat. This time around she made Spaghettini with Arugula Pesto & Chicken for a little Spring-time. And since I'm sitting here in a big wool sweater, wishing winter away - it's perfect!


Joanne of Eats Well With Others made this wonderful Mexican dish of Grilled Snapper Vera Cruz with Spaghetti. So grab your plate, and find us a spot on a sunny Mexican beach, please!


Abby of Eat The Right Stuff, certainly did this week. Check out the gorgeous Chicken, Mushroom & Leek Spaghetti Pie.


Ning of Heart & Hearth, another frequent PPNer brings something really new (at least to me) Potato Noodles - this time in a soup. I'll definitely have to hunt for some.


Sarah of Taste My Plate made a superb looking Crab Pasta that I can't wait to try. I'm drooling, so ...no more words!


Giz of Equal Opportunity Kitchen must know my weakness - Sausage Tortellini, so thanks for the birthday gift!


Singing Horse of The Peaceable Kingdom is another PPNer sorry to have missed the big 100, but we're all glad she made it to the birthday bash with her Fresh Tomato & Spinach Pasta.


Foni of Let's Eat brought an intriguing and gorgeous Corned Beef with Penne. Obviously corned beef goes with more than just the cabbage my mother used to make.


Lesley of My Asian Kitchen made another droolingly delicious looking dish of Chicken Curry Laksa with Linguine - and perfect for the cold weather here. Will winter never leave?


Long time PPNer Ivy of Kopiaste couldn't miss the party and brought Farfalle Carbonara (actually there are two versions if you look closely at her post)... the big decision..with or without egg?


I naturally had to take a walk down memory lane from my first Presto Pasta Night entry - Crab & Ricotta Cannelloni (the pasta part wasn't so great, but the filling was delicious)

to my latest dish Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-dried Olives & Tomatoes

Well, not really the latest, because last night was a throw together shrimp, chorizo, mushrooms with garlic and a dash or two of white wine, served with two kids and hungry adults so no time for photos.

And so year three begins...don't forget to think of something wonderful to share for next week's Presto Pasta Night. Fabulous Ben of What's Cooking will be hosting and you can send your entries directly to him at ben(dot)herrera (at)whatscooking (dot)us so that he'll be sure to capture them all. Please cc me: ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot)com as well.

Pasta for the Big Presto Pasta Birthday Party

This post is short and sweet because I'm expecting my angel any minute (he was playing dress up with hats yesterday). But it's almost time for Presto Pasta Night's big second birthday bash and I haven't shared my own dish yet.

This Baked Penne with Chicken, Sun-dried Olives and Tomatoes with Mushrooms was awesome and served with a simple mixed green salad with lots of herbs, toasted pecan pieces and dried fruit with an apple cider balsamic vinaigrette was a perfect dinner.

So what are YOU waiting for....write a post, take a photo, mention and link to Presto Pasta Nights and email me your link. You still have time until midnight tonight wherever you live. Email: ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

Walk Down Pasta Memory Lane

I admit it...I'm pathetic when it comes to remembering big dates. Somehow I'm usually focused on "Today"...not a bad thing, until you get caught like a deer in the headlights and a palpitation in the chest as someone reminds you that you missed/are about to miss an anniversary or birthday or something else major.

Of course you're saying...put it in the calendar...and I do...I just forget to CHECK said calendar.

I've been so focused on Presto Pasta Night's Big 100 Celebration that I almost missed another important milestone. This week Presto Pasta Night will actually celebrate its second birthday. Naturally I had to take a walk down memory lane...

My very first entry, complete with whining about a cold...

The first roundup...I was holding my breath and praying I wasn't going to be the only contributor.


Some major life events like a huge move from Toronto to Halifax and the births of two delicious grandsons didn't stop the show.

Boaz January 2007

Boaz recently


Dov November 2008

Dov recently


A HUGE move from Toronto to Halifax. The last pasta I ate there was take-out, but the show went on anyway!


Two wonderful years with lots of friends sharing great dishes including my over-the-top contribution to the First Birthday Party.


A new logo, thanks to my talented cousin Sheldon Cohen...

And a second one that he whipped up when I realized at the last minute that it was time for a change!


And now it's time for us all to celebrate the big TWO. Please send me your entries by Thursday and join the magic on Friday for the roundup. Email: ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com