Guess who’s coming to dinner…My Parents!
Its Friday night and my parents come from work to share dinner with us and then they get time with the kiddies while my hubby and I go out on a date! Food for Free Babysitting…works for me!
This week fall is is full swing and has me craving good, fall food!
On the menu tonight is Overnight Italian marinated London broil, Parmesan herb roasted potatoes, Glazed butternut squash, Spinach cheese quiche, Three bean salad and a sweet ending of Cream cheese filled caramel bundt cake!
London Broil: I marinate this cut of meat overnight in a Ziploc container using a package of prepared Good Seasons Zesty Italian dressing. And then I grill it on low until its medium well…I know this is a fall inspired meal but I really like the taste of grilled meats so we grill all year long…even in the snow! The meat is juicy, tender and filled with great flavor!
Potatoes: The one thing in my 14 years of being married that I have not yet mastered, which is not a good thing when you are married to an Irish guy! Then came along this recipe and it has changed everything! These potatoes are crispy on the outside and silky on the inside! They are bursting with flavor and taste great the next day alongside scrambled eggs and toast! I found this recipe at budgetbytes.com, you can also check in out on my “good eats” Pinterest board!
2.5 lbs potatoes (I use whatever I have on hand)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (I have used dried and it works!)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat your oven to 400* and cut potatoes into 1 inch cubes.
In a Ziploc bag combine all other ingredients, add the potatoes and coat them well.
Place potatoes in a single layer in a 9 x 13 pan.
They take about 45 min to get crispy edges, after 20 minutes stir the potatoes to make sure all the edges crisp up.
Butternut Squash: I halve the squash and put it in a 9 x 13 pan.
In a small bowl I combine:
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup room temperature butter
I spread it over the squash
Bake at 400* until tender
Spinach Cheese Quiche: This is my Mom’s famous quiche recipe! Its easy to make and the variation possibilities are endless…you can add any type of meat, cheese, and veggies! For this I start out with my pie crust! I mentioned this pie crust in my apples, apples, apples post or you can check out my “perfect pie” Pinterest board 🙂 Once the pie crust is made I preheat the oven to 400* and the add this to the pie crust:
1/2 cup of shredded Colby jack cheese
1/2 cup chopped spinach
1/4 cup of sauteed in butter onions
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Seasoning to taste. I usually use pepper, dill, and Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning salute.
Spread the cheese evenly on the bottom of the pie crust…you can add more cheese if you like!
On top of the cheese add the spinach and onions.
In a small bowl stir together the milk and eggs and seasoning.
Pour the milk mixture on top of the cheese and veggies
Bake at 400* for 15 min for the quiche to set
Then turn the oven down to 350* for 20 more min or until quiche is firm.
Three Bean Salad: This protein, vitamin packed side dish is so good tasting and good for you too!
1 cup light red kidney beans
1 cup chopped string beans
1 cup chick peas
1 cup small white beans
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 minced garlic cloves
Good Seasonings Italian dressing, prepared.
Mix everything in a bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Sweet Ending: I needed a dessert to make for company we were having and I didn’t have much in the house to go on. I took out everything sweet I had on hand and began to brainstorm and this sweet, moist, caramel, chocolate nutty goodness is what I came up with!
Preheat your oven to 350*
For the cake:
1(18.25 ounce) box of cake mix, any kind, I used yellow cake. Prepared according to the box
For the Filling:
1 8oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 powdered sugar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup of melted caramel or caramel ice cream topping
1/4 cup of walnuts, chopped
For the glaze:
1/4 cup of caramel
1/4 cup of melted chocolate
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
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In a small bowl beat together cream cheese, sugars, and egg. Stir in vanilla. Spoon cream cheese mixture onto the cake, spread evenly. Take caramel and with a spoon drizzle it on top of the cream cheese layer. If it is not spreading evenly because it is thick, you can take a fork and gently swirl it into the cream cheese layer.
I had to really search for a picture featuring all of my kiddies with my parents, a sure sign that I need to take more pictures! We are blessed to live near family and to be able to share meals, and make lasting memories together on a daily basis! My hubby and I know that when our kids spend time with their Grammy and Pa that they will be loved and the things I was taught growing up will be passed on to yet another generation. Love these Friday nights 🙂
