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Last week I brought my 87 year old aunt down to my home for a few days. I was a bit surprised that she didn't give me an argument about coming down. However, when you have a water view while eating breakfast and someone preparing all your meals, one can easily get use to life like this. 

My aunt last had an extended stay at our home over 25 years ago. Back then, she treated my family to dinner at the Breakers in Spring Lake. Well, it was time to return the favor with my husband and I taking her back there this summer. I purchased a new outfit for her to wear and  our son and daughter-in-law came along. 
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I recently switched jobs and I now find I have a chunk of time where I can actually read my magazines. For many years now, I have been subscribing to Southern Living Magazine. It has articles on home, garden, travel and, of course, food.
 
When catching up on the April 2017 issue, I found a recipe for Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Drumsticks with Squash. I was hesitant to try the recipe as it called for hot pepper jelly. I had a house guest that may not have enjoyed such spiciness. However, I decided to give it a try.
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My husband had the opportunity during a business trip to visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. He brought me home a cookbook from there called Bounty of Biltmore Cookbook. The recipes are a collection from the chefs in the Biltmore Estate's three signature restaurants.

With New Jersey peaches now in season, a recipe for grilled teriyaki pork chops with summer peach salsa recently caught my eye.  
As the day was quite hot when I  decided to prepare this dish, I went to a local butcher, Mr. Prime Old Tyme Butcher in Manasquan, for the pork chops. They were rather pricey at $11.99/lb., but they were fabulous. They more moist and tender after grilling. I wouldn't hesitate purchasing them again.

The produce came from Delicious Orchards. I purchased red flesh plums for the salsa for additional color. I waited a day to prepare the salsa so the fruit had time to ripen a bit more. I prepared it early in the morning, so that by supper time, the salsa had time for the flavors to meld together. 

Although this recipe required some prep time, I don't recall it taking more than an hour to prepare both the pork chop marinade and the salsa. Now's the time to use New Jersey's best fruit and produce and try something different tonight!
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On evenings, when there's nothing to watch on TV, my husband and I will cruise the public broadcasting stations for cooking shows. America's Test Kitchen, Cook's Country and any show with Lidia Bastianich are our favorite. One evening on Cook's Country, one of the chefs was preparing muffin tin donuts. They looked easy and delicious. You didn't fry the donuts, but baked them in the oven. Other than buttermilk, the ingredients are pantry staples. 

On Saturday I gave the recipe a whirl. I had all the ingredients in house and whipped up a batch quickly. Once they were out of the oven, I brushed the donuts melted butter and rolled them in cinnamon and sugar. I gave my husband a warm one to try and he loved it. I'm sure you could probably dust them powdered sugar without brushing on butter, or how about a plain or chocolate glaze? ​
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My daughter and her sister-in-law participate in the Dreyer Farms CSA in Cranford, NJ. Recently when my daughter was down, she brought me the remnants of her CSA box. The box contained some items that I haven't before such as kale, kohlrabi and kabocha squash. As some of the items starting to go beyond their prime, I began researching some recipes to try these item. 
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The first of New Jersey tomatoes have arrived at Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck. I had my husband bring several home this weekend. My husband and I prefer white bread, mine lightly toasted, a smear of Hellmans Mayonnaise on both sides and thinly sliced tomato. Season with fresh ground black pepper and sea salt. What is can be better for lunch? 
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My daughter and her husband arrived at our house Friday afternoon in time for dinner. My daughter is seven months pregnant and requested something other than carbs. Meanwhile both her husband and father desired some pasta. However, I'm told that I "ration" my meatballs. Let me explain, when I and my siblings were young, my mother served us our pasta and initially everyone got one meatball. Can I help it if I follow what my mother did?
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I know I mention Williams-Sonoma products a lot in my blogs, it just so happens I like the quality and taste of their food items or kitchen products. One such item I discovered a few years ago during their summer sale was chile lime corn seasoning. This product is still available both online and in store.
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A couple of weeks ago, I was working another weekend where I didn't get home till after 6 p.m. When I get home at that time, my husband prefers that I prepare something that's rather quick for me after being on my feet for four hours.
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Weddings these days are multi day events. As the grooms parents, we hosted the rehearsal dinner and two post wedding events for family and friends from out of town. By Sunday evening,  my husband was exhausted. I on the other hand had beds to change and linens to wash before my daughter and son-in-law return this coming holiday weekend.


​meet donna

A former teacher, shop-a-holic, empty-nester redefining quick, family approved dinners.

​If you have questions or comments, click on the envelope icon above to contact me directly. 

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