where does the time go?

I can't believe that Easter has come and gone already. I haven't really cooked this week as there were enough leftovers to carry us a few days.

I recommend that you try Lidia's Penne alla Vodka recipe. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I prepared the sauce, but asked my son to make the pasta for me. He did a great job and it came out delicious. It was creamy and just a hit of heat from the red pepper flakes that the recipe called for. Why buy it when you can make it better at home. 

The yams candied with cider were a hit and were devoured, not a one left. I was very pleased with the roast pork loin with beer sauce. I had about seven pounds of boneless pork loin and it all just about went. I made sure my aunt went home with a care package, as well as my sister-in-law, who was unable to attend Easter dinner due to a head cold. There was enough left for me to make a plate for my husband one night for supper.

I had planned on making red velvet molten center cakes, but my aunt brought both a wheat pie and rice pie to Easter dinner. Years ago their use to be several pastry shops in her neightborhood in Newark, but they have gone out of business. She was able to locate the pies at R. Violante and Sons Meat Market in Belleville. The pies were scrumptious! It's been a few years since we had wheat pie. One Easter I was very ambitious and made my own wheat pie. At the time, I was able to purchase a can of cooked wheat at a local Italian gourmet shop. I even went so far as to make my own candied orange peel for the dish. If I could locate the cooked wheat, I would make it again. My nephew also brought some pastries from il Dolce Pastry Shop in Hawthorne. I made sure I grab a sfogliatelle as soon as it hit the table...yum!

I hope to be cooking more this week. I'm working two nights, so I'll have to be creative with my prep and reheat selections.