Whack 'Em by Margaret Ullrich

We've just gotten back from a small trip to Dubuque.We had a lovely time.If you get the chance, drop by there.They have a beautiful arboretum and a fascinating Riverboat Museum.

Now, I admit, I don't travel easily.
I'm always afraid I've forgotten something.I know, my husband tells me we're not going to the middle of nowhere.If I've forgotten something, I can always buy it there.I just can't

Carmela Soprano's Zuppa Ingles, Neopolitan Trifle

I hope you found my Ma's Cannoli to be a nice simple recipe.

Something you can whip up on short notice.

Or on a hot summer day.



We had a couple of below-freezing nights last week.

I still have hope that Spring will come.

And Summer.



Call me a cock-eyed optimist.



Cannoli is an easy recipe, using items usually in the house.

Wish I could say the same for Carmela's Zuppa Inglese.  

Anna Sultana's Cannoli - Spongecake with Custard Filling, Maltese Style

Right off the bat, I have some explaining to do.



If you go to an Italian restaurant and order Cannoli, you'll get a deep-fried tube with a ricotta and chopped citron filling.



Well, except for the dairy and chopped citron filling, Ma's Maltese Cannoli isn't like Carmela's Cannoli.



Don't panic.

Ma has a good dessert.



Even healthier than the famous one.

No frying.

Less calories.

Crazy-free Cul by Margaret Ullrich

There had been other craziness:B had burned all of A's financial papers - not good for someone with his own business.There was a scorch mark in the yard, near A's bed.A had thought that was where B had cremated his dog.After having allowed him to do his business in the house for a few months.Yes, B's dog had died.
The storage shed is packed with wood - source unknown.
All the usual items of

Carmela Soprano's Potato Pie

Okay... You now know about the great Maltese comfort food.

Ross Fil-Forn

Baked Rice.

A one dish meal.

A miracle.





But Maltese eat more than just rice and pasta.

Malta produces a surplus of potatoes.  

Enough to export to other countries, primarily Holland.

So there.





In the Come to My Home chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with The Sopranos, Carmela has a recipe for Potato Pie. 

Anna Sultana's Ross Fil-Forn - Baked Rice, Maltese Style

Okay... now we're talking Maltese comfort food.



It's funny how Americans think folks in the Mediterranean just eat pasta.

That just isn't so.



Don't get me wrong...  I've never met a noodle I didn't like.



But Ma filled us up on lots more than just pasta.

We had pots of potatoes and rice, too.

And not just boiled up and served with a dab of butter.



I mean, you've seen what can be

The New Canada by Margaret Ullrich

I work as a poll clerk.I cross off your name so that no one else can come and pretend to be you.Right.The days of 'Vote early and vote often' are long gone.It's hard enough to get people to vote, never mind pretending to be someone else.But sometimes politics, like money, can make people act crazy.I mean, did you hear some of their campaign promises?
It's a government job.It's like doing the

Carmela Soprano's Caponata, Italian Style Eggplant Appetizer

Okay... I told you there's an Italian recipe like the Maltese Kapunata.



And, lucky for us, in the Small Events for Men Only chapter of Carmela's 

Entertaining with The Sopranos, Carmela has a recipe for Caponata, also known as Sweet-and-Sour Eggplant.

No, it's not a Chinese recipe. 





Like I've said before, I don't know who put together this book.

Perfect Lent recipes in the wedding

Anna Sultana's Kapunata, Maltese Style Caponata, Eggplant Appetizer

Okay, I know how it is.

Eggplants are like potato chips.

It's hard to stop at just one.



Maybe I am overstating it, just a teenie bit.



But really, eggplants are a staple in the Mediterranean.



If you flip through an Arabic cookbook, you'll see a recipe for 'The Imam Fainted'.

It uses eggplants.

No, the Imam didn't faint because it smelled funny.

Legend has it that the Imam's new

Mother's Day by Margaret Ullrich

Happy Mother's Day!!Wishing Moms and their families a lovely day!

May is a busy month for Catholics.Little seven and eight-year-olds are receiving their First Communion.The first big day in a Catholic's life.I mean, who remembers being baptized, which usually happens when we're infants.

Paul and I are Eucharistic Ministers.That means we help give out Communion at Masses.Extra hands means that

Carmela Soprano's Meatless Eggplant Rollatini

Okay... you bought the eggplants, but you don't have any meat in the house.

Not even the fake stuff.



Don't panic.



How about cheese?

Yes, this is for an Italian recipe.

Mozzarella, not American.

In a pinch, the plastic wrapped slices will do.

It's gonna melt, so who's to know?





And some Romano.

That's what Carmela uses.

Hey, if you prefer Parmesan, I won't tell.

Maybe even

Anna Sultana's Bringiel Mimli - Stuffed Eggplant, Maltese Style

Like I said last week, what a time this has been!

Last Monday was Election Day in Canada.

It was time for a change.

We now have a majority government.

The tax money saved from annual elections will be spent on more useful things.

We can only hope.



On to something nearer and dearer to our hearts...

Mother's Day!



You bought something you KNOW she'll like.

You invited your parents for

Being 61 by Margaret Ullrich

Well, I made it.I'm 61.Okay... it doesn't feel much different from being 60.But, here it is.Alrighty then... I'm 61.
Last week was Easter.In case you're wondering about my effort to avoid Facebook for the last week in Lent, well, it didn't go so well.

Elisabeth Sladen passed away.If you're a fan of Dr. Who, she played Sarah Jane.The most beloved of the Doctor's companions.
Well, I posted about