Cocked Up by Margaret Ullrich

Yesterday I wrote about how the British had come to Malta.They were invited there to help kick out Napoleon.Napoleon had said he just wanted some water.Yeah, right.Then he took over the place.Doesn't make one feel warm and toasty about the French.
Well, along with eating, the Brits and Maltese did a bit of talking.We learned some of their recipes.And they learned some of our language.
Ah, yes...

Anna Sultana's Meat Pie, Maltese Style

The English were in Malta from the time of Napoleon to 1964.

That's quite a while.

Too long to go without comfort food.



If you've ever been to England, you know Brits like meat pies.

Well, the cooks in the Maltese restaurants aimed to please their customers.

They got some English cookbooks and learned how to make meat pies.

So did the Maltese mothers.



And who could blame them?

Carmela Soprano's Stromboli Bread with Provolone and Meat Filling

This has been a hell of a summer in Manitoba.

First we thought we needed to build an ark.

Water, water, everywhere.



It's been tinder dry for weeks.

Our lawns are brown.

The weather folks have been saying "30% chance of rain."

Every night practically.

Who are they kidding?

I haven't seen anybody carrying an umbrella.



The lousy weather hasn't stopped folks from eating.

And since

Bye, Bye, MSOS & Aqua Books by Margaret Ullrich

Maybe there's something in the air.
On July 31, The Manitoba Society of Seniors shut its doors.The MSOS, a non-profit organization, had been in Manitoba for over 30 years. 
MSOS members paid an annual fee of $20; $30 for a household. In return they received free personal income tax preparation, the monthly Journal, Fifty and Beyond, as well as recreation and travel discounts. 
Now if one was over

Anna Sultana's Tomato Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes and Bacon, Maltese Style

I guess I'm my father's daughter.

My yard isn't complete unless I'm growing a few vegetables.

Especially tomatoes.



But, I'm also my father's daughter in that I'm annoyed at the fact that, just when they're red and ready to eat, tomatoes are at bargain prices in the stores.

Isn't that always the way?





Funny thing about most tomato sauce recipes.

They usually call for canned tomatoes.

Carmela Soprano's Quick Tomato Sauce

You may have noticed Carm mentioning Tomato Sauce a few times.

Big surprise.

I mean, she did write an Italian cook book.



If you'd like to go for the total Carmela experience, then have I got the recipe for you.

In the Graduation Parties chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with the Sopranos, there's a recipe for Tomato Sauce. 

Yes, the Tomato Sauce she's mentioned in quite few of her recipes

Unsandwiched II by Margaret Ullrich

Maybe I wasn't clear last week.I got a few e mails.Annoyed e mails.
First off, I really admire grandparents who do more than an occasional babysitting.Sudden expenses can send the best of budgets into a tailspin.In today's market, jobs can suddenly end.Marriages can end, too.Emergencies happen.
And elderly parents can need help.A fall can change things drastically.The parents were there when

Anna Sultana's Broiled Chicken Oregano, Maltese Style

I have a confession to make.

Ma never served ground chicken.

We ate chicken.

But Ma left it up to our teeth to do the grinding.





To be honest, I don't remember ground chicken being in the store until recently.

Maybe it just didn't sell in my neighborhood until recently.

Maybe it's something new.

Like raspberry vinegar.





Here's a nice easy chicken recipe.

The meat is still on the

Carmela Soprano's Little Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Don't get upset.



The recipe for Little Chicken Meatballs is in the Graduation Parties chapter of 

Carmela's Entertaining with the Sopranos. 



I know the graduation season is long gone.

The stores have Back-To-School sales.

Yeah... Time flies when you're having fun.



Anyhow, I don't think this is only for June.

I mean, along with the meatballs, there's also a recipe for Tomato Sauce.

Unsandwiched by Margaret Ullrich

Summer is a great time for get-togethers.Graduations, weddings, anniversaries, reunions.Facebook is abuzz with folks planning for or returning from visits.
It's a little easier to travel when you don't have to pack 20-pound coats.Cheaper, too.Gotta love the itemized airline surcharges.They really think that makes the final ticket price more acceptable.Right.

I grew up in a just-off-the-boat

Carmela Soprano's Hot Meatball & Mozzarella Heroes

In the Small Events for Men Only chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with the Sopranos, I found Hot Meatball and Mozzarella Heroes. 



No, Carm isn't being snarky about Tony and his crew.



This is a recipe for a hot sandwich.

Nice if you have some spare time.

Also if the weather is not too hot.

If it is - or you have a steak - then check out Ma's recipe for Beef Rollettes.





Back to the

Anna Sultana's Beef and Bacon Rollettes, Maltese Style

We're still in the middle of a rather hot summer here on the prairies.

It really isn't a great time to fire up an oven.



But people still get hungry.



Some folks just say "The hell with it" and hand out cold cuts.



Well, Ma figured if you had a butcher you REALLY trusted, that's okay.

In a pinch.

Can't be too careful.



But, then again, Ma had a way of making something quick and hot.