Carmela Soprano's Cheese Puffs (appetizers)

Okay... 

Thanksgiving's coming.

You've got your main courses under control.



But, you need something for a bit of a nosh.

Something to serve with appetizers or after dinner fruit and cheese.



No problem.



In the Fit for a Bride chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with the Sopranos, 

there's a recipe for Cheese Puffs.  

They look so cute in the picture.



There's ham wrapped around

Anna Sultana's Ravjul / Ravioli with Ricotta Filling, Maltese Style

Maybe I should have printed Ma's recipe first.

I know some folks don't eat meat.

Such guests are wonderful for the budget.

But they can be a nightmare for a hostess.





Okay... if you have vegetarians coming, here's a safe first course.

All cheese, no meat.

Maybe they'll just fill up on the ravjul.

More turkey for everyone else.





When Ma made ravjul, it wasn't because we were

Carmela Soprano's Cannelloni (Pasta with spinach / veal / pork filling)

Back to the Cannelloni in the Fit for a Bride chapter of Carmela's 

Entertaining with the Sopranos.



This makes a grand first course.

Especially for a big holiday dinner.

The Cannelloni can be prepared up to a day ahead.

Leaving you free to prepare other - fussier - stuff.

Just cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.





On to the Cannelloni... 

Take the Bechamel Sauce out of the

Carmela Soprano's Bechamel Sauce

Yes, I know Carmela's Almond Roll recipe last week was long.

Brace yourself.

This week's recipe is long, too. 



Well, it could be.

But I'm splitting it.

Sort of.





In the Fit for a Bride chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with the Sopranos, 

there's a recipe for  Cannelloni.

There's even a picture.

A gorgeous, stick to your ribs main course.

Or first course, if you're feeding a crowd

Community by Margaret Ullrich

Thinking of Halloween got me thinking about Community.The Catholic Church is big on Community.For Catholics, dead or alive, you're in the community.
The All Hallowed have made it.Some of them are famous, most aren't.
The Not Quite Hallowed are getting there.Many we know on a first name basis.Departed family, friends, neighbors, store clerks.
Then there's the rest of us.Doing the best we can, with

Anna Sultana's Dead Man's Bones / Traditional Maltese Cookies for All Souls' Day

I admit that the Almond Roll with Strawberry Sauce was a long recipe.

Not complicated, but labor intensive.

One of Ma's recipes - Dead Man's Bones - is easier.



Don't panic.

No grave robbing necessary for this recipe.

It's just a name.





A lot of our Maltese dessert recipes are tied to certain holy days.

On November 1, Catholics celebrate the feast of All Saints.

All Saints, both

Carmela Soprano's Almond Roll with Strawberry Sauce and Whipped Cream Filling

It's Autumn.

I know the calendar says September 23 is the first day of Autumn.

But... get real.

We've had a couple of 0º Celcius nights.

That's Frost Warning.

Summer's over.

What do you need?  Snow?





I know it's too soon.

Last weekend it was over 30º Celcius.

But we live in Manitoba.

Like the saying goes, "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes."

Don't pack away the summer

9/11 Memorial by Margaret Ullrich

Lori Hootah and Lori Sterneck Odishoo posted this idea on Facebook.  



I shared it a few days ago on Winnipeg is Better Than Chocolate.  



I'm posting it here today in case you don't read my Winnipeg blog.  



If you don't have the right candles, you still have some time to buy them. 

If you want to light other candles, that's fine, too. 

It's the thought.  



Peace, everyone.   

Labour Day by Margaret Ullrich

Labour Day is a wonderful holiday.
It's one of the few holidays when folks actually do take a holiday.The other holidays have stores open for as many hours as the law allows.And folks prowling the aisles, just like on any other day.
But nobody messes with Labour Day.Not in Canada.Not even in never-pay-full-price Winnipeg.

Maybe it's because it's the last holiday before winter hits.It's still

Anna Sultana's Kabocca Moqlija bil-Bacon / Cabbage and Bacon, Maltese Style

Like I said yesterday, it's time to cook vegetables with more heft.



Frankly, I'm a little tired of lettuce.

Lettuce is great when it's too hot to cook.

And when folks don't have much of an appetite.

Eating lettuce doesn't feel like you're eating anything.



But now it's time for real meals.

Something steaming... soups, casseroles, cooked vegetables.

Broccoli is nice.

Cabbage is nice,

Carmela Soprano's Broccoli with Garlic and Hot Pepper

Summer is drawing to a close.

Here we are... Labour Day, the start of Autumn.



Well, it is, for all practical purposes.



Time to get back to routine.

Time to pack away summer clothes.

Time to get back to real meals.



Summer is the time for salads.

But now it's time to eat vegetables with more heft to them.

It's time to make like a bear and bulk up for Winter.



Broccoli and pasta is