Category: Food and Family

This is what this blog is all about!

Cooking & cars run in my family

Yanoulis Restaurant

I just converted this photograph to a digital file. It was taken in the early 1950’s, of my maternal grandfather, Emanuel Yanoulis, and his family, at his restaurant on the east side of Detroit near the Chalmers Motors/Chrysler Jefferson Assembly plant in Detroit. So you see cooking & cars run in my family!

Starting from the top left is my Aunt Bess, who is my mom’s twin, my dad, Fred Dallas, my brothers, Ted and George and my Mom, Matina. In the middle is my cousin Nick, just under my Aunt Bess, then my Papou. Starting from the bottom left are my cousins, Victoria, and Evelyn, and my brother Mike.

Many Chrysler auto workers ate breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at my grandfather’s restaurant. Here’s a photo of a Chrysler Town & Country, which was a model they made at that time. Also, my father worked for Ford Motor in Dearborn for over 30 years. More evidence of cooking & cars.Chrysler Town & Country Newport CoupeLots of Greek and Detroit history in that family photo. And don’t you just luv this car?!!

Happy New Year!

Here’s to raising a glass and wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Christmas 2014Happy New Year and lots of love from Yianni and I. Love from Ben, Jason, Rahbi, Max, and also our Yorkies, Stanley and Stella.

If you are wondering if the little boys and I made our annual Christmas koulouria, the answer is yes, of course! Can you find which are mine? Which ones are made by the boys?koulouria2014Here’s the recipe. Happy New Year!

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Koulouria
Author: 
Recipe type: Cookies
Cuisine: Greek
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 3 dozen
 
My Mother's recipe for Greek butter cookies.
Ingredients
  • 1 pound unsalted butter
  • 1½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup whipping cream
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp. vegatable oil
  • 3 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • Zest of one orange or 2 tsp. orange extract
  • 4 to 5 cups of all purpose flour
  • Small jar of sesame seeds
Instructions
  1. Cream butter and sugar.
  2. Add eggs.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Add in cream, vanilla, oil and zest.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the dry ingredients.
  6. Slowly add dry ingredients to form a firm but pliable dough.
  7. Using about a tsp of dough, roll with hands on counter surface in long ropes,
  8. Then fold in half and twist into a braid like cookie.
  9. Place on cookie sheet.
  10. Brush tops of cookies with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
  11. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
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Farragut’s Dixie Lee Farmers Market

The Farragut’s Dixie Lee Farmers Market is located just outside Knoxville TN. While visiting Yianni’s brother and his family last weekend, my sister-in-law Rebecca took me to this adorable farmers market.TN Farmers 6It’s amazing how far into Spring they already are in Tennessee.  The flowers are in full bloom.TN Farmers 1Green leafy vegetables are abundant.

TN Farmers 2Just look at this kale!

TN Farmers 4This carpenter made wonderful Adirondack chairs.

TN Farmers 3Another vendor had this kitchen footstool from the 50’s. I think we had one just like this in my childhood home.TN Farmers 5But the vendor that caught my attention and my pocket book was Ophelia’s Charm, with her eco-friendly designs for the home, unique clothing and costumes, and “upcycled” creations. Her “UNPaper Towels” are genius! They’re made from high quality quilter’s cotton and backed with 100% cotton terry.TN Farmers 7Ophelia’s Charm snack bags and sandwich wraps are designed for fun and functionality. Made from 100% quality cotton and lined with food safe, BPA free, water-resistant nylon, these bags and wraps can be used over and over again.

If you’re in Knoxville TN, definitely take time to visit Farragut’s Dixie Lee Farmers Market. And you can also find Ophelia’s Charm on Etsy.

Happy New Year 2014 – Lobster Alfredo

We usually have lobster for our New Year’s Eve dinner. This year we decided it might be nice to have Lobster Alfredo with linguine. It was delicious and easy to make. Here’s how…
Boil the lobster for 7 minutes, remove it from the water and let it cool. Once cool enough to handle, remove the lobster meat from its shells. Cut it into bite size chunks and set it aside.
Lobster

Now melt butter in a large skillet. Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Pour in the cream, add the salt and pepper and cheese. Remember that the cheese is salty, so don’t over salt. Continue to heat this until the sauce just begins to bubble. Meanwhile, cook the linguine and drain it well. Add the linguine to the skillet and stir for 1 minute, until the sauce begins to thicken.

Lobster Alfredo in pan

Add the lobster meat and toss gently. Serve immediately. Garnish with grated cheese and chopped parsley. We paired it with Freixenet, a sparkling wine similar to champagne, produced in Spain. A great way to bring in the New Year!

Lobster Alfredo plated

Happy New Year! Let’s raise our glasses to a healthy and happy 2014 filled with delicious recipes to prepare and share with our loved ones. Kali Xronia!

Lobster Alfredo
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Easy Lobster Alfredo
Author:
Recipe type: Pasta Seafood
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • Fresh lobster meat (two 2 lbs. live lobsters)
  • 8 oz. grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 qt. heavy cream
  • ¼ lb. sliced mushrooms
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 Box (16 oz) linguine
  • 3 oz. melted butter
Instructions
  1. Boil lobster for 7 minutes, remove from water and let cool.
  2. Remove lobster meat from shells.
  3. Cut into bite size chunks and set aside.
  4. Melt the butter in a large skillet.
  5. Add the mushrooms and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until lightly browned.
  6. Pour in the cream, add seasonings and cheese.
  7. Continue to heat until sauce just begins to bubble.
  8. Meanwhile, cook the linguine and drain it well.
  9. Add this to the skillet and stir for 1 minute, until the sauce begins to thicken.
  10. Add the lobster meat and toss gently.
  11. Serve immediately.
  12. Garnish with grated cheese and chopped parsley.
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