What's for dinner?

In my past (and sometimes present) life I was a Food Photographer.  I've recently entered into a bit of an early retirement due to my health which has left me with extra time on my hands.  For quite some time I have wanted to photograph my own recipes.  Nothing extravagant just things our family loves.  Now that I have the time I want to do this here on the blog. I would love to say that each recipe will be expertly prepared and photographed but I don't want that pressure on myself, I want to enjoy the process and know that these recipes and tips are kept someplace for years to come.  I once thought I would self publish the recipes to give as gifts to the kids, and maybe I still will, but I plan to follow the outline I had created for this sticking with the title, "What's for dinner?".  

I LOVE cooking.  I always have.  a-kid-a-kitchen.htmlThere's something about creating a meal for someone you love and seeing them enjoy that brings me an immense sense of joy and satisfaction so I think this will be a fun project.

Below is part of the outline I wrote some time ago and saved in my notes app.  I don't know that this will get used, but it makes me smile so I wanted to add it here. For fun I added a song recommendation for each section.  😂. There are a couple missing.

1. What’s for dinner? Playlist: Jesus take the wheel by Carrie Underwood.
2. What’s in this?  Playlist: 
3. Are you using the crockpot to cook __________? Playlist: theme from little house on the prairie OR goodbye earl by the “chicks” aka the Dixie chicks
4. What time are we eating? Playlist: for the longest time, Billy Joel
5. Have we had this before?  Playlist: scenes from an Italian restaurant, Billy Joel
6. Is it fend for yourself night?  Playlist: 
7. Want me to pick something up for us for dinner? (Hint: No is always the answer unless it’s lovezollas and please wear shoes to pick it up).  Playlist:
8. Is this fat free?  Yes, Toby. That’s why you’re so skinny.  Playlist:  Brandy
9. Did you get this recipe from my mom?  Yes, she butt dialed it to me. Playlist: eye of the tiger
10. Are we having football food?  Pro tip: No need to ask this on a Saturday from Sept-Jan.  Playlist: Dixieland delight
11. Will the Ewaldsen's be there? Playlist: Theme song from splash mountain "Pretty good show me your balls"

Below are the sections and recipes I would like to document:

Desserts
Flag cake
Dump cookies ✨
Four layer delight
Pecan pie
Strawberry pie ✨
Grammy and Emma’s brownies
Grammy’s peanut butter cookies

Apps AKA “football food”
Bruschetta
Kirsten’s Salsa
Pigs in blankets ✨
Pizza rolls (very important)
Buffalo dip (opening day for college football)

Chicken
Fried chicken ✨
Chicken parm
Chicken spaghetti
BBQ chicken ✨
Franks red hot chicken ✨
Chicken noodle casserole

Pork
Pork chops (Grammy)
Oven Ribs ✨
Savannah red rice
Spaghetti carbonara (Bacon & Egg Spaghetti) ✨
Creamy Sundried tomato Parmesan pasta
Italian pork parmesan sandwiches

Soups and chilis
Baked Potato Soup ✨
Tomato basil Soup
Chili

Beef
Pooler poutine
Lomo Saltado
Pepper steak ✨
Walking tacos (Kirsten)
Mexican pizza (Kirsten)
Lasagna ✨
Meatloaf
Daddy’s giant burger (Hear that mooing?)
Spaghetti

Sides
Broccoli casserole
Squash casserole
Mac and cheese ✨
Outback noodles ✨
Fried green tomatoes
Mashed potatoes ✨
Potato casserole
Baked beans

Breakfast
Granny’s oatmeal ✨
7 up biscuits ✨
Uncle Mac’s biscuits ✨
Grits ✨
Breakfast burritos
Sausage and egg skillet ✨
Breakfast skillet
Avocado toast

Tips and tricks section
Playlists
Memories
Brown butter Always
Saving pasta water
The Grilled chees-el
Why unsalted butter is from the devil himself

Special Disney section
Bread pudding from Ohana
Tray Potstickers ✨
Alcoholic dole whips because dreams really do come true
Bananas (pro tip: you don’t eat it you just hold it and cry)
Margaritas (pro tip: Drive to Epcot and buy there)
Le Cellier martini (pro tip: best served in a plastic cup)
Egg rolls (pro tip). Make sure Toby sits in the middle of the table when eating these so as not to miss anything)
Nachos (trigger warning:  do not eat around anyone with diabetes unless there’s ample seating)
Tobys Japanese (yum yum sauce included)

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