"Tuesday With the Fam"

Cousin Tom has cancelled his dinner with us tonight, so it's a perfect chance to get those adorable grandchildren over--and their parents and aunts! The Florida strawberries have been macerating since last night and the menu is planned.  A short delay getting home from work, but I think I can pull this off.


It's always a good idea to have an easy appetizer ready, even when family is the guest.  I have some cheddar cheese and Lavasch crackers from Fresh Market.  Since salty things are a weakness, mixed olives are always readily available.  Purple seedless grapes were crunchy and sweet this week at Publix, so they are a perfect, quick anchor to my "come in and relax" snack plate.

Following is my "Tuesday with the Fam" menu.  A couple of notes...I had grabbed the beef short ribs a couple of weeks ago from Publix.  Beef short ribs are great for company since they are braised and then simmer in the oven.  Although I used the recipe from, Silver Palate Cookbook-The New Basics, I think I've had better success with "Southern Living Magazine's" recipe.  In that recipe, you are to marinate the ribs 4-6 hours (prepare before leaving for work?) and then cook for 3 hours.  The last step in the Silver Palate recipe is  to uncover and continue roasting for 15 minutes.  I'd still finish off in that manner.  Fortunately with cooking, there is always a next time.



"Tuesday with Fam" Menu

1.  Appetizer-see above
2.  Braised beef short ribs
3.  Pastinas (grandchildren LOVE pastinas and it's faster then risotto on a work night.
4.  Sauteed zucchini and yellow squash in olive oil, salt and pepper.
5.  Strawberry shortcake made with Florida sweet strawberries (marinating in sugar and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar from night before), store-bought angel food cake, and freshly whipped cream!

The Fam does the dishes in this scenario.  It's only fair: )