Father's Day Dinner On The Deck

Last Sunday was Father's Day, and I think anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to really be called a dad.  We in this family are the lucky ones, we have all of it, a great father, dad and husband.  His treat for Father's Day, crab cakes on the grill.   More than anything else, my husband loves food, loves to eat, and to have his family around the kitchen table sharing it with him.  This father, dad, husband will do anything, anytime for his family.   He works hard in everything he does, his job, the kids (adults really now) the house, the cars, whatever we need he's there.  So here's to you father, dad, husband, 

HAPPY FATHER"S DAY! 

I tried making crab cakes on the grill for the first time and they were fabulous! They came out perfect.

I used a flat grill pan that I had, they didn't even fall apart.  Nice and crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside, I served them with a choice of tartar and/or cocktail sauce.  Recipe below.

 Then in my grill basket, I grilled fresh asparagus and plum tomatoes.  I tossed them in a little olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic.  Plum tomatoes are meatier than regular tomatoes and tend not to fall apart once they start cooking.  They caramelize in the process and that brings out the sweetness of them.  Look at those beauties!  Asparagus is always great on the grill.

I also made potato packets on the grill with quartered potatoes, bacon, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and olive oil, wrapped in foil.  When they were done I served them with a little sour cream.  Everything was perfectly cooked. Who knew it would tastes so good on the grill? I'll try most anything once and if it doesn't work out, then I call it something else.  I usually cook everything outside in the summer, no sense in dirtying up the kitchen when I have a kitchen outside!

Purple People Eater

I spent a lot of time at the market yesterday, reading labels and food shopping.  I actually like doing that, seeing what I can get that's good to eat, while saving money at the same time.  I stumbled upon these purple potatoes in the produce section and thought I would give them a try.  Purple potatoes are rich in antioxidants, high in potassium and have a nutty flavor.  You can steam them in the bag, which I did not do because I wanted to use some of them for another meal.  I popped them in the microwave anyway and just pricked them with a fork.  In less than 2 minutes the potatoes were done.  I then drizzled olive oil onto a baking sheet, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and laid the potatoes cut side down. Along side was my fresh broccoli drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. 

 They both came out fabulous!  The broccoli is always crunchy, which I love, and the potatoes were crispy  on the outside and creamy on the inside.  I bought the crab stuffed tilapia and all I had to do was bake it.  So in less than 40 minutes this whole delicious meal was prepared.

 And then my son walked in with this fresh baked roasted red pepper and herb Italian bread, meal was complete!