Weller-Black Wine Celebration

Weller-Black Wine Celebration
A "Wine Cellar Celebration" catered by Chef Robin

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

so...IF I want a real Summer do I need to move to HAWAII?!?

Apparently, because this MI summer totally blows. Give me 90 and sun and I will gladly plop myself in front of the pool with a good book --yes, I read...when I have time...and when I am not researching wine and food for classes... Adrianna Trigiani is my new fave author--and listen to my kids splash and play in the pool... Hopefully it will heat up by weeks' end. Anyway...
Here is my FamMenu for the week....
Monday: My friend Jen was here for my Pampered Chef show, so we had apple berry salsa with cinnamon chips, cool and crunchy taco salad, and I made yummylicious Tiramisu Brownie Squares (an old-school PC recipe, delish)
Tuesday: Grilled Vegetable Lasagna, Balsamic roasted carrots, Homemade Asiago bread (something I CAN do on a cool day, is bake bread in a 450 degree oven!)
Wednesday:Ginger Soy Grilled Chicken, Jasmine rice, Shredded Romaine Salad with red cabbage, toasted almonds, edamame, roasted peppers and sesame soy dressing
Thursday:Burgers, corn on the cob, watermelon, twice baked potato salad
Friday: homemade GRILLED pizza, yum...a fire...s'mores :0) and the pool if it ACTUALLY is 90, as it is believed to be!!!
Saturday: Cider Maple Glazed Chicken thighs, Fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil salad, grilled asparagus, fresh cut  fruit
Sunday: May be going to  friends' house for a poolside party....so no clue what the menu will be!

Have a great week!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Grilling class was Grrreat!

Despite the grill not...well...working....It worked to Grill 3 "Jamaican me Hot Ginger Beer Buttt Chickens"...and then it went south. Thankfully Hubby was there and ran lickity split up to our friend Joel's house and grabbed his grill! Whew! The evening was saved :0)
We had a great time, a great menu, lots of food and two of my faithful Robinettes bought me...wait for it...wait for it... A brand new Kitchenaid mixer!!!!! I was SO excited I think I may have gone into shock! What a wonderful, fun, kind, caring and loving group of "students"...friends I have! I will be whippin' up cookies, souffles, meringue, play-doh (dude, I DO have 5 kids!!!) and all kinds of other stuff. Thank you again, Marie & Judi!
Everyone's fave recipe differed, but I am going to post one that won a lot of rave reviews, the "Twice Baked Potato Salad" for all of you who didn't make it, to enjoy.
REMEMBER: I need ideas for my Fall set of classes, and I need them NOW! My class list is due on July 15, so give my ideas people!
ALSO: having a Pampered Chef Party at MY HOUSE if anyone wants to come and enjoy some Sangria and food from My Pampered Chef Chick, Jennifer, she rocks. You can also order off her website under my name as host (ROBIN TOLDO...not CHEF ROBIN ;0))
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/jenniferantel
Have an awesome Summer day!
Look for my FamMenu tomorrow!
Thanks to my crew Friday night, Bridget, Desiree, Madison, Heather, Jim, Kristin and of course, my Hubs...and to Jayne and Bill for graciously hosting my classes!!!

Monday, June 13, 2011

MY MENU HIATUS IS FINALLY OVER!!!

Ok, so the last few weeks of school were jam packed with field trips and parties and last minute projects and all around HECTICNESS!!! Can you believe that? NAH, not with a fifth grader, third Grader, First Grader, Young 5 and terrible two. no chaos whatsoever...in my dreams! But I will say that it was even more hevtic because I did not plan out my menu ahead of time, and wicked more expensive!!! (more trips to the store, last minute ordering of pizza and the like...) SO back to some menu planning I go!No more hiatus for Chef Robin... Hoping for a great first week of Summer break, albeit a cool one:0(...
So here is the weekly menu:
MONDAY:  Turkey Burritos with Cilantro rice , black beans, fajita peppers and shredded monterey jack, chips and salsa, watermelon & strawberries
TUESDAY:  Herb Grilled Salmon with Maple dijon drizzle, YUM, Sauteed carrots,  cauliflower salad-spinach, caulflower, bacon, parmesan cheese , Naan bread
WEDNESDAY: Grilled Apple chicken Gouda sausages with carmelized onions, honey mustard in pretzel rolls, grilled sweet tater "chips" and cucumber pickles, some fruit, too ;0)
THURSDAY: Argentinian Flank Steak with Chimmichurri, twice baked potato salad, grilled asparagus, zucchini chocolate snack cake
FRIDAY: Cottage bound!!! bringing papa murphy's pizza, easy, and pretty darn inexpensive! And of course, some SUMMER SHANDY!!!
SATURDAY: cottage fare- I am thinking grilled Knockwurst and sauerkraut, some leftover potato salad, baked beans and watermelon
SUNDAY: Dinner at the cottage- with Mom and Pop, Sis and bro-in-law, niece & nephew, menu is yet TBD!!!

Have a super awesome summer week!!! Because I said so! (oh wait, I am not talking to the kids!!!:0)) Because...WHY NOT?!

Oh, and what are YOU having for dinner this week??? Let me know!!!

Taste of Summer!

Taste of Summer!