Still sticking with "Childhood Favorites", this Monday meal featured "K's" childhood favorite. It was really a no-brainer for me. When asked, immediately I said "fondue". Any special occasion, wherein I could pick the meal, I wanted my mom to pull out her fondue pot (which my parents got as a wedding gift). She'd marinade the steak, and we most always had my two other favorites: Broccoli Cheese Casserole and Green Bean Bundles.
I will give this disclosure statement: "J" truly JAK'd up this childhood favorite. Mostly in a good way (mostly...we'll get to that. ha!).
The beautiful beef
I came over prepared for just the beef, but "J" truly made this special. Pork was an option as well!
Getting sliced up....
As was Chorizo Sausage!
And, Sweet Potatoes! Also, not pictured (yet), Shrimp! I mean, he outdid himself! What was special? It was a first for all of us now. "J" and "A" had never had fondue, and now I was getting to try it new as well (with the pork, sausage, sweet potatoes and shrimp)!
"J" soft-boiled the sweet potatoes, just so they wouldn't take long in the fondue pot.
The start of the Broccoli Cheese Casserole. This is where "J" delivered, most definitely, but just not as good as what my mom does. Sorry "J". :) He used fresh grated cheddar, instead of the cheez whiz my mom's recipe calls for. Although, I'm not sure if that contributed to the end-result. More on that......
Casserole ready to bake! What he did add, that I'll have my mom start adding, were potato chips crumbled on top. Gave it a nice crunchy texture! And, who doesn't like a crunchy, salty topping?
So, here's where the title comes into play. I myself made the green bean bundles. One: To contribute and Two: Because they are so easy to make! haha. You start with whole green beans and a bottle of, yes, Catalina Dressing.
Drain the green beans.
Can't have a bundle without something bundling them together. Bacon!
Slice the bacon in half.
Add the green beans and make a bundle with the bacon!
Add pepper, and just a dash of salt (the bacon and dressing has a lot of salt).
Cover with the Catalina and a dollop of butter on each bacon bundle. These will bake at "J" and "A's" for 30 minutes, or until bacon is done and bubbly. Note: This serving was from two cans of green beans.
When I brought them over, both "J" and "A" said "is that ketchup?". It was hilarious. I immediately responded with "Uh, no! It's Catalina Dressing!". We died laughing.
The beef cubed up.
Pork cubed up.
Both the Beef and Pork were marinated in bitter orange, lime, and many other great acidic treasures. Great, great, flavor.
The Chorizo broken up. Myself and "A" actually weren't sure about this selection. How long do you cook it? Is it done (I mean, eating raw meat is one thing, but raw sausage)?
The beautiful Shrimp!
And, the sweet potatoes ready!
"J" used vegetable oil for the pot, as well as a splash of this garlic infused oil. It was delicious, and another item I would have my mother use next time! Plus, it made the house smell so good (I'm a garlic smell lover).
There she is. My parent's fondue pot, with the oil getting heated. Yep, this pot is over 40 years old (wedding present). Amazing. Thanks Mom for letting us borrow it!
We wanted to sit in the living room, but were having problems with getting everything plugged in. Old homes are sometimes wired funny (a two-prong outlet, when you need a three-prong outlet). "J" and "A" got it figured out though!
Table, ready! I tested the sweet potato first to make sure the oil was ready. :)
Beautiful food.
Cooking away! The Chorizo was every one's favorite, can you believe it? If you burnt it really good, it was like an overdone sausage ball! The Beef and Pork were equally delicious and the Shrimp was such a nice addition! In close second, for me, were the Sweet Potatoes. It was like my very own Sweet Potato Fry!
Surprisingly enough, "J" loved the green bean bundles! Catalina Dressing, what?!?! We also got creative, and put part of the bacon (drenched in Catalina Dressing) into the fondue pot. It was great!
So, the Broccoli Cheese Casserole? It was great, but "J" forgot the rice. An important, to me, ingredient to the dish. Also, I'm still a fan of cheez whiz even though I respect and understand why "J" couldn't bring himself to put it in his shopping cart. :) Mom, you win this. :)
All in all, a wonderful meal. It was so fun to go back to my childhood, JAK'd up!
But........we aren't done!
"J", for dessert, even planned a chocolate fondue! Growing up, to my memory, we never used my mother's fondue pot for chocolate. So, this was going to be interesting.
White chocolate and caramel morsels as well as almond slices, marshmallows and sea salt were all dippers.
Along with bananas and strawberries!
Dark chocolate on the stove. We were going to do a double-boiler....but decided to go for the gold and put it in the fondue pot.
Chocolate morsels with sugar.....
...and cream
Melting beautifully.
Dippers ready!
We enjoyed this dessert in front of the TV, as our Thunder team was playing and we HAD to cheer for them! Great win boys, in triple overtime!
One of my creations....a marshmallow dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with almond slices. It was sooooo good! And, fun to find out the fondue pot works wonderfully with chocolate!
What a great night. Great conversation (talked about a lot of things...one of which was our favorite childhood toy....mine was my play kitchen, "A" had a favorite doll and "J" did too..ha! "A doll for boys" he says.). :)
Next week is "J's" turn, and I can't wait!
GARDEN UPDATE:
Hello?!?!?! Look at that tomato!!!!
Green onions are exploding! I thought they were ready, but "J" taught me that they aren't ready until the top of the green is dead.
Strawberry plant getting huge!
And, two little one's picked. We enjoyed them inside with the chocolate, and they were delicious!
Until next time.....A la cuisine!
