Tuesday, February 24, 2009

My World


There's one huge aspect of my world that I really don't write much about here, which is really quite odd, considering how important it is to me. It is something near and dear to my heart, whatever the aspect of it is. Matter of fact, it's quite near and dear to the hearts of my family and friends as well. We have shared many wonderful times over it, and, I suspect, will continue to do so ad infinitum. 
So what, you ask, does the above photo have to do with anything at all, let alone the mystery aspect of my world I'm blabbering on about? Nothing and absolutely everything, that's what! It's a pretty enough photo that I enjoy looking at, and hope you do to, but what it really stands for is...food. Food. It's such an important part of my world and I really don't talk or write about it as much as I should. How often have we gathered together, be it two, ten or many folks, to celebrate, commiserate, grieve, just be with each other, laugh, love, play, where food is the centerpiece of the gathering? How irritated do the children of this wonderful collective family of ours get when we miss Sunday Family Dinner two weeks in a row? (Right now they're really mad - we're going on our 3rd week of missed SFD with no end in sight. It's not a good thing.) How wonderful is it to gather together and share good times over good food? It is a pleasure to be forever treasured. And I know we're sending these children of ours forth into this world with the conviction that our Sunday Family Dinner gathering is a tradition whose celebration is sacred, should always be nurtured and never ever forgotten. Food is good. Life is good. For the most part. 
~

Those Oven Fries

potatoes, chunked, quartered, cut in wedges, whatever
extra virgin olive oil, enough to coat everything
garlic and/or onions, chopped
fresh rosemary leaves, stripped off tough stem
fresh ground pepper and salt
cayenne
(lemon juice is a most excellent addition)
oregano or other herbs if you think necessary - I don't

Now you know why I can't bake - I don't measure anything...ever. Preheat oven to 425º. Wash potatoes, cut into whatever shape you want. Using whatever amounts you want, place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 10 - 15 minutes. Turn potatoes over and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes. Serve immediately. 
Delicious with just about everything, but especially good with roast chicken, lamb and salmon. It goes without saying (so why am I saying it?) they're delicious with hamburgers and steak. Heck, they'd be good with liver!

Photo: Rosemary blossoms, February 2009

~~~
xoabb
expect anything!

16 comments:

  1. sounds wonderful to me and as we discussed ages ago that IS the BEST kind of cooking and your directions totally make sense to me... will have to give em a try :)

    And I could not agree more with your kids... must have family dinners!

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  2. Annie you are right. Food is such a warm feel good thing that brings families and friends together. I love this post and those potatoes sound delicious.

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  3. Yumm.. Very seldom do I measure anything...when you have been cooking for a while it's a handful of this and a pinch of that.
    I too think family dinners are very important.

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  4. Soooo. Are we have burgers chez toi this evening?

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  5. Oh, my gosh. Those sound so good! I love a good family dinner. Of course, now that the kids aren't here, we only have them on holidays. But the kids love them too.

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  6. Yummy! Potatoes of any kind!
    Yep love those family dinners!

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  7. The fries sound yummy. I'm going to print the recipe. The photo is fantastic!!!! Our Sunday Dinner is on Saturday, and I don't like to miss it too often myself!

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  8. Oh I make the same potatoes .. but I add a sprinkle of paprika for color and omit the onions ... AND I bake them in a shallow layer cake pan ... they brown faster and remain soft and yummy inside ...

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  9. Great post! Love the photo and the potatoes sound fabulous! Food does bring us together so we can celebrate, grieve, or just visit, be with family and friends. Thanks for your words and a peek at your world!

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  10. I think it would be great to have a Sunday Family Dinner tradition. Food is always a great time to gather together and talk and connect. We've grown away from that since the kids grew up. Maybe you will inspire me to do something new along those lines.

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  11. Loved this post and that recipe sounds delicious!

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  12. My grown children and my husband and I started monthly family dinners. After having our first one the saturday of Valentine's day, we had a grand time. My 28 year old son said "Next month, you are all coming to my house!"
    Your recipe sounds marvelous! From one foodie to another!

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  13. Oh that sounds delicious and I am a kind of throw it in the pot and hope cook myself!

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  14. I love your photo of the tree (there wasn't anywhere for me to leave this so I picked here!) - it reminds of my childhood and using tree trunks as hiding places.

    I'm looking forward to coming back often.

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  15. Love the Rosemary blossoms, and the post, Annie. I think your SFD is a wonderful idea. When my mom was alive, we had SFD at my house (my kids were still at home.) After she died, and they grew up, we just sort of went our separate ways.. the kids scattered to the four corners of the world. Guess Mama was the glue that held us together.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a thought. It's appreciated! xoabb