Sylvia's Scenario

I have a perfect football playoff recipe to share since it's getting down to the wire for the Super Bowl.  You could easily serve these for a super bowl party or for any of the playoff games.  I made them for our Seahawks game when they clinched the playoffs on New Year's Day .  We had a little football party at our house on that day and then ten people came over for dinner.  It was a fun way to start our New Year.    Unfortunately, the Seahawks lost their first playoff game but it was exciting while it lasted.  As I write this, we are vacationing in Hawaii recovering from a busy holiday season.  And it's a great way to recover.  Every night is a gorgeous sunset so we always plan where we want to be each evening to watch it.  We are on the Big Island of Hawaii on the Kona coast which is where we like to come in Hawaii.  This year we made a family vacation out of it since Lauren, Nick, Sachiyo and the grandkids were all able to ...

I realize I haven't actually posted a recipe lately on this blog because I've been too busy going here and there all summer but let me assure you, I have been eating and not just at restaurants.  Our usual meal consists of some type of grilled meat on the barbecue with salad or zucchini or corn or other summer vegetable.  Pretty simple, nothing fancy.  And since we still have a freezer full of fish from Bruce's  fishing trip , we have no shortage of supply of fish which is what we usually barbecue.  Last week we had fish 3 times, as you can see why. Chicken is the second most popular choice, or game hens or something like that.  I admit, however, I have been lazy this summer and I've been buying those salmon and hamburger patties of different flavors at Whole Foods which are delicious on the barbecue, too. Shopping at Whole Foods can make you a lazy cook because all their pre-made stuff is so delicious!   Recently, I made a family favorite...

If you like making little individual pizzas with your family, you'll love making these. My kids love these sandwiches. We made these for Nick's team dinner when he played basketball in high school (along with lots of macaroni salad, brownies and Gatorade). I refused to make the typical, boring spaghetti dinner that all the other mom's did each week. Don’t get me wrong, we love spaghetti but it’s sort of boring.  And Nick loved these sandwiches so this meal was kid-approved. Then, a couple years ago after he graduated from college where he was their starting pitcher, he invited his college baseball team's pitchers to his house for dinner when they were traveling to an away game near his house and he made these sandwiches for them (after calling me for "that recipe"). It's a good (and healthy) alternative to pizza and fun to make. The green mayonnaise is always a good conversation piece. Makes 2 servings 2 ciabatta rolls cilantro aioli (recip...

It's triple digit weather around here but not too hot to eat!  Fire up the grill and throw on some chicken breasts.  I don't consider barbecuing really cooking (because my husband always does it!)  This recipe will surprise your boring chicken breast burger, it's not your usual chicken burger because of the tasty aioli!    Aioli is simply mayonnaise with the addition of minced fresh garlic.  It is a classic french garlic sauce.   I like to add a few more tasty ingredients to it like fresh herbs from the garden. Serves 4 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves 2 tsp. lemon juice 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken cutlets or chicken breasts sliced lengthwise to make thinner 4 hamburger buns butter 4 slices tomato 4 thin slices red onion 4 lettuce leaves 1.  Combine mayonnaise, basil, lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl; set aside. 2.  Grill chicken, turning once, 4 minutes or...

Here is another caprese recipe, this time - sandwiches. This recipe was in the August issue of Cooking Light. We have been enjoying zucchini from the garden now but are still eagerly waiting for our tomatoes to ripen since I can't bring myself to buy the tasteless tomatoes from the grocery store. (There's a reason why its so hard for people to eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables - because they are tasteless in the grocery store and its not just tomatoes) You will find tomatoes and zucchini at your local farmers market if you aren't growing your own - the second best way to obtain these two delicious pieces of produce. Makes 4 sandwiches 1 medium zucchini, trimmed and cut lengthwise into 6 slices 4 tsp. olive oil, divided 1 clove garlic, minced 1-1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1/8 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper 4 (2 ounce) ciabatta rolls, split and toasted 8 large fresh basil leaves 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, th...