Life is Complex, Make Dinner Simple

By Marilyn Hunter

At the end of a busy day, the last thing I need is more work. And let’s face it, dinner often feels like work. When I’m feeling uninspired and on the verge of ordering takeout, I make a sandwich. But not just any sandwich, a special dinner-worthy sandwich of ham and Swiss dipped in egg wash and grilled.

If you can manage making grilled cheese, even when you’re tired, you can handle the French version with a fancy name… Croque Monsieur. It’s adored by everyone in my family. We eat the Croque with a simple salad for a delicious bistro-style meal.

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Prime Rib – A Royal Roast for Thanksgiving

By Andrew Hunter

Who says you have to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving? While my family usually succumbs to tradition and roasts a bird with dressing each year, we also enjoy a change every now and then. Besides, turkey is a bit over-rated, at least by my definition of what a special roast should be. It’s gotta scream special, be easy to prepare and tough to overcook.

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Dine Out Early and Often

By Andrew Hunter

Since we’re in the restaurant business, it’s part of our job to eat at a variety of restaurants from the dives to the fancy ones, now and then. Regardless of where we go, the boys need to be well behaved. We believe every family needs a motto so ours is, “dine out early and often.” Early in life, early in the evening and at least once a week. It makes for happy, cooperative little diners along the way. And it makes dining out a pleasure for the entire family.

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Messy Meals

By Andrew Hunter

I coach our boys’ football, baseball, basketball and soccer teams. It’s the highlight of my day to be on a field running around with the neighborhood kids. They all enjoy learning to throw spiral passes, catch pop flies and kick goals, but they really, really enjoy getting dirty. They’ll dive for fly balls 10 feet from their gloves and slide into second when the play’s at third…all with the hope of getting dirty.

Dirt’s a badge of honor when you’re a kid. So why would the dinner table be any different?

Messy meals are popular in our house and Sloppy Joes are the perfect messy meal. They’re a saucy concoction of ground meat and vegetables perched precariously between a top and bottom bun. We spike our Joes with onions, tomatoes and fresh herbs, depending on our mood.

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That’s Amore

By Marilyn Hunter

There are a few dinners I remember from my childhood that stand out as special. Spaghetti and Meatballs is one of them. I’ve always considered it the quintessential Italian meal. The best thing about spaghetti, besides the fun of eating it, is the joy of sharing this communal meal with friends and family.

Just like my childhood memories, spaghetti and meatballs equals love in our house. It’s comfort food that somehow remains unchanged from generation to generation. Nicky loves it as much as Benny, and I love to watch them eat it…twirling their spaghetti into a spoon, marinara dripping down their chins.

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