Lasagna Smack Down

On the banks of a local pond, at a house tucked away - on an island I never new existed -  in a town I spent a good part of my youth, was the first LASAGNA Smackdown I have ever been to.

I arrived at  the secret island location by crossing a bridge (Arrow top right ) And then found the home of Fred and Michelle's tree shrouded villa. (Arrow on left)

A cook off which put 6 variations of Lasagna up for tasting. 

While everyone at this gathering had good things to say about all the entries, for me there were 3 stand outs


There were 2 Mexican Variations of this Italian Classic, the Meat one , a bit spicier and the Chicken one, a bit milder  = BOTH delicious.


My favorite, prepared by the Hostess of this Food Fiesta, was the Cold Lasagna filled with vegetables and just seemed a perfect pasta dish for the hot summer night.


There was no official vote taken and all but one pie, which was good but found to have been purchased at an Italian Bakery and was entered into this contest under the guise of homemade,  could have been winners.  


A special note: the contestant that entered the illegal pie was later exonerated for his underhanded entry after he produced a bottle of Homemade Sambuca .=  Delicious!!


All in all I am looking forward to another food smackdown!

picture courtesy of Google Maps

Some of the food...

Really, what is a road trip good for if you don't stop to eat ??



Captain Crunch French Toast, from the Blue Moon Cafe in Baltimore, MD.



I heard about the place from the show on the Food Network called Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri. Here is a map of all the places he's been.

His assessment of the French Toast was spot on accurate.It was delicious,. I stole a taste from another Team Hideaway member...




I had the Country Scramble, above, which was lightly scrambled egg over fresh country biscuits topped with cheese, bacon and country gravy and served with crispy hash browns potatoes...I could have eaten 2 plates full!!

As for the famous Maryland Lump Crab, it seems every place I ever see crab cakes on the menu boasts that they use, Maryland Lump Crab, NOT EVEN CLOSE, sorry Legal Seafood and all the other pretenders...If you want the real thing you have to go to Maryland or order your Crab directly from the source.

Here is a good source to order from and a great place to eat: G&M Restaurant and Lounge

and this is what their crab cakes look like when served up:



Tender, very little spice almost ALL CRABMEAT..The Best ever !!

Dieting, It's not gonna be easy !!

For those who happen to get my posts in their Email, I am sorry. You just received a post that was absolutely blank !!

Quite frankly, my mind has been somewhat of a blank lately when it comes to posting something.

So I thought I'd clue you into where my mind is lately.

I'm thinking about food. ALL THE TIME !! Only I am thinking, "In order to stay under my 2100 calorie self imposed diet what can I eat ??

They smell so good coming out of the oven !!

I have to stay away from my sisters Potato Rolls, that's for sure!!

The rolls seem to be calling to me , nestled seductively in their basket and on the table next to them the Butter screams out my name !!

My goal is to lose 2 lbs a week and according to the info I have read, exercise and maintaining a 2100 calorie limit will help me do just that.

MMM, Anne's Banana Cream Pie!!

Anne's pie IS on my diet, sort of. ....

I have to avoid eating the crust, the cream and well I can eat bananas.

Today I checked the nutritional information on a chocolate bar, that's a first.

I discovered I could have 2.5 squares of dark chocolate and that it would add 60 calories to my daily tab. I gobbled it down as I haven't tasted chocolate in 3 days.

I needed it !!

So if any of you get crazy postings from me in your email, please forgive me !! I am going through food withdrawal !!

Tom's Mac and Cheese topped with crispy bacon...A real NO NO !!

I'm taking a break from cheese and fat. Someone told me the other day that cheese is addictive!!

I believe that !!

Well. I am going to munch on some baby carrots and put some laundry in !!

Eating lots of food and getting fat, It's FUN !!

Despite what the medical community, dating services and friends will tell you, eating lots of food and getting fat is kinda fun!!

It's like living without restrictions, taking everything that comes at you and just eating it.

Sometimes I feel like a LION after a kill, of course I didn't kill anything but sometimes I think I would kill for chocolate or even really good onion rings!!

I spent the weekend cooking...We fed a party of 30 here at Tom's Hideaway Manor and it was a Italian Festivus I'll tell ya.

I made Manicotti, even the shells were from scratch, Chicken Cacciatore, Beef Bracciole and lots of Italian Sausage, Salad, cookies, cakes, candy and plethora wine.



The Manicotti (top) Cacciatore (Bottom)

My extremely Easy Going Assistant (Lil Sister) helped by assembling a great Salad and chopping parsley among other things.

It was great to see people could just lounge on the couch and nap after the feed.

Another great thing was to have so many people that when the eating was done there were plenty of cleaners to go round..I don't think I washed a dish!!

I realized though that with all this consumption...I've put on a few pounds...but it was fun!! It was a party I don't eat like this every day...but I could and it would be fun!!