Cup Noodles - NOT a Lunch Recommendation, Just Nostalgia

My 8-year old daughter wanted to try these, after I told her it was a common lunch and dinner for me as a child. I couldn't find the "Cup Noodles," that I used to have as a kid, but this "Instant Lunch" is pretty much the same thing. These are the noodles with shrimp, which may sound healthy, but we all know they're devoid of nutrition. And of course, my daughter thought they were delicious!

Chocolate Fountains Make Me Uncomfortable

For the finish at our neighborhood dinner, a chocolate fountain dessert table. At this same neighborhood dinner four years ago, my then-four year old stuck her fingers in a similar chocolate fountain display. So....now that she's eight, I still didn't trust her. Although she didn't intentionally put her fingers in the fountain, she managed to run her hand under the stream of chocolate while coating the angel food cake. Then, she licked the skewer and ran it back under the chocolate. A fancy double-dip. Please forgive us neighbors!!!

Plethora of Pasta

Another look at the menu from our neighborhood holiday dinner - chicken-stuffed shells and manicotti. Gaylene Gabrinetti prepared both of these, and she claims it was easy because of the work was done the day before. Her manicotti was stuffed with sausage and lots of fresh herbs.

Turkey Leftover Genius

Another peek at the cuisine during our neighborhood dinner, and a genius use of turkey leftovers. Kathy Spinuzzi made turkey ravioli. I loved this! And it was perfectly topped with Parmesan shavings.

Ice Cream Salad!

The most unique dish of the night during our neighborhood progressive dinner over the weekend: ice cream salad. This was served up by the owners of two Baskin Robbins locations, including the one on State Street if you want to stop by and say "hi," to the Farmer family. It was wonderful - kind of like a frozen vanilla cream fruit salad.

Parmesan Cheese Baked Potato Topper

I like to put Parmesan cheese on many things, and this is one of my favorites - a hot Idaho baker just out of the oven.

Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Sub-zero temperatures in Boise had me craving oatmeal. These are steel-cut oats, a very different animal from the Quaker quick-cooking oats, and much more filling. The water-to-oats ratio is higher for steel-cut oats than regular oats (3-to-1), and they take a little longer to cook. These warm oats were sprinkled with a little sugar and milk....and served up for dinner.