As is usual when I go home to Arizona, both Papa and Mama Bender pulled out all the stops for some delicious homemade meals. I like to think that my being there has some influence on their menu selections, but in reality they are just great chefs.
First up, Mama Bender made homemade French onion soup.
This was incredible and, in Mama Bender style, completely organic. From the stock to the onions to the melted cheese topping, it sure beat the frozen French onion soup blocks from Costco. Took a lot less time to make, too.
Next up was homemade spaghetti from Papa Bender, though the noodles themselves were admittedly store bought. 😉 The lamb meatballs were what really made this dish.
Another hit was this seasoned steak with mushrooms, red pepper, Swiss chard and corn.
Of course, there was also pizza night. PB tried something new by spreading olive oil over the crust and topping it with shrimp, artichokes, kalamata olives, feta and spices. It made for a great Mediterranean twist.
Meanwhile, MB kept the usual veggie delight alive and well.
On our last night, Papa Bender went all out with a salmon dish topped with calamari rings and a rich cream sauce. I promise I will try to get all of his recipes, as well as my mom’s French onion soup ingredients, as soon as I talk to them again.
We certainly ate well. Other weekend highlights included cake for the graduate.
A red velvet cake from Coldstone, to be exact. So. Good. So. Bad for you. So. Worth it.
We also celebrated National Wine Day (Papa Bender pointed it out, not me)!
And margarita night…just because we could.
Last but not least, there were chocolate old-fashioned sodas. Make these immediately!
I swear these were spaced out over six days. And training runs.
Or were they?
In all seriousness though, it was a great weekend to relax, indulge and play some golf.
Not to mention do a bit of reading by the pool.
Oh yes, I am. Julie’s influence. More on these soon.
How did you spend your long weekend?
Abrazos,
So want the soup. Like, right now. And the cake too.
I need to make French onion soup more often! So good.
Wow, your parents can cook! Want me to meet you in AZ next time? 😉
And red velvet ice cream cake?!
Yes, you are welcome to meet me in AZ anytime!! 🙂
So glad you had a blast in Arizona hun! And I have to say, you’re mom and dad really know how to throw down in the kitchen! I LOVE going back home and having my parents whip up all of their infamous finger-licking good grub. I may have to roll back home afterwards but it is so worth it! Fifty Shades of Grey?! You must tell me how it is! I’ve been debating whether or not to start reading it or not and I might just have to go there too lol. xoxo
I am always rolling back to Chicago, haha! So worth it though. I will be sure to fill you in on Fifty Shades as soon as I finish the series. I haven’t decided yet whether I would recommend it to everyone or not…but curiosity is contagious, after all. 🙂
That red velvet cake is epic! Love how all your family like and get involved in the cooking.
Thanks, Michelle! It was totally epic. 🙂
Oh droooooooool! I think the onion soup looks best. But that soda could give it a run for its money!! We had a pretty low key weekend- had friends over, went to brunch with my parents, taught!
Glad you had a nice weekend! I want more onion soup…
The Mediterranean pizza looks amazing. I kind of want a slice right now 😉
I could go for one, too! I’m going to have to recreate it soon. 🙂
Looks like a fabulous weekend full of good eats, good drinks, and good company! I’m intrigued to hear your review of the ‘Fifty Shades;’ it seems to be all most women are talking about these days, and I’m not sure if I’m going to jump on the bandwagon yet.
It’s going to be an interesting review to write, that is for sure! I have mixed emotions on it. The curiosity is certainly what got me to the books in the first place, but I have yet to decide if it was worth it!
gchat meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee — julpape
i have like 5,000 questions about divergent. and i would like to have this discussion IN person obvi with homemade ice cream sodas & a round of golf!
So glad we got to gchat today! 🙂
Oh man, what a bunch of great food at your parents last weekend!!! I’m certainly jealous and now wanting some of that spaghetti…and I never crave spaghetti! Nom nom!
I could go for some spaghetti, too! Yummmm!
Wow, they really fed you well! I really need to get some soup terrines like those- I LOVE making french onion soup but never have a good vessel for them. I’m still in awe of what a beautiful place your parents live in, by the way. It’s really stunning.
I think I get as excited about the bowls as I do the soup! 🙂 Thank you so much for the compliment on their house. My mom will love to hear it because apart from actually doing the physical building herself (though knowing her I’m sure she was tempted at times), she designed everything from the ground up. I tell her all the time that she should start a business – she’s so good!
Wow, what a fantastic series of feasts! I just arrived home for a long weekend to celebrate my mom’s birthday and my sister’s baby shower. I’m looking forward to some good eating too 🙂
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