Hey, did anyone even miss me?

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | July 7 2005 | Carlo3b, a happy camper

[carlo3b]

Did anyone even miss me?

Well, for those that were celebrating my absence, it's too damned bad, because I'm back.. and it appears that I will be around for at least a little longer..

My dear FReeper FRiends, your Chef has had a full plate in dealing with the medical community lately in fighting off a bout with cancer.. At times it looked as though I was loosing the fight, but with the grace of God, my dear close friends and family, and the help of a marvelous team of great doctors, and perhaps even a strong Italian stubbornness, it has been reconfirmed tonight, that I may have turned the corner..

It isn't time to get sauced yet, and I have been told, that I shouldn't count my Chicken Cacciatore before it's completely baked, nor should I believe that my Goose is fully cooked.. I am still scratching my noodle as to what the future has to offer, but this I can tell you, how much you amazing folks in particular and FReeRepublic in general has meant to me on the long, scary, lonely nights.. I read you every night as I lurked, laughed, and lauded the threads..

This experience has been a rude awakening that has cleared my thinking about a lot of things regarding the true blessings of life, love and what is really important about being alive.. Once it all sinks in, you will have to endure the reality that I will share it all with you..

I have a unlimited respect for our hospital and medical community even though it completely cleaned out my pocketbook, it worked miracles. The fact that I am here to complain about anything is in and of itself, a miracle.. This could never have happened without our medical, hospital, drug and insurance companies, working in a seamless capitalistic cooperation, with brilliant successes seldom seen outside of our American boarders..

SOOOOOooooooo.. I can't tell you how much I love you folks and it's really good to be alive.. Hugggggs and kisssssses .. Developing

 

[carlo3b]

Chicago Italian Beef Sandwiches

•   1/2   teaspoon salt
•   1    teaspoon ground black pepper
•   1    teaspoon dried oregano
•   1    teaspoon dried basil
•   1    teaspoon onion salt
•   5  Beef bouillon cubes dissolved in 3 cups boiling water
•   1    teaspoon dried parsley
•   1    teaspoon garlic powder
•   1    bay leaf
•   Red pepper flakes to taste
•   1/2 cup pure olive oil
•   5    lb. rump roast (or utility beef roast, as in bottom round)

1)  In a medium pot over medium to high heat, combine the water, salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay
leaf and oil.
2)  Stir well and bring just to a boil.
3)  Place roast in a slow cooker (or roaster, at 275 F), and pour mixture over the roast.
4)  Cover and cook on low setting for 10 to 12 hours or high setting for 4 to 5 hours.
5)  Remove bay leaf and slice the beef paper thin
6) Drain the beef juice, and even add more beef or even chicken broth to extend ( au .. jus,  meaning “with broth” ).. and drench the beef in the au jus and fill the bread..
Add a heaping dollop of Hot Jardiniere peppers.  Serve on warm crusty Italian bread or rolls.
This is easily frozen and wonderful the following day.. ENJOY

[hattend]

Chicago Italian Beef Sandwiches

Oh YUM!!!!

[carlo3b]

Ha!.. OK, it's time to eat.. :)

Veal Scaloppini Ala Marsala

 
Tender cutlets, sautéed and caramelized in Marsala wine. This traditional Italian meal is best served with buttered linguini and fresh crusty french bread..

• 2 (8 ounce) veal cutlets, halved
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, lightly salted
• 2 1/2 tablespoons pure olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 3 shallots, chopped
• 8 large mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup marsala
• 1/3 cup chicken stock or broth
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley

1) Arrange veal slices between two sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap, and pound slices until they are thin cutlets. Dust and dredge veal with salted flour, shaking off any excess.. set aside.
2) In a preheated oiled skillet, lightly brown one side of veal cutlets, about 1 minute each.
Turn and sprinkle with pepper, then brown other side, for about 1 more minute.
3) Remove cutlets to a warm serving platter, then add butter to the same skillet and sauté shallots and mushrooms until shallots are soft, approx. 5 minutes.
4) Slowly add wine and chicken stock to pan and increase heat and boil rapidly, scraping the bottom, until liquid is slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Spoon over top of cutlets, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.

 
 

[tiredoflaundry]

damn.......... I'm going to need MORE paper in the printer! :-)

[carlo3b]

Vietnamese Spicy Fried Rice

• 4    cups cooked long-grain rice (1 1/3 cups raw)
• 1/2    cup dried shrimps
• 4    teaspoons peanut oil
• 1    large onion, sliced
• 2    cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/4    cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts
• 4    teaspoons finely chopped fresh lemongrass
• 2    teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1    small fresh red chili pepper, finely chopped
• 4    teaspoons vietnamese fish sauce
• 4    teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2    teaspoon ground black pepper

1.  Allow the rice to completely dry out before beginning this dish.
2.  The easiest way to do this is to spread the rice evenly in a shallow dish, or on a tray, and leave uncovered in the refrigerator overnight.
3.  The next day, place the shrimp in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water and allow to stand 30 minutes, or until soft, before draining.
4.  In a large wok, heat the groundnut oil and stir-fry the onion, garlic, peanuts, lemon grass and turmeric, until fragrant.
5.  Add the rice, shrimp and all the remaining ingredients and stir-fry until piping hot.
6.  Serve immediately

[null and void]

Ooooooooooh!

Now I miss you!

[SierraWasp]

Well... I'm thrilled that part of my industry worked so well for you! (health insurance)

I'm a little put out that you might have totally split the scene without a word to me, like our mutual FRiend did awhile back! You would have broken my heart once again!!!

But most of all, I'm thrilled you pulled through!!! That "big C" crap is truly a curse and it seems to go after the good as well as the evil.

You are so good with food and I don't dare let Mrs. Wasp learn of your exploits as I've convinced her that "I'm not good with fixing food!" She still doesn't know what a male chauvenistic pig I really am... Well, maybe she does and is just too good to say anything.

I guess I should be happy that I at least got this ping after all the scary part is over with and that you are now on your way to beatin the curse! Praise God!!!

[hattend]

I'm getting hungry and still have an hour to end of work and dinner

droo-oo-oo-oo-l!!

[Mr. K]

we should do a freeper cookbook and sell it through FR site proceeds going to support the site

I gots some great recipes for chili, pirogi, Christmas cherry pie

[don-o]

Did anyone miss you??

Man, that is crazy talk.

I am sorry to hear of your health problems, but a fresh post from you is as welcome as the flowers of Spring.

Freepers, we need to somehow set up a carlo page on Free Republic. All the wonderful threads, need to be collected.

Not it. But, someone can.

[skeeter]

Congratulations on your recovery - and glad to see you back.

[rintense]

Godspeed, my dear Carlo. Glad to see you back and that you put up such a valiant and courageous fight. I would expect nothing less from you.

[hattend]

What? You missed the Clinton Legacy Cookbook?

Check out carlo3b's website: and order one!

But you're right...we need Freeper Recipe's Part 2!

[SierraWasp]

Hey carlo! After 42 years on cigarettes, Mrs. Wasp and I have not had one for over 6 months!!! We're just hopin we din't overdo it and wait too long to quit. We've now gotten morbidly obese and will probably get Diabetes, or Congestive Heart Failure, or Emphyseema anyway! That'd just be our luck!!!

[null and void]

(although I am curious where you get flourless bread crumbs)...

[newfrpr04]

"Freeper Cookbook" ... I like that idea. Many great receipes have been posted here, would be great to have before the holidays. This would really help my better half.. since I can't boil water.

[sockmonkey]

Yikes, I noticed you were gone, but thought you had ditched us to go off on a cooking cruise.

Welcome back, and glad you are on the mend. I will pray you are restored to perfect health (and from the looks of the recipes you've posted, it seems you must be well on your way.

Sockmonkey

[SierraWasp]

Hey! Why you be tryin ta put me on a guilt trip??? (grin)

[rwfromkansas]

welcome. Will pray you kick that bastard cancer.

[FrogMom]

FrogMom gathers carlo up for a GREAT BIG HUG!!

Welcome back, I'm glad the answer from the Big Guy was YES!