Everybody deserves a DAY OF REST... Including hairy knuckled neanderthal fire cookers. I am starting a new series where I am taking a rest from the grill. But that does not mean I don't eat. I am just going to eat someone else's cooking... And today's post is especially funny to me...
Here's the set up... A couple weeks ago, My neighbor invited my wife and I to dinner. His wife was away on a business trip, and he wanted to cook one of his mother's recipes from his childhood. I was hooked when he said he was cooking with Phyllo dough!
Alright, real quick, this will be funnier of you read of my one and only experience with that hunk of crap (my fingers are just to fat and raggedy to handle the delicate stuff. Despite my better judgement, I SMOKED pastry, my Vermont Pecan Praline Cups with a Whiskey Sauce are now near legendary.Possibly the funniest post I have ever written (but a very successful dessert) that you can read by clicking HERE.
So, I get a day of rest as neighbor Jim cooks for me...
And here's the finished product, a baked egg dish... He insisted on calling this dish PETA, but I have not been able to find it anywhere. I would love to have a better name, but for now...Here's what he did...
6 Eggs1 cup milk
1 container of ricotta cheese
All mixed together...
AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH... I hate phyllo dough.
He separated each sheet, lined a shallow baking pan, overlapping the edges, and brushed 1/2 pound of melted butter on each sheet. He used half the box to do the bottom...
Then he poured the egg goop into the pan...Spread the goop around flat, and start layering the remaining phyllo dough crap over the top, again, carefully brushing the butter on to seal the edges.
Once all the dough is laid out, fold those overlapping edges over the sides.
While it was baking, he cut up some olives and made a Greek salad for us.
Isn't he a happy guy? A self professed NON-cook. 
He even went to effort for presentation with fancy square plates (they are sweeping the nation) and cloth napkins. And the taste... Fabulous. It was a terrific meal. Had I been making this,, I would have added some onions and sausage, but he assures me this was the traditional meal in a Greek home.
Bon AppetiteAs the wine flowed, Jim told us nice stories of his Mom and Sisters. It was a great night! I want to thank Jim for letting me take a few pictures and share his recipe...
And giving me a day of rest!
And giving me a day of rest!
Phyllo dough- One of my "things to learn about"...
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic-Alton Brown had a show recently in which he gave some tips on dealing with phyllo dough
ReplyDeleteThat looks FANTASTIC ! I just... have to... have to... have to...try it !... Cute Ape BTW : ) ...got me smiling ! : )
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great when someone else cooks for you?? Looks like a fun night! Phyllo dough is a pain in the ass...whenever I make baklava it's really an exercise in practicing all the swear words I know. (And I've had square plates for 5 years...love them!)
ReplyDeleteThat does look quite delicious! I love working with phyllo dough. It is so versatile :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to be waited on! This looks like an interesting meal. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteThis looks sooooooooo good. And simply served with a salad and red wine. Excellent
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great when someone else does the cooking? We all need that day of rest sometimes! This looks like a great dish!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to BBQ, Chicago had it right, "Even lovers need a holiday, just for the day, far way from each other."
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun dinner party! I actually haven't worked with phyllo in awhile, so you've inspired me to get some :)
ReplyDeleteI've never worked with phyllo dough; the stuff SCARES me. I recently bought some and it's in my freezer; haven't really gone near the freezer since, grins, and when I do I pretend I can't see it there, haunting and taunting me.
ReplyDeleteYour friend does look like a mighty happy guy! So nice to have a friend who will cook a cherished recipe.
Well done.
Love the ape picture.
Love this yummy looking recipe and this great post! Fabulous pics! I just know that you are going to end up on the Food Network!!! Bon Voyage! I can't wait to hear about your Cajun dance lessons!! Ya'll will love it, I assure you, cher! HAVE FUN!!!
ReplyDeleteNothing better than getting a good meal cooked for you :). Jim's creation looks great!
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