Sloppy Joes

This lockdown has taught us and made us experience so many things. It had made us appreciate the little things that go unnoticed in our busy lives and to be happy and content with it and explore more joy with whatever little we have. It has given us the time to be with the family, the entire day, which otherwise would have been spent at office or school. We used to eat out once a week, or once in two weeks atleast. But the lock down and fear of corona has made us give it up completely, which made us try different recipes that we had never tried before. It has taught us, that you need not have to go to a beach or park to do the picnic and have fun. You can absolutely enjoy a picnic in your own little patio, while staying home and adhering to the instructions by the governing officials, and help curb down the ever rising number of people infected by covid-19. 

This sloppy joe was one of items that we had on our picnic menu. It was delicious. Juicy with all the sauces that go in it and with the ease with which it all comes together, makes it a perfect item for your grill parties or picnics. So grab the recipe and make it for your family patio picnics :)

Beef Burger

There is no better time for burgers. But long weekends, spent grilling and picnicing can never be done without burgers on the menu. With the long weekend coming up, everybody is excited as this one happened after quite a gap of 2 or 3 months. We haven't made a plan yet. Just been lazing around rather than breaking out brains planning on a trip. So we might end up grilling or do a picnic in a park, as a memorial day weekend special. 

Burgers seemed to me as a task, untill I tried it myself. I used to go the hard way of organizing picnics. Pick up the most difficult dish to make and work in the kitchen starting early morning to take it for picnics. And by the time I get to the picnic spot, all I would want is to lie down on the picnic blanket and doze off. That is no fun at all. So I have finally started to do things smart. The carnivores in us would be happy if I packed up some non-veg. So I usually pack sandwiches or burgers that are quick to put together and save all the energy to be burned out at the picnic spot rather than in the kitchen. And that has been working well so far with us.

Corn on the Cob

My love for corn has always remain constant. And I have so many fond memories associated to it. As kids we used to have it every time they came in the market. But it was the grilled version. Later when I was in Pune, everyday, when we got back from work, as soon as we stepped out of the shuttle, there would be a lady vendor selling grilled corn. Our choices for snack would be either those grilled corn or vada pav or chaats. Then when I moved to Bangalore, again these corn appeared right outside our college, but in a different form - Boiled and seasoned with salt and pepper. I used to love that version too.

My father loves corn on the cob. He had mentioned it a couple of times when we were dining out. I so wanted to make it for him while he was here. Meena Kumar's post also reminded me to make it. But I don't know, I so got caught up with other stuff that I couldn't make it for him. Finally, during their last few days of stay with us, I made it a point that I would make it for him, for sure. Proactively, bought it but then everyday plans kept changing and ended up not making it. So when we made it after they left, I kept feeling guilty for not making it for him. Anyways, there is always a next time, unless the corn disappears from the universe. Well, that is one way of consoling myself for now.

Homemade Burger with Fish patty ~ 4th of July special !

It was holiday for us, for the 4th of July. We had a plan to go see the fireworks. We had already seen a firework couple of days back. It was more kind of walk-in to the firework venue. We were exactly on time when the firework started, which kind of lasted for say 15 minutes and we were done. But, having seen others who were there already, I got all nostalgic about the little picnics in parks that we used to have as kids. So Jacob offered a plan for the picnic on the 4th of July.

But this time we wanted to go prepared. May be pack up dinner and take it along with us and to be at the venue much before the fireworks start. We waited for the sun to go down but at the same time started earlier to be there much before the fireworks started. But seemed like many others had planned it better than us and were lucky to get a parking space, leaving us with none.