my first time

Kenny had bought some reduced priced veal chops at the grocery and we needed a plan for cooking them. I decided that it would be fun to get a bottle (or two) of wine and for Kenny & I to make ravioli (for the first time) to go with them. After making an ingredient list and going grocery shopping, I was on my way home after picking Carly up from school and Kenny called to tell me that his mother was coming for dinner and to spend the night with us. His mother, the gourmet Italian cook, was coming in a couple of hours!!

Okay, deep breaths, we could just go out and have Mexican food. Oh wait Kenny already told her that we were having veal chops for dinner. Okay, new plan, we could have rice or potatoes with the veal chops. Because right about now, the very LAST thing I want to try to make for the first time is ravioli (for the gourmet Italian cook). Oh yeah, no time to go back to the grocery.

$#*@, fine let's just do it, what is the worst thing that could happen. Right, don't go there, because there is a huge list of how bad this could go.

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Step #1 pour a glass of wine and go take a bath - I know there is no time for this but I promise it is much needed.

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Step #2 make the tomato relish that tops the veal - simple enough, build up a little confidence, drink another glass of wine.

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Step #3 make the ravioli stuffing - recipe by Giada (you know Everyday Italian) and only has 4 ingredients, haven't even broken my 5 ingredient rule yet

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Step #4 prepare to stuff the ravioli. I just got started when my MIL arrived. She was really excited that we were not only cooking (yes, I do have a reputation) but that we were making ravioli. I'm glad someone was excited about this. Then it hits me, she knows how to do this, put this woman to work - use her!

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Step #5 make Celeste a cocktail and put her to work and take notes, boy this is getting easier and easier. Open another bottle of wine.

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{Celeste and Carly stuffing ravioli}

Dinner was fabulous.

Veal Chops with 2-tomato Relish

Spinach & Cheese Ravioli

Grilled Asparagus

Here is Giada's recipe for ravioli stuffing: Whisk together 15oz ricotta cheese, 10oz package chopped spinach(thawed & squeezed dry), 2 large egg yolks, salt & pepper