Apples, oranges and limes = sangria
Very simple apple cake that is about 1/2 apples. Batter will be very stiff but no fears, it turns out great. Use butter not shortening.
Dinner tonight is another repeat - chicken parm pappardelle and green salad. I’m going to try this cake for Sunday - leftovers can go to work on Monday. https://gardenandgun.com/recipe/triple-chocolate-mousse-cake/
Finally found some Italian sausage earlier this week at Fresh Market so we will have grilled sausage and peppers, as well as a caprese salad.
@jym626 - mandolin, instrument; mandoline, kitchen slicer. That “e” is important!
I swear I posted a reply, I think I’m losing my mind. Or I posted something odd on another thread
I picked up a frozen quiche from a bakery in town. I’m going to make @abasket peach salad and bake brownies. Done. Easy
Lol brilliant! For Mother’s Day DS#2 got me a drag queen virtual sangria making class. He, his W, DH and I did it with about 30 other people. It was fun! https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/airbnb-sangria-and-secrets-virtual-cocktail-class-drag-queens
Thanks! Sounds perfect!
H and I love making homemade sangria. We’ve tried many different recipes and all have been fab. We bought one of those huge beverage thingies with a tap and make huge batches.
It cost way more than just buying it at the store, but because thingy is so big, I lose two half selves in my fridge - which I can’t afford to lose in a pandemic. So for now a box red and bottles of white have to do. I just pour it into a regular pitcher and add the fruit.
That was our dinner last night. 
@emilybee Funny we both thought of sangria at the same time. I’m not much of a drinker but I do love sangria and perfect for the hot weather we are having.
I have a different apple cake recipe - from a former co worker -I don’t really like using boxed cake mixes but this is really good.
Paula’s Apple Cake
This is so easy and quick; Great for any occasion. This is the third time making it and I will give you the recipe, but next time I will modify it a little more….adding more apples or any kind of fruit you would like to use. Peaches work very well.
8 apples cored and peeled
1 cup of water
1 box of any WHITE cake mix
¾ cup Brown sugar
2 tablespoons of Cinnamon
1 stick melted butter
Place apples in 13x9 baking dish….
Pour 1 cup of water over apples in baking dish. In large bowl, mix together cake mix, brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter….It will be kinda lumpy
Pour over apples and bake 350 degrees until crust in brown. Probably 45 to 50 minutes….
My thoughts on modifying….
Next time I will use double the apples but stick with rest of recipe….I am sure it will turn out just as good
@abasket - the salad sounds good to me! I also plan to send that to a friend who I think would love it.
Sorry I forgot the “e” @jym626 - I’ll try for “perfect” next time.
Hamburgers on the grill tonight. Cucumber salad. I made a small cast iron skillet chocolate chip cookie. But I haven’t even had my burger yet so the cookie may wait.
I need to come up with something for Father’s Day for H and S and DIL if they come over. H is a plain jane eater so I’m thinking maybe to just do a ribeye on the grill and come up with a couple of simple sides.
But @sabaray that chocolate cake looks over the top amazing!!! Wish we could post pics here!
@abasket - lol. I have never heard of a mandoline. I have spent more time in the kitchen in the past few months than in the past few years. I finally used, not once, but twice, my lemon zester that one of my DILs bought me when we were in a kitchen store. Once was to make the aforementioned sangria. But no, never heard of a mandoline. So I was puzzled, as reference to a mandolin was perplexing, and found it smile worthy. I have now learned about another kitchen gizmo that I may buy and it will find a spot in a drawer, probably eventually buried next to the zester.
Can’t go wrong with baked potatoes with all the fixings and a classic wedge salad, IMO. And easy to make.
@jym626, watch your fingers if you go for the mandoline! A wonderful gadget for slicing anything in uniform slices, especially thin ones, but oh so sharp. The included guard is a must-use accessory.
Thanks, @runnersmom. Will do. Are there any other “must have” kitchen gadgets I should have? The kids are getting me a cuisinart air fryer/toaster oven thing for my birthday.
My garlic mincer is a must for “must have” gadgets. Bedsides my instapot of course. I guess that’s an appliance not a gadget though. Also love the strainer that fits on the edge of my pot https://smile.amazon.com/Strainer-Spaghetti-Colander-Salbree-Blue/dp/B01N2MLCH7
Had to rescue berries tonight so did the family favorite berry crisp https://numstheword.com/strawberry-blueberry-crisp/ with raspberries thrown in.
If you get the Cuisanart air fryer/toaster oven soon do report back on it. I’m was looking at that unit (at Costco) for our cottage.
@jym626 here’s the mandoline that we cannot live without. Goskid even got one when he moved out. Easy to use, clean. Cheap. I must use at least 3-4 times a week.
Can change to different thicknesses. USE THE finger guard. Put it in lock position when cleaning for safety.
@jym626 Just recalling what I’ve sliced just this week with mandoline: carrots, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, red and yellow onions, apple and bell pepper.