1979 TAPPAN MICROWAVE COOKBOOK

So I'm on a little vacay with the family this week - lots of Mom-and-Grandma kinda cooking and hopefully, a little rest and relaxation.

I started looking through my Mom's cookbook shelf and I ran across the cookbook from our first microwave - a big old Tappan from 1979.

Ew. I know it was all the rage but the thought of cooking a roast in the microwave, or (as you can see in one of the photos) shellfish disturbs me.

And lamb chops? Who knew? I can't imagine the taste, and lack of a good sear. But the photo is priceless!

Microwaves are for reheating leftovers and popcorn ONLY.

IMPROMPTU DINNER

I love it when dinner gets made on a whim. One of those "hey I'm hungry aren't y'all hungry let's make dinner" kinda things.

I was hanging with some friends this afternoon and just exactly that happened.

We wound up making braised (ok, not a REAL braise) brussel sprouts with bacon fat and butter, roasted new potatoes, and watermelon salad with feta, basil and lime juice.

Oh yeah - and some brats and chops on the grill. But the meat was sort of incidental to the sides!