Reunion Follow Up

I definitely learned that the secret to successful meals for large groups is SIMPLIFICATION. With just Zac and myself to feed on a regular basis I have the luxury to get a little complicated here and there because the portions are small and easier to handle. While I had big plans set for SPI meals I got so caught up in wanting to spend time with family and not being in a hot kitchen that most of my meal plans got simplified which really helped reduce the stress and pressure of cooking for my family. We also had to do some last minute menu changes so I only ended making dinner Saturday night, Sunday breakfast and some of lunch on Sunday and a few side dishes here and there throughout the week. Over all the food everyone made was amazing and we really enjoyed the local seafood and fresh red fishes my brother and dad caught on our last night.

Saturday - Thai Salad and Vietnamese Style Pork Chops
So thrilled that we found lemongrass for the pork chop marinade, but I just wish it had more time to marinade...and thank goodness my uncle was so kind to do the grilling for me because it was SO hot!
I really liked the salad too. It was adapted from Trisha Yearwoods's recipe

 

Sunday Lunch- My aunt made my grandma's traditional chinese Lumpia (fresh spring rolls) which takes hours on end to make and it was so good. Felt like Christmas. I just made pizzas for the kids 

Potato and Bacon with smoked Gouda and Rosemary and of course, Pepperoni.

This is the processional for my grandmother's Lumpia...lots of crushed peanuts & sugar, cilantro, fresh lettuce, sweet sauce, and the special mix of veggies, chicken, and shrimp.

Some friends of my grandmother from Corpus Christi dropped off some crabs and Snappers
We grilled the fish and cooked the crabs in garlic and butter and then a coconut and scallion sauce....So good.


 Taco salads with all the fixings

My moms ribs...they were fall off the bone delish

Just one of the two HUGE fish my brother and dad caught...they came just at the right time because we were actually out of food...if you can imagine my family ever out of food.

My moms everything cookies...really good, and "healthy"

Calamari on Joshua's Birthday night...he LOVES anything seafood...and expensive.

We had tons of other food (especially blue bell ice cream) throughout the vacation too and I wish I had taken pictures!!! By the time I came home I had gained 4 pounds...yikes! Which is why things have been pretty low key at home lately. 

25 weeks!! I can't imagine my belly getting any bigger...but the baby is supposed to grow still...by 400% how?!?! I have no more room!