Sunday, June 20, 2010

June Cleaver In Disguise!

                                                                                                                                 This photo by the Dunns

I don’t remember June Cleaver being quite as outgoing as Gina Dunn but she was certainly as well organized…and also had the perfect family.

Gina Dunn home schooled her kids, cooks and bakes new recipes…and I mean every day. You could be jealous of Gina Dunn but she is so darn nice… and perfect.

She lives in a charming house in Kenosha with a little vegetable garden. Mind you she has planted everything you can imagine when I am just starting to get my act together with my neighbor.

Her daughter, the beautiful and artistically talented Jessica, bakes cupcakes anytime Gina happens to ask. Yes you heard me and after that she made a beautiful 6 layer lasagna. Poof – close your eyes and Jessica will whip up an Osso Bucco Milanese…I swear, she makes it look that easy.

I want that perfect daughter Jessica – who looks like a mini Audrey Hepburn, sketches whatever creative ideas happen to pop into her head and makes perfect cupcakes and lasagna.

Me - I was a really good influence on the two of them. I dragged them to Tacos To Go where they had to sit and watch me eat chicken gizzards. They winced but it was almost in unison.

Did I mention that chicken gizzards are an acquired taste? I never got a clue however that I could talk either Gina or Jessica into fixing them.

Chicken gizzards do not fit into a perfect world.

Bon Appetit!

More on a day at the Dunns.....
Gina’s sister Kerrie taught us how to make meatballs. I never loved meatballs until now and here is her secret ingredient…sauce. Sauce…well, that was Gina’s speciality and it was clearly one of the better sauces I had tasted in a long time.

I’m trying to get measurements for these recipes because both Italian sisters clearly cook from the head.

Yes, and here is the ever famous Franks which was featured with Guy Fieri on the Food Network series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.This unusual diner celebrated more than 80 years in business and it is the spot that I am having lunch tomorrow.