Thank You Dinner

This week's inspiration prompt is 'Front Porch'. mmmm Well we don't really have a nice front porch so the next best thing would be a back porch or yard rather. The first nice backyard that came to mind was Nana & Poppa's (Dan's Parents) backyard. Then I thought, how nice would it be to have dinner out there as the summer comes to an end. Soooo......

This week I was able to do something really special for Nana & Poppa...I'd like to share with you our "Thank You" dinner on the {back porch} and hopefully it will inspire you to cook a "Thank You" dinner for someone!

We are so very fortunate that Dan's parents live less than 5 miles away from us. With a baby, their close proximity comes in handy a lot of the time. Ryan LOVES his Nana & Poppa and it gives me a good feeling when I leave him over there to play. I try to wave bye and give him kisses and he wants nothing to do with me. He knows where the toys are and how to find Poppa in the office or backyard.

I decided it would be a nice idea to play personal chef and cook Nana & Poppa a fun meal to enjoy together out in their nice backyard. I wanted to cook for Nana & Poppa to say Thank You for their love and support during this past year as new parents & for taking care of Ryan on certain days. They help out A LOT!

{Now I realize my ENTIRE family helps out A LOT...and in some way I will find ways to thank each and everyone of you. Trust me, I always think of how great you all are and how blessed we are to have such great people supporting us.}

Here we are enjoying dinner together out side.....Thank You Nana & Poppa!

What did I make for dinner?!

`I made a favorite of mine. Carbonara. My favorite place to order it is at Mi Piace. However, I make a pretty good version. I will give you the recipe if you promise to make it and then tell me how great it is!

Jacqui's CARBonara. {Don't eat if you are on a diet}

Ingredients

`1 lb of Linguine (Or any other pasta you like)

`1/4 cup Olive Oil

`1 package of Panchetta (Chop it however you like it)

`1 1/2 cups of peas

`4 cloves of garlic (For extra flavor, try roasting your garlic 1st)

`3 tbs of Oregano

`1/2 white wine (Not to sweet...pour yourself a glass while you cook!)

`2 large egg yolks

`1 hefty cup of Parmesan & Romano cheese (I love cheese)

Directions

`Boil pasta in salted water till soft but not mushy (aldente). Put aside.

`In a large pan brown the panchetta with the olive oil

`Once brown add the peas, garlic & oregano (You can also add red pepper for some heat)

`Add the wine and scrape the pan to get all the bits at the bottom.

`Add pasta to the pan and mix really well.

`Beat the egg yolks, add a 1/3 cup of the warm pasta water to the egg yolks to temper the eggs. (So they don't scramble)

`Pour the eggs over the pasta and mix super fast and well.

`Serve hot with garlic infused bread & butter.