It’s another beautiful night at the best restaurant in town!
The tiki torches are lit . . .
The river is flowing . . .
The food is good . . .
And the wine doesn’t hurt my feelings. 
Oh, and Mom’s homemade guac (the best guac on the planet, I might add) doesn’t upset me, either!
I may or may not have mentioned this before, but my dad is an incredible cook. Tonight, he made one of my favs just for me—Stuffed Sole. Mmmmmm . . .
He starts with green onions, yellow peppers, mushrooms, and spinach and sautés them with garlic, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, rosemary and thyme, and S&P until soft. Then, he adds the veggies to a mix of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, and butter.
Rolled into sole filets and topped with paprika, the sweet little packages bake for 20-25 minutes at 350*. Dad likes to top them with a single shrimp in the last few minutes for flair.
I would much rather eat my papa’s cooking than go out to a restaurant! I mean!
Scarfed. It’s going to be really tough to go back to Virginia in less than a week—and not just because of the cooking around here! 
Dad was also sweet enough to run out to Busch’s, a local grocery store chain, for my favorite cake!
That’s right, kids. This foodie isn’t really a foodie at all. I like store-bought cake with icing that is probably made mostly from shortening. It makes me happy. It puts me into a sugar-coated oblivion. It’s what I grew up on. How could I not love it?
Perfection.
Who’s the best cook in your family?
I don’t know if I could choose—and I’m not just being diplomatic. There are some things my mom makes that are incredibly delish, but my dad is an awesome cook, too. My grandpa also does quite well in the kitchen. It’s a toss up!
Oh yum that all looks awesome! My mom is definitely the best cook in my family
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My mom is definitely the best cook I know, followed closely by my Grandma. Just thinking about food by either of them makes me hungry.
Everything looks really good! My Mom doesn’t cook AT ALL and my step dad is a great cook. Aren’t step dad’s the best?!
My mom is definitely the best cook, but it’s all Southern fried food. Unfortunately, we don’t eat like that anymore so she never showcases it anymore. Usually we get good Southern food on Thanksgiving and Christmas only. Boo.
Does you dad want to adopt me? The food looks incredible.
The food and nature around your table is absolutely fantastic!!
Isn't it so pretty? I don't want to leave! ~ Melissa
I know this is going to sound bad but I’m the cook of the family!! Mum and Dad are not foodies but they do appreciate my food when I cook for them (which is not very often as live interstate). Growing up I used to regularly cook at least 2 times a week, don’t get me wrong Mum and Dad can cook I just prefer my own cooking! My husband’s Mum however is an excellent cook and we often sit down and discuss various recipes! Your DAd’s food looks amazing!
I like to cook, too! When we were kids, we each had a night of the week that was our night to make dinner. I learned a lot and now I really enjoy cooking my own meals!
~ Melissa
That’s really cool I think all kids should learn to cook! I know I’m going to teach my son how to!!
OH MY WORD! That fish looks simply AMAZING!
and the cake too mmm mmm! 
miss M – shoot me an email at fitnesshealthandfood@gmail.com with your address so I can get your cookie giveaway to you!
Wow!! What an incredible meal! My dad is the cook in our family!
Totally agree. Dad-grilled meals are the absolute best!
Just found your blog and I’m hooked–it’s awesome! I’m a Michigan girl (Rochester Hills) too, so it was fun to read about your trip home. Congratulations on your new job and best of luck!
I'm so glad you like it
Thanks for the sweet comments! ~ Melissa
SOMEONE got the piece of cake with the biggest rose. I see where our friendship would encounter some bare knuckle fighting now.
Of course! I am the frosting queen. We would probably each need our own cake.
~ Melissa
I personally have never had a meal that my dad has cooked on his own. My mom is the best cook and is the best cook out of my ENTIRE family and even of my friends families. I personally prefer to ask my mom to cook me dinner instead of wasting ingredients and making it myself!
Also, I LOVE bakery cakes. I LOVE the frosting on the cake and personally prefer when the cake is bought at the bakery over having someone make a homemade cake, but that might be because I could eat a gallong of plain frosting in one sitting! LOL
Sounds like we are frosting soul mates! I love to get a can of store bought frosting and just eat it with a spoon!
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