Disaster

OK, so we're at the cousins lake house. Lots of people from both families. My brother convinces me (about 2 hours before lunch) that I should cook something. Ok....we go to the store with no plan in mind. Get there and I decide to do Braciole (capers and lemons) and (fortunately) a backup .....one of my favorites.....turkey Meatballs.

We get back ....no one in the kitchen except mom. We go to work and suddenly it becomes Emeril Live. Everyone looking to ME to do something fantastic. Where do they get this expectation from?? I'm batting about 70% on the meals that I make at home. The other brother goes to work (seeing that we're having fun) on making Bruschette and hogging the oven.

Meatballs came out great (thanks bro for the mixing and forming) and the braciole turns into a disaster. The oven is opened so often due to the bread that there is no way they will roast properly (and they don't) I had to crank the heat, and pulled them early because everyone ws waiting (the pan didn't even get hot so they weren't roasted on down side) and had to Broil them on high to get them close to a "roasted" look. And way late too. Everyone was done eating (all the meatballs, thank you!) before these even came out.

What a mess. and to top it off, they weren't even that good. too much lemon zest, not even cheese filling. Couldnt taste the capers. a true mess and I felt terrible!

Next time...have a plan and plan for many delays from the family. Next year we do it right.