Day 34 – We went to a birthday drive-by celebration the other day. Our third one in the past 2 weeks. Everyone drives by the house of the birthday person and honks and waves (some decorate their cards with signs, streamers, and balloons) to the birthday person who is either in their yard or on their porch. We have celebrated one birthday in shelter-in-place and in two weeks will celebrate another one for my son. They are different but we are learning ways to make them special. One way we always celebrate is that the birthday person picks the meal for dinner.
The Rochester-like Garbage Plates are what my wife chose for dinner. We were supposed to be in Rochester, NY this past week for the close of tax season. I always travel to Rochester to work from the office at the end of tax season every year. We spend a week in Rochester and I work like 60-70 hours while my family spends time with family and friends. Since they couldn’t get their fill of the real Garbage Plates she chose this homemade version for her birthday meal.
Verdict:
Though these are never as good as the original they definitely fill a craving. The Rochester Meat Sauce (click here for recipe) was super good. We let it sit all day and the flavors were amazing! It is kind of hard to see what is in the picture above but it is Grandma Brown’s Beans (a Northern/Western New York brand), Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (click for link to recipe) a delicious vinegary salad, fried potatoes (can substitute French fries), then hot dogs with Rochester Meat sauce, mustard, and onions over the top. A plate of that garbage! YUMMY!
I know it sounds weird but it is funny how it all works together.
Ingredients:
- Rochester Meat Sauce (slow cooker)
- Brown Baked Beans
- Macaroni Salad
- Fried Potatoes or French Fries
- 2 hot dogs, 2 cheeseburgers, 2 hamburgers or 2 Italian sausage patties (your choice)
- Toppings: chopped onions, mustard, ketchup, relish,
Directions:
- On a plate add baked beans, macaroni salad, and fried potatoes. Lay your choice of meat over the top.
- Pour the meat sauce over the meat. Top with choice of toppings.
What's for Dinner Moms? 
This sounds exciting that you are in Rochester frequently for work. Does it mean you are mostly working from home? That’s a really cool job you have then.
The Garbage Plate looks like the perfect way of using leftovers and making a really fun meal of it!
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Yeah, I work mostly from home and go back to Rochester about 1-2 times a year. It is about 10 hours away so we don’t get there too often.
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It is cool that you can work for a company that is so far away. Great to work from home and for sure it is always an beautiful experience to travel to Rochester up to twice a year with your family. Sounds very exciting to me!
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There’s more than one way to clean out the fridge. 😜
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Yes! And it is oh, so good!
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Right? The flavors become enhanced in just 24 hours. 😍
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I’m sure it all meshes together well for some flavorful eating.
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We went to a birthday
always celebrate is that the birthday person picks the meal for dinner.
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Love learning about dishes like this 😀
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Happy Birthday to your wife! Also and ironically, I just watched a special about garbage plates.
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Thank you! How very cool! They are “unique.”
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It looks really busy but I bet it taste so yummy, what a fun treat and birthday surprise. I know your family has fun together. Love those drive by birthday parties too, what a strange time we live in now but at least we are all having some moments of fun and still staying connected. You and your family have a beautiful Sunday and stay safe out there.
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Thank you! Same to you!!
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