Soon, I swear!

Crazy busy this week.

So much going on! I hope to update before the week is through.

In other news. It is a sad, sad day.

The peaches that I peeled, sliced and froze this summer are nearly gone.

I have 1 lonely bag left.

I don't think that will keep me until peaches are in season again.

 

Bummer.

Back!

My computer officially died a few weeks ago.  I've been living in the Dark Ages where people get their news from television, their mail from the post office, and their recipes from books.

So glad to be back!

Toddler Food Genius

I meant to post about this months and months ago, but never got around to it. 

I was talking to my sister-in-law a week or so ago about things she could easily feed her little boy.  I told her about this idea, and then remembered to post it here.

I can't remember where this idea originated.  I did it with Camden, and now with Zoe. 

This is something that you can have on hand, for a quick, healthy well balanced meal for toddlers.  Not to mention, it's fast!  No need for processed food, filled with junk they don't need!!

No recipe, just a method.  Mix up a batch of from scratch pancake mix [or you can use a mix, if you prefer].  To the mix, add anything you have on hand.  Leftovers work great for this!  Cooked veggies, little pieces of meat [chicken, ham, etc], shredded cheese, anything!!  Make sure that everything is cut small enough for your baby/toddler before you mix it in. 

Cook them up on a hot griddle, just like regular pancakes.  Store them in the freezer, and then warm in the toaster/microwave one at a time when you need them. 

You can also make a "sweet" version by adding applesauce to the batter, and adding chunks of fruit [canned or fresh], and serving it with yogurt.

Fondue Take 2

Love this recipe!  It's very basic, but that is the genius behind it.  You can alter it by using different kinds of cheese.  I used all cheddar this time.  I did that because I didn't want to waste a lot of money on expensive cheese, only to have the fondue not be good!  Now that I know it's good, I'll try it with different cheeses.  [It was great with cheddar!]

What to serve with fondue??  The possiblities are limitless.  A lot of people like to serve it with raw veggies, some people like to blanch their veggies, and some people like to cook them.  Do whatever makes you happy!  I served mine with homemade french bread [only this time I made wheat bread], garlic broccoli [which was my favorite], rotisserie style chicken, and roasted new potatoes.  That's really all that I had on hand [the next day was payday and grocery shopping day].

You can dip anything in fondue: bell peppers, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, brussel sprouts, apples, mushrooms [cooked, grilled or raw], pita bread, pears, carrots, cauliflower, beef tenderloin, sausage, shrimp, ham, grapes, gnocchi...anything! 

Also, if you don't have a fondue pot---no worries!!  Serve it in a crock pot to keep the cheese at the right temperature, and serve with forks, skewers, chopsticks---whatever you've got!

Basic Cheese Fondue

• 1 c. milk
• 1 c. chicken broth*
• 1 T. worcestershire sauce [or like me, just shake some into the pot]
• 2 tsp. dried mustard [if you don't have dried, the squeeze mustard will work]
• 1 clove garlic**
• 3 -4 T. flour
• 5 c. shredded cheese***

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine liquids, worcestershire sauce, mustard and minced garlic, and 2 T. flour. Heat until almost boiling.  Watch it closely, because milk can scortch quickly.  Don't forget to whisk
2. Meanwhile, toss grated cheese with remaining flour to coat. 
3. Gradually stir in cheese, continuing to stir utnil cheese is melted. 
4. Pour into fondue pot and serve.

*You can also use 1 c. white wine or 1 c. of beer. 
**If you don't like or want minced garlic in your fondue, there are a few options.  1] Instead of mincing the garlic, smash it so it breaks and pops open.  Put this in the pot, and continue like normal.  The flavor of the garlic will infuse the dish, without actually have chunks of garlic in the fondue.  Removed the garlic once the fondue is cooked.  Alternately 2] Peel a clove of garlic and rub it [raw] on the inside of the pan before cooking, and on the inside of the fonude pot before pouring the fondue inside.
***Feel free to mix up the cheeses combine more than one flavor, use whatever you like! 

Fun-dinner success!

Remember a while back when I decided that fondue was the best dinner ever for kids?

Well...we finally revisited it, this time equipped with different [read: better] fondue recipe!  The result was a HUGE success!!  [Recipe to come!]

I think next week we'll try dessert fondue for the littles "reward" at the end of the week. 

It looks like something good did come out of the 70's! 

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

The dudes love to help make these!  Especially watching the oatmeal go from "oats" to "flour".  These are quick, healthy, and kid friendly.  They also have a great taste.  I sometimes add a little applesauce and a little more "flour" to give them a different flavor. 

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

• 1 1/2 c. oats
• 3/4 c. milk
• 1 egg
• 2 T. oil
• 2 T. brown sugar
• 1 T. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt

1. Blend oats in blender until of flour consistency.  Add milk, egg, oil, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Blend together until well mixed.
2. Cook on griddle as you would regular pancakes.

These pancakes won't be as tough [read: rubbery] as pancakes made from mixes.  They crumble a little---that comes from using the oatmeal. 

Who has time to cook?

...when you have this waiting for you on your nightstand?

This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

[One of my faves, almost always on my nightstand, or in my purse.]

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

[Another fave.  This is a well-worn, well loved, copy.  I wrote a lot of papers on this in college.]

Open House by Elizabeth Berg

[Haven't read this yet.]

Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

[Read this once a year ago, but I liked it.  So it's back on the list.]

Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall

[Just finished this.  Gave me the creeps.  FLDS people and LDS people are definitely nowhere near the same.  Just want to clarify that!]

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

[Was just talking to my sister-in-law about this book.  Another classic that is always in or on my nightstand.]

The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

[Shockingly haven't read this yet!  I've been in line for it at the library, but my mother-in-law had a copy, so I snaked hers.  I will probably start this next.  Or 2nd to next.]

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

[My mother-in-law let me borrow this one.  She said it's loosely based on Mrs. George W.  Aside from that, she said it's a good book.  Ha.]

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

[Can't wait to read this.]

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

[Lovin' Jodi Picoult.  Recently read Handle With Care, and of course My Sisters Keepers.  Hopefully this will be good as well.]

[journal/notebook on bottom]

I think I love to read even more than I love to cook. 

It's a wonder I didn't get beat up more.

...What's on your nightstand?