tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001292055263705472024-03-13T00:51:12.372-04:00The Peculiar HomemakerA peculiar people...that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-57481246732484154562012-03-23T13:17:00.003-04:002012-03-23T13:24:58.927-04:00Field Trip!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoiBevvonYs/T2yw6yZK7KI/AAAAAAAAB20/qT8S7jUSa1k/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AoiBevvonYs/T2yw6yZK7KI/AAAAAAAAB20/qT8S7jUSa1k/s400/IMG_0680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723143750487305378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Recently, we went on a field trip with our homeschool group to the local international market/grocery store. They have so many different fruits and vegetables there. We love it!<br /><br />Our group was about 15 kids strong, and we took a tour of the market, followed by tasting several of the most interesting fruits and vegetables we could find. We had dragon fruit, cactus fruit, and jicama. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sDYsytwwKTc/T2yw6tv7FzI/AAAAAAAAB2k/kSfgXJAebUc/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sDYsytwwKTc/T2yw6tv7FzI/AAAAAAAAB2k/kSfgXJAebUc/s400/IMG_0678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723143749240559410" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVvPMdcwyVg/T2yw531l_BI/AAAAAAAAB2c/wD7SbYP1hk8/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVvPMdcwyVg/T2yw531l_BI/AAAAAAAAB2c/wD7SbYP1hk8/s400/IMG_0676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723143734768827410" border="0" /></a>Marshall found some lemon grass to smell and get excited about!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ONXlsu3iXZs/T2yw47IxwXI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/dtj8klaUcEQ/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ONXlsu3iXZs/T2yw47IxwXI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/dtj8klaUcEQ/s400/IMG_0675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723143718474727794" border="0" /></a>Will had a great time and was excited to be there....but not enough to taste any fruits. Mac and Marshall more than made up for him, though. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMpBlR_DvUw/T2yw8F7q64I/AAAAAAAAB3A/cXFK91Aq1Sk/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMpBlR_DvUw/T2yw8F7q64I/AAAAAAAAB3A/cXFK91Aq1Sk/s400/IMG_0679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723143772912151426" border="0" /></a>A fun day in the life of our family.Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-32439385325475137382012-02-27T06:44:00.000-05:002012-02-27T08:49:32.013-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PRH1aLMIuU/T0uJFRWBBKI/AAAAAAAAB2E/gw0dG-Jdths/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 532px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PRH1aLMIuU/T0uJFRWBBKI/AAAAAAAAB2E/gw0dG-Jdths/s400/IMG_0607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713811275897701538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What's been going on in my house? Lots of train track building. Not so much meal planning! Which around here, looks like lots of Moe's, if we're honest.<br /><br />This has been a terrible season of things breaking. My beloved new camera (bought just before Christmas) stopped working. It's under warranty, but not just "take it back to the store" warranty. I've mailed it in, and I'm waiting to hear from the factory. Ugh. <br /><br />So, in the meanwhile, I am taking videos of my boys, and I'm trying to memorize their little faces for the months when I don't have pictures. <br /><br />Hopefully the camera will be fixed, and I'll be back blogging regularly very quickly.Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-79598346099304334962012-02-20T14:00:00.000-05:002012-02-20T14:00:01.853-05:00Meals for after a new baby<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkXZejCG_1E/Tz69iShDRlI/AAAAAAAAB10/sb68o6S7ts4/s1600/P6190067.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 624px; height: 574px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkXZejCG_1E/Tz69iShDRlI/AAAAAAAAB10/sb68o6S7ts4/s400/P6190067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710209774336034386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">my youngest as a sweet newborn<br /></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkXZejCG_1E/Tz69iShDRlI/AAAAAAAAB10/sb68o6S7ts4/s1600/P6190067.JPG"></a><br /><br />I was talking recently to someone about how I've arranged meals after my babies, and I thought it deserved a blog post of its own. This is the tactic I took after babies 2 and 3, and it worked well for us. With number 1, I was a hungry, crying mess. I knew something had to change the next time, and so it did. The next two times, we were all well fed, and while there might have been tears, at least we weren't hungry!<br /><br />First, I figured out my main goals for feeding my family. Mine is that I want to serve healthy foods, on a budget, that taste good. The budget thing is number one, unfortunately. But, staying on a budget in this area is what makes everything else run smoothly, so ultimately, it's worth it. If I'm being honest, I'll say that I'd love to throw caution to the wind, get take out for every meal, and spend $2000 on food that first month. Ahem.<br /><br />When I'm newly postpartum, healthy is relative. There is not time to hand grind wheat. Nor do I cook every single thing from scratch every single meal. But I don't want to eat or serve poptarts every day, either, so there is a balance.<br /><br />Also, I love stuff that tastes good and has a nice variety. I'm willing to sacrifice some of this for easy when I have a new baby, but it's still nice to have.<br /><br />I use my freezer a lot to prepare for a new baby. I have complete meals, parts of meals, and meal-starters in there. Now, here's the deal. I don't love, love, love frozen food. I don't think to myself, "oh, boy! It's been in the freezer a month--let me at it!" I don't do once a month cooking (but do keep one casserole/soup in the freezer most of the time). But when it comes to cooking fresh with a 2 week old baby or eating freezer food, well, the freezer food wins out. Almost every time.<br /><br />So, all that said, I started out with a list of things we already ate that I thought would freeze well. Suppers mostly, but also breakfasts and lunches for that first and second week home. I started looking at sales, and when a major part of the meals I wanted went on sale, then I bought it and stockpiled it. Around 35ish weeks, I took stock of what I had, then I'd make 3-5 meals at a time and freeze them. I did this a couple of times a week, as the urge and energy hit. When I was close to 40 weeks, I had about 30 meals in the freezer.<br /><br />With baby 3, we were blessed with several meals from friends. What a treat and blessing!! So, between those meals and the stuff in the freezer, I didn't really have to cook for about 6 weeks. It was wonderful. Really, really wonderful. I highly recommend doing some cooking ahead while pregnant so that you can spare yourself from the 5:00 rush those first few weeks.<br /><br />A couple of my friends used to get together to do massive bulk once a month freezer sessions with 4 of them. They got a variety of food, plus they didn't cook it all. Win/win. They shared some of their freezing tips. Freeze any food possible in ziplocs. Then, lay on a cookie sheet in the freezer until hard. It'll make a flat package that can be stacked, stood upright, and takes up much less space.<br /><br />Also, for things that are in individual pieces (chicken nuggets, etc), place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer, freeze until solid, then store in a ziploc. It means you can take out however many you need without having to thaw the whole shebang.<br /><br />Things that we liked frozen:<br /><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-and-sausage-gumbo-10000000701065/">gumbo</a> (I add a can of tomatoes)<br /><a href="http://thepeculiarhomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/03/italian-wedding-soup.html">Italian wedding soup</a><br />chicken noodle soup (add the noodles when reheating)<br />chicken and dumplings (add the dumplings when reheating)<br /><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/trail-stew-10000000549807/">ground beef vegetable soup</a><br />tortilla soup<br /><a href="http://thepeculiarhomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/02/taco-soup.html">taco soup</a><br />vegetable soup with ham and okra<br />spaghetti sauce<br />sloppy joe sauce<br /><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-tetrazzini-recipe/index.html">turkey tettrazini</a> (no peas!)<br />mashed potatoes (made on the stiff side; frozen in ice cream scoop blobs)<br />hamburger patties<br />cheese sauce for macaroni and cheese (make the noodles fresh)<br />red chili<br /><a href="http://thepeculiarhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/12/white-chili.html">white chicken chili</a><br />chicken wings (my husband loves this!)--just reheat in the oven, and they are as good as fresh<br /><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/QUAKER-OATMEAL-PRIZE-WINNING-MEAT-LOAF-1233712">meatloaf</a> (frozen raw)<br />enchiladas<br />chicken nuggets<br />taco meat<br />pinto beans (for tacos or for eating with rice)<br />red beans (just make the rice fresh)<br />black beans (seeing a pattern?)<br /><br /><br />The one thing I really hate frozen is rice. The texture is off. And it's easy enough to make a pot of rice that I don't worry about that one.<br /><br />For breakfasts: muffins (these freeze really well and just thaw on the counter in about 15 minutes), pancakes, waffles, french toast<br /><br />For lunches: this is a time I splurge on lunch meat. Also, the muffins, some sort of fruit (even in a can), and I freeze ahead some quesadillas. I know, I know. Quesadillas are dead easy. But, they are even easier if they are already made! I even did some individual pizzas on english muffins. Same deal--easy enough, but even easier premade. I also did some individual servings of soup. Perfect for those days when you need something heartier for lunch, but your kids are happy with peanut butter. Again.<br /><br />Freezing food ahead is a bit of work, but it's work that really, really pays off on the back side. Definitely worth every minute!Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-42930418187444491892012-02-03T07:21:00.000-05:002012-02-03T07:21:00.100-05:00Taco Soup<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52LlzgquEB0/TyKW2qSsqaI/AAAAAAAAB0s/x8TevBrfwAk/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52LlzgquEB0/TyKW2qSsqaI/AAAAAAAAB0s/x8TevBrfwAk/s400/IMG_0592.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br />This has become my go-to meal for taking to families with new babies. Easy, relatively cheap, and it feeds a ton of people. Remember the old school recipe with taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix? This was inspired by that, but I'm way too cheap to buy ranch dressing just for soup, so inspired is used loosely. Because of the ranch ingredient, I used dried parsley and garlic in this, which I think work well.<br /><br />Taco Soup<br /><em><span style="font-size:78%;">loosely inspired by the retro ranch-dressing-including taco </span></em><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/taco-soup-50400000118005/"><em><span style="font-size:78%;">soup</span></em></a></p><br /><p>1 pound ground beef or turkey<br />1 onion, diced <br />1 jalapeno, seeded and diced<br />4 cups pinto beans<br />16 oz frozen corn<br />4 oz canned green chiles<br />3-14 oz cans diced tomatoes (for this batch, I did fire roasted, whole, and diced plain)<br />4 cups water<br />1 t salt<br />2 t cumin<br />2 t coriander<br />1 T chili powder<br />1 t pepper<br />1 T dried parsley flakes (there's my nod to the ranch)<br />2 t garlic powder<br /><br />toppings: chopped cilantro, lime wedges, diced jalapeno, sliced radishes, chips, sour cream, cheese<br /><br />Cook the ground beef and onion together until beef is browned and onion is translucent. Drain if needed. Add all other ingredients, and allow to simmer for 1 hour for flavors to blend. Serve with assorted toppings (the fun part!).Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-18782788063864850172012-02-01T05:14:00.003-05:002012-02-01T14:35:38.562-05:00The Great Gallery Wall MoveLast year, I made a <a href="http://thepeculiarhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/10/gallery-wall.html">gallery wall</a> in my living room that I've enjoyed over the last year. But, you know...time passes, and I was ready for a change. During the same period, I was also a little tired of our bedroom and ready for something new.<br /><br />Lucky for me (ha!), we've battled moisture and mildew this year, so we made the decision to flip-flop our bedroom with that of our boys', and I was forced to find a new home for everything on the walls and rethink a few things.<br /><br />When I think of my bedroom, I aim for cozy. We honeymooned at a run0down family motel on the edge of the earth (the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Banks">Outer Banks </a>of North Carolina...it really is the edge of the earth!). The place had mis-matched sheets, curtains from the 70s, and the furniture was all different. In a word, it was cozy. You knew that that room had stories to tell. Stories to tell of vacationing families, of fishing trips, of hurricanes and nor'easters survived. And, so, when I decorate, sometimes I want my rooms to feel like they have the same stories to tell. Stories of life and love and history and hope of a great future.<br /><br />In a word, gallery walls are just my thing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nU2IyHR9Ltg/TymDcmfgbEI/AAAAAAAAB04/gRVMqrpqKL0/s1600/IMG_0618.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nU2IyHR9Ltg/TymDcmfgbEI/AAAAAAAAB04/gRVMqrpqKL0/s400/IMG_0618.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div>A few things extended down onto the dresser.<br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Yj3L8Mkf5E/TymDc8Xu4II/AAAAAAAAB1A/95Kbv7fNZwE/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Yj3L8Mkf5E/TymDc8Xu4II/AAAAAAAAB1A/95Kbv7fNZwE/s400/IMG_0619.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div>As well as a bowl of buckeyes from a fun camping trip we took back in the days before kids.<br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljxiO5pq6eE/TymDdGfTEJI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/5JCHsB_QO54/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ljxiO5pq6eE/TymDdGfTEJI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/5JCHsB_QO54/s400/IMG_0620.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div>And along with the room and gallery wall moves, I got new bedding. I'd had the same floral duvet for almost 11 years. It was a wedding present that I loved at the time and still do, but I was just ready for something lighter. So, I went with this off-white matelasse that I borrowed/stole from my mom. I found the comforter at the end of the bed thrifting. It's king size and very heavy, so just perfect for when the nights are cold.<br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z-tKfrZlgs/TymDetSndcI/AAAAAAAAB1c/kg6XXG_HzuA/s1600/IMG_0622.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z-tKfrZlgs/TymDetSndcI/AAAAAAAAB1c/kg6XXG_HzuA/s400/IMG_0622.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span></div><br />And there you go. Cozy.Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-49000445528054110782012-01-31T08:06:00.005-05:002012-01-31T14:20:12.066-05:00Chicken Pozole<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vltaJkmqiHI/Tx9VjVbjmFI/AAAAAAAAB0U/AsoLhhiqX3g/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vltaJkmqiHI/Tx9VjVbjmFI/AAAAAAAAB0U/AsoLhhiqX3g/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><p>A few weeks ago, I took one of my beloved cooking classes, and the focus was on Latin American soups. Now we all know that I'm a sucker for Latin American foods, so that was right up my alley. We made <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pozole</span>, as well as a black bean soup that I plan to make in the next couple of weeks. But the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pozole</span> had to be made quickly! I couldn't stop thinking about it. Good stuff.<br /></p><br /><br /><p>Chicken <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pozole</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>recipe courtesy of Zach <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Meloy</span> and </em></span><a href="http://aofwc.com/index.aspx"><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Buford Highway Farmers' Market </em></span></a><br /></p>2 bone-in chicken breasts<br />water to cover<br />1 onion, diced<br />3-4 cloves garlic, minced<br />2-28 oz cans tomatoes, pureed in a blender until almost smooth<br />1-28 oz can hominy<br /><br />toppings: chips, sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges, onions, radishes, diced jalapenos, avocado. Whatever you've got is good here. This night, we went with chips, cilantro, onions, sour cream, and lime.<br /><br /><br />Boil chicken breasts in salted water, just until done, about 35-40 minutes. Take chicken out, allow to cool, and shred or chop. Reserve the light broth.<br /><br />In a large soup pot, saute onion and garlic until done. Add tomatoes, hominy, and chicken broth. Season to taste with salt. Bring to a simmer and allow to simmer at a very low heat for about 45 minutes. Add chicken to soup. Serve with toppings.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHy0xrU0228/Tx9VjgLYC0I/AAAAAAAAB0g/6rc47UAhfH4/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SHy0xrU0228/Tx9VjgLYC0I/AAAAAAAAB0g/6rc47UAhfH4/s400/IMG_0580.JPG" /></a> </div>Don't be jealous of the world map <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">placemat</span>. All the cool kids have them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div><br /><br />Today, I'm linked to Tasty Tuesday at <a href="beautyandbedlam.com">Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.</a>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-21151115799739354972012-01-30T05:29:00.003-05:002012-01-30T05:29:00.827-05:00Menu Plan January 30<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/orgjunkie_banner.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/orgjunkie_banner.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Last week, we amazingly stuck to our plans all week! And we were thrilled to eat Moe's at the end of it, so it was both a great treat, and a mini lesson for my boys on how money only stretches so far, and some of the ways we can help it do so. I will say, though, that the pantry was mighty thin by the end of the week, and I definitely missed the extra $20 I usually spend. So, this week, back to all our meals at home, and hopefully, I can squeeze in a few more treats.<br /><br />This week is also subject to change, because hopefully, our colds will be gone by the end of the week, and we'll head over to see my mom for a couple of days. I hate winter colds and staying home to keep them to ourselves! Ugh. So, we hit the vitamin C hard and hope for a quick recovery.<br /><br />Tuesday: chicken pozole (recipe coming tomorrow!)<br />Wednesday: red clam spaghetti, salad, bread<br />Thursday: taco soup, brownies<br />Friday: Thai curry over rice<br />Saturday: bean and rice burritos (lunch), <a href="http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-restaurants-food/chinese-new-year-recipes-1298497.html">pot sticker dumplings</a> (supper)<br />Sunday: quesadillas with spinach, mushrooms, and peppers (lunch), carbonara (supper)<br />Monday: red beans and rice, salad<br /><br />As always, I'm linked to meal plan Monday over at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">orgjunkie</a>.Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-47255879936631195192012-01-27T05:59:00.000-05:002012-01-27T05:59:00.726-05:00Salsas<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VSFdelFD-0/TxMxGnquuJI/AAAAAAAABzg/8m88wTE-rds/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697951943350990994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VSFdelFD-0/TxMxGnquuJI/AAAAAAAABzg/8m88wTE-rds/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" /></a><br />We love Mexican food here. And one of the fun things about taquerias is the salsa bar that they have. Our favorite has about 6 salsas to choose from, as well as pickled jalapenos, radishes, onions, and pico de gallo. So, so good. And so much fun to add to a meal. So for this night, I decided to play around with some of our favorites and try out a couple of new ones, too.<br /><br />This is <a href="http://www.kalamazoogourmet.com/rbme149.php">chipotle salsa</a>. A surprising hit. It's The Tomato King's new favorite.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lleeNKeWA4/TxMxHnflDTI/AAAAAAAABz8/Af3HWxREiEA/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697951960484089138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lleeNKeWA4/TxMxHnflDTI/AAAAAAAABz8/Af3HWxREiEA/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.kalamazoogourmet.com/rbme154.php">Roasted tomatillo salsa</a>. This is the favorite of my kids. It's a Rick Bayless recipe, which is written in a very wordy way. Don't let that turn you off--it's very easy.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q07Z7oJxUes/TxMxHLos-6I/AAAAAAAABzs/4Q3PmvOWA5k/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697951953006164898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q07Z7oJxUes/TxMxHLos-6I/AAAAAAAABzs/4Q3PmvOWA5k/s320/IMG_0363.JPG" /></a> My favorite. Tomatillo avocado salsa. Add an avocado to the tomatillo salsa and blend. Easy peasy.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DkJi20dL9JU/TxMxGFT9RgI/AAAAAAAABzU/3_8Ax-DyYJc/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697951934128670210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DkJi20dL9JU/TxMxGFT9RgI/AAAAAAAABzU/3_8Ax-DyYJc/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" /></a><br />And the old faithful. <a href="http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/recipes/sauce_jalapenosalsa.html">Roasted tomato salsa </a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rl2R-FDLiN8/TxMxF_Yq8PI/AAAAAAAABzI/wXpwpHo7RQk/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697951932537827570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rl2R-FDLiN8/TxMxF_Yq8PI/AAAAAAAABzI/wXpwpHo7RQk/s320/IMG_0364.JPG" /></a> We're already making a list for the next salsa night. It's a fun, cheap way to bring some new-ness into our meals and make us feel like we're eating something different. Even if it is rice and beans. Again. (are my kids ever going to tire of this????) Good for the budget. Good for the bored mama. Good all around.</p>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-906801060141506802012-01-26T05:57:00.000-05:002012-01-26T05:57:00.688-05:00Collards<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LopQCJeyGDM/Tn9Pd61maQI/AAAAAAAAByM/rGKSa6lcHUA/s1600/P7200035.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LopQCJeyGDM/Tn9Pd61maQI/AAAAAAAAByM/rGKSa6lcHUA/s400/P7200035.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div><br /><br />I love greens. Greens in every form, in every way. Almost everything is done in the garden right now, but the collards carry on. A little promise of spring to come and a reminder that even when it looks like nothing is happening, growth still continues. (as an aside...man, I love that garden and its glimpse into life. not so much the work involved...but I can really appreciate the beauty and lessons that I find there)<br /><br />So, anyway.. This is my favorite way to cook collards. It will work for almost anything else you get your hands on, too. Chard, bok choy, spinach, escarole, you name it. The only thing I don't like this way are turnips and mustard. But collards are definitely my favorite.<br /><br />Heat olive oil in a large shallow skillet. Add whole garlic cloves and crushed red pepper flakes to taste (I usually do 4-5 cloves and 2 tsp red pepper flakes). Add chopped collard greens until the skillet is overflowing. Then just quickly stir-fry until they are done. If you like them more done, add 3 T water and cover the skillet for a few minutes. But they are good just stir-fried. <br /><br />We eat this as a side dish, as a filler for burritos, as a main dish underneath a piece of meat (like a steak or chicken breast). You name it--you'll find a use for these collards.Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-75372211674351981722012-01-25T05:32:00.001-05:002012-01-25T05:32:01.088-05:00Chinese Chicken Salad<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75JFWafcnn0/Tn9Ji6K_aII/AAAAAAAAByE/SSkY4gbR5oY/s1600/P8260011.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75JFWafcnn0/Tn9Ji6K_aII/AAAAAAAAByE/SSkY4gbR5oY/s400/P8260011.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div><br /><br /><p><br /><br />In honor of Chinese New Year this week, I thought I'd post one of our favorite not-really-Chinese-at-all recipes.<br /><br />Chinese Chicken Salad<br /><em><em><span style="font-size:78%;">inspired by an old </span><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/noodle-chicken-salad-10000000453017/"><span style="font-size:78%;">recipe </span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">from Southern Living June 2003</span></em></em><br /><br />1/3 cup light olive oil<br />2 T sesame oil<br />1/2 cup red wine vinegar<br />1/4 cup sugar<br />1/4 cup soy sauce<br />1/2 tsp pepper (white if you have it)<br />leftover chicken...we eat about 1/2 roasted chicken for this, but whatever your family likes..shredded<br />1 head romaine lettuce<br />1/2-1 head napa cabbage (depends on size; you want about half and half with lettuce)<br />1 can mandarin oranges<br />1/2 bunch scallions, sliced into 1 inch pieces, smaller towards the white<br />1 package ramen noodles, seasoning packet discarded, and crumbled into small pieces<br />1/2 cup sliced almonds<br /><br />To make the dressing, whisk together the oils, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings (salt, sugar, pepper) if needed. <br /><br />To make the salad, add lettuce, cabbage, chicken, oranges, scallions, almonds, and ramen to a large bowl. Toss with dressing and serve immediately.Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-42074000131111845772012-01-24T06:58:00.001-05:002012-01-24T09:49:21.101-05:00Indian Mexican Fusion<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I7aLMXVei4I/TxrSr3KDHtI/AAAAAAAAB0I/XwS8ADoxNAM/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700099929373089490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I7aLMXVei4I/TxrSr3KDHtI/AAAAAAAAB0I/XwS8ADoxNAM/s320/IMG_0556.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />I checked out a great cookbook from the library last week, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/660-Curries-Raghavan-Iyer/dp/0761137874">660 Curries</a>. I love, love, love some good Indian food. I also love, love, love some good Mexican food. So, when I saw the recipe for Mexican Indian fusion, using flavors from both, I knew that I had to have it. This recipe takes some time. It requires making the sauce, preparing the peppers, making the batter, then frying. But it's so. worth. it. One of the best new recipes I've tried in a long time.<br /><br />Potato-Stuffed Peppers in a guajillo chile sauce<br />For the sauce:<br />12 dried guajillo chiles<br />3 cups boiling water<br />1/4 cup chopped cilantro<br />2 t toasted cumin-coriander blend (I used 1 t of each, but you can buy this as dhania-jeera masala)<br />1 t salt<br /><br />For the peppers:<br />1 pound potatoes, boiled and mashed<br />1 t salt<br />1/4 cup cilantro<br />4 cloves garlic<br />4 fresh green chiles<br />6 large poblanos or anaheims (but tailor this for your crowd; count on 1-2 per person)<br /><br />For the batter:<br />1 cup chickpea flour<br />1/2 cup rice flour<br />1 t salt<br />1/2 t turmeric<br />3/4 cup warm water (I needed a little more)<br /><br />Canola oil for frying<br />2 T cilantro for garnish<br /><br />To make the sauce, soak the guajillos in the water until soft (about 20 minutes). Take them out and blend until smooth (in a blender), adding most of the 3 cups of water. Strain into a saucepan, then add the salt, cilantro, and spices. Simmer until it's thick enough for a sauce (I just left mine simmering slowly on a back burner while I made the rest of the recipe).<br /><br />To make the peppers, roast, peel, and then remove the seeds of the peppers. The original recipe called for them raw, but we just prefer roasted and peeled. It's all good. In a food processor, grind the cilantro, garlic, and peppers until very finely chopped. Mix that into the potatoes along with the salt. Then, stuff the peppers with the potato mixture and set aside.<br /><br />Mix the batter, adding the water slowly, until you get sort of a thick pancake batter. You want it to cling to the peppers.<br /><br />Heat the oil, and when ready to fry, dip a pepper into the batter, then place into the hot oil. My skillet holds two poblanos at a time, so that's how many I did. Fry until golden brown (cause everything is already cooked; you're just frying the batter). Drain on paper towels.<br /><br />To serve, top each pepper with the sauce and some cilantro. Enjoy!<br /><br />Today, I'm linked to Tasty Tuesday over at <a href="http://beautyandbedlam.com/">Balancing Beauty and Bedlam</a>. Check it out!Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-88696285209491078662012-01-23T05:21:00.002-05:002012-01-23T11:43:09.777-05:00Meal Plan 1/23<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mpm-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mpm-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Another week, another meal plan.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tuesday: red chili</div><br /><div>Wednesday: potluck (we're taking salad)</div><br /><div>Thursday: black bean burgers, chips, salad</div><br /><div>Friday: potato stuffed peppers in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">guajillo</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">chile</span> sauce (recipe coming tomorrow!), rice, beans</div><br /><div>Saturday: bean and rice burritos with green <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">chiles</span> (lunch), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ribeye</span>, chard, salad, baked potatoes (supper)</div><br /><div>Sunday: <a href="http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/buddy-valastros-kids-cavatelli-broccoli/">pasta with broccoli </a>(lunch), <a href="http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/quick-vegan-black-bean-and-sweet-potato-chili">sweet potato black bean chili</a> (supper)</div><br /><div>Monday: Moe's Monday (I promised my kids that if they'd eat cheap stuff all week, I'd save out enough money for this, which they adore. Lots of beans this week, only to eat more beans at a restaurant. Go figure. )</div>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-71219086026624919472011-12-27T07:38:00.002-05:002012-01-21T10:17:11.372-05:00Meal Plan Monday<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piEfiodCzt0/Tvm8Njt8DsI/AAAAAAAABy8/R6pw0lObiMI/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piEfiodCzt0/Tvm8Njt8DsI/AAAAAAAABy8/R6pw0lObiMI/s400/IMG_0239.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br />It feels like we need a bit of reality thrown in amongst the new toys and fun and change in schedule, so a meal plan is a great way to get that started.<br /><br />Monday: big turkey dinner--turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, squash casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, broccoli and rice casserole, rolls<br /><br />Tuesday: leftovers (yay!)<br /><br />Wednesday: turkey tettrazini<br /><br />Thursday: maybe out for Mexican??<br /><br />Friday: finger food party--inspired by LifeasaMom's mocktail party--artichoke dip, celery/carrots with hummus, stuffed mushrooms, meatballs<br /><br />Saturday: barbecue shrimp, salad, bread<br /><br />Sunday: brunch; collards, black eyed peas, rice, cornbread; Texas caviar for a potluck birthday party we're going to<br /><br /><br />I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Ours was wonderful, and I'm happy to be back in the throes of normal. I can almost see and touch our regular routine! Co-op starts next week... Vacation ends for my husband.... And maybe, just maybe, my toilets will be clean on a regular basis (well, a girl can dream!). Merry Christmas everyone! <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-47822147010906028012011-09-20T08:46:00.001-04:002011-09-20T09:48:02.839-04:00Fabulous consignment find!Ever get something in your head that you just absolutely <em>need</em>? Yep, me, too. And the rational, cost-cutting portion of your brain just refuses to listen.<br /><br />This quilt is for that part of my brain. When we moved, I was convinced that I needed a Pottery Barn Kids quilt for my big boy beds. Had to have them. Visited them in the store! But, something about that $130 price tag has held me back. Recently, I decided that I had waited long enough, and I started calling the outlet (a little more than an hour away) to stalk a quilt that I liked. Up there, they are $65, so much better price, but still not cheap.<br /><br />And, then, I lucked up on this one at a consignment sale for only $15! I'm thrilled. It really works well in this room. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Matchy</span>, but not overly so, you know? That's the style I like, so I couldn't be more pleased.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny3diRzpCuY/TlJPmc01NcI/AAAAAAAABxk/01UIDKX_T6w/s1600/P8220052.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny3diRzpCuY/TlJPmc01NcI/AAAAAAAABxk/01UIDKX_T6w/s400/P8220052.JPG" /></a> </div>I like this cool detail to go with the gingham bed skirt, found almost a year ago at Goodwill for only $3.23.<br /><br />It also works well with the rug, another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Craigslist</span> bargain, at $25. We had to drive for-ever to get it, but, hey, I still love it. That's what matters, right?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzqw5-BOHkY/TlJPmlso1eI/AAAAAAAABxs/3E7YCUq7GkE/s1600/P8220053.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzqw5-BOHkY/TlJPmlso1eI/AAAAAAAABxs/3E7YCUq7GkE/s400/P8220053.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br />As I look around, the whole room is mostly consignment/Goodwill/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">craigslist</span> finds, along with a little table from the Store of Mom. This room makes me happy. As does that sweet baby!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0aBS4QjqWyU/TlJPmv1jtcI/AAAAAAAABx0/XM0k6q64SwE/s1600/P8220055.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0aBS4QjqWyU/TlJPmv1jtcI/AAAAAAAABx0/XM0k6q64SwE/s400/P8220055.JPG" /></a> </div>So there you go. A little patience rewarded with sweet firetrucks. Nothing better!<br /><br />I'm linked up to Southern Hospitality's <a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/more-thrifty-treasures-3/">Thrifty Treasures</a> today, too. Check it out!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-60116358498374796802011-08-16T07:08:00.002-04:002011-08-16T07:47:56.750-04:00Leftover remakeMy kids love to eat rice, so we have it frequently. It's great and all, but sometimes... Well, sometimes, I am tired of regular old rice. So, I try to mix it up as much as they'll let me. This was a winner, and we'll have it again.
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<br />I started with browning some ground beef, a red bell pepper, onion, and wilting some fresh spinach in a pan.
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<br />Added some leftover Mexican rice (just rice cooked with tomato sauce).
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<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsF7WnieVkU/TbFhpZioxKI/AAAAAAAABkI/t_ALFmMUYN0/s1600/P4020056.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsF7WnieVkU/TbFhpZioxKI/AAAAAAAABkI/t_ALFmMUYN0/s320/P4020056.JPG" /></a> </div>And we ended up with this skillet Mexican rice that hit the spot! It's great as is, topped with cheese, or rolled in a tortilla. Whatever floats your boat. But, oh so easy, and surprisingly better than the sum of its parts.
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<br />It's Tuesday, so I'm linked to Tasty Tuesday over at <a href="http://beautyandbedlam.com/">Balancing Beauty and Bedlam</a>. I always find great ideas over there. Check it out!
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<br />Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-72553896819745434092011-08-15T06:18:00.000-04:002011-08-15T06:18:00.447-04:00Menu Plan August 15<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/mpm-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://orgjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/mpm-1.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div>Menu Plan
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<br /><div>Friday-- take out burritos
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<br /><div>Saturday--leftovers (lunch), grilled steaks, sweet potatoes, cucumber/tomato salad (supper)</div>
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<br /><div>Sunday--migas tacos (brunch), neighborhood pool party; we're taking brownies and potato salad(supper)
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<br /><div>Monday--eggplant parmesan, salad
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<br /><div>Tuesday--taco salad with ground turkey and pinto beans</div>
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<br /><div>Wednesday--<a href="http://thepeculiarhomemaker.blogspot.com/2009/08/kroger-bargain-meal-august-30.html">Thai beef over coconut rice</a></div>
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<br /><div>Thursday--homemade sushi</div>
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<br /><div>As always, I'm linked to Menu Plan Monday at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">orgjunkie</a>. Lots of great ideas from so many wonderful bloggers. Check it out!</div>
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<br />Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-75151588896189892772011-07-30T10:12:00.001-04:002011-07-30T10:12:00.671-04:00The aftermath of Mama's Saturday morning sleep in<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIcbYshWB0A/TiAglVKbmNI/AAAAAAAABw0/Z_U62bU2EQU/s1600/P7090117.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vIcbYshWB0A/TiAglVKbmNI/AAAAAAAABw0/Z_U62bU2EQU/s400/P7090117.JPG" /></a> </div><br />Really. No words needed. <br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-77180182612667583202011-07-29T09:17:00.004-04:002011-07-29T09:17:00.180-04:00Mexican Restaurant Date Night<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BElqU_Dhte8/TeuCCExOlTI/AAAAAAAABo4/U4DojtODyIc/s1600/P5070059.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BElqU_Dhte8/TeuCCExOlTI/AAAAAAAABo4/U4DojtODyIc/s400/P5070059.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br />A few years ago, my MOPS group had a "favorite things" gathering, where we all stood up and declared our favorite (relatively cheap) splurge. Mine was the beloved Mexican Coke. I still have a friend that teases me about it, but I just have to think that she has never tried my lovely. They are soo good! These are imported from Mexico, where they still use cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. totally worth seeking out. Delicious!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPGWpuBLDfM/TeuCCfF3teI/AAAAAAAABpA/Qun4ZHlaBnY/s1600/P5070063.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FPGWpuBLDfM/TeuCCfF3teI/AAAAAAAABpA/Qun4ZHlaBnY/s400/P5070063.JPG" /></a> </div><br />We enjoyed our cokes (let's face it; they were the most important part of the meal!) with another restaurant favorite, <a href="http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Shrimp-and-Octopus-Cocktail">shrimp and octopus coktel</a>.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9sQyjEb3WQ/TeuCCxvxQYI/AAAAAAAABpI/oMsIEcezTmY/s1600/P5070064.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9sQyjEb3WQ/TeuCCxvxQYI/AAAAAAAABpI/oMsIEcezTmY/s400/P5070064.JPG" /></a> </div><br />And we ended our restaurant meal with a great dessert--berries and cream. This is whipped coconut cream (the thick part of coconut milk). It makes a pretty decent substitute for whipped cream, and it's as close as I seem to get during these dairy free days. <br /><br />This was fun, recreating a restaurant special. It allows us to have some special foods, both cheaper and easier. Because, let's face it. Sometimes, not taking little kids to a restaurant--it doesn't cause me to be sad cause I have to cook. It causes me to be thrilled that I don't have to deal with the challenge! Making my favorites at home=win/win. And sharing it with my favorite guy...that is even better! <br /><br />I encourage you to find something new to cook this week. It'll breathe a bit of new life into your kitchen. And better yet, find a time to connect with the one you love. Even better than new life in your kitchen!Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-74156929528177828382011-07-28T07:25:00.000-04:002011-07-28T07:39:28.242-04:00Camping Trip<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ2pIntXTuI/TeuDx8dZFMI/AAAAAAAABqo/0xq6oibZiJc/s1600/P4090029.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ2pIntXTuI/TeuDx8dZFMI/AAAAAAAABqo/0xq6oibZiJc/s400/P4090029.JPG" /></a> </div><br />This camping trip was earlier in the summer. We had a great time in south Georgia, at the flattest (and hottest, with the biggest <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mosquitoes</span>) campgrounds we've ever seen. My grandparents and Mike's grandparents are from the same 30 mile area, although my one remaining grandfather doesn't live there anymore. So, we don't really have reason to go down there, but the area is familiar.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4WrsmpiIJE/TeuDyL0B6SI/AAAAAAAABqw/IRKz09InQLk/s1600/P4090031.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4WrsmpiIJE/TeuDyL0B6SI/AAAAAAAABqw/IRKz09InQLk/s400/P4090031.JPG" /></a> </div>Mike's sister was down for a wedding, so we decided to combine a camping trip that we'd been talking about with seeing her.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIbwYbFWolI/TeuDyXYYIhI/AAAAAAAABq4/XkFhjaHIfkA/s1600/P4080028.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIbwYbFWolI/TeuDyXYYIhI/AAAAAAAABq4/XkFhjaHIfkA/s400/P4080028.JPG" /></a> </div><br />We also checked out a pretty neat zoo. I think that was the highlight for my boys. The zoo was actually really good. Although this alligator pond was huge and totally <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">squicked</span> me out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUrZMy0PnAM/TeuDypnX3aI/AAAAAAAABrA/l8Nka0akkO4/s1600/P4090039.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUrZMy0PnAM/TeuDypnX3aI/AAAAAAAABrA/l8Nka0akkO4/s400/P4090039.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-diIrh9eNc/TeuD_U4XEtI/AAAAAAAABrI/QaT4AWcofLc/s1600/P4090047.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-diIrh9eNc/TeuD_U4XEtI/AAAAAAAABrI/QaT4AWcofLc/s400/P4090047.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWPw8t6cp1s/TeuD_tCE61I/AAAAAAAABrQ/xrrWH-iw5cU/s1600/P4090061.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWPw8t6cp1s/TeuD_tCE61I/AAAAAAAABrQ/xrrWH-iw5cU/s400/P4090061.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjx1Iwcs788/TeuD_u1ANAI/AAAAAAAABrY/z-rfFVY5XWE/s1600/P4090067.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pjx1Iwcs788/TeuD_u1ANAI/AAAAAAAABrY/z-rfFVY5XWE/s400/P4090067.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEndhhlce0E/TeuD_6LTaXI/AAAAAAAABrg/jVgTM36JLsg/s1600/P4100071.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEndhhlce0E/TeuD_6LTaXI/AAAAAAAABrg/jVgTM36JLsg/s400/P4100071.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wGIREmZNbI/TeuEXgNGuEI/AAAAAAAABro/-rjIoXWdlgQ/s1600/P4100074.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wGIREmZNbI/TeuEXgNGuEI/AAAAAAAABro/-rjIoXWdlgQ/s400/P4100074.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecEJ4LO9EF0/TeuEXmh4T6I/AAAAAAAABrw/1KqU7nCZIuE/s1600/P4100077.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecEJ4LO9EF0/TeuEXmh4T6I/AAAAAAAABrw/1KqU7nCZIuE/s400/P4100077.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgQbVKj_Sys/TeuEYBgjC6I/AAAAAAAABr4/eVMCq7iIchg/s1600/P4100079.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgQbVKj_Sys/TeuEYBgjC6I/AAAAAAAABr4/eVMCq7iIchg/s400/P4100079.JPG" /></a> </div>It was a great trip! I'm a wimp, and I've refused to go camping this summer until it gets cooler. But, we already have a trip planned for when the weather cooperates in September (oh, please cooperate!). I can't wait.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-43692414044403245392011-07-27T06:52:00.003-04:002011-07-27T06:52:00.829-04:00Premium Leftovers<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOjLAG2GGNI/TiAb9d-EX7I/AAAAAAAABwM/YzpohtN_928/s1600/P7020016.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOjLAG2GGNI/TiAb9d-EX7I/AAAAAAAABwM/YzpohtN_928/s400/P7020016.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div><br /><p><br /><br />In our house, if you declare something "premium leftovers", then it's understood that they should be shared. Not scarfed down in the middle of the night (!) or first thing while you let your very tired wife sleep in on Saturday mornings. Not that that has ever happened. But just in case.<br /><br />This dish is one of my favorites and very worthy of the premium leftover designation. It will last for a couple of days, but it never makes it that long in our house. If there is any left over, it is eaten by lunch time the next day. I've been known to eat it for breakfast. So good!<br /><br />Pea/Corn Salad<br />3 T red wine vinegar<br />4 T oil<br />1 tsp salt<br />1 tsp sugar<br />3 cups cooked peas (these were pink eye, but anything will work; even frozen)<br />1 cup corn, cut from the cob (about 2 ears)<br />1/2 cup chopped basil (to taste)<br />1/2 onion, diced<br />1 jalapeno, diced (seeded if desired)</p><br /><p><br />Mix vinaigrette in a medium bowl, whisking until combined (vinegar through sugar). Add peas, corn, onion, jalapeno, and basil. Mix to coat with the dressing. Allow to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature for flavors to mingle. Taste and correct for seasonings if needed. Enjoy! </p>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-74558254476078764092011-07-26T07:32:00.003-04:002011-07-26T07:46:04.046-04:00Very Hungry Caterpillar<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0RnZ49Nm_U/Th2CYfp4gGI/AAAAAAAABt4/31Qyl-MXtTA/s1600/P6180034.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0RnZ49Nm_U/Th2CYfp4gGI/AAAAAAAABt4/31Qyl-MXtTA/s400/P6180034.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p>We celebrated Marshall's birthday in style. With a Very Hungry Caterpillar party! It's a beloved book around here, and I love the illustrations. Our big boy bedroom even has Very Hungry Caterpillar curtains. So, with a baby that eats anything that doesn't eat him first....well, we knew that we had the perfect theme.<br /></p><br /><p>This sign helped set the mood. It's hard to see in the picture, but each of the circles that make up the caterpillar spell out "Happy birthday to you". I had lots and lots of help in coloring the sign, as everyone got ready for Marshall's birthday.<br /></p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkW95iQmg9E/Th2DLVxENjI/AAAAAAAABvY/QHFjTq4gH2w/s1600/P6180064.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkW95iQmg9E/Th2DLVxENjI/AAAAAAAABvY/QHFjTq4gH2w/s400/P6180064.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><p>Will and Mac helped me early in the week by making these cool butterfly table decorations.<br /></p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u0K9AHjPP8E/Th2CYuAZuMI/AAAAAAAABuA/2m-UhFqoPPQ/s1600/P6180036.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u0K9AHjPP8E/Th2CYuAZuMI/AAAAAAAABuA/2m-UhFqoPPQ/s400/P6180036.JPG" /></a> </div>Our fabulous birthday boy. So happy to turn one!<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXU86l3QfqM/Th2CY7uSKmI/AAAAAAAABuI/UowxuPbGAHE/s1600/P6180038.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXU86l3QfqM/Th2CY7uSKmI/AAAAAAAABuI/UowxuPbGAHE/s400/P6180038.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QBpZwnPUJI/Th2CZE5ssvI/AAAAAAAABuQ/-HNhx1pow6A/s1600/P6180033.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QBpZwnPUJI/Th2CZE5ssvI/AAAAAAAABuQ/-HNhx1pow6A/s400/P6180033.JPG" /></a> </div><br />For the food, I kept it simple, but still stuff that I knew Marshall liked. Starting with watermelon.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIZqwUG8tEY/Th2CqOrwabI/AAAAAAAABuY/hvufsKK7tb4/s1600/P6180028.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIZqwUG8tEY/Th2CqOrwabI/AAAAAAAABuY/hvufsKK7tb4/s400/P6180028.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><p>Special drinks. We kept it simple with tea, lemonade, and seltzer.<br /></p><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuzb5-zb6kI/Th2CqQPVJiI/AAAAAAAABug/FxCgsCmH7NM/s1600/P6180029.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuzb5-zb6kI/Th2CqQPVJiI/AAAAAAAABug/FxCgsCmH7NM/s400/P6180029.JPG" /></a> </div>What does a one year old love most? Why, hot dogs of course! (they were such a hit that they were requested for the 3 year old's birthday, too....and I'm betting that they will show up on the 5 year old's birthday in September)<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDDk04-Y4fI/Th2CqpVkxNI/AAAAAAAABuo/AKu83IBcnRw/s1600/P6180030.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDDk04-Y4fI/Th2CqpVkxNI/AAAAAAAABuo/AKu83IBcnRw/s400/P6180030.JPG" /></a> </div>This was our first occasion that the big boys got to have a separate kids' table, which they loved.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMdt5XLJnzY/Th2Cq6CS2SI/AAAAAAAABuw/tDTA-GZCYOI/s1600/P6180031.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMdt5XLJnzY/Th2Cq6CS2SI/AAAAAAAABuw/tDTA-GZCYOI/s400/P6180031.JPG" /></a> </div>A Very Hungry Caterpillar cupcake cake, of course!<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OF9l-zkwOI/Th2C86i1l_I/AAAAAAAABu4/0qucNA1AFQ4/s1600/P6180040.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OF9l-zkwOI/Th2C86i1l_I/AAAAAAAABu4/0qucNA1AFQ4/s400/P6180040.JPG" /></a> </div><br />A rare picture of all three, all looking happy at the same time. Yay!<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17Fx9BAxF1Q/Th2C8-92ofI/AAAAAAAABvA/nopSCTl7c-M/s1600/P6180039.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17Fx9BAxF1Q/Th2C8-92ofI/AAAAAAAABvA/nopSCTl7c-M/s400/P6180039.JPG" /></a> </div><br />Enjoying cake<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2-lWDqrNXs/Th2C9CVtieI/AAAAAAAABvI/cmyXmsoQFaU/s1600/P6180045.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2-lWDqrNXs/Th2C9CVtieI/AAAAAAAABvI/cmyXmsoQFaU/s400/P6180045.JPG" /></a> </div><br />And presents!<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABpEGAdhY_M/Th2C9oDX3GI/AAAAAAAABvQ/CE7xlREECqw/s1600/P6180050.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABpEGAdhY_M/Th2C9oDX3GI/AAAAAAAABvQ/CE7xlREECqw/s400/P6180050.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><p><br />Happy birthday, little man! This year has flown by so very fast, and we've enjoyed every minute. The verse for your birth and addition to our family has proven so very true. </p><br /><p><em>From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16</em></p><br /><p>You are a fabulous blessing, and we are very thankful for you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-85586314653510495602011-07-25T08:38:00.004-04:002011-07-25T08:47:51.629-04:00Menu Plan Monday July 25<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tc72ckyotMA/Ti1juWk_nFI/AAAAAAAABxU/7IxsItsYP6w/s1600/P7240078.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tc72ckyotMA/Ti1juWk_nFI/AAAAAAAABxU/7IxsItsYP6w/s400/P7240078.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div><br /><br />We had a great weekend celebrating the 3rd birthday of a very special little boy. That's him, walking the dog, "on a leash, on our nature walk," which is exactly what he asked for for his birthday. He got it, was thrilled, and I was happy to please him with something so simple. I love that kid!<br /><br />Friday--sloppy joes, cucumbers, spinach salad<br />Saturday--turkey and tomato sandwiches (lunch), take out gyros and baba ghanouj (supper)<br />Sunday--eggs and toast (breakfast), picnic (lunch), hot dogs, chips, strawberries, pasta salad, cupcakes (supper)<br />Monday--salisbury steak, rice, lima beans, salad<br />Tuesday--quesadillas for boys, cooking class for Mama<br />Wednesday--Thai curry over rice<br />Thursday--McRibs (made with <a href="http://www.morningstarfarms.com/MorningStarFarmsHickoryBBQRiblets_16331.html">morningstar riblets</a>), cold vegetable salad of some sort, roasted sweet potatoes<br /><br />As always, I'm linked to Menu Plan Monday over at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">orgjunkie</a>. Lots of great ideas over there!Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-76026302875006400072011-07-20T07:03:00.001-04:002011-07-20T10:33:07.404-04:00Happy Hour Date Night<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epFLpIJnDsg/TiAegXdUUdI/AAAAAAAABwc/vYsS7Hvezds/s1600/P7020013.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epFLpIJnDsg/TiAegXdUUdI/AAAAAAAABwc/vYsS7Hvezds/s400/P7020013.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This summer, our schedules have been all wonky and off center. Late afternoons at the pool, lots of fresh air, and you get boys that mostly don't nap and have an early bedtime, but occasionally throw you a loop. On this day, everyone had napped, and the baby was still asleep. We knew that early bedtimes were in no way a possibility, so we decided to not even try. We used our friend, the electronic babysitter, to steal an hour alone in the backyard for happy hour. It was indeed a happy hour, and we were better at the end for it.<br /><br />It started with lovely Arnold Palmers. In the summer, I never, ever, get tired of the fabulous mix of half lemonade, half iced tea. The fact that it has a fancy name is just a bonus.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ceXwk4Ztz6Y/TiAegvmVVLI/AAAAAAAABwk/dLY95fbe-e4/s1600/P7020011.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ceXwk4Ztz6Y/TiAegvmVVLI/AAAAAAAABwk/dLY95fbe-e4/s400/P7020011.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br />And some of these great Utz chips. There's a story behind them. When we went on our honeymoon (10 years ago), we bought these chips to eat for lunch everyday with our sandwiches, so that we didn't have to leave the beach. We loved them, and they scream "honeymoon" to us. Alas, they are mostly a northeastern thing, so we've only had them at the beach. I spotted them at Kroger last week, and I think I squealed right in the chip aisle. I texted a picture right to Mike. Such a thrill over chips! I love how a food memory can take you right back to another place. This one made us so happy.<br /><br />And another date (albeit short) in the books. I love this guy, though, so I'm always happy, even for a stolen hour.Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-69830704914982859052011-07-19T07:10:00.001-04:002011-07-19T09:44:26.003-04:00The sort-of Nicoise Salad<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqYzXvzwGQY/TiAgHFUZ72I/AAAAAAAABws/04Ebmv3kwqI/s1600/P7050109.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqYzXvzwGQY/TiAgHFUZ72I/AAAAAAAABws/04Ebmv3kwqI/s400/P7050109.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br />I love tuna nicoise. It screams summer to me, and I love the way the flavors go together. Recently, it was on the menu, and when Mike asked what was for dinner, I proudly announced it. To be greated with "the face". You know the face. The one that tells you that he's not so happy about it. That he might rather have Taco Bell (ah, the insult!). So, I did what an exceptionally loving, wonderful person would do. I switched it around.<br /><br />Except.<br /><br />I thought it was the tuna that he was protesting. Turns out he thinks green beans in salad are weird, and it's not the tuna he has a problem with at all. So, he still had to pick around the green beans. Oh, well. At least he hid the face a little better when supper was served (and in the interest of full disclosure, my children ate this meal in completely separate piles; no way would they eat it all mixed together). But I ate it as served, as it was intended to be eaten. And enjoyed every bite.<br /><br />Chicken Nicoise Salad<br />lettuce<br />black olives<br />cooked green beans<br />potato salad (don't knock it--it's a great substitute for the traditional boiled potatoes, onion slices, and boiled eggs)<br />poached chicken<br />cucumbers<br />Luxembourg dressing<br /><br />Dressing<br /><em>adapted from <a href="http://www.martisatmidday.com/inside_recipes.php?recipe_ID=12&PHPSESSID=2c219c28a11e472ef0498cc9ebdf79da">Marti's at Midday</a></em><br />2 small shallots (I used small fresh onions from the garden--shallot size),chopped<br />3 tablespoons fresh minced herbs (I used tarragon, lemon basil, and lemon thyme)<br />1/4 cup balsamic vinegar<br />1/4 cup rice vinegar<br />1 teaspoon grain mustard<br />2 teaspoons sugar<br />3/4 cups canola oil<br />1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt<br />1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper<br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />Combine all ingredients for dressing except oils in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and well combined. Add oils in a slow steady stream on medium blending speed to emulsify. You must add the oil slowly so that the dressing does not separate. This dressing is deeeeee-licious! Definitely try it. It's great on any green salad, as a marinade, as a dip. Very multi-purpose, and really, really good.<br /><br />To build the salad, place a bed of lettuce on each individual plate. Place all ingredients on top of the lettuce, to "compose" the salad. Drizzle with the salad dressing. Depending on who you are serving, this works well as individual salads or in one big platter. It's all good.</p><p>Today, I'm linked to Tasty Tuesday over at <a href="http://beautyandbedlam.com/how-one-sandwich-will-feed-a-village/">Balancing Beauty and Bedlam</a>. Check it out! <br /></p>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100129205526370547.post-67836710955514992882011-07-18T07:02:00.004-04:002011-07-18T07:02:00.424-04:00Menu Plan July 18th<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py4m5VNnujY/TiAeOyRqbUI/AAAAAAAABwU/YJE9NBmfyNo/s1600/P7040108.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py4m5VNnujY/TiAeOyRqbUI/AAAAAAAABwU/YJE9NBmfyNo/s400/P7040108.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><p><br />Friday--haystacks</p><br /><br /><br /><p>Saturday--hummus, pita, carrots, celery (lunch), steak burritos with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomatillo</span> salsa, collards, and avocado, peach cobbler (supper)<br /><br />Sunday--<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">migas</span> (lunch), turkey chopped steaks (topped with ham, cheese, mushrooms, and honey mustard sauce), <a href="http://thepeculiarhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/08/calabacitas.html">calabacitas</a>, salad (supper)<br /><br />Monday--at my mom's house--oh, please let it be BLTs!!<br /><br />Tuesday--chicken with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">cajun</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">maque</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">choux</span>, salad, cornbread<br /><br />Wednesday--black bean burgers, cucumbers, fruit<br /><br />Thursday--blackened chicken pot pie<br /><br />As always, I'm linked to menu plan Monday at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/category/menu-plan-monday"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">orgjunkie</span> </a>. Lots of great ideas over there!<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both"></div>Betsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16039715116246649541noreply@blogger.com0