Archives for 2011

Review: Penzeys Spices

December 30, 2011 · Narrative

I first discovered Penzeys Spices years ago, when I was a frequent visitor on Cooking Light’s bulletin boards. At the time, there wasn’t a retail location near us, so my exposure to the establishment was strictly through recommendations from my fellow bulletin board members and the mail catalog.

The times, they are a changing…

When we heard that we were finally getting a retail store close enough to visit, Patsy and I quickly planned a field trip. I mean, c’mon, pure spice heaven, how could we not?

This location is in downtown Summit. While there is plenty of on-street (free) parking, it’s a bustling downtown area, so good luck with that. A couple laps around the block, and you should be fine.

One of the reasons I don’t order from the catalog much anymore is I found it very overwhelming. They have a lot of their own spice mixtures, and, well, it’s hard to buy from paper speculation, you know? And then the basic things you know, like cinnamon, for example, they have a bajillion varieties. It’s enough to make your head spin.

The layout is very open and clean, which makes it easy to browse the different areas without getting as overwhelmed as one might browsing their catalog. But that might be just my issue.

I strongly suggest going to visit their actual storefront if you’re lucky enough to have one in your neck of the woods. Getting to smell all their tester jars convinced me of a few “must needs,” and confirmed there were a few things that sounded good on paper, but did nothing for me once I smelled them. Except turn me off. ‘Twas quite a good exercise indeed….

Sponsorship Opportunities at Sweetnicks

December 29, 2011 · Narrative

Eat.Live.Be. and Waka Waka Salad

December 28, 2011 · Narrative

When I saw that this week’s Eat.Live.Be. inspiration was to come from the tv, I knew it was the perfect time to revisit Guy Fieri’s Waka Waka Salad, with my modifications.

Guy Fieri is one of the more exuberant and rebellious stars of Food Network, and made this Waka Waka Salad when he was competing on The Next Food Network Star in 2006. He subsequently won that show and has gone on to firmly implant himself onto Food Network’s line-up, with hosting duties for several shows under his big shiny belt buckle. I’ve made this recipe several times before, and was originally drawn to it because of its fun name. Really, who doesn’t like saying Waka Waka Salad? It just makes you smile.

The original salad is largely cabbage-based, and that was a bit of a turn-off to me. I like cabbage, but in small doses, and it’s an even tougher sell for the kids. But by mixing in some greens, it lessens the cabbage impact a bit and everyone is happy. I love the homemade dressing, and the crunch of the noodles and the peanuts. It’s a great salad for when you want to get out of your basic greens and toppings rut and do something a little fresh. No pun intended.

And your quotation inspiration for today? It really is this simple.

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Christmas 2011 and Easy Latkes Recipe

December 27, 2011 · Narrative

I love that picture. That she asked about all the pieces inside. That she knew a bit about the story and Baby Jesus. That she stopped to take it all in. And was still. And so began Christmas morning.

One of Madeline’s requests from the past several months has been a guitar. Or “matar,” as she calls it. And this Paper Jamz that I debated about buying? Has been going non-stop since she opened it. She also requested glasses like Mommy’s that didn’t make her eyes blurry. Took me a few stores to find them, but luckily Claire’s had a stash that looked very similar to mine. And she’s been sporting them off and on ever since. In fact, last night at the movies she was trying to tell me that she couldn’t see the movie because we didn’t bring her glasses. Alrighty then.

The cousins on Christmas morning. Two out of four looking at the camera. One loving her Christmas Eve pajamas so much that she wore them all day. Four happy faces.

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Christmas Eve 2011

December 26, 2011 · Narrative

While I was making dinner, Santa came through on the fire truck with candy stockings for all the kids. Love this tradition.

Christmas Eve means the Feast of the Seven Fishes (Italian) and thirteen desserts (French). Since Mystic is Jewish, I also added latkes and gelt. First time for making either. Those two recipes, along with the salad, will follow in the coming weeks. I have made the Cioppino (fish stew) for several years now because it takes care of five of the 7 fish. I think this past Christmas Eve will be the last year for that though. My interest in it has waned a bit, and I want it to be more feast-like with seven individual dishes. Although it’s more challenging, especially with the kids underfoot, I think with a little proper planning, it can be done.

Gelt waiting to be wrapped. Pure chocolate. Can’t go wrong with that.

Although it looks fussy, this Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread is crazy simple to make, and perfect to dip into the Cioppino.

I had to have some greens on the table, and went with a knock-off of Cheesecake Factory‘s French Country Salad, which is delish.

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‘Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas 2011

December 24, 2011 · Narrative

Have you ever seen a cuter reindeer? I haven’t. Madeline had her Christmas concert today, and I knew Santa was coming for a visit. As he reached into his big sack and pulled out a present with her name on it, I held my breath. We visited our favorite town Santa a few weeks ago, and she wanted no part of it. No picture on his lap, smiling, crying or otherwise.

Today, she went right up to him, let him put her on his lap and told him what she wanted. I have no idea where the change of heart came from. It must be the dress. (The dress is circa J. Crew’s Crew Cuts 2010. She wore it for Easter, and I adore it, so was super excited that I got to eek one last wearing out of it before it goes to the consignment shop)

And this next bit … this is exactly why, although I love the trappings of the city life, I will forever want to live in a small town. Where although people like to gossip, sometimes people knowing things is a good thing. I swear I teared up. Someone there knew that I didn’t have a picture of the two kids with Santa yet this year.

And knew that I wanted one.

If you know me, whether in real life or through visiting here, you know I kind of like to document things. Photographically. And Santa? The holidays? My kids? Huge. So Nick had a half day today. It was a nothing day. They have done no work at all all week. They had their holiday party yesterday. He knew Madeline’s concert was today and asked if he could go. I said yes.

When someone at Madeline’s school saw Madeline on Santa’s lap, willingly, happily, and noticed that Nick was with me, there was a quick scrambling and beckoning to get Nick up there too.

Because they knew I didn’t have the picture I wanted.

And they wanted to help me get that.

My heart melts for moments like these.

And so I got it.

It’s a simple thing really. Something small. But when the kids are grown-up with families of their own, I want them to look back at the pictures with their own children, and be able to say, “This. This is my life. This is when I was your age. My childhood.”

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Random Photo Dump

December 22, 2011 · Narrative

Hello my loves. Tonight, it’s a random photo dump. The kids are getting over being sick, and apparently it was my turn today. Hoping the Christmas Cold has its way with me and vanishes before Saturday. I think I can… I think I can…

In Madeline’s class, each child has a chart and they get stickers for being good listeners, helpers, and such. I noticed that Madeline was in the lead last week, neck and neck with another boy, and last Thursday, she got her last sticker and was the first to complete the whole chart, netting her the fun of choosing a prize from the prize box (that sparkly lizard bracelet in the picture). Quite proud of my little rule follower!

We’ve been doing a lot of holiday crafting lately, and this string of lanterns went up tonight. Mighty festive.

I spotted this star garland at Goodwill last year and really debated about buying them. They were only six dollars, but tight budgets and an effort to live simply meant that it took two other stops in to admire them before I forked over the bills.

Pier 1. Circa some 8+ years ago.

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Recipe: Kid-Friendly Mini Meatballs

December 21, 2011 · Clean Eating, Eat. Live. Be., Narrative

No sooner did Mystic’s daughter finish the plate of mini meatballs and noodles last week did she ask when we could make it again. We scheduled it for today, which is perfect for this week’s edition of Eat.Live.Be. The “print” edition.

I found this recipe two years ago in an issue of Redbook magazine, from Giada DeLaurentiis. I like her recipes because a lot of them are perfect for easy, weeknight meals for your littlest picky eaters (just noticed she has a new title coming out in a few months with a weeknight theme as well). Although the recipe calls for ground chicken, I alternate between chicken and turkey, and both versions are scoffed up by all the kids. In fact, Madeline who adores most pasta of any kind, actually favors the meatballs more than the pasta, and asked for a meatball only lunch for tomorrow’s school day. A request I’m all too happy to fulfill.

I use a mini cookie scoop when forming the meatballs, which makes it really quick work, and not too fiddly to do after a long workday. The mini size works well for the kids, a nice bite without being too overwhelming, and they are super tender and flavorful, which is why they are so eager to scoff them up. A mostly clean eating, guilt-free recipe that has me just as eager to make them.

I usually serve them with this recipe for Orzo with Herbs, or mini noodles with a little chicken broth as the sauce (along with those wonderful brown bits scraped up from the bottom of the pan of meatballs).

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Recipe: Kid-Friendly Stuffed Shells

December 20, 2011 · Narrative

When it comes to kids and dinner, there are a few must-have ingredients in your kitchen cupboard. For me? Canned tomato products (paste, sauce, crushed tomatoes) and pasta are at the top of the list. I’m a big fan of the Tuttorosso brand, flavorful but not heavy-handed, as a starting base for a pasta recipe. When the day is long and inspiration is short, I know I can whip up a quick pasta dinner, and the kids will be happy. And when they’re happy, I’m happy. It’s a pretty simple equation.

Although I have the occasional jar of pasta sauce on hand, I usually make homemade tomato sauce. Some days (usually the ones that start with an S), it means a long-simmering sauce on the stove. Others, it’s a quicker version. You can still make a very homemade tomato sauce with pantry staples and skip the jar stuff. Which is much better for you. In my humble opinion, of course.

In my ongoing guilt over not making enough Italian food, I decided tonight was a good night for stuffed shells. I haven’t had them in f-o-r-e-v-e-r, it’s easy for a weeknight dinner, and everyone can leave the table with happy, well-fed, warm little tummies. Even this happy little sous chef.

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Review: Marzetti Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip

December 19, 2011 · Ad-Free, Narrative

I was one of the bloggers selected by T. Marzetti Company and Clever Girls Collective to host a Marzetti Otria Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip review. They provided me with product to test and compensation for my time. However, my opinions are entirely my own. But you knew that already, right?

When it comes to the kids eating vegetables, regular readers know that I am not a fan of hiding them a la Jessica Seinfeld. I just feel that if they have half a shot of liking a vegetable, they have to be introduced to it properly, and honestly, not by way of sneaky methods. If they like it, great. I then find more ways to cook and serve the vegetables they like. If they don’t like a vegetable, we move on. I usually circle back after some months because we all know that taste buds change. Heck, it took me nearly forty years to learn to like salmon!

One of the easiest way to get veggies in their little tummies is by using veggies as a dipper. Nick loves hummus, and will dip carrots and celery into it with reckless abandon. Well as much reckless abandon as a nine-year-old can muster. Sometimes green pepper strips. And always cucumbers. It’s a perfect snack for him to take to school. Madeline (and believe it or not, the dog!) love carrots. She’ll also eat cucumbers. They both eat salad without any prompting from me. When time permits, I make a homemade buttermilk dressing, because she doesn’t care for hummus. And when time is super tight, I also sometimes use this Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip (the ranch version) at Marzetti – perfect to stuff in her little pink lunchbox. Since I typically don’t use disposable bags for the kids’ lunchboxes, I pack up the veggies, dips, fruit, and what have you in these snap-and-lock containers (love them!). They have a tight enough seal that nothing seeps out, but are easy for Madeline’s little fingers to maneuver. She is also pretty partial to these cute containers, which are great because they have a divider. And I’m partial to saving money on Ziploc bags.

The Marzetti dips are nice and creamy, and the tang from the Greek yogurt is light enough that it’s not a tough sell on the kids. And since I use Greek yogurt a lot as marinades and in homemade dips, they’re used to it anyway. I don’t have guilt about what they’re eating. They get the vegetables they desperately need. Everyone is happy, happy, happy. And that is just the way I like it.

PS – I snuck in a little bonus post on yesterday’s schedule – did you catch it? Go read, and then watch the short video, and tell me you’re not happy. Just a little bit.