‘Project 365’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Penne

March 29, 2010 · Narrative

Okay, so clearly that’s not penne in the picture. Forgive me. I’m a use-what’s-on-hand kind of girl. Wrong pasta aside, this was a new recipe I made recently when The Neighbors came over for dinner. I’m a big fan of Spinach Artichoke Dip, but know so few people that actually like it as well, that my time with it is minimal. When I saw this recipe from a recent episode of Rachael Ray‘s talk show, and later tasted it, it instantly reminded me of the dip. It seriously tastes like you took the Spinach Artichoke Dip and mixed it in with your favorite pasta.

Nick is generally suspicious when he sees something green on his plate, unless it’s salad, cucumbers or artichokes, all of which he loves. The kids looked at the pasta, and started to eat. He asked me what the green stuff was and I vaguely answered “herbs and things,” which was basically true. I’m not a fan of hiding vegetables. Spinach was definitely front and center in this one, but with the other ingredients, the taste wasn’t strongly oft-putting and the kids did all but lick their plate. Love that.

Creamy, comforting and a perfect quick meal for weeknight craziness. Sometimes that’s all you really need.

Project 365, Photo #71
March 29, 2010

Speaking of Rachael Ray, every time she toasts bread on her show, she makes a joke about needing to make twice as much because she always burns it. Judging by the above picture, I’m in good company. Nick is on a toast-for-breakfast kick lately, and I actually burned toast three days in a row. I can make a wicked cocktail, a perfectly caramelized Creme Brulee and an entree or three that are so good they might make you cry. But not toast? Technically, it’s not my fault. For some reason, the toaster oven doesn’t ding and shut off any more when it’s done. And with the whirlwind of activity that takes places in the morning, I’m not sitting right over it, watching it like a hawk the whole time. Given that this is what the toaster oven currently looks like, I’m thinking a new toaster is, unfortunately, in order. But if not for this toaster, I swear I can make toast. Really.

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Out of the Mouths of Babes

March 25, 2010 · Narrative

We were at the park and playground with my sister, brother-in-law, Jamie and the four kids over the weekend. My niece, Sophie, had disappeared under the slide and my brother-in-law went to go see what she was up to.

Conversation overheard. Sophie talking to a little boy.

“Hi. What’s your name? Do you want ice cream?”

Oh the seductive lines of a two-year-old. I have this funny little hunch that my sister and I are going to be in deep trouble with these girls when they’re older. They look so innocent, yet are so filled with mischief.

Project 365
March 25, 2010, Photo #70

This is one of those random photos that fill up my memory card at the end of the day. Normally it wouldn’t have made the cut, but it makes me laugh.

Alright folks, I’ll see you next week … along with a pasta recipe that tastes like Spinach Artichoke Dip, an awesome cookie recipe from Martha Stewart that I made twice this week and who knows what other fun we’ll be cooking up. Have an fabulous weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

March 17, 2010 · Narrative

I have a very small sweet tooth. Ever so slight. The problem is that when Easter rolls around, and with it, the abundance of candy available, my slight sweet tooth goes into overdrive. It just happens that a few of the things that I like are available now. Cadbury Creme Eggs. They totally do me in. Jelly beans. Love them. And the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the shape of eggs. All this from someone who doesn’t really have a sweet tooth.

I’ll never forget the day I signed up with a personal trainer to get me in shape for my wedding. A local drugstore had all their candy marked down to 90% off. I had bought ~~way too much~~ a bagful of Cadbury Creme Eggs for 5 cents each. Just too hard to resist. As I sat at my desk, talking with the trainer, I tried to push the bag further underneath my desk so he wouldn’t see it. As soon as he left, I threw them away.

Even though we’re adults and with our own kids, my mom still makes Easter baskets for us. I love that. Sometimes it’s nice to feel like a kid again and forget all those weighty responsibilities we deal with day to day. This year I told her “no candy. Please.” I just don’t want to be tempted. I have so far managed to avoid the Easter candy that I’ve seen while out and about, but I knew if she bought it, I’d give in. And I didn’t want to.

Then recently, I read that 10 jelly beans is only two Weight Watchers points. I’m not on Weight Watchers completely (more on that next week), but to me that meant that maybe I could relent. Just a little. I e-mailed my Mom. “Jelly beans are ok. But nothing else.” She responded with “Oh good, because otherwise you’d be breaking a ten year tradition.” Nothing like a little good Catholic guilt to get me back on the wagon. See, every year I buy the bags of jelly beans. I eat the red, purple, pink and white and then pass it along to my mom, who eats her two favorite colors, and then my dad gets the last two colors, which happen to be his favorites. It works out quite well actually. We’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. Apparently ten years now. And to think I almost stopped! So, for now, our glass cookie jar is filled with jelly beans. I’m rationing. Ten a day. …

Straight from the Cookie Jar: Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies

March 15, 2010 · Narrative

Two days a week, after getting done teaching 25 second graders, Jamie volunteers at a prison, helping a group of guys prepare for their GED. It’s a good thing she’s 24, but she is pretty darn tireless. Were we all so tireless at that age? Twenty-five seems like so very long ago.

So regularly, she gives the guys a test so she can judge how well they’re picking up the material, and how ready they are to take (and pass) the GED. Since they are in prison, after all, she recently decided that she’d try to give them incentive for doing well on the tests. If they all passed the in-class tests, she’d bring in cookies the next time they met for class.

A few weeks ago, they did well on a test, so she baked them a batch of cookies that her Mom used to make her when she was growing up. She brought over a few for us the next day, and we bit in. She knew I was kidding, but I asked if the cookies were meant to be a reward or punishment. They were a bit … dry. Of course, dry cookies versus no cookies, the men gobbled them up.

And in the meantime, I set about to right the wrong. These men need edible cookies! They had a test on fractions last Friday, so I spent some time this weekend deciding on a new recipe and baking up a batch for Jamie to bring to them today. When I saw the Chocolate-Cherry Heart Smart Cookies in a recent issue of Cooking Light magazine (January/February 2010), I thought they’d do nicely. Relatively healthy, tasty, easy to transport and, most importantly, not dry.

Originally I gravitated towards these cookies because Jamie’s favorite are these Chocolate Chunk and Cherry ones. I thought they would be a nice healthy alternative. I was wrong. Aside from the cherry ingredient, they’re really nothing alike. That being said, if you’re looking for a quick and easy cookie to bake up that you don’t have to feel guilty about … or if you need to reward a bunch of men struggling to pass their GED … give them a whirl.

P.S. In keeping with one of my Lenten promises, I subbed raisins for the chocolate for this recipe.

Tomorrow? I teased you with a picture recently and then promptly forgot to tell you about the recipe… Savory Caramelized Onion and Bleu Cheese Breading Pudding is coming your way.

A year ago today … decorating class at Pottery Barn.
Four years ago today … an ARF round-up and one of my favorite vegetarian sandwiches.

Project 365
March 16, 2010, Photo #63

My kids are crazy. And clearly don’t need toys. Madeline absconded with Nick‘s laundry hamper and threw it over her head. Then she sat on the ground and told Nick to pull her. Around the house they went, giggling and happily shrieking all the way. Crazy.

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Adopt-a-Blogger #4: Meet My Blogger

March 4, 2010 · Narrative

The wonderful Kristen at Dine & Dish is the brainchild behind the Adopt-a-Blogger program, where veteran bloggers get paired up with newer bloggers in an effort to guide them a bit along the blogging trail. This is the fourth year of the program, and my second time participating. Blogging has changed and evolved so much since I started, and my own site right along with it. Once the blogging bug hits, you instantly get immersed in a whole new world, learning HTML code, navigating the path to SEO, taking food shots so good it while make your mouth drool, making new friends in a great tight community, utilizing social networking to further your blog, and much more. A world where hunting down “the best” slice of pizza all the sudden becomes “research.” A world where you might drive an hour because you heard about an amazing cheese shop or sprinkle shack or for a blogger meet-up. It’s a fun world, and it’s now my turn to introduce you to my newbie.

April from April’s Home Cooking is from sunny California and has six kids. She has been blogging now for nearly two years, and given the spate of sweet treats she writes about, her site is not one you want to visit on an empty stomach. If savory is more your speed, the quesadillas she made recently are a great weeknight meal, and so easy to customize based on what everyone likes or doesn’t like. Have fun poking around her site, and April, welcome to the club!

Project 365
March 4, 2010, Photo #58

OMFG. ‘Nuff said.

Will tell you all about this next week. Promise.

Pomegranate Martinis (Weight Watchers Friendly)

March 2, 2010 · Narrative

I received an email awhile back from a marketing rep at POM Wonderful, offering to send me a case of their juice to try out. Is it a bad that the first thing I thought of to make with the juice was a Pomegranate Martini? Nah. Didn’t think so. I spied the recipe in a recent issue of Weight Watchers magazine and figured, hey, filled with antioxidants, ingredients on hand already … win, win.

Two things about me and drinks. 1 – I am a total lightweight. I just don’t drink often enough to have any sort of heavy tolerance. Theoretically that could be a good thing, and it certainly makes me a cheap date, but it also means a drink with vodka has its effect. And quick. This one was no exception. 2 – I like the girlie drinks, and I have no problem admitting it. I like drinks that don’t taste of alcohol, so I often go for the fruity ones. That being said, in this drink, you can definitely taste the vodka, but not so much that it turned me off. It went down nice and easy. But also, half a drink in and I’m feeling a nice, very nice buzz, so just a fair warning in case you happen to be the teensiest bit like me. This one will hit you.

A friend said that I made this one so often that it is now my signature drink. I wouldn’t go quite that far, but it definitely became the signature drink of February. And with it’s deep red hue, why the heck not? Bottoms up!

P.S. If YOU want to use YOUR pomegranate juice for something other than a martini, check out POM Wonderful’s recipe section – you’ll find tons of recipes to choose from, each picture more gorgeous than the next. These POM Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are a great way to start (love the jeweled bits on the top!), as would be these Grilled Portobellos with POM Mustard Vinaigrette. Yum. Although I must admit, this Pomegranate Granita is calling my name too. Mightily.

Project 365
March 2, 2010, Photo #57

The kids, particularly Madeline, are crazy for tomatoes. I cannot wait until farmer’s market season and when Jersey tomatoes are back with their luscious goodness. Tonight, I was slicing up a few tomatoes for them to include with our dinner. I turned around to get something, and half a tomato was gone. Madeline eats them like you would eat an apple. Tonight’s picture was taken by Nick. I had to protect the rest of the tomatoes.

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Recipe: Chocolate Decadence

February 24, 2010 · Narrative

This. This recipe from Cooking Light magazine. Chocolate Decadence. Pure perfection.

I have a confession to make. I have totally let you down. I have had this one dessert in my back pocket for a few years now. Well, more than a few. Nearly seven to be exact. Although I have mentioned it a few times here, I haven’t given its proper due. Tonight, it’s time to right that wrong.

Chocolate Decadence. A dessert from Cooking Light magazine. That means less guilt. THIS is the dessert to impress your dinner guests with. THIS is the dessert to make when you want to celebrate something. THIS is the dessert to make a special guy to cap off a very special meal. THIS is the dessert that will not fail you. THIS is the one that is restaurant quality but is deceptively simple to make. THIS is the one that has a slow sugar rush that slowly creeps up your face to your forehead and gives you all sorts of fuzziness as it leads you to your happy place. THIS is that dessert. If you make no other recipes from here, make this one. You likely have all the ingredients right in your kitchen cabinet. Just make it. Trust me.

Project 365
February 24, 2010, Photo #54

A Story for Next Week

For now, just a picture. I love this one. Took it this morning. Next week, the story to go along with it.

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Weekend Photos in Review

February 21, 2010 · Narrative

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Hershey Kiss Good Fortunes

February 18, 2010 · Narrative

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and the kick-off to Lent for Catholics. As such, we’re supposed to give something up during Lent. Something hard. I debated about just skipping it and not giving anything up. Then I debated about what to give up. A friend gave up Facebook. Very brave. Another gave up sugar. Equally brave and hard. I’ve decided … deep breath … to give up Diet Coke. I probably have an average of 2 cans a day. And not being a coffee or tea drinker, besides it being pretty much my Drink of Choice, it’s also my caffeine fix. Being a single mom, giving up a caffeine fix is going to be hard. But then again, that is the whole point of this, right? It’s supposed to be hard. More deep breaths. I didn’t decide what to give up until tonight, so the one I had at dinner was my last one. One last deep breath. It’s just a drink. Not a big deal. Really.

So Nick decided to give up talking back. A move I wholeheartedly endorse. Every once in awhile, the mouthiness resembles a 15-year-old’s. Coming from my 7-year-old son’s body. Not a fan. In fact, the first thing he said to me this morning was, “Mom, really, and here I thought you were going to be nice to me today. Guess I was wrong.” Because the mean mommy told him (nicely) to get moving because he was going to be late for car pool. All in favor of squashing the backtalk.

Even though Jamie, the kids’ babysitter, isn’t Catholic, she wanted to give up something too. I love that about her. She went back and forth between two things all night … either giving up putting off going to the gym (and in her defense, she goes several times a week, but she doesn’t think it’s enough) or giving up chocolate. When we got on the topic of chocolate, she said she really only eats it here, in the stuff that we bake. So you know what that means … that turned into me giving up baking with chocolate. I don’t know how I got dragged into that one, but I somehow ended up with an added challenge now. No baking with chocolate for Lent. Is she kidding me? Usually when I bake something, I save a few pieces for here, and the rest goes to neighbors, work, the kids’ school, and other various spots. For me it’s easy because I don’t have a terrible sweet tooth. If I did, it would be a problem. But, really, one bite to taste something and I’m pretty much done. Not so much with her. And I want to be supportive. So along with giving up my beloved Diet Coke, I’m giving up baking with chocolate. For her.

Now all that being said, you’ve got to love that tonight’s piece is titled with the words Hershey Kiss. We mutually agreed that since I had already planned to make a cute little fun dessert tonight with chocolate, it would be our last chocolate hurrah from now until Lent. And technically, it’s not baked, but what she’s giving up isn’t about a technicality, so I want to be fair.

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Wordless Wednesday

February 17, 2010 · Wordless Wednesday

Project 365
February 17, 2010, Photo #47

I love when they just hang out like this. Doing nothing. But doing everything.

15-Minute Lentil Soup

February 16, 2010 · Narrative

When I found out that Jamie liked lentils, I became just a little excited. I can’t lie. I am a big lentil fan, but know very few people that are. It was the perfect opportunity to try a new Martha Stewart recipe for 15-Minute Lentil Soup. And since Jamie jokingly complains that she has gained, ahem, a few pounds since she started coming here a little over a year ago, I felt it only right to offset the cookies and other sweet treats with something hearty and healthy. It’s fair.

This recipe came from Martha’s Everyday Food magazine. Between this and the meatloaf yesterday, it’s quickly turning into Martha’s week here. Each serving has 281 calories, 5.7 grams of fat, over 19 grams of protein and 16.8 grams of fiber. It’s definitely soup you can feel good about eating, and given the fact that Winter seems like it’s never going to leave us (seriously, snow again today?!), it will do right by you and warm you from the inside out. It’s crazysimple to make and a guilt-free but tasty way to start off a dinner or be a nice, light lunch.

Project 365
February 16, 2010, Photo #46

Had company for dinner last night, and our guests brought a bunch of different desserts, including a jar full of pink M&Ms. Don’t you just love friends like that? Thank goodness these were the milk chocolate version. My weakness is for the peanut butter ones. If it had been those, I would surely have been in trouble. Big time.

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Comfort Food: Martha’s Meatloaf

February 16, 2010 · Narrative

When it comes to meatloaf, it seems that the camps are quickly divided right down the middle. You either love it or you hate it. Being firmly ensconced in the “love it” category, but being in the minority in this house, I sometimes use company coming over as an opportunity to have it. When I’m really desperate for a meatloaf fix, I make it and give half to The Neighbor Wife. What is it about meatloaf that gets everyone going? I mean, seriously, it’s the same consistency and basic taste of a meatball, right? And those don’t get everyone yelling “hate it!” Enlighten me.

I usually don’t use a recipe for meatloaf, but decided to give a new one from Martha Stewart a whirl. As most meatloaf recipes are, this one was super simple. Mix a bunch of things in a bowl, shape the mixture into a loaf and bake it. Dinner is done. Her recipe included a lot of horseradish and, while I may like it, it sounded like a little much. I scaled it back to just two teaspoons, instead of the one tablespoon plus two teaspoons that it called for. You can definitely taste a hint of horseradish. I think it could handle adding back in a bit more, but think the overall total originally called for in the recipe was a little steep. And this coming from someone who loves horseradish. Just sayin’.

It had a nice, mild flavor, was easy to make and perfect the next day with a little bit of light mayo, ketchup and smushed in between toasted slices of bread.

Hungry for more meatloaf recipes?
This one from my chef crush, Tom Colicchio, was another good one.
Sunny Anderson’s version of meatloaf got The Ex to clean his plate….