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February 4, 2012

Yummy White Chili

rainbow-chilis.jpgToday, Jules shares a recipe perfect for Super Bowl Sunday (or any day really):

Between my husband's enthusiasm for football and mine for good food, Super Bowl Sunday is like a national holiday in our house. Chili is a Super Bowl staple and it's an easy crowd pleaser because it's typically a one pot meal that can feed a hungry crowd. Most often prepped with fatty ground meat, loads of cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips, I'm tweaking tradition here and whipping up a reduced fat white chicken chili that is a treat for the eyes but also a really unexpected and refreshing surprise for the palate; all while staying true to those chili roots and remaining a heady and satisfying one pot meal. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Yummy White Chili" »

February 1, 2012

Valentine's Day Crafts & Treats

valentine-figs.jpgHappy February! While I don't pay much attention to Valentine's Day from a commercial standpoint -- Jon and I don't exchange gifts -- the day does offer a fun inspiration point for crafts and food around our house. (Plus, I love the colors red and pink!) As I've mentioned before, I adore Pinterest and decided to round up 10 pretty craft and treat ideas that caught my pinning eye. Oh, and if you need a Pinterest invite, drop me a line and I'll be happy to send you one! Enjoy!

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November 14, 2011

Weekly Blueprint

etsy-ice-skate.jpgHello everyone -- apologies for the radio silence! I considered posting from the road but decided to be present and immerse myself in Camp Mighty. It was a wonderful trip, not only for personal/professional reflection and connection, but also to witness and be a part of awesome change. Thanks to the fundraising efforts by Camp Mighty attendees, plus a donation from the Ace Hotel (amazing, btw, if you find yourself in Palm Springs), we raised $25,000 for charity: water, which translates to clean water for 1,250 people. AMAZING. I'm now in recovery mode with work and home matters, but meanwhile, here are some fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:

Continue reading "Weekly Blueprint" »

November 9, 2011

Two Spinach-Happy Dishes

spinach-salad-thumb.JPGPursuant to yesterday's yummy food post, I wanted to share two tasty spinach-happy dishes my co-host Heather brought to our friend Nicola's baby shower. Not only were these dishes fantastically yummy (seriously, the guests could not stop raving), but given that my roughage consumption tends to plummet with the cold weather (and close of CSA season), I love how excited these dishes got me about eating leafy greens. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Two Spinach-Happy Dishes" »

November 8, 2011

Santa Rosa Valley Salad

santa-rosa-valley-salad-thumb.JPGThis past weekend I co-hosted a secondhand baby shower for my friend Nicola (when I offered to host a shower, Nicola asked me to repeat the eco-theme) along with my two friends Heather and Heather. Both Heathers brought awesome dishes that I wanted to share (the guests could not stop raving about the food!). I'll share one recipe below and two (related) others in a separate post. I ate many servings of these dishes and wasn't shy about asking if I could hang onto some leftovers. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Santa Rosa Valley Salad" »

November 2, 2011

Pumpkin Cake + Cream Cheese Frosting

leslie-graff-thumbnail.jpgSometimes kids come up with the most brilliant ideas. I wanted to make pumpkin bread the other week (our oven finally got fixed so I've been on a bit of a baking bender) and Laurel suggested that we make a cream cheese frosting and call it cake. Brilliant. I doubled/adjusted slightly this pumpkin bread recipe from Michelle and added frosting (via a recipe in Baking Illustrated (really, anyone who likes to bake ought to own this tome). It was a huge hit. Here's the how-to:

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October 11, 2011

Wicked Easy Vegetarian Chili

harmony-valley-chili.jpgIn my ongoing quest to find protein-rich vegetarian meals for kids, I picked up a package of Harmony Valley vegetarian hamburger mix at Whole Foods and knocked together a batch of vegetarian chili yesterday for a gathering with friends. Though I've always found the make-vegetarian-food-look-like-meat thing a little odd, now I get it. Especially when you need help transitioning someone from non-vegetarian to vegetarian eating. This chili was a huge hit -- Laurel loved it and the grown up guests were clamoring too. Here's the how-to:

Continue reading "Wicked Easy Vegetarian Chili" »

June 27, 2011

Banana Walnut Bread


bananas.jpgToday, Jules shares a reason why you'll want to fire up your oven, even during the summer:

Over the past year I've really gotten into Greek yogurt. A few months ago I shared a recipe for easy, creamy macaroni and cheese, in which I incorporated Greek yogurt as a healthy means to create a yummy, creamy texture. I hope you enjoy this sweet counterpart to that savory recipe.

Continue reading "Banana Walnut Bread" »

June 18, 2011

10 Bits of Web Awesomeness

say-yes-to-hoboken-freezer-stencil.jpgHello friends! Per usual, the web was replete with interesting tips and inspiration this week. Here are some links that I thought you'd find interesting -- enjoy!

1. I think I need to give these cute freezer stencils a go.

2. I'm totally on board with these five money saving tips for summer.

3. Yikes, here are some sobering statistics on food waste. But also some good tips on how to reduce it (and also save money). And more thoughts/tips on food waste here.

Continue reading "10 Bits of Web Awesomeness" »

June 16, 2011

Butler's Salad

salad.jpgMy friends Anne and Michael live in London, and during a recent visit stateside, they introduced me to the term "butler's salad," which apparently refers to a salad comprised of pantry (or refrigerator) odds and ends. I couldn't get enough of Anne's butler's salad, and ever since that visit I've been inspired to eat a lot more greens (and make use of random leftovers from the fridge). However, given the frequency with which I'm now consuming salad and the fact that I'm often assembling while carrying baby Violet, I've also found it super helpful to do some prep work in advance. Here are my 4 steps to building an awesome butler's salad:

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June 11, 2011

9 Bits of Web Awesomeness

mojito.jpgI recently wrote about getting back to basics with reading and engaging on the web. I feel so happy when I not only take the time to read and comment on other blogs, but also share particularly handy, clever, or amusing posts with others. I'm going to try to do these roundups more regularly. I hope you enjoy these 9 bits of web awesomeness.

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June 7, 2011

Profiteroles Made Easy

mark-bittman-profiteroles.jpgA couple of months ago I discovered how remarkably easy it is to make éclairs. Today, Kate shares the how-to on the éclair's petit cousin, the profiterole:

Profiteroles are one of those show-off, special-occasion dishes that restaurants include on their menus as a way to both wow diners and remind them that restaurant cooking is different -- better, fancier, more complex -- than at-home cooking. I've always loved profiteroles, loved the production of having them served to me, loved the waterfall of chocolate sauce, and loved the perfect combo of cold ice cream and hot pastry shell (word to chefs everywhere: never, ever serve profiteroles with cold pastry shells).

Continue reading "Profiteroles Made Easy" »

June 2, 2011

Killer Garlic Cheese Bread

american-bistro.jpgOver the holiday weekend we had friends over for our first grilling and chilling of the season and as I was flipping through American Bistro for inspiration, I decided to try Diane Rossen Worthington's herbed garlic cheese bread. Even though I didn't have all the ingredients (Whole Foods was out of thyme and oregano) and messed up the assembly a bit (chalk it up to long weekend brain haze), the bread was spectacular -- a hit with kids and grownups alike. Below is the annotated recipe -- enjoy!

Continue reading "Killer Garlic Cheese Bread" »

May 27, 2011

12 Bits of Web Awesomeness

i-heart-massachusetts.jpgHello everyone -- I hope you have fantastically relaxing plans for the Memorial Day long weekend! We're going to be staying local and keeping it low key since June will be a bit crazy, but at the very least, yummy food and fun and games with Laurel and Violet are on the docket. (Admittedly, hopefully we'll also chip away a bit at some household to do's.) Meanwhile, I thought I'd share 12 bits of web awesomeness to entertain you over the long weekend. Enjoy!

Continue reading "12 Bits of Web Awesomeness" »

May 22, 2011

Vegetarian Week

vegetables.jpgI recently saw Jennifer of Savoring the Thyme post about her family's Meatless May and it reminded me of something I wanted to share. A couple of months ago, Laurel became very concerned about animals -- or rather, human consumption of them. She asked whether we could help the environment and the animals and start eating vegetarian one week per month. We tried it and found it surprisingly easy, and that the experiment rendered other benefits.

Continue reading "Vegetarian Week" »

May 12, 2011

Magic Spinach Pie

spinach.jpgThough Laurel has been more experimental with vegetables since we embarked on our CSA journey last year, green vegetables (save cucumbers) remain a sticking point. Until recently, when my sister Jenn brought over a spinach pie and Laurel shocked me by both offering to try it (usually I have to ask) and loving it. So of course I was eager to find an easy recipe to take advantage of this new love. And I found it in Nick Stellino's Mediterranean Flavors (notably also the source of this moussaka recipe Laurel loves).

Continue reading "Magic Spinach Pie" »

April 28, 2011

My New Comfort Chicken

olives.jpgIn the weeks following Violet's birth, I have been utterly touched by the kindness and generosity of many people, and Jon has encouraged me time and again to not be too proud -- to take people up on their offers to help. Even so, shortly before the April break, I was hesitant to accept a dinner drop off offer from my friends Eli and Sheri of Magic Beans, given that they have three kids, four stores, and -- judging from the time stamps on e-mails I have exchanged with Sheri in the past -- apparently never sleep. But, well, I'm really glad I did.

Continue reading "My New Comfort Chicken" »

April 17, 2011

10 Bits of Web Awesomeness

strawberry-cupcakes.jpgHello everyone! I just wanted to let you know I'm going to be a bit quiet this week. It's my first school vacation with Laurel and Violet and I'm excited to spend some time relaxing with the girls. We're planning on seeing friends, climbing trees (I'm actually thinking about trying it), finding crazy ways to wrap presents, making the best lemon cake ever for my mother-in-law's birthday, and probably snuggling a lot while reading piles of books (Violet's proven an impressively captive audience so far). And if there's any time leftover, I hope to get a handle on some client work and do a little household decluttering. Meanwhile, I thought I'd share 10 bits of web awesomeness to enjoy this week in my absence.

Continue reading "10 Bits of Web Awesomeness" »

March 31, 2011

Decadent Brownies & Bars

anne-thornton-smores-bars.jpgOne of the indulgences associated with my first week recovering at home with Violet was watching a little daytime TV while nursing; in particular, The Nate Berkus Show. I met Nate at BlogHer and enjoyed joint interviewing him this past fall, but hadn't yet had a chance to see his show. He's just as adorable on TV as in real life, and my ears perked up during his segment on dessert flipping with Anne Thornton since I was planning on bringing thank you treats for the midwives and hospital staff when I went to my postpartum visit this week. So on Monday, I made four (yes, four) trays of Thornton's goodies. I wasn't the most efficient (that particular day Violet decided she didn't want to sleep more than 15 minutes at a time), but ultimately -- thanks to Laurel's help when she got home from school -- we made a double batch each of the peanut butter brownies and s'mores bars. And oh. my. yum.

Continue reading "Decadent Brownies & Bars" »

February 1, 2011

Easy, Creamy Mac & Cheese

pasta.jpgToday, from Jules, an easy, creamy (and better for you) mac and cheese recipe that very well may be my next casserole patrol contribution:

I'm really into Greek yogurt. Why was I so resistant to it before? It's low in (or devoid of) fat, free of sugar, super high in calcium, and really versatile. My kids and I love the creaminess of it and when I drizzle it with honey or maple syrup and add nuts, granola, or fruit, it becomes a serious treat for breakfast. Greek yogurt also is a great recipe ingredient, even on the savory spectrum.

Continue reading "Easy, Creamy Mac & Cheese" »

January 29, 2011

Yummy & Easy Shepherd's Pie

martha-stewart-shepherds-pie.jpgI have some friends from the Midwest who joke regularly about the awful (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) casseroles they grew up on, but there is something so wonderfully easy and practical about the concept of one-dish meals that cover the protein, veggie, and starch angles. This week I was on "casserole patrol" duty to help a friend in need and was utterly thrilled with this Shepherd's Pie recipe from Martha Stewart. Easy to knock together (I made it while entertaining Laurel and a friend) and amenable to adjustments, here are a couple of notes about the recipe:

Continue reading "Yummy & Easy Shepherd's Pie" »

January 13, 2011

Easy & Yummy Bread Pudding

bread.jpgEvadne was too polite to share this, but we were the guests at her brunch, and I ate three servings of this bread pudding, it was so good! See my additional comments at the end of the post:

My husband, the true chef in our family, loves this time of year because he enjoys making warm, hearty foods like stews, braises, and pies. And I love this season because I get to eat what he makes! Recently we had some friends over and he made bread pudding, taking the recipe from his favorite go-to cookbook, Mark Bittman's How To Cook Everything.

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January 6, 2011

My New Favorite Appetizers

martha-stewart-cheese-balls.jpgThough I found myself a tad depleted at the end of the whirlwind of holiday gatherings and guests we hosted, one thing I love about entertaining is assembling menus and trying out new recipes. (Admittedly -- perhaps not surprisingly given yesterday's tooth fairy post -- I created an Excel based project plan to keep track of the various menus and prep schedules.) And of all the new recipes I tried this holiday season, there were three Martha Stewart recipes that were fantastic and easy. They're my new favorite appetizers and now get real estate in my recipe binders (yes, I have binders) and I wanted to be sure to share them with you.

Continue reading "My New Favorite Appetizers" »

December 3, 2010

Wicked Awesome Chicken Tofu Lasagna

chicken-tofu-lasagna.JPGThough Laurel now eats a lot more variety than she used to, I still experience a major thrill of victory when I cook a "grownup" meal that she actually loves. Such was the case last week when I decided to whip up lasagna for a casual dinner gathering. There are several things I love about this dish. 1. It's easy. 2. It's awesome (actually, wicked awesome). 3. I ended up tossing in tofu to bump up the protein and because we had a half block kicking around the fridge and no one even noticed it was in there. 4. The béchamel sauce makes it classy and deliciously creamy and is a nice alternative to ricotta. 5. It can be prepped the night before for low stress weekday meals. 6. It renders leftovers. Here's the how to:

Continue reading "Wicked Awesome Chicken Tofu Lasagna " »

November 20, 2010

Life.Style Thanksgiving Solutions

life-style-episode-4.jpgIf you didn't have a chance to watch episode 4 of Life.Style live on Thursday, please check it out! It was a fantastic episode, in which Paige Lewin of Mudroom Boston shared easy and inexpensive tips for holiday décor and tabletops, Jane Maynard of This Week for Dinner offered fantastic recipes for traditional side dishes, twist-on-traditional side dishes, and perfect-for-potluck dishes, and Sheri Gurock of Magic Beans shared great ideas for toys to keep babies, toddlers, and older kids entertained while traveling. Check out the segment to see additional images, video, and inspiration, but as promised, for easy reference below I link up recipes and leads shared by my guests. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Life.Style Thanksgiving Solutions" »

November 17, 2010

Thanksgiving Solutions

table-setting.jpgI'm not sure what my problem is, but I'm having the hardest time wrapping my brain around the fact that Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday!) is next week. If you also need help getting in the holiday spirit, and/or want to pick up some awesome tips and inspiration, tune in to Life.Style with Christine Koh tomorrow at 1pm EST. I'll have three wonderful guests on to share fantastically easy and chic holiday décor and table setting ideas, great Thanksgiving recipes (spanning traditional, less traditional, and perfect-for-potluck), and awesome picks for travel toys for kids and babies (to burn those hours in the car or on a plane or train next week). You're welcome to call in or tweet questions during the live episode, or e-mail me a question in advance to pose to the experts.

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October 28, 2010

Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Lime Glaze

bundt-pan.jpgThanks to Sarah, I know what I'll be baking this weekend:

I'm a chocolate person. When given a choice between Dessert A and Dessert B, invariably I'll choose the dessert with the highest chocolate content (unless there are nuts; don't ruin my chocolate with nuts). But a few years ago, I cut some recipes out of a catalog that came in the mail, and when I offered to bring dessert to a family Easter dinner, this recipe seemed appropriate. The lime makes the recipe seem spring-y, but really, you can enjoy it any time of year.

Continue reading "Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Lime Glaze" »

October 19, 2010

Almond-Cranberry-Chocolate Cookies

owl-creek-ceramics-cookie-jar.jpgToday, Kate offers fine fodder to inspire baking this week. As always, I recommend involving your kids in the process, whether it's dumping, measuring, and/or mixing:

This recipe -- based on Abigail Johnson Dodge's toasted almond cookies in The Weekend Baker: Irresistible Recipes, Simple Techniques, and Stress-Free Strategies for Busy People -- arose out of my desire to use up ingredients lingering in my cupboard and has since evolved into one of my favorite treats. Easy and quick to make, fine to freeze, and popular with guests and hosts alike, these cookies provide a great balance of sweet, nutty, and tart.

Continue reading "Almond-Cranberry-Chocolate Cookies" »

September 26, 2010

Yummy Zucchini Bread (Or Muffins)

williams-sonoma-silicups.jpgOur CSA has been rendering loads of zucchini, and in addition to enjoying it in the form of chocolate zucchini cake, kid-friendly zucchini fritters, and Jules's zucchini and ricotta stacks, we've also been making a lot of zucchini bread and muffins. We love this recipe from Baking Illustrated; in fact, I always double the recipe since it disappears so quickly. Doubling yields one tray of muffins (12) + two shallow loafs, and like this great banana bread recipe, the zucchini bread/muffins freeze well. Enjoy the below how-to with my typical annotations.

Continue reading "Yummy Zucchini Bread (Or Muffins)" »

September 25, 2010

Weekend Reading

family-manifesto.jpgHere are some links that caught my eye this week, and that I curated over at BlissReads: beautiful bird motif pillows you won't be able to resist (via Cool Mom Picks; also, be sure to check out CMP's newest, awesomely geek chic venture Cool Mom Tech), a canning 101 tutorial (perfect for squirreling away CSA vegetables; via Petit Elefant), a great collection of eco-friendly musical instruments (via Lil Sugar), the prettiest family manifesto you'll ever see (via Alpha Mom), a super sweet wine stopper wedding favor idea (via 5 Minutes For Mom), and a chocolate cake recipe I cannot wait to try (via Mel's Kitchen Cafe). Enjoy!

September 23, 2010

Zucchini and Ricotta Stacks

zucchini-and-ricotta-stacks.jpgThanks to Jules, now I know what to do with this week's abundance of zucchini from the CSA:

My friend recently gave me a zucchini from her garden -- a 20 pounder! I mulled over what to do with this massive gem; zucchini parmesan didn't feel original enough and I wanted to highlight the zucchini's tender and mild flavor. So here, inspired by the flavors of Greece, I've come up with a light but satisfying zucchini stack (served either as a side dish or entrée) that transports you to a happy place after a long day. I recommend enjoying this dish outside.

Continue reading "Zucchini and Ricotta Stacks" »

September 18, 2010

Chocolate-Chocolate Chunk Cookies

chocolate-chocolate-chunk-cookies-1.JPGOne thing I adore about the return of cool fall weather is baking. And this week Laurel and I busted out our first batch of fall cookies. We decided to try something new: the chocolate-chocolate chunk cookies from Lori Longbotham's Luscious Chocolate Desserts. Despite being a little concerned about the consistency while we were making them (the batter was rather loose, not like typical cookie dough that you can roll in your hands), the cookies turned out divine -- rich, chocolate-y, and distinctly reminiscent of its baked good cousin the brownie. I highly recommend you make a batch this weekend.

Continue reading "Chocolate-Chocolate Chunk Cookies" »

September 11, 2010

Weekend Reading

tomatillos.jpgFollowing a busy summer and lovely Labor Day weekend celebrating Laurel's birthday, it's been fun to get caught up on blog reading. Here are some links that caught my eye this week, and that I curated over at BlissReads: a wonderful tutorial on how to make tomatillo enchiladas (via Girl's Gone Child), a chic roundup of boots for wide calves (via The Stir), six favorite breastfeeding resources (via Rookie Moms), a cute roundup of necklace tees for girls (via Lil Sugar), and a beginning quilting tutorial (via Make and Takes). Enjoy!

September 8, 2010

How To Make Rainbow Cake

rainbow-cake-1.JPGTo celebrate Laurel's birthday this past weekend, it was all about unicorns and rainbows. I'll be posting a unicorn party how-to soon, but first, I wanted to share how I made the rainbow cake. I made two rainbow cakes -- one for her girlfriend party on Sunday and one for her family party on Monday -- and in both cases, the kids and grownups went berserk over it, with many grownups asking how I did it. Here's the tutorial:

Continue reading "How To Make Rainbow Cake" »

September 4, 2010

Make This Moussaka

moussaka.JPGLast week I took the time to cook something from my pre-parenting days. I was enjoying the mindful parenting/working epiphany that came by way of my internet vacation, and was mulling what to do with the copious amount of eggplant and potato from our CSA share. My first thought? The moussaka from Nick Stellino's Mediterranean Flavors.

Continue reading "Make This Moussaka" »

September 2, 2010

Estelle's Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

quinoa-salad.JPGA couple of weeks ago I hosted my mom's birthday party and asked my siblings to bring dishes for potluck. Since my family is so large, it's always fun to see what people bring, and for this event, they did not disappoint; to accommodate my mom's food preferences we prepared mostly vegetarian and the array of colors and flavors was fantastic. There was a lot of great food that day, but the dish I went back for seconds (and, admittedly, thirds) on was my sister-in-law Estelle's quinoa and black bean salad. I've heard a lot of talk about quinoa this year (it's a good source of protein and is high in fiber, among other things) but hadn't gotten around to trying it yet. Now I'm a total convert.

Continue reading "Estelle's Quinoa and Black Bean Salad" »

July 20, 2010

Kid-Friendly Zucchini

zucchini.jpgThe other week we received some zucchini from our CSA share and I immediately wanted to make these fritter-like zucchini rounds my mom used to make. I called my mom and she recommended using savory pancake batter instead of an egg wash (my original guess). I used my tried and true scallion pancake recipe and it worked amazingly; the centers of the zucchini became deliciously creamy while the edges remained firm -- a fine contrast to the salty deliciousness of the batter. I didn't think Laurel would touch these zucchini rounds because of her stance that zucchini is "disgusting!" but she gobbled about six rounds right off the griddle and came back for more later. Here's the easy how-to:

Continue reading "Kid-Friendly Zucchini" »

June 26, 2010

Weekend Reading

radish-pesto-wicked-tasty-harvest.jpgI recently started helping my web savvy friend Alli Worthington with a project. BlissReads is a collection of websites through which curators (like yours truly) share awesome content. I've been remiss in my link roundups so I thought I'd start sharing what I've been curating for BlissReads. Check out my commentary on these awesome posts: recipes for radish leaf pesto, coconut milk cupcakes with coconut cream cheese frosting (swoon!), and coconut tres leches cake (double swoon!); how to embellish your own tank top, give old lamps new life, and make your own bubble mix (and gigantic bubbles); and roundups for 10 fabulous ideas for bunk beds and 32 birthday party themes for kids. Enjoy!

Image credit: Wicked Tasty Harvest

June 22, 2010

Favorite Summer Party Menu

birthday-cake.jpgJune is a celebratory month in our house, given Jon and my wedding anniversary, his birthday, and Father's Day. Over the years we've downplayed some of these special days over others. Typically low key about his birthday, this year, I was thrilled that Jon was open to having a birthday party and I assembled what may be my favorite summer party menu ever. All of the food was fantastic and simple to assemble (though it was a large menu...I tend to go a little crazy when it comes to food), and offered a good mix for the vegetarians and meat eaters among the group. I hope you enjoy these recipes, whether collectively, or sampled here and there to accompany your own favorite meals:

Continue reading "Favorite Summer Party Menu" »

June 14, 2010

Awesome and Easy Bean Dip

tortilla-chips-wikipedia.JPGOn Saturday we had some fellow soccer-loving friends over to watch World Cup, and my friend Heather brought a fantastic bean dip that was -- admittedly -- way more awesome (and quickly devoured) than the basic layered dip I made. Heather kindly sent me the recipe, which originated from her friend Betsy. I'm totally making this dip next weekend for another party I'm hosting. Yummy.

Continue reading "Awesome and Easy Bean Dip" »

May 10, 2010

Wicked Easy Split Pea Soup

green-split-peas.gifWhen I was training for The Relay, I grew keen on eating legume-laden soups for lean protein. However, similar to my experience with hummus, I found that the volume of my consumption resulted in excess packaging waste and expense. Soups generally are so easy and forgiving and inexpensive to make, so I decided to start incorporating them into my kitchen routine. I still have a wonderful French lentil soup I want to share, but first (because it is even faster to make), I want to share this wicked easy split pea soup recipe, which I whipped up yesterday as (an odd and unexpected but happily devoured) part of Mother's Day brunch. The soup -- packed with fiber and protein -- is super easy to knock together, and was perfect given yesterday's windy and chilly weather.

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May 6, 2010

Yummy & Easy Hummus

chick-peas.jpgWhen the warm weather returned, so did my voracious appetite for salads and cold things such as hummus and tabbouleh. We've been consuming vast quantities of these foods (I especially like hummus because it reminds me to eat carrots) and I soon found myself disgruntled by the volume of plastic containers we were acquiring. We reuse them all for storing leftovers or Laurel's craft supplies or other odds and ends, but we definitely don't need more of them. So I decided to start making more of these small container items from scratch. I'm still tweaking my tabbouleh recipe and will share that when I land on just the right blend; meanwhile, if you have a food processor, hummus is ridiculously easy to make.

Continue reading "Yummy & Easy Hummus" »

April 15, 2010

Perfect Parfait

oikos-greek-yogurt.pngI'm currently in the final stretch training for Eat. Blog. Run. and at the beginning of April I decided to aid my training by eating super clean. Which meant -- gulp -- giving up dessert; not an easy task given my sweet tooth. However, I have found the perfect solution. A few weeks ago, we enjoyed the cutest little parfaits at a friend's house, and I have since replicated them to enjoy in place of dessert and also offer when we're hosting (guests similarly go bonkers over it). I hope you enjoy this perfect parfait as much as I do; it's great as a dessert replacement or for a healthful snack.

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April 7, 2010

Roasted Beet and Lentil Salad

beets.jpgToday, Jules shares a yummy way to treat beets:

Beets currently are en vogue due to their vibrant color and nutritional content, but if you have bad childhood memories of beets, or have never tried them, I suggest you give them a second (or first!) chance. Opt for classic red beets, or try gold beets, which have a beautiful and bright yellow hue, but are milder in flavor than -- and don't bleed like -- their red counterpart. Beets are packed with potassium, folic acid, and vitamin A and are more versatile than you might suspect, whether used in beet salad, beet risotto, or even the occasional brownie. Here's one of my favorite way to treat beets:

Continue reading "Roasted Beet and Lentil Salad" »

April 5, 2010

Organic and Chic Skinny Mints

organic-and-chic.jpgBefore it gets too hot to turn on your oven, try these cookies from Sarah Magid, recommended by Kate:

It took me several weeks after the grand opening to get myself to the new Cambridge Public Library, but on my first visit I stopped in my tracks to check out a selection of new books placed at the check-out desk. At the top of the display was Sarah Magid's Organic and Chic: Cakes, Cookies, and Other Sweets That Taste as Good as They Look, a delightfully pink and pretty cookbook dedicated to organic pastries and baked goods. I checked it out, renewed it, checked it out again, and have enjoyed practically every recipe I've made.

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April 2, 2010

A is for Applesauce

applesauce.jpegToday, Michelle Stern of What's Cooking shares her killer applesauce recipe:

One of the Mommy & Me cooking classes I teach is called Eating the Alphabet: From Apples to Zucchini, and I figured I couldn't go wrong starting with something familiar but undeniably delicious: applesauce. Kids love it. Grownups love it. And it's insanely good when made from scratch. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Continue reading "A is for Applesauce" »

March 29, 2010

Perfect Lemon Meringue Pie

luscious-lemon-desserts.jpgAmidst the sadness of attending two funerals within one week, I have taken heart in the reconnection and reflection that can occur around such events. On Friday we hosted one of my long out-of-touch relatives following the family funeral, and to lighten the mood I decided to make lemon meringue pie. This dessert is a bit more involved than recipes I typically post here, but it was so ridiculously good that I wanted to share it for those looking for a lovely and lemony dessert. The pie served as the perfect cheery welcome over which we were able to reflect on lives lost and celebrate existing relationships; fittingly, Laurel said the meringue looked and tasted like happy clouds.

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March 28, 2010

Easter & Passover Inspiration


wheatgrass.jpgHere's a roundup of inspiration as you plan for Easter and Passover. At Make & Takes, I love the tips for growing wheatgrass and adorable Easter coloring pages. I'm not a ham person, but if you are, A Southern Fairytale can hook you up with some mouth watering ham recipes. How cute is this DIY bird's nest from Alpha Mom, or the Easter clothing picks from Design Mom? And for your Easter baskets: $15 or less ideas from Cool Mom Picks, basket picks for grownups from Mighty Goods, and gorgeous bunny and egg gift picks from Lil Sugar.

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March 18, 2010

The Best Waffles Ever

waffle-maker.jpgToday, from Kate, because waffles are good any time of day:

Like many other young brides, I received a waffle iron as a wedding gift. My main association with making waffles was a positive one: my father would occasionally make sausages and waffles -- on a waffle iron, practically antique, that had belonged to his mother -- for Sunday supper when the weather was cold and all other cooking inspiration failed him. With my own kitchen and my own iron, however, I struggled to make decent waffles: no matter what recipe I tried, they came out dry, cake-y in a bad way, and not amenable to softening with melted butter and syrup. So, the wedding waffle iron sat on a shelf neglected.

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March 7, 2010

Easy Currant Scones

currant-scones.jpgOne of my favorite ways to make a lazy weekend morning feel special is with scones. And these currant scones by Martha Stewart are simple in composition (without any forethought I had all the ingredients on hand) and are easy enough to whip up while everyone is still lolling around in jammies. I made these scones last weekend for company and they were a huge hit; light (um, seeming), flaky, and delicious. And everyone was happy to simply nibble these special treats alongside fresh fruit. Easy peasy.

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March 3, 2010

Yummy Citrus-Ginger Tea

tea.JPGI stopped drinking coffee several months ago and since have been consuming a lot of herbal tea. And our friend Taina recently introduced us to a fantastic tea blend (inspired by her mama friend Jess) that I’ve been enjoying daily (I am, in fact, enjoying a cup right this minute). One batch is great to share with friends after dinner, or to enjoy through the day, whether it sits stove top at home or in a travel thermos at work. And it seems to me that the citrus-ginger blend could help stave off, or at least soothe, winter colds.

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March 2, 2010

Bountiful Barley Salad

barley.jpgToday, Jules shares a crowd pleasing barley salad recipe:

I first cooked this barley salad for a New Year’s gathering of six friends, including three very large, very hungry meat-eating men. It was not the main dish, but it really could have been. This dish was a huge hit; a hearty meal that is simple to prepare and loaded with whole grain goodness. Enjoy!

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February 26, 2010

Peanut Butter Bliss Cookies

bliss-cookies-1.JPGI love that every culture embraces some variation of food wrapped around food (e.g., dumplings, empanadas, etc.) and I recently was inspired to translate the idea to baked treats. While at Blissdom a few weeks ago, I received a bag of Hershey's Bliss milk chocolates. I was going to pass them on to a friend (admittedly, normally I only go for organic chocolate), but after reading the ingredient list (minimal), decided to keep them. My preference for organics was overshadowed by an overwhelming desire to wrap peanut butter cookie dough around these chocolates with Laurel.

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February 21, 2010

Fancy Yet Easy Mini Crab Cakes

mini-crab-cakes.jpgI adore hors d’oeuvres -- the variety they offer (I love sampling a little bit of everything at a meal), the artfulness, the utter cuteness of food in miniature. And to make any occasion feel special without a huge amount of work, try these elegant little mini crab cakes from Bon Appétit. They are super easy to knock together, delicious, and feel oh so fancy. I made them for a dinner party last week and they were a big hit.

Image credit: Lisa Hubbard for Bon Appétit

February 19, 2010

February Vacation: Easy Bake

chocolate-zucchini-cake.JPGI'm a huge fan of baking with kids; the process is engaging, yields yummy rewards, and provides a natural way to teach math while spending quality time together. Below is a roundup of some baking projects that are fun to make and eat. Also, though baking requires more precision in measurement than cooking, I encourage you to let go of perfection in the kitchen and focus on the fun. Keep an eye out and encourage your kids to transfer ingredients smoothly, but otherwise a little spilled flour here or there isn't the end of the world.

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February 3, 2010

My Favorite Mocha Brownies

mocha-brownies.jpgI love mailing goodies to people who aren’t expecting them (which I did on Monday as a thank you for a favor), and this Bon Appétit recipe for mocha brownies is one of my tried and true favorites, whether for general snacking, parties, or to send in the mail (they've made it to California perfectly intact). The brownies are rich and super moist and the recipe is forgiving to alterations (see below), which is handy when you’re cooking on the fly (i.e., missing an ingredient) or with a little one who might spill a little flour here and there. And best of all? While most brownie recipes call for 8” or 9” square pans, this recipe fills a 9” x 13” pan, meaning that one batch will yield plenty to gift, plus some extra for home.

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January 14, 2010

Chinese Chicken-Vegetable Soup

soup-chopsticks.JPGToday, Sarah shares a soup recipe to satisfy the whole family:

The eternal struggle to find a meal for dinner is one of the banes of the mom’s existence. For millennia, we’ve been combining this and substituting that to discover the holy grail of a single dish that will fill hungry bellies, fuel growing bodies, tempt picky taste buds, and soothe savage budgets, all while being prepared with a minimum of fuss, prep, and time. Oh, yeah, and the same goes for tomorrow. And the day after that.

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December 17, 2009

Best Gingerbread People Ever

gingerbread-men.jpgThere was a lot of holiday cookie talk on Twitter yesterday, which reminded me that I wanted to share a fantastic recipe for gingerbread people (we're equal opportunity bakers around here). Derived from my trustworthy Baking Illustrated, what I love about these cookies is that they aren’t rock hard crunchy -- testing your dental strength and spraying crumbs all over your shirt with each bite. These cookies are a touch crispy around the edges but chewy throughout, and the sweetness level (not overly sweet) is just right. Laurel and I made these cookies for a holiday party last weekend and people went crazy over them.

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November 25, 2009

Simplifying The Holidays: Mindful Gifts

BBQ-spice-rub.JPGI first connected with Michelle Stern of What's Cooking two years ago, when she approached me about contributing to Boston Mamas. Though Michelle is based on the West Coast, I adore her hands on approach to cooking with kids and we walk the same green path; the geographical disparity quickly became an afterthought. It was such a pleasure to finally meet Michelle this summer, when we happened to film our segments for The Juice back to back. Just as lovely in person as she is over e-mail, though Michelle is a regular contributor to this site, given that she is one of my favorite eco-foodies, I wanted to feature her in my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series. Today, Michelle shares a few simple yet meaningful ideas for mindful holidays gifts.

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November 12, 2009

Food Gifts & Floral Tricks

chocolate-chip-cookie-gift.jpgLast week I attended a media event hosted by Stop & Shop and similar to last year, where I came away with lovely ideas for easy and green holiday décor, I left with some good ideas related to holiday gifting and decor. Specifically, I was reminded of the beauty and ease of prettily packaged food gifts and was introduced to a couple of floral tricks that no doubt will come in handy when I host Thanksgiving later this month.

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October 30, 2009

(Halloween) Beet Risotto

beets.jpgIn a comment response to my Halloween candy alternatives post, Tracy made the excellent suggestion of creating a pre-Halloween feast, given that there’s time since Halloween falls on a Saturday, and also to fill bellies so there's less room to gorge on candy. Tracy’s Halloween “gross-out menu” includes beet risotto (aka “Blood and Guts”), which another commenter requested. The beet risotto recipe follows below:

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October 23, 2009

Pumpkin Puree, Pumpkin Bread

pumpkins.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a how-to on using fresh pumpkin to make your own pumpkin puree, a fabulous recipe for chocolate chunk pumpkin bread, and tips for engaging your kids to help out in the kitchen.

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September 28, 2009

Awesome & Easy Apple Crisp

apples.jpgIt’s been so long since I posted about baking with apples that I couldn’t remember whether I already posted my mom’s awesome and easy apple crisp recipe. Turns out I did (three years ago, back when Boston Mamas was just a baby!), and today I wanted to share this recipe again from the archives because it is so ridiculously good (plus, the back story is super sweet). Making this apple crisp yesterday with Laurel served as a perfect rainy day activity as well as a way to use up the apples she picked on a recent school field trip. An apple peeler makes quick work of the apples, and I recommend engaging your kids to mix the crisp topping. Also recommended: topping the apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.

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September 16, 2009

Spicy Citrus Snapper

red-snapper.jpgToday, Jules shares a sweet and spicy recipe for fish lovers:

“Regular readers may have gathered that I love fish. And when I think snapper, I think Caribbean flavors. This recipe came to me one night when I was looking for something with punch, but that wasn’t too hot to handle. The sweetness contrasts perfectly with the heat.

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September 14, 2009

A King in a Catalog

king-arthur-flour.jpgToday, Kate recommends a reliable (and resplendent) source as you gear up for fall baking:

“I used to love receiving catalogs, each so colorful and shiny and full of promise. And then the deluge began – so many catalogs, often multiple copies of the same one, and many for products that I would never dream of buying – and the fun turned into annoyance that my mailbox was stuffed and the forests being cut down.

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September 3, 2009

Parmesan Popovers

parmesan-popovers-1.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a parmesan popover recipe that’s perfect for picnics or playdates:

“When I was preparing lesson plans for my kids cooking camps this summer, I knew I had to include this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis in our Picnic Foods menu. These popovers are light and fluffy, and were a perfect vehicle for all of the fresh herbs that my students harvested from the garden.

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September 1, 2009

Yummy Chocolate Zucchini Cake

chocolate-zucchini-cake.JPGDuring our recent vacation to Maine, my dear girlfriend Anne made a ridiculously yummy chocolate zucchini cake. She hadn’t made the recipe in about 10 years (it was a blue ribbon winning recipe from her childhood) and the source of the clipping was unknown. I replicated the recipe last week – doubling it, actually, to share with friends – and it was just as wonderful. The cake is light, fluffy, and moist and goes down dangerously easily. I delivered a half batch to our neighbors, and was told the next day that I had outdone my previous baked good gifts; the cake evaporated within about 5 minutes of delivery. Enjoy!

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July 28, 2009

Carrots For Baby

carrots.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice shares tips for introducing carrots to your baby:

"Carrots are a wonderful source of Vitamin A and are abundant at the farmer’s markets right now. Babies obviously need their carrots cooked and mushed up (I recommend steaming over boiling, to retain more vitamins) and once they get their teeth, most young children prefer carrots raw, either plain or dipped in hummus or yogurt based dips.

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July 21, 2009

Summertime Soup

red-pepper.jpgToday, Heather offers a fabulous summer soup recipe:

“A friend from work shared this super yummy summer soup recipe. It’s the perfect blend of roasted red peppers and cilantro, with a lovely kick from a few other condiments. My friend managed to get the recipe from the café at her previous job so unfortunately I don't have the original source to credit; however, I remain grateful to the creator of this recipe for delivering this simple and healthy summertime soup!

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July 13, 2009

Chocolate Tofu Pie…For Real

silken-tofu.jpgThis past weekend our friend Rhoda introduced us to a dessert that impressively satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth while accommodating her lactose intolerance. Admittedly, though I adore tofu (it’s in the genes), as an avid classic baker I was a tad skeptical about tofu dessert, but this Easy Chocolate Tofu Pie truly surprised me. Essentially a chocolate pudding pie, the filling was smooth, rich, and chocolate-y, and the graham cracker crust offered a classic contrast; I also served strawberries on the side. Even Laurel – who consumed tofu by the handfuls as a toddler but no longer will touch it in cube form – gobbled her serving (even knowing it was tofu based).

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July 7, 2009

Six or Less Summer Menu

kitchen.jpgI’m always striving for simplicity in life and this approach definitely translates to how I operate in the kitchen. For my second monthly column as Minimalist Mama at Shoestring Magazine, I share a super easy "six or less" summer menu (dishes each comprising six or less ingredients) that will satisfy kids and grownups throughout the summer. Enjoy!

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Calcium Through Bone Broths

soup-tureen.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice shares tips and recipes to bump up calcium intake for the whole family:

“Many children are lactose intolerant and therefore cannot get calcium from milk products. Apart from calcium supplements recommended by your pediatrician, bone broths (aka. stock) are a good way to get calcium – be it beef, lamb, or chicken broth. Broth is a nutritious base for hot or cold soups, or braised meat or vegetable dishes that require liquid be added to them. It also gives dishes a deeper flavor than simply adding water.

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June 16, 2009

Simulating Summer BBQ

crock-pot.jpgToday Tracy shares a recipe to simulate summer BBQ when the weather is uncooperative:

“One of the things I crave during the late winter and through spring - when the weather is grill prohibitive - is the smoky, sweet taste of barbecue. This recipe for pulled pork in the slow cooker is our solution to simulate summer any time of year actually; it takes the sting out of winter and satisfies BBQ cravings during raw spring or soggy summer days.

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June 2, 2009

Ridiculously Awesome Banana Muffins

banana-muffins-1.JPGEvery so often Jon one-ups me in the kitchen, which leaves me both a tad surprised (read: vaguely jealous) and utterly grateful that he knows how to cook and bake. And this past weekend, he decided to make banana bread with Laurel and it was way better than my standard recipe. The loaf was gobbled up within a day and Laurel and I repeated the recipe yesterday, instead opting to make muffins - the advantages being plenty of awesome crustiness, faster baking time (handy for summertime baking), and improved portion control.

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June 1, 2009

HomeFree Treats

Home-Free-Gift-Basket.jpgToday, Tracy reports on HomeFree Treats, a great source for allergen-free, organic goodies and ingredients. Read on for Tracy's review of some HomeFree goodies and their allergen-free cookbook, as well as to learn how to win a HomeFree organic cookie sampler pack!

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May 29, 2009

Grilled Salad with Herb Vinaigrette

grilled-salad-1.jpgToday, Jules shares a great recipe for weekend grilling:

“For me, there's nothing better than a hearty salad for dinner, especially in the summertime. Recently, my husband and I went a little crazy at the market, purchasing enough herbs and vegetables to last two weeks. And since herbs and vegetables taste best when freshly harvested, I set out to create a dinner salad where I could use much of what I purchased that day. For me, it was a meal, but my hungry husband paired his salad with grilled steak, which he nestled on the grill right next to these versatile veggies.

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May 27, 2009

Simple Pan Seared Tofu

tofu-thumb.JPGOn chilly, raw days like today, I gravitate towards Asian comfort foods, and this weather reminded me that I’ve been meaning to post about my favorite way to prepare tofu. Don’t scowl; it really tastes fantastic! The original inspiration came from Susanna Foo’s Pan-Seared Tofu with Scallions & Ginger in Chinese Cuisine, though I have simplified the recipe to reduce the ingredient list (I’m currently obsessed with creating dishes out of 6 or less ingredients), and also added an extra step (flour dredging) that adds awesomeness to the taste and texture.

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May 26, 2009

Cabbage Slaw Redux

red-cabbage.jpgYesterday we enjoyed a fabulous BBQ with friends, and amidst the plates and piles of food, one simple yet elegant dish stood out as my favorite. A modern twist on traditional (sometimes unfortunately soupy) coleslaw, Bon Appétit’s Grilled Red and Green Cabbage Slaw is perfect for summer: quick and easy to prepare and requiring minimal cleanup thanks to use of the grill. My friend Nooshi made this dish especially pretty by arranging the slaw in a square dish, alternating the red and green cabbage in striped sections, then drizzling the dressing over top. Simply divine, and high in fiber too!

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May 5, 2009

Easy No-Knead Crusty Bread

bread-tin.jpgBefore it gets too hot to turn on your oven, try this bread recipe from Tracy:

“There are few memories of my grandmother better than those of making bread with her when I was a young girl. Even in the heat of summer she could be found kneading pristine white dough into impossibly smooth, elastic, round balls and baking with the back door wide open. But as fond as I am of these memories, the reality is that I don’t have the time or patience to deal with multiple knead sessions. Luckily, a friend passed along a great “no-knead” bread recipe that satisfies my love for fresh baked bread.

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April 28, 2009

Fast & Yummy Chicken Pesto Salad

basil.jpgOne of my favorite time and energy savers these days is store-bought rotisserie chicken. I don’t need to remember to prep and bake it (perfect, since there’s no way I’m turning the oven on today…), my kitchen is saved from pan dripping smoke, and the chicken is ridiculously versatile. Today, I’m sharing our latest favorite usage of rotisserie chicken: fast and fantastically yummy chicken pesto salad.

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April 14, 2009

Rosemary-Lemon Sandwich Cookies

lemon_sandwich_cookies_sm.JPGLast night my willpower was put to the test when I gathered with some lovely mama pals for an evening of wine and desserts. As I described in yesterday’s post about negotiating sugar battles, in addition to trying to decrease Laurel's obsession with dessert, I’ve also been working to curb my own sugar intake. So, I decided that last night I would enjoy a small treat (read: not sample everything like I normally would) as my one indulgence of the week; the one cookie I tried was worth it! Many thanks to Karen for sharing her Rosemary-Lemon Sandwich Cookie recipe, and to Paige for the use of her camera!

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April 8, 2009

Latin Inspired Pork & Beans

cilantro.JPGToday, Jules offers a new favorite recipe:

I am so excited about this dish. After watching a food show where the host traveled to Mexico City and ate the most appetizing street food I’ve ever seen (I actually was salivating), I raided my refrigerator to see what I could make that might resemble these dishes. This dish looks complex but actually is really fast once you’ve got all the ingredients lined up. It packs a lot of flavor and nutrients; the bite of the cilantro vinegar works really well with the sweet pork.

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April 3, 2009

Love These Links!

frogs.jpgI haven’t even begun to sort out Easter crafts or goodies for Laurel, but luckily some lovely other bloggers have done my homework for me. Here are some cool Easter/Passover/Spring craft and treat ideas that caught my eye around the web this week per Love These Links!, where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

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March 26, 2009

Korean Mixed Grill

mixedgrill.JPGLast night we had a dear friend in town for dinner and were thrilled to fire up the grill for some Korean BBQ. The marinade (originally inspired by a Bon Appétit feature) is lightning quick; an even speedier alternative to my bulgogi recipe (which I still love and use). Below is my modified recipe, which we used for both chicken and beef. We served the grilled goodies with brown rice, seasoned nori, scallion pancakes, pan seared tofu, kimchee, and cucumber salad.

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March 23, 2009

Fluffy Brussels Sprouts

brusselsprouts.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a quick and yummy brussels sprouts recipe:

I never thought I’d “make friends” with brussels sprouts but as I wandered the aisles of Trader Joe’s last week, I noticed that my friend (and TJ’s employee) John was buying brussels sprouts. John and I love to talk about food and share recipes, so I thought he might be able to offer ideas for how to use these little cabbages. Lo and behold, he gave me an idea that I rushed home to try and we loved the results; sweet and a little salty, with none of the residual bitter flavor that I normally associate with brussels sprouts.

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March 11, 2009

Two-Chocolate Forgotten Cookies

forgottencookies.jpgMonday night I met up with some mama friends for a lovely evening of catching up, crafts (bring a long abandoned project to work on…), and desserts. My fabulous friend Sarah brought a plate of divine meringue cookies studded with chocolate. Sarah kindly has shared her recipe for Two-Chocolate Forgotten Cookies (pictured, the last cookie standing):

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February 25, 2009

Love These Links!

hankandwillie.jpgDespite the disaster that is my inbox, clearly my mind is elsewhere on domestic matters. Here’s what caught my eye around the web this week – interesting for those who enjoy pets, baking, gardening, and/or not getting sick - per Love These Links!, where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

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February 24, 2009

Restorative Chicken Soup

bittman.jpgToday, Evadne shares a key ingredient for her family surviving winter sicknesses:

“Hailing from Canada, there are many things I love about wintertime. But as a mom to a sociable preschooler and thumb-sucking toddler, the season has become overshadowed by sniffles, colds, stomach bugs, and - most recently - a bout of pneumonia (sigh). The road to recovery for us inevitably involves visits to the pediatrician, vitamins, and lots of rest, but we've also added another ingredient to the remedial mix: chicken soup - the quintessential comfort food.

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February 18, 2009

Cauliflower For All

cauliflower.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on cauliflower, including yummy recipes for the whole family:

“Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable, which means it comes from the same family as cabbage, broccoli, and kale, but it lacks green chlorophyll because its leaves shield the white florets from the sun. There now are many studies that have shown that cruciferous vegetables can help combat lung, colon, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancer.

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February 11, 2009

Valentine's Fudge Cakes

ChocolateFudgeCakes.JPGToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a yummy Valentine's recipe that you can enjoy preparing with your kids:

Aside from frilly hearts, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Valentine's Day is chocolate. This year, bring your children into the kitchen to help you make these delicious fudge cakes. Creating and sharing food is one of the best ways to show your love.

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February 3, 2009

Easy & Yummy Homemade Granola

granola.jpgIn an ideal world, I’d make everything from scratch, but often – not surprisingly – time is an issue. But the one thing I never, ever compromise on is granola. Store bought granola has never suited me (too sweet, not clumpy enough, skimpy on nuts and fruit, etc.), and the good news is that granola is super easy to make at home. I made Food to Live By’s granola pretty steadily for about a year, but our friend Amy recently passed on a fantastic recipe from Martha Stewart. The online version is a bit different from the clipping Amy shared; below is my annotated/adapted version of the recipe; fantastic if you like chunky granola. It’s so good I make it in double batches.

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January 29, 2009

Clementine Clafoutis

clementines.jpgA couple of weeks ago Laurel and I attended a super fun cooking class at the Museum of Science and I have been meaning to post about the divine clementine clafoutis that was served. If you’re similarly overrun with peak season clementines, consider trying this fabulous, simple recipe. I plan on making it this weekend for brunch dessert.

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January 26, 2009

Favorite Chocolate Pudding

lusciouschoc.jpgThis post is a bit oddly juxtaposed to the previous, but I'm late on a friend's request to share my go-to chocolate pudding recipe and decided to do so here for all to enjoy. The recipe is from Lori Longbotham’s lovely Luscious Chocolate Desserts. Below is my revised recipe that includes a couple of minor time-saving shortcuts (to the already super easy recipe) + ingredient modifications. The latter are based on personal preference, but they do – via reduced milk fat and added fruit – make this dessert somewhat less bad for you while still being divine. Enjoy!

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January 12, 2009

Home Made Corn Tortillas

tlacoyos.bmpToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a way to conjure visions of Mexico this winter:

“It’s always a sudden shock to return home from vacation and be thrust back into the throes of laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, shuttling children, scooping pet poop, and paying bills. It's enough to make me turn around and drive right back to the airport. But I’m taking comfort in the serene memories of our recent visit to Club Med, Ixtapa; a trip replete with lavish meal buffets filled with fresh produce and seafood, tropical drinks, and family fun. The fresh corn tortillas and guacamole are especially missed; here’s a recipe for making them at home with your kids.

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January 6, 2009

Love and Cookies

heartcookiecutters.jpgToday, Kate offers inspiration for the creation and nurturing of traditions; here, with a favorite family cookie recipe:

"With the 2008 holidays now behind us, I am reflecting on one moment in the past few weeks that was especially special for me: baking holiday cookies for my father with the help and company of my toddler daughter.

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December 23, 2008

Gingerbread Castle How-To

gingerbreadcastle-thumb.JPGPursuant to my recent gingerbread house how-to post, here are notes on our adventures down gingerbread lane. Not only was the project incredibly fun, but it ended up being a huge lifesaver while we were snowed in this past weekend. Gingerbread house building may seem a bit intimidating at first, but it essentially boils down to rolling and cutting dough (similar to what you would do to make sugar or gingerbread cookies), then having a blast with the decorations.

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December 19, 2008

Gingerbread House How-To

gingerbread1.jpgGiven my love of baking and crafting, I’ve always wanted to make a gingerbread house, and not surprisingly, Laurel is totally on board with this idea. In anticipation of today’s early school closing, I hunted for some leads so Laurel and I could enjoy some time plotting our gingerbread structures and making templates. Following are my three favorite how-to's, which have useful information for both novice and experienced bakers. I’ll also jot notes on our process in case we come up with any particularly brilliant or time saving ideas to share for future use. Happy building!

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December 11, 2008

Giant Couscous with Butternut Squash

fregola.jpgToday, Jules shares a recipe to warm up winter:

“To me, there’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a nice bowl of something piping hot on a cold winter day. I love soups, but for a change of pace, this lovely couscous dish is hearty enough to satisfy cold weather cravings, but light enough to be refreshing and clean. The lemon adds an essential, surprising background note.

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December 4, 2008

Rooting for Rutabagas

rutabaga.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice makes a case for the humble rutabaga:

“Rutabagas are in season, and as you skim by the pile of these humble root vegetables in your grocery store’s produce section, you may be curious to learn more about this lesser-eaten vegetable, which is known as a ‘swede’ in England due to its popularity in Scandinavian countries.

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December 1, 2008

Seasonal Hash

turkey.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers a seasonal recipe that’ll give your turkey leftovers a new life:

"Eating in season makes for a smaller grocery bill and fresher flavors. This tasty recipe is an ideal use of some of our favorite winter ingredients: sweet potatoes and apples. It can be served as the main course for brunch or for dinner with a simple side salad. It’s also an ideal way to transform leftover turkey into a brand new meal. This version brings together traditional holiday flavors in a satisfying new dish. Don't forget to Call The Kids into the kitchen to help!

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November 19, 2008

Bring on the Brown Rice

brownrice.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on brown rice:

“Brown rice is healthier than white rice so it’s good to start your kids early on it. Brown rice is brown because the grain is wrapped with a layer of bran that is stripped away when rendering white rice. So, white rice is just starch, while brown rice is the starch plus fiber from the bran. Brown rice tastes nuttier than white rice, and also takes longer to cook.

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October 21, 2008

Cake in a Mug

chocolatechips.jpgToday, Heather shares a yummy recipe from her Triplets, Moms, & More newsletter:

“My 5-year-old daughter Emma just loves to bake - and of course eat - chocolate cake. I’m happy to encourage culinary activities, but can do without the messy cleanup and irresistible leftovers that somehow find their way straight to my thighs. Subsequently, we really like this 5 minute chocolate cake in a mug recipe. It’s not necessarily decadent but more than satisfies, and it makes for a nice play date activity.

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September 29, 2008

Salmon with Herb Mojo

salmon_mojo1.jpgToday, Jules shares a recipe to get your salmon mojo running:

“Salmon is my favorite food (see another recipe here), and because it’s a sturdy fish, it really can stand up to both bold and subtle flavors. Rich in omega 3 fatty acids (which are good for the cardiovascular system), this recipe is simple in flavors but packs a punch with its fresh herb mojo and accompanying radicchio salad.

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September 23, 2008

Homemade Tomato Sauce

tomatoes.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice provides inspiration for homemade tomato sauce:

Back in January I wrote about how it’s not that much more time consuming to make your child’s favorite recipes from scratch rather than buying them in a packet. And it’s much healthier too. And while it’s not exactly quicker to make tomato sauce than to open a jar of the stuff, you can make a large amount and freeze it in batches, then simply pop the sauce out of its container under hot water and defrost either in a ceramic bowl in the microwave, or heat it up in a saucepan and add the cooked pasta directly to the sauce.

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September 16, 2008

Sara’s Chicken Salad

chickensalad.jpgThis summer largely felt like a busy blur; one exception being a fabulously relaxing vacation we took with friends in Maine. During this trip my friend Anne made an amazing chicken salad; it’s a family recipe that she approved of my sharing here.

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September 3, 2008

Yummy Beet Salad

beetsalad.JPGToday, Sharon shares a fab recipe to treat your beets:

I discovered my love of beets last year, and was even more drawn to them when I learned that they are a great source of vitamins A and C, are high in folates and antioxidants, and are a great digestive. Here’s one of my favorite new ways to prepare them:

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August 18, 2008

Yummy Cake Roll

cakeroll.jpgThis weekend I hosted my mom’s birthday party, and since Koreans tend to make a hearty meal spread then opt for fruit or lighter desserts following, I made this Strawberry Cake Roll for the birthday cake. I clipped this recipe from Real Simple several years ago and have made it many times since; it's Jon’s favorite cake, and everyone at the party went berserk over it.

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July 23, 2008

Zucchini For All

zucchini.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice provides zucchini inspired recipes for the whole family:

Everywhere you look at the farmer’s markets in July you see different forms of zucchini squash in different shapes and sizes. While zucchini squash is extremely palatable for babies, older kids can find it a bit boring. I am convinced that one of the reasons kids don’t like green veggies is that they are bored of the way they are cooked or presented. With a bit of variation, these sweet and tender greens can be delicious to young children.

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June 23, 2008

Classic Cherry Pie

cherrypie.jpgI’m not sure whether it’s coincidence or consequence that June-born Jon loves cherries, but every year he’d rather have cherry pie than cake. The year Laurel was born, in my sleep deprived, frantically trying-to-bake-while-on-a-conference-call state, I dropped my fully assembled pie as I tried to put it in the oven. I thus was too traumatized last year to try again, but when Bon Appétit’s June 2008 issue featured this Classic Sour Cherry Pie With Lattice Crust recipe, I knew it was time to give cherry pie another go. Plus, Laurel was sure to keep reminding me to use both hands when putting the pie in the oven.

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June 16, 2008

That Nitrate Thing

carrots.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on “that nitrate thing” - the issue of when it's safe to present vegetables such as spinach and carrots to babies. Sara also includes a spinach, zucchini, and potato recipe for babies and toddlers.

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June 10, 2008

BBQ Chicken BLT's

bbq.bmpReady, set, grill! Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers a yummy recipe for BBQ Chicken BLT’s - perfectly suited for these sweltering days that make it challenging to cook indoors. And be sure to get your kids involved, with Michelle's "Call the Kids" tips at the end of the recipe.

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May 16, 2008

Salmon with Fennel Salad

salmonfennel.jpgToday, Jules offes a recipe to try over the weekend:

"With the arrival of spring and summer, I can’t get enough seafood. A light seafood entrée is the perfect dinner for me, and this recipe is a lovely, easy diversion from the typical banal salmon dish. The subtle fennel flavors come in the form of a light crunch similar to celery, and contrast surprisingly well with the brininess of the olives and sweetness of the oranges. Enjoy!

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May 12, 2008

Perfectly Petite Treats

cookies1.JPGBefore baking becomes seasonally obsolete, I wanted to share a project that Laurel and I have had tremendous fun with: thumbprint cookies. This project is great for parents because the cookie dough is really easy to make (especially if you have a standing mixer), the thumbprint and jelly filling steps are fun for kids (plus, think manual dexterity practice), and it’s nice that the end result – particularly in our world of super size – is a perfectly petite treat.

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March 25, 2008

Ethnic Food for Kids

garlic.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking (and What’s Cooking Weekly), offers inspiration for introducing ethnic food to kids (beyond typical favorites like Chinese and Mexican), including a recipe for Slow Cooker Indian Braised Chicken and tips to get your kids involved in the kitchen.

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March 21, 2008

Bunnylicious

bunnycake.jpgI have this thing about cake, and if you're interested in creating a showstopper for Easter, try this bunny cake (also fabulous for a baby shower or birthday party). The construction actually is very straightforward (plus, think about all the sculpting experience you have via Play-doh).

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March 13, 2008

Leftover Lessons

leftovers.jpgToday, Jules offers creative ideas for livening up leftovers:

“My husband and I recently realized we were in a food crisis. I love to cook and he loves to eat, but neither of us is too hot on leftovers; we were wasting too much. I just have this thing about them - I don’t enjoy them and am marginally freaked out by them. In reality, I know that anything I cook or eat fresh is good for another 3 days (beyond that, leftovers really do begin to collect bacteria). So I decided that what I needed to do was come up with creative ways to use leftovers for another entire meal. It turns out I do like leftovers…so long as they’re served in a totally different way than the night before.

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March 10, 2008

The Big Breakfast

eggs.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers ideas to fuel the family:

“I realize that bagels are popular and convenient (at Whole Foods I often see babies chewing on bagels as big as their heads...), but the truth is, they aren’t terribly nutritious. The below ideas may lack the on-the-go convenience of bagels, but getting a good start on the day is well worth the extra 10-15 minutes.

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February 28, 2008

Warming Up Winter

ditalini.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking (and What’s Cooking Weekly), offers up a great way to warm up winter – both through the soup itself, and by getting your kids moving in the kitchen:

“This winter, try this delicious Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Bean Soup) recipe. And don’t forget – kids make great helpers! See the Call The Kids section towards the bottom of the recipe to guide you on what your kids can do to help.

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February 1, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_47.jpgAnd now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Moms’ Buzz offers pointers to help parents help their kids develop self-control. Clever Parents features Rachael Ray’s classic Bayou Fat Tuesday feast. MomFinds highlights a collection of politico tees and bodysuits for the tiniest citizens. One Chic Mama has raves for the hooded personalized bath towel from Alex Casey Baby. Healthy Bump reviews the Fun To See room makeover kit. And Classy Mommy takes a sneak peek into the 1st birthday gift bag for Patrick Dempsey's twins.

January 25, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_46.jpgWeekend Reading: Car & Caboodle features an LA dad who tells of his road to becoming a minivan owner. Healthy Bump chats with former nanny Deborah Smith, who offers advice on how to search for a nanny. Moms’ Buzz offers 10 tips to help parents encourage children to eat right and maintain a healthy weight. Clever Parents highlights an easy, cheesy cauliflower pasta recipe from Rachael Ray. Coochicoos features the ultimate Batman home theater set up.

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January 9, 2008

Tips for Change

cheese.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice encourages healthier eating for kids in 2008 (and beyond!). She shares 10 tips for change, and a couple of recipes for kid favorites that can be knocked together easily, and without all the salt and preservatives of typical processed goods:

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December 20, 2007

Hearty Barley Soup

barley.jpg

The time couldn’t be more right for this winter soup recipe from Michelle of What’s Cooking:

"When the weather outside is frightful, nothing appeals more than a simple, delicious hearty bowl of soup. This recipe is ideal when you are winding down from a long week, and tastes wonderful when served with warm buttered whole-wheat pita bread. To give the barley a richer flavor, toast it in a dry pan over medium heat, shaking occasionally until golden brown. While this recipe calls for ground beef, you could substitute ground turkey or chicken. If you prefer your soup to be on the thick side, omit one cup of water, and you will have a more stew-like consistency. Don't forget to Call The Kids into the kitchen to help you prepare this family meal.

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December 17, 2007

Squeezing in Breakfast IV