Lunch Box

This is a Smash lunchbox made by Nude Food Movers.  I got it for D as a not going back to school gift.  As you can see the left side comes with two of those seal-able cups. They are good for apple sauce, fruit cocktail, and salad dressing (such as ranch). The other side is big enough for celery, carrots, pudding cups, and crackers.  The middle is big enough for 2 sandwiches, or one sandwich and a special juice box (that I did not buy him) that can be used as an ice pack.  Today he gets PB Dinosaurs, grapes, marshmallows, and a jello cup.

Fruit Cocktail

1 Fuji apple, 2 red pears, 1 large can mandarin oranges, 1 bunch red grapes, 1/4 C. maraschino cherries.

Let It Bee

I embroidered this onsie and hat. It is size 9-12 month.

Owl Hat

I am trying to use up all my old yarn, so I have room for new yarn when it goes on sale in a few weeks.  This is a toddler size ear flap hat in grey, red, orange, and yellow. The little tufts on top are supposed to be owl ears. I could totally make this in an adult size, too.

Blue Sweater

Blue sweater knit on US 6 needles in chunky yarn. Size 18 month. Pattern.

Vegetable Soup

1.5 lbs chuck roast
2 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 C. chopped carrots
2 or 3 stalks celery, diced
handful of green beans
large can of tomatoes, any style
1 bunch parsley, minced
brussel sprouts if they are in season
whole peppercorns, 2 bay leaves

In a 6qt. stock pot over high heat, cook beef and onions until caramelized. Add 6 cups of water, pepper, bay leaves, and parsley. Reduce heat to medium low. Allow this to simmer until it has a beefy flavor unto itself.  At this point you can add your can of tomatoes, carrots, green beans, and brussel spouts.  This soup is good with  barley or mini pasta shapes. I am serving mine with cornbread.

Stuffed Green Peppers

4 medium size green peppers
1 lb hamburger
1 medium size onion, diced
1 C. uncooked white rice
15 oz can tomato sauce (no salt added)
15 oz can diced tomatoes (no salt added)
1 C. water
salt, pepper, garlic to taste

Cook hamburger with onions and garlic in a high sided skillet until cooked. Add rice, water, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine. Put lid on pan and simmer 20 minutes until majority of liquid is absorbed.  Spoon into green peppers. If you boil the peppers ahead of time, you can serve immediately, or you can bake them for about 15 minutes until they get a little soft.  I like mine on the firm side, so I boil mine for 5 minutes. That is just long enough to take the raw flavor out of them but leave them al dente.

Popcorn

Just when you thought they had invented everything, here come Sriracha popcorn available for sale to the public. I've been making it at home for years! (well, ever since my room mate Lauren introduced it to us in 2002)

Reusable Snack Container

Give Easter eggs a year-round use (and save on resealable bags) by filling them with snacks like crackers or Cheerios.

Cork Planters

Came across this great idea on line, cork planters.  They are miniature cactus inside recycled corks.  Slap a magnet on the back and arrange them on your refrigerator.  Another example here

Mushroom Soup

8 oz Oyster mushrooms
8 oz crimini muhrooms
(Use the variety pack if it is available)
Beef (lamb or chicken) stock (water and bullion if that's what you have)
carrots,  onion,  herbs ,  garlic

In a 2 qt. sauce pot make about 3 cups of stock.  Simmer carrots and onions until they get soft.  Add it to the blender to puree until smooth.  This is the fast and easy way to make soup that tastes like it simmered all day long!  In a skillet, saute your sliced mushrooms, add garlic just before they are finished.
You can make the soup two ways:


1.  Add mushrooms to the blender, add enough broth to get them to puree down into a smooth mud colored paste.  Add mushroom puree to stock.  If you think it is too watery, simmer until enough water evaporates.  If you want cream of mushroom soup, add a splash of milk or whatever.  Add salt, pepper, herbs last.  I like to use garlic powder and thyme.


2. Add mushrooms to the blender, add enough broth the mushrooms get chopped evenly.  process the mushrooms into rough chunks and add to the soup. This gives it a hearty feel and is a great side dish for meat dishes.  Add salt, pepper and herbs last.

If I had a Vitamix blender, I bet I could make the soup in there!

Spinach Pie

a drizzle of olive oil

1 medium shallot, minced

1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach - thawed, drained and squeezed dry 

1/2 tsp chopped fresh dill 

1 tablespoons all-purpose flour 

1 (4 ounce) packages feta cheese, crumbled 

2 eggs, lightly beaten 

salt and pepper to taste 

1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough 

1/2 stick butter, melted  

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Slowly cook and stir onions until softened.Mix in spinach, dill and flour.  Cook approximately 10 minutes, or until most of the moisture has been absorbed.  Remove from heat.  Mix in feta cheese, eggs, salt and pepper.  Lay phyllo dough flat and brush with butter. Place a small amount of spinach mixture onto each piece of dough.  Fold phyllo into triangles around the mixture. Brush with butter.  Place filled phyllo dough triangles on a large baking sheet.  Bake in the preheated oven 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until golden brown. Or if your philo dough had a failure like mine, you can roll it out with a rolling pin as best as you can, and smash it all into a pie tin. Brush top crust only with butter. (actually, this probably saves you a TON of calories).

Dinosaur Blanket

Coriander

We grew cilantro this summer.  Last month after reaching its peak, we allowed it to flower and harvested the coriander pods.  They have been drying on my counter, so I finally winnowed them and placed them in a jar.  Although coriander is a tiny herb, it is actually full of vitamins and minerals. It is particularly rich in Vitamins A and K, but also contains plenty of Vitamins B, C and E.   As for the mineral content, coriander has a phenomenal amount of potassium and is also a good source of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Coriander is predominantly used to flavor curries and soups. I am considering making mine into garam masala.

Bourbon Spiced Pork

1 pkg McCormic bourbon spiced pork seasoning mix
1/3 C. brown sugar
some pork (it called for tenderloin, but I got a roast)
1/3 C. orange juice
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
2 fuji apples, cored and sliced

Rub down pork with a little oil so the seasoning mix will stick.  Combine seasoning with brown sugar. Reserve 1/3 C. Rub down pork with remaining seasoning/sugar mix.  In a large bowl, combine reserved seasoning, OJ, sweet potatoes, and apples. Toss to combine. Arrange apples and sweet potatoes around the pork. Roast 425* 35 minutes for tenderloin.

Graduation Cake

Congratulations on Law School Graduation, Pat. I know you passed the bar. A WINNER IS YOU!

Pasta

Elbow macaroni combines with white wine, garlic, feta, and tomatoes and is served with asparagus.