Switzerland

Eleven years ago this week, Trevin and I spent about a month in Europe. Aaaah, those were the days. This photo that I clicked with my phone reminded me of a similar photo from our European Holiday.

Now...

Then...

So many things have changed during the past eleven year...

Graduations

Cross-country moves

Mortgages

3 kids (almost 4!)

iPhones

Digital cameras

Wrinkles
Jobs

I have often longed for those days again. Traveling through Europe footloose and fancy free. But as I compared these images, I realized that I live in my own sort of "Switzerland" and the things that made me happy then are just a little different than the things that make me happy
now. And, if that's not the truth may Bocca della Verita bite off my hand!





And, although this is not exactly the same, this reminds me a lot of the thoughts I have had about Switzerland lately.

Insalata Florentine

I haven't been to Macaroni Grill for awhile. I think the last time was when I was pregnant with my son. He is 5 1/2. But I love this salad. I have fun finding a dish I love at a restaurant and then try to break it down and recreate it. 

After I recreated it and made my version several times, I found the original recipe here.

I like my version, but I think next time I make it, I'll try the original recipe.

And sorry, we ate this to fast to take any photos. :) But it looks a lot like this only with more spinach when it's finished.

Insalata Florentine

(Spinach, Orzo and Chicken Salad)

Adapted from MACARONI GRILL

5 cups julienne-shredded fresh spinach


2 chicken breasts grilled chicken, seasoned, sliced and chilled


2 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced


¼ cup pine nuts, lightly toasted


¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienne cut


¼  cup capers


½ cup sliced black or kalamata olives


5 ounces orzo pasta, cooked and chilled

½ cup balsamic vinegrette

1/4 ounce shaved Parmesan
 cheese

Fresh cracked pepper, for garnish

In the order listed, place all ingredients, except Parmesan cheese, in a chilled mixing bowl. Toss and serve on a decorative wide bowl. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper

Balsamic Vinaigrette

¼ cup Balsamic vinegar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
juice of one lemon
pinch oregano
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
pinch of salt

Some more yummy recipes to come....

Great Harvest Chocolate Chip Cookies

Slow-Cooker Pork with Noodles

Menu Monday: Instant Chocolate Cake

At our annual family Easter Egg Hunt, there were snow flurries. But, we had a great time anyway and barely event noticed the cold.

* = new recipe
:) = recommended
:( = not recommended

Friday

• ? (I don't remember!)
• Egg-free vanilla cupcakes with Lemonade Cream Cheese Frosting

Saturday 

• Easter Dinner/Birthday party with family = :) :) :)

Sunday

• Blackened Salmon
• Roast Rosemary Carrots

• Buttered 'Bruckle Brouts' (the baby's work for Brussel Sprouts)
• Wild Rice Blend (Thanks Trader Joes! We miss you.) = :)
• Tomb Rolls (Thanks Aunt B. We will make these again!) = :) :) :)

Tonight 

• Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps = :):):)
• Steamed Broccoli
• Cantaloupe
• Instant Chocolate Cake (This wasn't out of this world, but it was really fun and worth a try when you have an "instant" chocolate craving. = :) :) :)

Instant Chocolate Cake

• 1/2 cup flour, 
• 2/3 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 
• 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons milk, 
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Whisk in a bowl until smooth. In a greased/sprayed ramekin/custard cup/mug, add a few chocolate chips, pecans/walnuts/marshmallow, etc. Scoop in 1/3 cup of cake batter. Microwave until puffed, about 1 minute (or less if you like gooey chocolate cake like we do.)

I didn't have the idea to add the extras like choco chip, marshmallows, and nuts until after the kids went to bed. I had some leftover batter, so I whipped up another for Trevin and me to share. I'm sure glad I did that!

*Note: I'm sure any cake batter would do. We will try an egg-free version next time.

Happy Easter

Lady Bug Picnic

I know this isn't a food post, but I think you'll like this too. I discovered this artist while searching around iTunes for music for kids at my work. We love this new album. 

Lady Bug Picnic was my favorite song from Sesame Street when I was a kid. I had big dreams of being on Sesame Street someday! 

Crawdad is our boys new fav. He loves it. 

Our baby calls it the "honey song." 

Take a listen. :)

Menu Monday: Carrot Muffins

Since I had two big cooking/baking weekends in a row,  I decided to play it down a little last weekend.


* = new recipe
:) = recommended
:( = not recommended


Friday 

• Leftovers = :)
• *Carrot Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting = :) :) :) 

Saturday 

• Pad Thai = :)
• Spring Rolls (from Costco) = :)
• Zucchini Spears = :)

Sunday

• Roast Dinner at mother-in-laws = :) :) :)
• *Dessert - Fresh Strawberry Tarts (I made these, but I probably won't make them again. They were so-so.

Tonight (It's our boy's half birthday, so he got to choose.)

• Hot dogs (Mmmm. Can't wait! ;)
• French Fries (aka homemade roasted potato spears... sssshhhh... don't tell him!)
• Raw carrots and ranch dip

The carrot muffins were a big hit with the neighborhood kids. I passed out mini muffins with a big dollop of frosting atop.


Carrot Muffins

• 1 cup white flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oat flour (can substitute with half white/whole wheat flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed (optional)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice

• 1/2 cup agave nectar/honey
• 2/3 cup coconut oil/canola oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup pecans/walnuts (optional)

Mix wet ingredients. Slowly add to flour mixture, mix just until blended. Spoon batter into muffin cups.

Bake at 350° for about 15-20 minutes

Frost with any cream cheese frosting recipe. Anything is good with cream cheese frosting!

Whole Wheat Oat Pancakes on Menu Monday

I had another fun weekend trying some fun new recipes and using some good ole standbys.
* = new recipe
:) = recommended
:( = not recommended

Dinner tonight...
Left-overs! Yipee. :) :) :)

Dinner Sunday night...

• *Insalata Caprese Salad with homemade mozzarella = :) (I'll explain the homemade mozzarella in another post. So easy, so yummy!)
• No Knead Bread
• *Asiago Frisco = :) :) :) 
• Parmesan-crusted Chicken Breasts = :) I didn't follow the recipe exactly, but you'll get the point.
• Tomato Basil Ziti
• *Dessert/Lemon Curd in Phyllo Tarts and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries = :) (If you don't have the Joy of Cooking, trust me you would love it!)

Breakfast Saturday...
*Whole Wheat Oat pancakes = :) :) :)
Strawberries

Dinner Saturday...
Sushi with friends
Tuna casserole for kids. me = :) kids = :(


As promised, here is a favorite recipe. I adjusted this from a family fav that my kids call "Papa cakes." Every time we stay at my parent's house or cabin, my dad makes pancakes for my kids. They love them. I just tweaked the recipe to make them a bit more hearty.


Whole Wheat Oat Pancakes 

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk or sour milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup coconut oil or canola oil
• 1/4 cup agave nectar, honey, or sugar

Combine dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients. Mix to together. Adjust consistency with more buttermilk or flour. Top with fresh fruit. Enjoy!


Makes about 24 pancakes. So we eat left-overs on Sunday morning! = :)


*Note: You can just omit the eggs. The baking powder, soda, and buttermilk make them raise just fine. I usually cook a batch without eggs for my little one, then add a couple of eggs for extra protein for the big kids.