What 's for dinner?

Where is what we are having for dinner next week...

Sunday - Pappardelle with Leeks, Sugar Snap Peas and Lemon

Monday - Grilled Steak with Blue Cheese Potatoes

Tuesday - Three Pea Chicken Salad

Wednesday - Tortilla Espanola with a Side Salad

Thursday -  Chickpea Pattie with Tomato and Halumi Salad

Friday - Dinner Out

Saturday - Dad's Night To Cook - ?

Martha Gets Real - Baby and Kids Magazine

Years ago Martha Stewart put out two wonderful magazines.  Martha Stewart Baby and Martha Stewart Kids.  At the time that they came out, I was in no means close to being a mom.  However now that I am one I wish that these publications still came out.  I am continually inspired by what she and her team puts out. 

Lucky for us we have ebay!   The other week I found 10 issues of these magazines for sale and snatched them up for a small price.  There are still a few left online, so go bid on them when you can. 

ebay

ebay

Clay Pot Bird Baths

I saw this clay pot bird bath on Pinterest and thought it would be such a fun activity to do with the kids.  I think we might try painting one next weekend, but I do think I will keep it all one color family.

The Culinary Cougar via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

The Dirty Dozen

I try to buy organic produce, but it isn't always available at my local grocery store, and I am not lucky enough to have a Whole Foods close by.  Lucky for me, my husband enjoys tending to a vegetable garden and my Dad is an amazing gardener and gives me plenty of fruits and vegetables.  After enjoying fresh asparagus from my Dad's garden I thought it would be a good time to review what makes the Dirty Dozen list of fruits and vegetables.

12 Most Contaminated:

My Thirty Spot via Becky Blondell via Pinterest

• Peaches
• Apples
• Cherries
• Strawberries
• Imported Grapes
• Pears
• Nectarines
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Celery
• Potatoes

On the other hand, here are the least contaminated...

• Pineapples
• Mangos
• Kiwi
• Bananas
• Papaya
• Avocado
• Frozen Sweet Peas
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Asparagus
• Frozen Sweet Corn
• Onions

If this list is hard for you to remember, just download the free, Dirty Dozen App available from iTunes. 

iTunes

Good Thoughts

Polyvore via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

Hoppy Easter!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday!

Our Humbled A{Bowe}d via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

What's for dinner

Here is what we are having for dinner next week....

Sunday - Happy Easter!

Monday - Creamy Asparagus Soup with Poached Egg on Toast

Tuesday - Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday - Date Night

Thursday - Coconut-Lime Chicken Noodle Soup

Friday - Spaghetti

Saturday - Salmon, Spinach, and Potatoes Baked in Parchment

Martha Gets Real - Matzo For Breakfast

With Passover coming up I thought I would highlight some great breakfast dishes using Matzo.

Martha Stewart

Matzo Granola - Martha Stewart

Makes 4 Cups

Ingredients

• 3 crushed whole-wheat matzos
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup safflower oil
• 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit

Directions

1. Stir together matzos, walnuts, oil, sugar, honey, and salt. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes, until toasted, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool. Break into smaller pieces. Stir in dried fruit..

Martha Stewart

Matzo Brei - Martha Stewart

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 matzos (8-inch squares)
• 4 large eggs
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions 

1.  Break each matzo square into about 8 pieces; place in a medium bowl. Add enough boiling water to cover, and soak until moistened, 2 or 3 minutes; drain. Squeeze well with hands to remove excess water.

2.  In a medium bowl, beat eggs with nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon salt; add softened matzo, and mix.

3.  Heat 1 tablespoon butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat; add matzo mixture, and press in gently. Cook until browned on underside, 4 to 6 minutes; carefully invert cake onto a plate. Heat remaining tablespoon butter in skillet, and slide cake back into skillet. Cook until other side is browned, 4 to 6 minutes more.

4.  Turn cake out of skillet, and cut into wedges. Serve hot and drizzle with maple syrup.

Martha Stewart

Apple Cinnamon Matzo Brei - Martha Stewart

Serves 4

Ingredients

1/4 cup whole pecans, broken into 1/2-inch pieces

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

5 tablespoons sugar

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup golden or dark raisins

8 sheets matzo

3 cups boiling water

4 large eggs

Pinch of coarse salt

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until they are light golden and aromatic, about 7 minutes. Shake pan halfway through baking to make sure the nuts toast evenly. Set aside to cool.

2.  In a medium saute pan set over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add apples; cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons sugar over apples; cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved and caramelized, about 8 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, cinnamon, and raisins. Remove pan from heat; set aside.

3.  Break matzo sheets into 3-inch pieces, and place in a colander set in the sink. Pour 3 cups boiling water, one cup at a time, over the matzo, and drain.

4.  In a medium bowl, whisk eggs. Add salt and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Stir in the soaked matzo; mix until well coated.

5.  Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add matzo mixture, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. Stir in two-thirds of the apple mixture until warm; transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with the reserved toasted pecans and the remaining apple mixture. Serve immediately.

A Pinterest Easter

Here are some great Easter finds courtesy of Pinterest!

I found these two variations of bunny cupcakes.  I do love the little bottom sticking up!

Created By Diane via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

These peep houses would be a fun craft to make with your kids during your spring break.

Kasey Buick via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

If you haven't colored your eggs yet, try making yours with crayons (the tip is to draw on a warm egg!).

The Artful Parent via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

This bunny bark looks delicious!

Flickr via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

I love the eggs and grass combo

Ecoki via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

National Baking Week

This week is the official NATIONAL BAKING WEEK! 

I am thinking of making some good ol' white bread this week.  I am going to use this recipe from Betty Crocker. 

Betty Crocker

I am sure a lot of you are busy in the kitchen getting ready for Passover and Easter. I would love for you to share your favorite baking recipes.

Monday Musings

It is a new month...treat yourself to a Karma Cleanse

Facebook via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

Earth Hour 2012

This is just a little reminder that EARTH HOUR is TONIGHT from 8:30-9:30pm.  So shut off those lights and spread the word!

Sydney Harbour Bridge via EarthHour.Org

New Zealand via EarthHour.Org

I'm Back

I am back...but enjoying some fabulous weather and getting some gardening done.  Be back next week!

Uploaded By User via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

NOLA

I am bound for NOLA for a long weekend away with my husband.  I am looking forward to good food, good music, and spending some time with a good friend!

See you later next week!

Martha Gets Real - Easter Edition Part 1

Here are some easy Easter ideas from Martha Stewart.

These cute daffodil cups are cute, and would certainly be easy to do.  They would look really nice as place settings on your Easter table.

Martha Stewart

If you are having any outdoor Easter gatherings, these egg weights would be a terrific way to keep your tablecloth in place!

Martha Stewart

This Easter bunny garland and cupcake sticks would be fun for a festive celebration.

Martha Stewart

These fabric egg cards would be terrific to send to friends and family.

Martha Stewart

Here's to the changers!

"Here's to the crazy ones.  The misfits.  The rebels.  The troublemakers.  The round pegs in the square holes.  The ones who see things differently.  They're not fond of rules.  And they have no respect for the status quo.  You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.  About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.  Because they change things.  They push the human race forward.  And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.  Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

Steve Jobs

I just got done reading Walter Isaacson's book and simply loved this quote.  Although I only have a few Apple products and am a pc currently, the next time I need a computer I am buying an Apple!  What an amazing book and history of a great company.



Martha Gets Real

In the March 2012 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine in the Good Things section there is a terra-cotta dessert stand.  I was inspired to make my own, painted cake stand. 

It is really simple to do, get the size of pots that you want to use, paint 2-3 coats (if desired) and your glue gun.  Paint, let it try and then glue together! 

When I saw the littlest terra-cotta pots I was even inspired to make these cute cupcake stands.  The dish for my pots was glazed, so after painting two I decided to leave a couple unpainted...it gives them a bit more rustic look.    I am going to make a couple more and use them on our Easter dinner table.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Challenge

Something Charming via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest

After determining the best buttermilk pancake recipe I now have my sites set on chocolate chip cookies.  I have tried a couple of recipes, but am officially starting my search for the best cookie out there.  If you have a recipe you think is great please email it to me and I will test it against the other contenders.

Flouring Tips

I don't know how often you bake chocolate cakes - personally I love them and will use any excuse to whip one up.  I learned a while back that the best way to butter and flour your cake pan when making chocolate cake is to use cocoa powder.  That way you don't have any left over flour white specs on your cake when it is done baking....how easy is that!

Monday Musings

Google.com via Breakfast At Mom's via Pinterest