Three Cheese Summer Squash Lasagna and First CSA Share...

Three Cheese Summer Squash Lasagna Last week, the kids and I headed to the local farmer’s market to pick up our first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share of the season. CSA’s are a great way to support local farmers and to get fresh local produce. It comes with a bit of a risk because you don’t always know what or how much you are getting. But you also benefit when the crop is good and I think the mystery element is fun because it gives you sort of a weekly Top Chef/Next Food Network Star challenge every week. And if you know your local conditions...

Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream...

I love ice cream! Especially homemade strawberry ice cream! But who doesn’t love ice cream? In 1983, in his stand-up comedy special Delirious, Eddie Murphy talked about the polarizing effect of ice cream on our nation’s youth. Umm…well…maybe he didn’t use those words exactly.  But it was a hilarious bit about when he was growing up all the kids in his neighborhood would lose their minds when they heard the ice cream truck coming and the antics that would ensue. His material is funny because it rings true.  Kids go a little insane when faced...

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp...

The local u-pick strawberry produce stand opened up a little over a month ago.  Time for some strawberry rhubarb crisp! I picked up the kids after work several times and went over to pick  fresh strawberries.  It worked better than I anticipated.  The first time we went we walked almost to the end of the row of strawberries (maybe a few hundred feet) and started picking.  Sam wanted to pick in the next row over.  Julia was preoccupied with a snack trap of cheerios and Sam enjoyed picking strawberries.  He would run the long way down his row, circle around to my row,...

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies and Toddler Friendly Food Tuesdays...

Today’s oatmeal breakfast cookies get the stamp of approval in our house because they have proven to be a very toddler friend food. What qualifies them as a “toddler friendly food” you ask? Two things I think:  1) Your toddler will eat them because they taste good. And, 2) As a parent you’ll be able to sleep at night knowing you gave your child something of nutritional substance and not just a bunch of junk.  And as parents we do need to band together otherwise these kids are going to take over! I know, I can always use advice and tips from...

Zucchini Frittata...

This is a good weeknight or quick brunch recipe that is taken partly from Giada de Laurentis’s asparagus frittata and partly from a zucchini frittata recipe of my grandmother’s.  We make this frequently during the summer when we have fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden–I think other vegetables would work also (asparagus, peppers, etc.). Zucchini Frittata 1 small zucchini thinly sliced 1 shallot (or leek, or onion) 1 roma tomato 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil 1/2 Tablespoon butter 6 eggs 1 Tablespoon half and half or heavy cream salt pepper fresh...

Spring Peas and Potatoes...

After two plane trips with two small children in two weeks, we were looking for something simple and easy for dinner.  After a midnight arrival home and a full day of work, I also didn’t feel like braving the grocery store with the kids after work.  So, a quick trip to the farm stand and we were set for dinner–usually we add grilled chicken of some sort, but skipped it tonight.  The most time consuming part is shelling the peas, I almost bought the pre-shelled ones.  We didn’t quite get the peas and potatoes cooked by the kids dinner time, but they...

White Bean Enchiladas, the answer to all your questions...

The clock is ticking. The kids are a little grumpy today. Your spouse is even more grumpy today (Hey, it happens).  The grocery bill for the month is shot. There are no leftovers in the refrigerator for tomorrow’s lunch. How can you possibly pull off a home cooked meal that is going to please everyone and not drive you over the edge? Answer: White Bean Enchiladas Question: What meal is going to be low prep and relatively  easy to make? Answer: White Bean Enchiladas Question: What meal is going to be relatively  inexpensive to prepare? Answer: White Bean...

Heath Bar Cake, you complete me....

Do you, cake eater, take this delicious heath bar cake above all other cakes – to journey together throughout the years – in the delicious affair of dessert eating? I do! Ah, Heath Bar Cake my delicious friend, I’m so glad you came into my life. Your moist chocolate base, your heath bar crumble covered cool whip top, I’m gonna eat you up, I don’t think I can stop. ******************************************************************************** I don’t remember exactly when Melissa first made this cake for me. Sometimes it’s hard to...

Grandma Leone’s Famous Pancakes...

You are slow to wake up. You blink several times, but your eyes quickly retreat from the early morning light that is pouring in through the windows, searching out and revealing spaces that were hidden in darkness only moments before. Outside one of these windows a robin sounds his morning song, signaling the start of another glorious spring day.  The world is waking up. But not you. Not yet. The world of dreams that exists behind your eyelids is still too inviting. Better to linger here a while longer then to let in the painful light of morning. It seems strange to you...

Cream of Asparagus Soup...

The week after Easter I stopped in one of the local grocery stores and noticed a table full of asparagus marked down to a ridiculously low price.  It was starting to get a little dry, but perfect for this recipe.  We made a huge batch of this soup (and didn’t have any extra to freeze).  All of the local produce stands and farmers markets seem to be opening up this weekend, so I think we will be looking for asparagus to make another batch.  Or maybe more asparagus risotto.  Or maybe asparagus pasta with truffle oil.  Or maybe just roast it.  Can you tell I like...