Ma What's For Dinner?

It’s wordless Wednesday so I’m just going to show off this pic I took at the Irish Festival last week of my favorite thing in the world.  So good!

What’s your favorite summertime fair food?

So you all know that I went berry picking with the kiddos.  They had a blast and can’t wait for the berry seasons, apple seasons, corn seasons, etc that are upcoming.  But to go with my farm fresh strawberries we went on down to the old town farmer’s market.  I was so excited.  Our town’s first farmer’s market of the season…

Well to say that I was disappointed is an understatement.  I know it’s not a huge town but it apparantly boasts quite a number of farms here and to see three tiny little stalls was, well, heartbreaking.  So I picked up some rhubarb to couple with my berries and some dandelion leaves that you’ll be seeing in a yummy recipe or two upcoming and went home dejected.

Welcome to the small town I guess.  Not like back in LA.  Apparantly there are a boat load of bigger ones around.  We’ll have to check those out…soon!  I did make a yummy pie though.  Check it out.

For the pie crust:

1 cup butter (2 sticks), cubed and chilled + 2 T cut into small pieces

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting

1 t salt

3 T sugar

8 to 12 tablespoons ice water

2 T cream

1 T sugar in the raw

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Put 2 sticks of butter, flour, salt and sugar in the food processor, and pulse lightly just until the mixture resembles wet sand. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing briefly after each spoonful of water. Keep adding water until the dough just begins to gather into larger clumps. Transfer dough onto counter and split into two equal portions. Wrap each of them separately in plastic wrap and allow to chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes.  You can do this the day before if you want.

Remove 1 portion from the fridge to a flour coated surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to a 10-inch round. Gently fit the rolled dough into a 9-inch pie pan, and refrigerate while you prepare the pie ingredients.  

For the filling:

3 1/2 cups rhubarb sliced

1 16 oz container strawberries hulled &  halved

1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 t ground cinnamon

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t nutmeg

1/4 t salt

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix to coat well.  Set aside.

Pull the first crust in the pie plate out of the fridge and fill with berry mixture.  Top with remaining cut up butter.  Top with rolled out second pie crust and crimp edges decoratively.  Cut a few slits into the top of your pie to allow the steam to escape.  Brush top dough with cream and sprinkle with sugar in the raw.  Place pie on a baking sheet and slide into your 400 degree oven.  Cook for 15 minutes then turn oven down to 350.  Cook for an additional 45-55 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve warm with whip cream or ice cream.  So so good!!

Hey there Tuesday pals.  If you’re here from FMBT and TTA please leave me a note and let me know where I can find you and return the love!

Say it aint so!  I can’t believe there is something up with the Froot Loops, and for the record I never buy Froot Loops.  First off I’m suspect of the name, FROOT.  FROOT?  Really?  Makes me think there is nothing actually fruity about them.  I got suckered into these bad boys during a recent Walmart outing and Brady was screaming and I really needed dog food so I caved, I did, I just needed to get thru the store and get the stuff so I let them have the damn FROOT loops.  And now, look what happens…figures!

Wanted to get this information to you if any of you missed it.  Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, and Honey Smacks have been recalled.  Check out the info below.  Now if Special K had been recalled, I’d be in trouble.  FYI, nobody’s been sick and there is no weird smell.

The following cereal products packaged in white foil bags due to an off-flavor and smell coming from the bag.

• If you have questions or you would like a replacement coupon, you may contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888-801-4163.You should not eat the recalled products because they do not meet their quality standards.

Only products with the letters “KN” following the Better If Used Before Date are included in the recall.

Kellogg’s® Apple Jacks®
UPC 3800039136
17 ounce package with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 10 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039132
8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between JUN 03 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s® Corn Pops®
UPC 3800039109
12.5 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039111
17.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039116
9.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 05 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s® Froot Loops®
UPC 3800039118
12.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039120
17 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039125
8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s®Honey Smacks®
UPC 3800039103
15.3 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Again, only products with the letters “KN” following the Better If Used Before Date are included in the recall.

What’s your favorite breakfast cereal???

First up, it’s Friday and you know what that means…happy hour starts early?  Uh, no, at least not yet, for goodness sakes it’s only 7 am.  It’s a blog hop Friday.  If you’re not in on the blog hop business you really should check them out.  What a great way to meet new bloggie friends.  So if you’re here from Friday Follow or Trendy Treehouse then welcome, we’re glad to see you.  Please leave us a note to let us know you were here and what you thought and we’ll be glad to get back to you ASAP.  Now, back to business.

Well my cup truly runneth over.  I have been so touched by the recent outpouring of bloggie love and can’t believe that I’ve received 1, let alone 6 yup count ‘em 6  blog awards.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

First up not one, but two beautiful blogger awards from Cameron at Ingenue Mom and Erin over at Making Memories with your Kids

And to officially accept, you apparently must list 10 facts about yourself that people may not know. This is hard because, let’s face it, I’m an open book, I can’t think of 10 things you don’t know about me.  So…Let’s see…

1. I love Bon Jovi, it’s a left over obsession from high school I’ve never gotten over.  Love love love Bon Jovi.

2. I’m afraid of fish.  Love to eat them, hate to be in the water with them.  No scuba certification for me….ever!

3. I collect aprons.  If you have any you want to give me, send ‘em on over.

4. When I was growing up I never thought I’d want a daughter.  Now that I have three boys, I kind of feel an itch for one.

5. I’m allergic to bees.  Even though I was stung 14 times growing up as a kid without issue I got stung when I was 21 and went into full anaphylactic shock.

6. I have a national championship ring from 1995 when I was the head manager for the Division I National Champion Boston University Terriers Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

7. I love the Twilight books, like a lot, but not so much the movies.  Funny thing, books – Team Edward, Movies – Team Jacob.

8. I don’t love the beach.  I didn’t love it when I was young, and I certainly don’t love it with kids…and sand…in every crevice…of everything.  Guess where I’m going today…sigh.

9. I just caught my first firefly last night with my son, Keegan.  Those things are cool!

10. I hate spinach.  Yup, I do.  You don’t see much of it in my recipes do ya?  My dad hates it, so we never had it in the house growing up.  I’m trying to train myself to eat it.  It’s slow going at best.  But you need to teach the kids by example right?  I’m working on it.

Ok so now i have to pick 10 beautiful bloggers that I must pass this along to.  Well I’m picking 10 foodie bloggers, because what is more beautiful than food, right???

Betty Crapper – great recipes, great name

Butter + Cream – the only thing better than butter and cream is Mary and Allison

Lazaro Cooks – his dishes are unique and stunningly beautiful

I Just Love My Apron – nothing is ever ordinary on this amazing food blog

Jenns Food Journey – love her feel good, real people cooking

Anecdotes and Apple Cores – great stories, great food

Kitchen Belleicious – who doesn’t love a southern belle?

Deep South Dish – because food seems to look and taste better south of the mason dixon

and my two closest foodie bloggie friends who could be my long lost sisters…

Mommie Cooks

and

Annie Bakes

I’ve already given them awards, but really, I just love them.

Ok, moving ever onward…

Next up I was lucky enough to receive the super sweet Sunshine Award from beautiful Candice at Stash Mama

Of course, awards come with rules…

1. Put the award on your blog and/or within your post.

2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.

3. Link to the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award

My 12 nominees: in no particular order who brighten my day on a regular basis are…

The hysterical Cheryl at Mommy Pants, every girl needs a pair.

The very smart Tammy at Tammys Two Cents, she’s kind of a hero of mine.

The witty Rachel at Mommy Needs a Vacation, because who doesn’t?

The adorable Krysten at After I Do because she reminds me of when I was young and cool.

The amazing Katie at Sassy Silly Spunky Momma, you can’t not fall in love with her little man, Drake.

The talented Blonde Duck at A Duck in her Pond, she’s going to be a famous writer one day.

The funny as hell Lori at Lex Loci Lori, she makes me laugh every day.

Her royal highness the Empress at Good Day Regular People.  She’s just a hoot, you gotta check her out and besides she’s royalty.

The super cool Kristy at Pampers and pinot as many of you know, sometimes you just have to combine the two.

The super creative Lacie at Creative Attempts who can make pretty much anything pretty.

The stunning Crystal at Wanna Be Balanced Mom who does an amazing job, well, balancing.

and last but not least

The high spirited Rachel the Kooky Queen at A Little Bit of Kooky because I like my gals with a bit of kook!

And alas we have come to the last of my awards.  The Versatile blogger award from Crystal at My 3 Princes and a Princess and the super cool Nick at A Daddys Take, daddy blogger, so cool, and Beverly at Green Gracie Home.  Goodness gracious, I never knew I was so versatile!

Thanks Crystal, Nick, and Beverly!!!

And here we are again with the rules….

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.  check…

2. Share seven things about yourself. you got 10 up top, I don’t have 17…

3. Pass this award along to fifteen bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!

My 15 Fab New Find are as follows…

Singing With Birds – beautiful, colorful, informative

A Latte with Ott, A – enough pep to keep you going all day

The Urban Cowboy – because what’s cooler than a cowboy?

Life Without Pink – we both live with all dudes

Two Maids a Milking – the hubs thinks farm girls are hot

This That and the Other Thing – Blame Canada!

The Butler Way – Frank Sinatra did it my way, they do it The Butler Way

On the Banks of Squaw Creek – we’re scrappers

Making Memories with the McClellens – her boys are adorable

Are You There God, Its Me – she sucked me in with her Judy Blumesque blog name and I was hooked

Saucy B – she is awesome, but don’t call her a Jersey girl

More Than A Mouthful – the man is a chef at high school, he deserves much more than this award

Lil Mop Top – this girl has mad skills

Go 2 The Kitchen – her spirit inspires me

Deckside Thoughts – I want to be Cheryl when I grow up

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award. done and done…

Well I hope you all go check out all these fantastic blog reads.  They are great sites, great sources of information and great fun to read.  I can’t tell you how tickled I am that these lovely ladies thought of me, I really am touched to know that there is someone out there, actually reading what I write…crazy huh????

Sometimes you just have to dress up the veggies you know what I mean?  If I don’t want the kids to dunk them in ranch dressing or even worse, BBQ sauce then I have to get a bit creative.  These are the best zucchini I have ever had, I mean if you don’t count when I bread ‘em and deep fry them of course…I’m just saying.  Not only do they taste good they are a great way to start introducing fresh herbs to your kids.

1 T olive oil

2 large zucchini sliced thin

1/2 onion sliced thin

2 garlic cloves, chopped fine

1 t crushed red pepper flakes

5 large basil leaves chopped

10 mint leaves chopped fine

S&P

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat.  When warm add zucchini.   Toss to coat and sprinkle with S&P.  Toss in onions and mix again.  Season with red pepper and garlic.  Cook until veggies begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.  Toss in your fresh herbs and allow to cook for an additional minute or so.  Serve and enjoy!!!

Two side notes today.  I may be slower than usual returning comments today.  I’m off to see a first cut of our pilot episode of Ma, What’s For Dinner.  Keep your fingers crossed it’s fantastic.

Secondly I’d like to say a huge welcome to all our new followers.  I’m so glad you’re all here!