A few weeks ago, when we were cooking our “tropical” recipes from Florida and Bermuda, we decided to try a tropical twist version of banana bread. This version is very different from any of those we tried before and when I saw it on Katerina’s blog, Diethood, I knew we had to add it to our quest.
Miss A, my banana bread assistant chef, was at the ready with her pastry blender to sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 
In order to dispel any myths that we’re a super family that eats, plays and loves in some idyllic Rockwellian world, we thought we’d share some of our reality. While we love to cook and are having a blast with this worldly cooking adventure, we’re not gourmands every night. After busy days spent juggling work schedules, play dates, play time with the kids, homework, working out, paying bills, keeping up the house and lawn, and finding time to fit in friends and family, there are plenty of nights where our kitchen is anything but exciting. We’re talkin’ about dinners involving chicken nuggets, frozen pizzas, easy pastas and Subway. And dad and I are on a first name basis with the local sushi restaurant owners who we visit at least once every couple of weeks.
That’s why I love this next sandwich. It’s easy, healthy, wonderfully flavorful and a great option for a fast dinner on a crazy weeknight spent trying to juggle a three-year old throwing a tantrum because you helped her put a shoe on, a seven-year old who’s plugging his ears and screaming to drown out his sister, all the while trying to put something together because they’ve let you know in no uncertain terms that they’re hungry. So here is one of my favorite, honestly easy fall-backs inspired by a sandwich I ate at Greens N Grains on a girls’ weekend to Door County, Wisconsin – The Apple Cheddar Sandwich. Continue reading
Several of you have asked how Miss A’s balsamic obsession began. Well, it started when I found a recipe for Strawberry Bruschetta on Annie’s Eats. I’m always on the lookout for quick, easy and healthy recipes to make for myself for lunch. I have a terrible time with this meal. I’m usually just cooking for myself, I don’t have a lot of time and I don’t want to over eat. I figured I could easily adapt Annie’s recipe to go on my little pita crackers (my current lunch obsession) for a quick lunch.
What I didn’t count on was how much Miss A would enjoy this dish as well. I mean it has goat cheese, basil and balsamic – not the type of ingredients that most little ones find palatable. Oh was I wrong on that one! She devoured her first one and kept right on going. So here’s the easy to make Strawberry Bruschetta Appetizer I adapted from Annie’s recipe, and Miss A’s favorite lunch. Continue reading
It’s time for the birthday girl’s dessert and you’ll never guess what we found. Remember that Miss A requested (well, okay rather demanded) cookies for her birthday? Well when I pressed her on what kind of cookies she wanted she said, “balsamic cookies.” Mr. N thought she was out of her mind and was horrified at the thought, but Miss A kept insisting on balsamic cookies. So I did a search, and do you know what I found? Not just balsamic cookies, but Chocolate Balsamic Cookies! I thought Miss A was going to fall off her chair she was so excited – chocolate and balsamic and a cookie!
She most definitely was on hand to help (and sample) this recipe! First we sifted together the flour, salt and baking soda. 
Birth Day 2008
We’ve got another reason to celebrate in our house – Miss A’s third birthday! Our little baby girl is growing up and way too fast for our liking. Some days it certainly seems like she’s three going on twenty three. Take her birthday meal request for instance. Here’s how the conversation went: “What do you want for your birthday dinner?” Miss A responded without hesitation, “Cookies.”
“Yes, honey, but what do you want to eat before the cookies.”
“Cookies.” (Gotta love her determination.)
“You have to eat dinner before the cookies – your special birthday dinner. You can pick any dinner you want.”
“Um. Something hard. A hard recipe. And balsamic.”
“Balsamic? You want me to make something that’s hard to make and use balsamic?”
“Yep.”
Last night was a hectic one. I ended up having to work a little extra late, we had a meal to put on the table and we had to be ready for our annual family pictures – all within an hour. The results – a fast meal and a furiously, frantic mom rushing around trying to cook, snap photos, keep the kids clean and finally get us all dressed and ready to go. Fortunately everything looked pretty darn good by the end of the night. Even Miss A’s hair was cooperating. 😉
Since we were still cooking from California, we found another healthy recipe that was seemingly right up Miss A’s alley – Turkey Avocado Pita Pizza. The ingredients are simple and fresh. We started with some Compari tomatoes since they are on the sweeter side and extra juicy. 
Eat, Play, Love 