Veggie Filled Pasta Salad for 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone is spending the holiday with family and friends! We will be sharing it with some good friends in just a little while. Of course, I am bringing something to the barbeque that we'll be enjoying - my Pasta Salad!

From Family, Friends and Food

I make it a bit differently every time so, I'll share what I do but feel free to incorporate any fresh veggies you happen to have on hand. I like to use the tri-color rotini simply because it's a fun shape and the kids tend to enjoy it. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. While the pasta is cooking chop your veggies, today I did a rough chop of the broccoli and cauliflower so each piece would be bite-size. Once the pasta was done and removed to a colander to be rinsed under cold water, I added the cauliflower and broccoli to the already boiling water for about 1 minute - just a quick blanche in the water. Then I tossed the veggies and the pasta together and let it hang out for a few minutes while I cut the pint of grape tomatoes into halves and quarters. I also had a container of mini bocconcini (mini fresh mozzarella balls) that I decided to toss in as well. Finally, I added about 3/4 cup of prepared Italian dressing and tossed gently to ensure everything was well covered. You can use any dressing you happen to enjoy. Allow to chill for at least 3-4 hours before serving.

For more summer barbeque ideas, check these blogs out:

Over at One Hot Stove they were inspired by Kalyn's Kitchen and made a Oven Roasted Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad. I'm all over those roasted tomatoes and will be trying something similar to that very soon!

Deb at Smitten Kitchen is always coming up with truly fantastic ideas, and her latest is Watermelon Lemonade! I can imagine that one pitcher of that pink, fruity goodness wouldn't last long here as both of My Boys LOVE lemonade!

Another of my very favorite blogs, Joy the Baker, has shared a whole slew of summer cooking ideas - including a Raspberry Lemonade and S'Mores Brownies! My mouth is watering just looking at her photos!

If you are still searching for a perfect dessert, head over to Good Things Catered and make these adorable All American Summer Tarts!

Even if you don't have time to try any of these ideas today, there's always tomorrow! Who says you can only celebrate the 4th of July on one day? I think it's fun to spread the fun through the whole weekend!

Be safe and have a great holiday! Don't forget to thank the servicemen and women for all that they do to protect our country!

A Museum Day and Shake Shack

Since the 4th of July is on a Saturday this year, we were lucky enough to have today off of work. With a long weekend to enjoy, we decided to head into NYC for a day of fun with our boys. Our first stop was the Toys R Us in Times Square. It just happens to be a required stop whenever we go into the city. We stopped to grab a pretzel from a street vendor before heading up to The American Museum of Natural History.

From Family, Friends and Food

We got through a few of our favorite exhibits at the museum, then decided it was time for lunch. Luckily, we found out that there was a Shake Shack right around the corner. Apparently, this is a well-known burger place in NYC. Lines out the door and long wait times. We must have gotten really lucky because I think we were in line for about 15 minutes or so and our food was ready not too long after that.

From Family, Friends and Food

We kept our order pretty simple for a first visit there: 2 Shack Burgers, 2 Corn Dogs, water and 2 orders of fries. Figured that would be a good way to get a taste of what they had to offer. We found a bench outside to eat lunch and it was a gorgeous afternoon for it.

The burgers were really good. Cooked perfectly and very simple - American cheese, lettuce and tomato on a soft bun. Sorry for the lack of focus in this photo, but I wanted to show you what the hype is about with this place.

From Family, Friends and Food

The fries were crinkle-cut and perfectly crispy on the outside. We couldn't stop eating them. They were simple with no additional seasonings, but they were simply perfect. Our Boys enjoyed their corn dogs which were nicely browned but they were a bit too salty.

After our delicious lunch, we went back to the museum because we still had more to see. We've been there several times and have missed the Hall of Human Origins until today. Checking out the "cavemen" was a highlight for the boys. We couldn't leave without spending a fair amount of time in the Dinosaur section before heading back to the Shake Shack for some ice cream.

Yes, we went on back because how could we not try the ice cream! Each of the boys got a cone, one with chocolate and one with vanilla. I chose their daily special flavor of Red, White and Blueberry. What I didn't know was that my blueberry ice cream would be on a cone, and the white whipped cream and strawberry syrup would be in a separate cup. A bit weird, and I ended up tossing the cup and just ate the cone. It's not really ice cream, but actually custard. Thick and creamy and the blueberry was not overly sweet, and filled with blueberry flavor.

We will definitely go back next time we are near one - there are a couple in Manhatten so, I imagine we'll be able to coordinate things so that we can be near one again. If you go, it would be worth the wait if you happen to run into a line... just do it on a nice day so that you can enjoy it on a bench on the sidewalk so that you can people watch while you dig into the fabulous burgers, fries and sweet treats!

Quick and Easy Sausage Calzones

If you have been reading my blog for very long, you know that I like to have a few quick & easy dishes I can make without having to think about them ahead of time. Tonight, I had a plan to use some sweet turkey sausage I had in the fridge. Since My Boys love sausage, I thought I might be able to create a calzone they would dig into and really love.

We've had calzones before, and even though they were tasty they weren't something they would ask for again. I even asked some of my Facebook friends for new name ideas to entice them into eating them... one was "pigs in a sleeping bag" while another was "flying sauce-ers" (that one was courtesy of my blogging friend, Janet of LaDue & Crew). Unfortunately, cute names did not do the trick. They would prefer just cheese inside and nothing else - basically the Pizza Bubble Ring is what they wanted. My Husband and I loved them, so I think they will be out-voted on this one and will be asked to try them again.

From Family, Friends and Food

I mean, really... what's not to love? You've got sausage, gooey mozzarella and tomato sauce (only a little bit) baked together inside pizza dough. No recipe really needed. Just pick up some convenience-style ingredients and you can pull it together within 30 minutes. Brown the sausage with a bit of garlic and pizza-style seasonings (dried basil & oregano) before adding to the pizza dough for rolling up. Once I had the filling rolled into the pizza dough, I added a bit of shredded mozzarella to the top of each one.

If you make your own pizza dough and keep it in the freezer or fridge (if its from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking - love their recipe for Olive Oil Pizza Dough!), you can throw this together in a snap with ingredients you probably have on hand anyway. Usually, I like to keep the ABin5 dough in my fridge, but didn't have room for it this week, so the prepared pizza dough from the market worked out fine in a pinch.

I would love to read what fillings for calzones you enjoy in a calzone. So, do tell if you could add anything what would it be?

Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are a favorite usually in the colder months. Even when it's warm outside you can make a meal out of a baked potato. You may not want to heat up the oven to bake them, but it is worth it... of course, you can always wrap them in foil and throw them on the grill. I am not so experienced with that method, but you can achieve tasty results that way as well.

A few years back, I wasn't sure what temperature or how long to bake a potato. So, I did what any computer savvy person would do, I searched for tips. Where did I end up? The Idaho Potato website. They share anything you could ever want to know about potatoes there. Everything from recipes to merchandise - anyone need a plush Spuddy Buddy or a mini recipe book with a selection of potato recipes? That's the place to go, and they aren't terribly expensive either.

So, when I found the site I looked up baked potato and found out that the oven temperature should be 450 degrees. All of your potatoes should be uniform in size so that they will all be finished baking at the same time. Wash and dry your potatoes - and I emphasize dry them to ensure that the skin will get a bit crispy while it's baking. I like to stab my potatoes all over with a fork, which is great if you need to get out some aggression!

I had smaller potatoes (about 3 inches long) and they took about 45 minutes to bake completely. Steakhouse size potatoes are going to take quite a bit longer. You'll know they are done when you insert a fork and it goes in easily.

From Family, Friends and Food

Once you have your baked potato, your options for what to put on it are wide open. In the winter, it's a nice change of pace from the usual butter to add a ladle of hot chili on top. But, for the warmer months, you can add a dollop of sour cream and snip some fresh chives over the top. Tonight, I added the fajita fixings we had for dinner to mine. Only thing missing was a spoonful of guacamole. Fresh steamed or grilled veggies added to the top with some shaved Parmesan would make this into a nice meatless lunch.

My Oldest adores baked potatoes and can often finish two in one meal. He even eats the skin which is packed with nutrients. So, even though it's summertime, you can still enjoy a baked potato as part of a light meal if you top it off with lots of veggies!

Over at For the Love of Cooking, they shared a Baked Potato with Carmelized Onions and Mushrooms... now that's a fantastic way to top a potato!

I found a recipe on Karina's Kitchen posted quite some time ago for Roasted Veggie Smothered Potatoes... on a cooler evening (perhaps you are getting as much rain as we have this spring/summer) this would be a great meal.

Another older post from Peter of Kalofagas that sounds absolutely amazing a Greek-style potato: Baked Potato a la Greque!

Cooking Light's Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I buy extra bananas every week just so I can let some get nice and brown for baking. Making my Orange-y Banana Bread is usually where the bananas get used, but not this time. Last week I received the latest issue of Cooking Light and immediately marked the recipe for Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (you can find the recipe HERE) to make.

From Family, Friends and Food

I've seen many recipes on-line that use ripened, mashed bananas to replace some of the fat in various baked goods. I love that this recipe is lower in sugar and the banana flavor is there, but not over-powering. These cookies were moist and chewy and were in the oven within about 10 minutes.

While My Husband and Boys were out riding bikes they mentioned to the neighbors I was baking cookies. This gave me a great opportunity to take over a plate of them to share. I think they were well-liked because my neighbor ate several while we were outside chatting! My Oldest kept wanting to grab another for a "sample" and I had a hard time resisting the urge to go back for more.

From Family, Friends and Food

The recipe says to bake for 18 minutes, but I found they were perfect after about 14 minutes. I also used the Hershey's Mini Kisses instead of chocolate chips. I think next time I would use mini-chocolate chips instead because it would be easier to distribute them throughout all of the cookies. I like to have a bit of chocolate in each and every bite. For a lightened cookie, these really satisfy and are only 115 calories for each one!

Now if you are looking for some other delicious cookie recipes, head on over to these fantastic blogs:

Jenny at Picky Palate is always coming up with amazing sweet treats and her Double Chipped Cookies Stuffed with 100 Grand are no exception!

Over at Dragon's Kitchen you'll find the perfect flavor combination of chocolate and peanut butter in the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies... these may have to make an appearance here sometime soon!

Deborah at Taste and Tell made the No Bake Oatmeal Cookies 3 times in one week they were so easy and delicious! A perfect cookie to let the kids make since there is no baking required.

Making Breakfast Quick and Healthy

Since we had a very busy weekend I didn’t do a whole lot of cooking. What was I doing? Celebrating My Youngest’s birthday! With lots of fun at a local mini golf place, equipped with spooky decorations and black lights to make their light clothes glow in the dark the kids had a great time!

So, rather than leave you with nothing I thought I’d share some quick and healthy breakfast ideas I found over at Real Simple’s website. I love their magazine because it’s full of useful information and interesting product reviews.

The first idea is to combine some cheese cubes, apple slices and nuts in a plastic bag or container so that you can nibble on them after getting to work or while you are getting ready for the day at home.

Enjoy your whole grain waffle, but skip the syrup! Add a bit of peanut butter instead, and for a bit more fun (and nutrition) sprinkle on some raisins.

If you are in a pinch and end up at Dunkin Donuts, opt for the plain cake donut rather than one of their muffins. To make it more filling, grab a ¼ cup of almonds or dried fruit. If you can manage it, skip the coffee and have low-fat chocolate milk instead. That last one will be tough for many people I know!

They also suggest making a breakfast shake. While they suggest using a breakfast shake mix, I think it’s just as easy to make one for yourself – check out the Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie I’ve made in the past or the Blueberry Smoothie we also enjoyed.

Their idea of making a quick breakfast pizza sounds like a great way to make the usual morning routine more interesting. They suggest using a slice of crusty bread, ricotta and tomatoes but, I can see creating other savory options as well. Perhaps use a whole grain English muffin with a thin slice of fresh mozzarella and a tablespoon of salsa for some extra zing in your morning.

Keep energy bars on hand, but combine them with a serving of yogurt. Personally, I love Luna and Fiber One bars and if you pair them with your favorite yogurt they will keep you satisfied for longer. I’ve recently become quite a fan of Greek yogurt and it seems so much creamier which seems like a treat when I’m eating it.

Surprisingly, they suggest that if you must grab some fast food in the morning that the Egg McMuffin is a good choice. If you remove the top half of the muffin that brings the calorie count down, then add an orange for a fiber boost. The protein from the egg and Canadian bacon is what makes this a better choice if you must hit the drive-thru.

I love their idea of creating a cereal sundae. Start with some high fiber bran cereal, then use vanilla or lemon yogurt and fruit and nuts to create a breakfast filled with nutrients to start your day off on the right foot. It’s kind of like eating dessert first thing in the morning!

Make portable Huevos Rancheros! Slice up a hard-boiled egg, add a slice of ham and cheese and roll them up in a whole wheat tortilla. For a bit more flavor add your favorite salsa.

So, now you are armed with some healthy and SIMPLE ways to get the most important meal of the day into your body! No excuses to skip breakfast when it's really quite easy to put something not only nutritious but also flavorful on your plate!

Southern Living: Granola Cookies

Last weekend I made another new cookie recipe, Granola Cookies. This one comes from a favorite cookie source, Southern Living's All-Time Favorite Cookies. I've made quite a few different recipes from this cookbook and all with great success.

I wanted to make something a bit different from the all chocolate cookies this time. I liked that these had granola in them, but I did substitute chocolate chips for the raisins. They came out a bit crispier than I like my cookies, but that didn't stop My Husband and My Oldest from coming back for more and more cookies! So, they were a hit... but, I do prefer a soft and chewy cookie a bit more.

From Family, Friends and Food

Since I had a few questions on freezing cookies, I thought I'd share what I've found today.

• I use larger flat Tupperware containers to store them. You can use any brand as long as it provides a good seal.
• Layer the cookies between sheets of wax paper. This will keep them from sticking together as they freeze and make removing just the amount you wnat much easier.
• Keep in mind that the texture of some cookies may change after an extended time in the deep-freeze. I tend to only keep them in the freezer for 3-6 months at the most.
• To defrost, I pull them out and allow them to sit at room temperature until I'm ready to nibble. Some cookies are actually quite tasty even when frozen, as My Husband and Father-in-Law have been known to head out to the freezer and nibble them without waiting!

Granola Cookies
Source: Southern Living, All-Time Favorite Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar (I used dark brown sugar)
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups commercial granola (I used Trader Joe's brand)
1/2 cup raisins (I used semi-sweet chocolate chips)

Directions
Beat butter at medium speed on electric mixer until creamy, gradually add sugars; beat well. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.

Combine flour through cinnamon; add to creamed mixture, mix well. Stir in granola and raisins.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet (I cover mine in parchment paper).

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 4 1/2 dozen

Cooking Challenge: Homemade Pasta 3

First, I have to say it has been a bit shocking today with the news of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I have quite a few memories of both of them... I was a huge Charlie's Angels fan and even had the barbie dolls of each of the original Angels. I memorized Thriller when it first came out but, never quite figured out how to moonwalk. Regardless of how you feel about either of them in recent years, they definitely made their mark when they were young and among the hottest celebrities. My heart goes out to their families during this time.

Back to our regular programming... yesterday was my birthday! No, I'm not telling my age but I am getting closer to a milestone that I'm not quite ready to admit to just yet. My Husband not only treated us to dinner at a local restaurant that we enjoy (and they had a decadent mocha chocolate cake that I had for dessert!), he proved he DOES listen when I mention things I'd like to own. He gave me the pasta roller attachment set for my KitchenAid stand mixer, which I was completely thrilled to receive!

I didn't let it sit for long before using it... barely 1 day! As you can see from my previous attempts HERE and HERE, I am getting a bit better at it each time.

From Family, Friends and Food

With my new attachments I found it much easier to manipulate the dough using both hands while the machine did the work. I was able to get the dough nice and thin, which I found difficult with the hand crank machine.

With this attempt I was armed with a copy of Essentials of Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan. This book was recommended to me by one of my Twitter friends, @constablesblog. The section on homemade pasta shared several helpful tips when preparing homemade pasta. The most helpful one I found was allowing the dough to sit and dry slightly before sending it through the noodle cutter attachment. This made a big difference when I was using the spaghetti/angel hair attachment. When I tried this with the hand crank machine, I was sending it through without allowing it to sit and it gummed up the machine. Very frustrating and really awful results. Not the case this time!

From Family, Friends and Food

Both of My Boys said that they LOVED my noodles and kept asking for more! I thought they definitely had a pleasing light texture. I think my next pasta challenge will be to make ravioli. I need to decide on what filling I want to try first. With the roller attachment, I feel confident I will be able to pull it off with great success!