Playful Sunday and Three-Pea Cashew and Tofu Stir-fry

Wow, I can hardly believe it that the school year is almost done.  Where did all the time go? Just flying by...both girls have made friends in school.  So today Alena went over to a friend's house to play, and Mia Rose had a friend come over to our house. It worked out great as there was no sibling rivalry and Mia Rose got to play alone with her friend.   Ron took the two - dressed up in princess dresses - to the playground while I went to pick-up Alena.  We met at the playground where the three of them played in unison on the monkey bars.  Are they not super cute?!

Dinner was Three-Pea Cashew Tofu Stir-fry with a side of, not mixed green salad, but beef.  Yes, you read correctly beef.  Why?  Well, my husband is not - unlike me and Alena - that fond of tofu. He really is willing to try everything, but not really when it comes to tofu.  So, I sliced a sirloin steak thin marinated it in a little Hoisin sauce mixed with garlic-chili sauce, stir fried it, and served it on the side.

I found this recipe on a blog I follow and it sounded delicious take a look http://wvfrugal-wvsaver.blogspot.com/2012/05/three-pea-cashew-and-tofu-stir-fry.html I followed her recommendation and marinated the tofu in a little bit of soy sauce* after it was browned.  Let me tell you, this recipe was delicious!  Oh, and are you curious about Ron with the tofu?  He actually liked the tofu in the dish! Both girlies loved it as well.  Yay!!!  Here is the link to the recipe p://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pea_cashew_tofu_stirfry.html

*We allow both of our girls to eat soy sauce - the only food items we limit are those containing lactose,
  whey, etc.

Swabian meatballs (Fleischkuechle) for a potluck....

Are you wondering what Swabia is?  Well, it is the part of Germany where I was born and raised. One of my two - the way I feel - homes; the other home is right here in Portland.  Schwaben in German is in the southwest part of Germany http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swabia, Tuttlingen - to be exact - is where my family lives http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuttlingen....Last weekend we were at a camp-out and tonight all of us are invited to a potluck party. I asked the girlies what to make and both of them asked for "Kartoffelsalat" - potato salad -, and "Fleischkuechle" - literally translates to meat cakes but a better name is meat patties, meatballs, etc.

Potato Salad with cucumbers, and Mini Fleischkuechle

As all of us are going, and I took the order to make both. Making enough food makes it quite a bit easier at a potluck as we will not have to track people down to check on the ingredients...We also brought along dessert for the girlies - Raspberry Sorbet http://thejollyllama.com/products.php They are sooooo delicious....

Swabian Meatballs - Mini Fleischkuechle
- 2 lbs of ground beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 4 sprigs of parsley leaves finely chopped
- salt - app. 2 - 3 teaspoons.  You may need more
- ground pepper
- paprika powder
- 1 egg
- 1/2 - 3/4 C of Pankco breadbrumbs, Matzo, or other breadcrumbs

1. Mix up all the ingredients together until everything is thoroughly blended and mixed
2. Let rest for about an hour in the fridge covered with wrap
3. Form patties, or meatballs (I make patties for dinner and meatballs for parties)
4. Fry in cast iron pan until brown, and all the way cooked.

Not always fun and games...

I really should not complain, and this is not what I intend to do, but truth is that this mothership feels a little beat up today.  Just over sensitive as I dislike to see fear in the eyes of my girlies.  Yes, yes just

like everyone else, and it really is not a big deal but I need to get it off my chest. So here it goes...

We were at the dentists' office a couple of weeks ago where more cavities were discovered in Mia Rose.  This is shocking, since she never goes to bed without brushing her teeth. First she was  excited about having cavities because of the movie, and the smell of the laughing gas.  Our appointment was yesterday and for the first time ever, Mia Rose wanted me in the room with her. She was such a big girl, but kept moaning. I wanted to take her out of the dental chair and run away with her.  I am such a sap - really - and my little girl kept moaning.  She did great and is fine but one thing changed because because she does not want to go back to see the dentist. Maybe it was me projecting my fear on her.  Right?!  Anyway, it's done - we have one more session to go...

That was yesterday', and today we went up to the hill for our blood draw.  It was also the first time, that I applied the "magic cream" on both of the girls.  Both, had a hard time sleeping - Mia Rose kept asking whether the "nail" (needle) would hurt and I explained that she will not feel it due to the magic cream.  We rode the tram up to OHSU - the best part - and to the lab we went.

Alena riding up to OHSU with the tram

It was the first time that Mia Rose cried during the draw; yes, she did cry when she was a baby.  Alena took pictures.  Then it was Alena's turn.  The phlebotomist and I were both worried that she would hyperventilate again. She cried, but then she "oh, that was not bad at all".

After the blood draw picking out their prizes

Well yes, it is not a big deal but it is an ordeal for me. It works me, it stresses me...- yikes, I really do sound whiney now, don't I?  Rest assured, I am not whiney just feeling the stress of motherhood a little bit today....Thank you for reading!

Riding the tram back down the hill after the draw

Alena with one of the phlebotomist's

Friday Night Dinner Out...

at the Hedgehouse. After these last couple of days dinner out was much needed, well at last by me. The girlies had their usual (P)A.B.ST. Sandwich without the Provolone before playing in the grass. Oh, and just in case you were guessing...yes, that is me next to Alena.

Porcini mushrooms, garlic shoots, and fresh pasta

was our dinner on market day Wednesday.  We all love mushrooms, especially the super fresh ones from the Farmer's Market.  Are they not beautiful?  How could we resist :)

Porcini, garlic shoots, thyme, and fresh pasta....

So easy, and delicious.  A perfect meal - and 100% milk free.  This is how I made it

Olive Oil
Bunch of garlic shoots chopped
Porcini mushrooms sliced - I sliced mine thick and had 1/2 lb.
Fresh thyme - pulled of sprigs and chopped
Salt, Pepper
Splash of dry white wine
Fresh Pasta - I used 1 lb. Tagliatelle cut

1. Heat Olive Oil, and add garlic shoots.  When bright green add,
2. Porcini, and thyme. Sautee until mushrooms are cooked to your liking, then
3. Add a splash - I used a big splash - of dry white wine and scrap up all the bits from the bottom of pan.
    Add salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Cook pasta - if you use fresh it will be very quick

Serve with - optional -  fresh grated Parmesiano Regiano.

Look at Alena waiting for dinner :)  Can you tell that school is almost over for summer break?

Gnocchi with Pancetta and Kale

Another of my all time comfort foods is homemade gnocchi - there is comfort in making them as well :) All of us like it - well what is not to like, right?! I topped them with pancetta, sauteed onion, as well as kale and served it with - surprise, surprise - mixed green salad in homemade vinaigrette. I am glad to call it an overall dinner success in our little house in Portland...

Here is the link to my gnocchi recipe - it is dairy free and vegan :) -> http://galactopdx.blogspot.com/2009/07/homemade-easy-gnocchi-pesto-recipe.html Note: In the recipe as written I use Earth Balance but lately I have used Olive Oil instead...

Hiking at Catherine Creek

We spent the afternoon hiking Catherine Creek in the Columbia Gorge. http://gorgefriends.org/display.php?modin=51&uid=4845 - The views of the gorge are amazing.

I do have to admit that the cliff's and the wind made me quite nervous; I made the girls hold our hands for those passages.  Look at our great hiker Mia Rose hiking in the meadow followed by Ron...

In our group were six kids - including our two - and I honestly was amazed how well everyone did.  Once we reached the top we took a little break for water, fruit, salami - yes, milk free :), and nuts. Recharged we made our way back....

Look at this view...

Pasta Salad for a Camp Out Potluck

We were at our first tent camping trip for 2012 and it was for a big camp out party at our friends property on the Washington side in the Columbia Gorge. We left Saturday afternoon; returned back to Portland today after a fun evening and hike in the sunshine.

For the potluck I made a pasta salad - I actually think that this is the best pasta recipe ever...

It is a Jamie Oliver recipe -> http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/the-best-pasta-salad - instead of yellow and red tomatoes I used only red. This recipe always turns out....

Family night out...

Ron had this great idea to go see the Lorax at the Bagdad this Friday night.  I love that place -> http://www.mcmenamins.com/219-bagdad-theater-pub-home mellow, kid friendly, you can have a pizza, and enjoy a drink while watching a movie.  Yesterday however, we first at at the pub before heading over to the movie theater to watch the Lorax. The girlies each had a hamburger - without the bun as all bread options had some type of milk in it...

The girls chose our seats upstairs, on the balcony.  Let's just say it was a great choice.  Comfy chairs,  sofa's and a great movie.  We love the Lorax.  Such a great message - it was actually the second time we saw it...

On the way home we were in for a special treat as we saw this beautiful rainbow.

Baked chicken legs, oven fries, sautéed broccoli, and salad

was our Thursday night dinner. This was done quickly and perfect for a weeknight.

I dredged the chicken legs - bone and skin on - in Bisquick to which I added salt, pepper, and paprika. That's it!!! Bake at 425 F for about 45 minutes - 30 minutes skin side down, and the last 15 minutes skin side up. It comes out perfectly moist and tasty! The oven fries, and salad are self explanatory, right?! Oh, but the broccoli turned out really good. I have to start by admitting that I am not a huge fan of it but I added golden raisins, and balsamico. Voila!

Sautéed Broccoli
- broccoli florets (I used fresh) broken up into individual florets
- splash of olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons golden raisins (or more)
- salt and pepper to taste
- balsamic vinegar app. 1/4 cup, white balsamic

1. Heat olive oil on high, when hot add
2. Broccoli florets stir them frequently, and cover. Remove cover when broccoli turns bright
green. Add,
3. raisins, and salt. Continue to stir, then add,
4. Balsamico - I used "regular" but white would be better - and let it reduce. Toss, adjust
salt, and pepper.

We really liked the broccoli with a twist :)