Cooking: Back from the Break

Hello again! I'm back! Not back with a vengeance, just back. And do you want to know what I was doing this summer? I'll show you.

That's right. Taking a break. No cooking. I succumbed to all sorts of sugar cereals, prepackaged bread (that lasts on the shelf for well over a week), fast food, Hostess bakery products, and last but not least: canned whipped cream--my personal favorite. But, my suitcases are exploded on my bed--now ready to unpack, and the girls have received their class assignments and are ready to buy school supplies. Now I am on the hunt for recipes that will make our Fall transition as tasty as can be. Which brings me to you. Do you have a favorite sandwich bread recipe? I don't care if it's white or wheat--I'm just looking for a tasty homemade sandwich bread that will make my girls smile. Please help. And happy end of summer to you all.

Lunch: What to do, What to do

Ladies (I'm not ashamed to admit that all or most of you reading this are in fact Ladies)--

It is time. Summer has arrived (well, sort of...my posse doesn't get out until June 23rd. Yes you read that right--June 23rd). At our house, the first few days of summer are magical--new flip flops, swimming parties, loud music throughout the house while we clean out our backpacks. But within a week, reality sets in. What do I make for lunch? I remember having this problem last summer. I can think of a few fun sandwiches*, but that only lasts for so long. What kinds of lunches do you make in the summer? I really need help here. Last summer my oldest daughter said she was "quesadillad out"--whatever that means. Don't be shy. Share your ideas for a fun and easy summer lunch so we can all benefit.

*Turkey wrap:
large pita bread or wraps
sliced deli turkey
mayo/mustard
lettuce, sliced tomatoes
a bit of salt

Spread a bit of mayo and mustard over pita bread. Place sliced turkey lettuce and tomatoes over bread. Salt tomatoes just a bit. Roll wrap tightly. Slice. If the wrap starts to unroll, stick it with a toothpick--the kiddies get a kick out of toothpicks.

Menu: Summertime Summertime Sum Sum...

Tonight we are having friends over for Minestrone Salad with Grilled Sausage and Arugula Pesto. This is one of my favorite summertime menus. I make the salad and pesto in the morning, clean my house like a madwoman in the afternoon, then grill the sausage on the deck in the evening. People rave about this meal. Do yourself a favor and try it.

Catering: 400 Crepes and Counting...

Oh man. What a weekend. But, with the help of some amazingly capable people, we pulled it off. What the heck am I talking about? Last weekend, I engineered and pulled off my very first catering event. Well, I can't say I. I should say we. My friends who volunteered to help are more capable than I am and made this project shine(K, you are an unbelievable cook. Can I move into your kitchen?). When a good friend's daughter became engaged, I begged her to let me cater the wedding. She agreed, and away we went.

The bride requested a crepe bar. After testing six different crepe recipes (mastering the art, joy of cooking, martha stewart, alton brown, epicurious, & a French book), I went for the epicurious crepe. Why? Because it was the sturdiest crepe I could find. A friend and I made over 400 crepes, froze them, and reheated them at the reception on crepe griddles. The menu included:
Sweet Crepe-filled with tossed berries, topped with berry sauce and whipped cream.
and a Savory Crepe-thinly sliced ham, jarlsburg cheese, and fresh spinach (vegetarian version-just the cheese and spinach) topped with a bechamel.

I can not tell you how much I enjoyed this project. I loved every minute of it. I loved getting up at 5:30 in the morning to fire up the crepe griddle. I loved creating a berry sauce with just the right amount of vanilla and preserves. I loved inviting friends over as test groups to find the best way to fold and serve crepes. I loved learning about stainless steel cream whippers (my my, they are fancy-pants). I loved designing the crepe stations at the wedding reception.
I loved watching people eat the crepes. And the best part? I loved fixing "crepe kits" for the bride's family and friends so their crepe-venture could continue. I loved it all.
And a special thanks to H, who took the time to document the whole thing. You are a dear.

Dinner: It's Gettin Hot in Here

It's that time of the year, folks. It's hot. A few years ago I stumbled across this article. I love Mark Bittman. I love his simple approach to food. I love that he is not a food snob. And I love that he is not afraid to recommend a hot dog and beans for dinner (idea #101). So, if turning on the oven this summer gives you the heebee geebees (is that how we spell that?), fix a large glass of lemonade and look through this marvelous list of ideas.

Breakfast: Cheating at 7am

The picture really says it all. You know of my love affair with Nutella. But did you also know that it is insanely healthy? Ok, maybe not for those of us who have stopped growing. But for little ones, a few tablespoons of Nutella packs a nutritional punch. That is good news because Pops (as in child #4) is nowhere near the weight chart. We take him in for routine weight checks (his doctor is worried) and whenever we succeed, we chalk it up to Pops' daily allowance of Nutella. For breakfast in a hurry, I shmear nutella on an eggo waffle, then add fresh strawberries. The kiddies love it, and I love watching them eat it.

Dinner: Slow Cooker Extravaganza

Most of you know how much I love my dear slow cooker. My good friend, LD, has a fancy-pants crock pot from All Clad that I covet. Someday. Anyway, I've enjoyed looking at these slow cooker recipes and think I'll try a few. I'll start with the Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Cookies. Can't wait for those babies.