Well, what a fun week that was! (That of course, was said dripping in sarcasm!) But as I said before, I really am so very thankful it was "just" the flu. Things could really be so much worse.
That being said, with having two sick ones with no appetites, nearly all of last weeks menu plan was thrown out the window, so it's being juggled in with this weeks~
I loved the way my pumpkin pie turned out at Thanksgiving (a recipe from The Food Network's Tyler Florence) and thought the pie crust was so good--so I used that pie crust recipe--just doubling it for the two crust pie. I like the fact that Tyler's uses butter--a real food, but I also improvised this time around and did half all purpose, half whole wheat flour. Awhile back, I tried making up my own crust recipe when I made a lemon meringue pie last spring and although it tasted good, it sort of shrank while baking. So I decided to go with his, since it turned out so well before. (For the record, Lucy's crust recipe calls for lard, which of course is a real food as well, but the only lard that I can purchase (at least that I have found) is still partially hydrogenated (blech!), plus I don't really care for the taste. Still need to try rendering my own lard....it's on my to-do list.). So for now, it's a butter based crust.
For the cherry filling, I used another one of Lucy's recipes. Her recipes don't disappoint and I knew that hers would be a safe bet. Plus, Lucy lives on a cherry orchard, so I figured she knows a thing or two about cherries! If you get a chance, drop her a line and tell her her kitchen blog misses her, because I am sure having a fun little bundle of joy wouldn't have anything to do with lack of recipe posts! *Wink*
2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 cup whole wheat flour
5 teaspoons sugar
2 pinches of salt
1 1/2 cups cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
In a food processor, measure out flours, sugar, and salt. Pulse to combine. Add in butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (sort of like that processed Parmesan cheese in can). Add in 6 tablespoons ice water until the dough holds together in a ball. If dough is still too dry, add in ice water 1 teaspoon at a time until it holds together. Split dough in half and shape each into a ball and flatten. Wrap each dough disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. On a floured surface, roll each disk out into an 11- to 12-inch circle with a floured rolling pin. Fold bottom crust into quarters and ease into a greased 9-inch pie pan; press firmly into the bottom and sides. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Filling:
4 cups pitted sour cherries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup plus some white sugar (I did use rapadura--it does make for a darker colored filling, but we thought it still tasted yummy)
4 tbsp cornstarch
Water
1 tsp. almond extract (if using standard sugar, you probably don't need as much)
Add the cherries and sugar/rapadura into a saucepan. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves. Dissolve the cornstarch in water. Bring the cherries to a boil and add the cornstarch/water mixture, stirring until desired thickness is reached. Remove from heat and add in almond extract and cool 10 minutes. Pour filling into pie crust. Cover with top crust and seal edges. Cut slits in top crust to allow steam out. Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes, until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired--who wouldn't desire? Enjoy!
So this post was a little premature. I guess the flu hadn't run it's course--as in it had to works it's way through Peanut's digestive system...if you know what I am saying. The next round started late Sunday night and finally today she seems to be turning a corner.
And the Hubs is now down for the count as well. Poor thing--he and I were talking a few weeks ago (a grim foreshadowing I suppose) that neither of us could remember the last time we had that kind flu. The better part of his two days off have been spent in the bathroom. He even called in sick today and may possibly do so tomorrow. This is the man who NEVER calls in sick....and as he is heading to the bathroom for the 30th time, is telling me he feels guilty for calling in. Um, honey, you work in a restaurant. Although it may throw a temporary wrench in juggling the other manager's schedules, you will be doing everyone a favor in staying away until you can keep all sustenance in you for more than two hours.
I promise.
That said, I have managed to escape the silver bullet. So far. But I've been sleeping on the couch and washing my hands obsessively to avoid getting sick. Unfortunately I don't get sick days--but I wouldn't trade my "job" for the world.
During all this down time we have been teaching Peanut to play memory. She's a pro already. We started with eight cards and Hubs has already increased the challenge to eighteen. She is loving it.
Peanut's new "say cheese" face (along with Daddy's "I haven't shaven in days" face). I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Peanut to go through the "I don't want my picture taken" phase all little ones seem to go through.
My husband has introduced me to many new flavors of Mexican cuisine and for that I am grateful. I realize now how much I was missing out on--like the super easy, super yummy homemade nachos--another one of my now favorites are fish tacos. We used to eat at Baja Fresh when we were dating and he ordered the fish tacos frequently. The first time he did so, I thought to myself, "Oh well, that's disgusting."
Now just to clarify--I like fish. I like tacos. I just thought the marriage of the two sounded somehow wrong. Which is so funny because my best friend in high school worked at Chevy's and we would always go there on her days off and eat half price and I always, always, ALWAYS ordered the shrimp fajitas. Which are pretty much the same thing. Well, sort of. But you get what I am saying, right?
Anyhow, back to Hubs and Baja Fresh. As we were sitting there eating, he found out that I had never had fish tacos before and offered me a bite like any good, self-sacrificing, [then] boyfriend would. I begrudgingly tried them....and I haven't looked back since.
Fast forward many moons later and we don't ever rarely eat out any longer. That and I don't buy fish all too often either (love it, just can't afford it!). I saw some snapper on sale a few weeks ago and decided to get some and make fish tacos. I will defintely be making these again!
I realize you can hardly see the fish, as it is slathered in guac and sour cream, but that's how we roll around here.
Spicy Chipotle Fish Tacos
~1 pound of fish fillets (I used snapper. You could use cod, halibut, salmon...nearly any variety would do.)
2/3 cup flour (I used half all purpose, half white whole wheat.)
1 egg, beaten with a splash of water
Salt & pepper
Cayenne pepper
Coconut oil (You could use vegetable oil too.)
Heat skillet on medium to medium high heat with enough oil to generously coat the bottom of the skillet. Slice fish against grain into 1/2 inch strips. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. In a flat dish, mix together flour with a little more salt and pepper and several pinches of cayenne (depending on how you like it). Dip fish in egg and then dredge each slice in flour mixture. Brown fish on both sides, until fish is cooked through. Mine took about 4-5 minutes per side. When turning, the fish (with breading) should pull away from the pan easily, if it doesn't, it's not cooked enough on that side or you may not have enough oil in the pan.
Chipotle Sauce
2/3 cup mayonaise
1 tsp. minced, canned chipotle chilies (see my tip about these here, at the bottom of the recipe)
lime juice ~1 Tbsp.
In a small bowl, whisk together to a spreadable consistency. Slather on corn tortillas and top with fish, or drizzle on top of fish.
For serving/garnishes
Corn tortillas
Avocados/guacamole (Which Peanut has discovered she loves and calls Mawky-mole-eh.)
Sour cream
Shredded cabbage (I didn't have on hand, but is often served on fish tacos.)
Fresh cilantro, minced (I didn't have on hand either (I plan real well, I know), but would be excellent.)
Friday morning, Peanut woke up with a cough and a runny nose. Great, another cold, I thought. Then, Friday night (well actually early Saturday morning), I woke up to hear Peanut crying. I walked in her room, to see her bent over and huddled in her bed. She looked up at me crying with a confused, pathetic, sad face. I was startled to see several piles of vomit on her mattress. I am such a home body and neither Hubby or I had been sick, so I don't know where she picked it up from. Although I know several bugs have been going around, as is the case every winter so it's really not that much of a mystery.
And the flu had visited us nonetheless.
So I rushed her into our room, got her changed, cleaned up, and teeth brushed, and then got her crib all cleaned up.
Now I knew I couldn't put her back in her crib with a trash can and tell her to aim for it, so out of courtesy to Hubs (who had to work early), the Peanut and I headed downstairs to pull off the rest of night on the couch with the trash can close by. I thought ahead enough to have a trash can near by, but did I think to lay something down on the couch? No. So about 45 minutes later, I was cleaning couch cushions and pillows. Not my smartest move ever. At that point, Hubby was also up helping watch Peanut and blowing up the air mattress (the couch now being torn apart and out of commission) as I was finishing cleaning up round two.
Round three came about 30 minutes after that, but I was more than prepared and knew it was coming. It was an entire success, in that "it" all landed in the trash can.
So all day Saturday was full of movies and saltines and pajamas and Jell-O cups. I called my Mom several times throughout the day with questions like, "Can I give her plain rice.....oh, cooking in chicken stock is okay? It won't be too much?" and "She won't eat the chicken soup...is now the time to stand my ground or do I go easy and let her have the half of saltine she is willing to eat?"
Thankful that Peanut is nearly back to normal today. Thankful that Hubby and I are so blessed. I can count on one hand the number of times she has been sick. And those have all been common colds. She was a pretty easy baby--I don't like the term "easy" baby because it's not like babies are trying to be difficult, but that's the simplest way to put it. And I did have my fair share of getting up in the middle of the night to nurse--but that's just how it goes. Plus, she has such a good attitude whenever she is hurt or sick. After each round of vomiting, less than two minutes later, she was chattering on about "Daddy going back to sleep" and "she needed to go potty" and how "it still dark out" and a myriad of other topics. Aside from the obvious, you wouldn't be able to tell she was sick.
I have a friend who's little one has fevers fairly often and my sister has a friend who's little one has spinabifida. Not to mention all the blogs I come across of those who have children with disabilities, health concerns, and those who want children, but can't conceive.
Peanut had just had a bath....
We are just so blessed. Blessed to even have a child. And blessed that she is so healthy. I am such a stress case when she is sick--I can't even imagine what other parents go through.
It's a reminder I needed. To be thankful....even when the Peanut is doing something that I have asked her not to for the 10th time that day.....I need to be thankful for what we do have.
Our poor little Peanut has the flu. I know. Combine that with lots of leftovers from last week--and several of last weeks meals went out the window (as in they didn't get made, not they got thrown out). Either way homemade chicken noodle soup is always welcome, even if I couldn't get the Peanut to try it. I could only get her to eat saltines and dry toast and alittle Jell-O....and she hasn't wanted anything else. Poor thing....
I used to make a taco soup with shredded chicken and it was so good and so easy. I would still be making it, but it calls for a packet of taco seasoning and a packet of ranch seasoning for the flavors--and we all know I am not crazy about processed foods. At least whenever and where ever I can avoid it. So avoid it I have--I just haven't made that kind of soup in quite some time. The Pioneer Woman had a recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup back in January and I knew I wanted to try it. Of course, I can never follow a recipe to a tee, so I switched it up for ingredients I had on hand--although I am sure hers would be just perfect if followed correctly!
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup Diced Onion
½ cup Diced Green Bell Pepper
3 cloves Garlic, Minced
1-½ teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
½ teaspoon Salt
1 can (10 Oz. Can) Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies (I used the house brand tomatoes with green chilies)
6 cups Chicken Stock
3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
2 cans (15 Oz. Can) Black Beans, Drained (about 3 cups beans)
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I used leftovers from the roasted sticky chicken I make)
In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Saute green pepper and onion until both are tender. Add in garlic, cumin, chili powder and salt and heat through until fragrant. Stir in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, black beans, and shredded chicken. Bring to a bubble and then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, and chopped cilantro for garnish.
Since life is back to some semblance of normal after our visit home last week (tying up loose ends with our rental) I have had some time to pull together a new post....other than the recipes and such that I already had scheduled to go.
Before we made our trip back to HomeTown, Hubby's parents were here for a visit and we were able to spend several days with them. Peanut, of course, was in her element. She has always been interested in the "hands off" cell phones, but she now has an idea of what texting is (thanks to Daddy) and even recognizes Daddy's alert tone when he has a new text. "Oh, Daddy's text!" she exclaims when his phone goes off. I say this all the time--but even our kids (meaning all of us 30 somethings) are just growing up in an entirely different technological world than we did. They'll never know life without web cams, cell phones, iPads, instant pictures on the digital cameras, etc. It's just crazy isn't it?
Anyhow, Peanut is obsessed with cell phones and texting--and she quickly snagged Grandma's cell phone and attempted to text away and was obsessed at looking at Grandma's pictures on the phone too.
I found a recipe online to make play dough, so I made some of that for Peanut while my in-laws were here. Peanut hasn't stopped playing with it since--she probably asks to play it with at least three times day. She loves it and I love that it's not flaky like the brand name stuff.
Grandma also fixed Peanut's hair in braids which I thought were pretty cute. I don't ever have enough patience to fix her hair that way--probably because the Peanut sits much more still for Grandma than she does for me.
Peanut was also sure to be polite and offer her Grandma and Grandpa tea....
she drinks with such gusto. We'll have to work on that and remembering "pinkies out" later.
I am kind of bummed that I didn't have more than a few good shots with Peanut and her grandparents. As I have mentioned before, I try to avoid using the pop up flash on the camera if and whenever possible. It just doesn't make the greatest photos. While I am by no means an expert in photography and I still have a LONG way to go to even call myself a "photographer," I have learned a few things in the last few years as I have tried to improve my photography skills. I try to do these whenever I remember (but sometimes even I forget!):
1. Use natural light or take advantage of all the lighting from the room--avoid using that flash whenever you can. I have been known to turn on every light in the house when taking photos at night, just to avoid using the flash. I shoot mostly in manual mode--the flash doesn't even come on when doing so. Adequate lighting is essential! However, if there still just isn't enough light in the room, with my Nikon, I have learned a little trick. I set my aperture and shutter speed in manual mode, then I switch over to the auto mode to get the flash to pop up, then I switch back to the manual mode and shoot my pictures. This allows my camera to adjust the flash strength so it's not so bright. It lessens the intensity of the flash and allows for more natural photos. That way it doesn't give the really bright faces and really intense shadows in the background.
Peanut at 7 months old.
Sigh.
2. Especially when you have little ones--get down on their level to shoot the pictures whenever possible. It makes the picture more "real."
Much more natural without the flash, don't you think?
3. Learn how to use your camera in manual mode. For reasons, see # 1. This does take a LOT of practice--believe me, I am still working on it, but I think my photos have gotten better over the last several years and that makes me happy to see the improvements I've made. :)
4. Last--and this one I have just realized in the last year or so. Good pictures aren't always with everyone's faces. The objects involved help tell the story too--this works especially well if you do scrap booking or photo books. Of course your primary focus will be the faces of your children and the rest of the family, but a picture of the Easter eggs or a picture of the snow boots sitting on the front step scattered throughout help tell the story too!
Hopefully some of these tips will help you in taking even better pictures too!
Now....for the giveaway! The fine folks over at CSN Stores have offered to give one of my lucky readers $35 to use at any of their 200+ online stores. If you remember in January, I did a review on some of their great bakeware they carry in their Housewares section 7and I am completely in love with my new baking pans. CSN Stores offers a variety of different items--from furniture to appliances to shoes. They even offer tools for that special man in your life. But who are we kidding? Right, ladies? ;)
To enter to win, just leave a comment telling me what you would like to purchase! Make sure to leave your email address in the comment so I can get in touch with you if you win.
For extra entries (leave an additional comment for each):
#1. Become a follower (in the column on the right) and leave a comment telling you are/or have become one.
#2, #3, & #4. Blog, Facebook, or Tweet about the giveaway and be sure to leave the link in your additional comment.
This giveaway will be open until 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be announced on Thursday, March 17, 2011.
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Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by CSN Stores. The opinions expressed in this post are solely my own.
