Pie Not?

I picked out my Dad's Father's Day gift months ago.

I spotted it in the pages of my April issue of Phoenix Magazine.

The man loves pies, but not quite as much as he loves spicy food.

In steps the Pie Snob and her Apple Green Chile and Jalapeno Pie.

My husband and I drove 1 hour roundtrip to pick it up a couple days prior.  It took everything in my power not to dig my finger in there for a tiny little taste.

On Sunday, we made him share.

I was so unsure of what I would think.  A spicy apple pie?  Brilliant.  You could spot the green chilies all throughout the filling and the topping is made with a jalapeno-flavored butter.

And an added bonus is the fact that she uses no lard to make the crust.

All in all, I would say it was worth the drive.

For the sake of supporting a great local business...I may just have to make it a point to try the rest of her 2 dozen or so creations.

Sweet Potato Waffles

How many Dad's enjoyed breakfast in bed yesterday?

Not in this house.  Syrup in bed?  Do I look crazy?

I did get up a little early to make my husband something special (and then we ate it at the table like civilized human beings).  Not planning what I wanted to make in advance, a quick early morning search led me to this.  I have tried quite a few yummy waffle recipes and this one was worth the extra effort.

Sweet Potato Waffles

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp clove

2 eggs, separated

1 1/2 cups skim milk (I used almond milk)

1 cup pureed sweet potato

3 tbsp oil

2 tsp grated orange rind

1 tbsp sugar

In a large bowl, mix together flours, baking powder and spices.

In a separate bowl mix together egg yolks, milk, sweet potato, oil and orange rind.

Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined.

In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.  Add sugar and keep mixing until stiff peaks form.

Fold egg white mixture into batter.  Add a couple tbsp of water if the batter seems to thick.

Pour into a heated, lightly greased, waffle iron.  Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Swiss Chard Pesto Mashed Potatoes

When life hands you swiss chard and red potatoes, make....

Our CSA brought us both last week.  I was going to just make a big old pot of soup, but something about our week had me aching for comfort food.

This is not a post with step by step recipe instructions, it's really more about giving you another fabulous way in which you can enjoy pesto.  We know how to make mashed potatoes, yes?  I used this pesto recipe for my chard.  Just fold it into your mashed potatoes right before serving.  You could really use any type of pesto, including store bought.  I chose a vegan recipe just because.  Feel free to use a pesto that has cheese, where could you go wrong?

All I know is that I turned boring potatoes into a superfood with all that green (there is a whole lot of chard in there).  And my husband called them "out of this world".  He also claimed he would pay $20 for this meal at a restaurant (just so happens that is the exact amount I found in his pants pocket while doing the laundry, done.).

Watchu Talkin Bout Willis?

Like most Moms, I don't have a ton of time to watch the news.  I usually try to sneak in a few minutes of educational (and not so educational) reading while sitting in the waiting room at swim class or gymnastics.

This little feature caught my eye.

Rat In Toilet: Margaret, Keith Woods 'Petrified' Of Bathroom Rodent

Read the whole story here.

Hell to the no.

Please tell me I am not the only one that takes a good peak in the toilet from time to time before taking a seat.  If you claim not to...I bet you do now.  

BBQ Tofu Salad

Last week while visiting my friend Megan she said she needed some ideas on how to prepare tofu.  Meg, seeing as how it is your birthday week, this one is for you :-)

It wasn't really that long ago that the thought of cooking with tofu was completely daunting to me as well.  Without giving it much research, my first couple of times were nothing short of disasters.  Now I have gotten comfortable and know how my family likes and dislikes it.  Dousing it in sauce or marinade and then baking it is my very favorite way to make it.  The baked cubes are delicious for salads, wraps or all on their own.

Last night they made for a ridiculously yummy salad.  With so many different flavors it would have tasted great without the dressing as well, so drizzle it to your liking.

BBQ Tofu Salad

(makes 2-3 main dish servings)

8 oz super firm tofu (I buy a package that does not have to be squeezed and drained)

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

2 1/2 cups baby spinach

1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/2 15.5oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 yellow pepper, sliced thin

1/2 red pepper, sliced thin

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 avocado, cut into large chunks 

1/2 cup shredded cheese

tortilla strips (see recipe below)

ranch dressing

Preheat oven to 375

Cut tofu into cubes.  Toss with BBQ sauce before placing into a lightly greased casserole dish.  Bake for 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking time.

Meanwhile, layer spinach, corn, beans, peppers, tomatoes and avocados in large salad bowl or platter.  Spoon on the baked tofu and sprinkle with cheese.  Top with tortilla strips.  Drizzle your favorite ranch dressing overtop.

Tortilla Strips for topping

2 10 inch flour tortillas (I used multi-grain)

1 tbsp olive oil

*pinch of salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder

Cut each tortilla in half and then into thin strips.  

Toss with olive oil and seasonings.  Bake on lightly greased pan ate 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

*Link Parties

The Tuesday Talent Show at Chef In Training

Making Chia Gel For Smoothies

We have been using chia seeds in this house for at least a year.  In my smoothies I have always just used them in their raw form.  I don't mind the crunch, nor does my husband, but he can attest to at least one major disadvantage.  The first time I served them up to him, he grabbed his smoothie to drink in the car on his way to work.  Thank heavens he is vain enough to check himself in the mirror before heading out into world, he practically had a full tablespoon of seeds stuck between each and every tooth.  

(This does not actually happen to me, but I am sure it is quite common.) 

Please don't use this as an excuse not to eat them...you wouldn't swear off Oreo's would you?

Anyhow, there is a super simple solution, and I am ashamed to say I only just discovered it.  Up until this point I have been serving up my chia seed smoothies before teeth brushing.  Smoothies on the fly?  No problem.  What's my new secret?  Chia gel.   Just mix 2 tablespoons of seeds per cup of liquid (I just used water).  Within 30 minutes the seeds get soft from absorbing the liquid.  Not only does it eliminate grimy teeth, they become much more versatile and easier to eat.

And it is really simple to make.  Here is the quick rundown. 

Using a jar with a lid, just mix your seeds with your liquid.  Give it a good shake and let it sit for 15 minutes.  Give it another good shake and let it sit for 15 more.

It goes from this:

To this:

Store it in the fridge to use in smoothies throughout the week.

This little discovery could not have come at a better time.  If you read my last post, you know I was in desperate need of a little detox.

Cucumber, Strawberry and Chia Seed Smoothie?  

Yes, please.

In the future, I won't hesitate to use them in the raw form if I am in a pinch, but my husbands teeth will thank me if I have an extra 1/2 hour or so to spare.

Vacation Hangover

 I am a wee bit quiet over here.  I am in recovery mode.

My daughter and I just returned from a lovely (jam packed) vacation back to the Midwest.

I feel like I filled every single second with something...but it never really seems to be enough.  And it always goes by much to quickly.  

I thankfully fit in a little of this.

And quite a bit of this.

And a bit too much of this.

(The donut eating, not my child)

What's that you say?  Yesterday was National Donut Day?  Well good, we celebrated it TWICE.

I even managed to sneak in a night of this...

With one of my favorite people.  See the resemblance?  To protect the innocent, I won't tell you who is older.

And we squeezed in a bit of time for this.

And the entire trip happened because of this.

(I have the most handsome nephew ever, no?)

I came home to a house that needed cleaning, a mountain of laundry, and some seriously bare cupboards.  I might need a few days to get caught up.  And it is summer...I have a 5-year-old not so helpful helper underfoot.

But I would turn around and do it all again in a second if you asked me to!