Rice Cooker Risotto

Oct 20th, 2010 // Dinner, Recipes, Veggie Friendly

Rice Cooker Risotto

I don’t know why I have a beef with crock pots… I have never been able to bring myself to buy one. Years ago my dear friend, Kasey, left her crock at my house for a good two months and I didn’t even borrow when it was right there in my own kitchen.

Rice Cooker Risotto

When my friend, Chris, suggested I buy a rice cooker however, I had no qualms. I like sticky rice as much as the next guy. After I purchased it Chris told me “rice cookers are the crock pots of the 2000s.” Then he said “That was such a Sex and the City thing to say.” I laughed and then started researching this concept.

Rice Cooker Risotto

Um. Holy smokes! The possibilities are endless and experimentation is king. So now my rice cooker IS my crock pot but with one added advantage – it makes these crazy music sounds when you turn it on and when the stuff is done. My kid is mad for it. Only a Japanese product would be so clever! Now for the recipe…

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German Apple Pancake

Oct 19th, 2010 // Breakfast, Recipes

German Apple Pancake

In the early 80s my grandparents moved to Florida. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Come December my brothers and I would leave NY wearing layer upon layer of bulky clothes with our suitcases packed full of shorts and bathing suits. Just as soon as we touched down in, I’d start shedding clothes and by the time we were at baggage claim I was practically in my underwear.

German Apple Pancake

When we arrived at my grandparent’s place we begged to go in the pool. We were the only people swimming. After all, it was only 75 degrees but to us it felt like heaven. The weather was great, but the real reason we loved these trips is our grandparents spoiled us and let us eat all kinds of stuff we didn’t get at home. One of our very favorite spots was The Original Pancake house where I always ordered the German Apple Pancake. Oh how I loved to drown it in syrup and gorge myself by finishing every bite.

German Apple Pancake

I haven’t had a pancake like that in years, but I had a feeling my kid would love it just as much as I did. What he did not love is the paparazzi!

German Apple Pancake

The pancake itself was beyond easy to make and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Now for the recipe…

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Pasta Mama Breakfast Pie

Oct 18th, 2010 // Breakfast, Recipes, Veggie Friendly

Pasta Mama Breakfast Pie

Long before I was a mom I loved my weekends for a different reason. Sleeping in, lazing around the house in my jammies, reading the newspaper and meandering out of the house for brunch sometime around noon.

Pasta Mama Breakfast Pie

There were several brunch restaurants in regular rotation. Waiting in line without restless kids was never a problem. One of our regular stops was a restaurant called Hugos where my order would alternate between the Pasta Mama (pasta scrambled with eggs, garlic, parsley and cheese) and the Pumpkin Pancakes.

Pasta Mama Breakfast Pie

It’s been years since I’ve been to Hugos. So much has changed since that time, but I can still remember the taste of that Pasta Mama like it was just yesterday. And I still love brunch.

Pasta Mama Breakfast Pie

I still love it because I love spending the morning alternating between racing Hot Wheels and whisking eggs while my kid and I reinvent recipes. The Pasta Mama Breakfast Pie is no exception. Now for the recipe…

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Stuffed Avocado Salad

Oct 17th, 2010 // Appetizers, Recipes, Sides, Veggie Friendly

Stuffed Avocado Salad

Oh how I ruined this dish for my husband but I secretly loved how it turned out. My husband H-A-T-E-S cilantro. It can’t be the first time I’ve mentioned this fact, but it is the first time we’ve mistakenly included it in a recipe.

Stuffed Avocado Salad

Although this salad is practically begging for cilantro, my kid and I intended to use flat leaf parsley instead. The universe had other plans.

Stuffed Avocado Salad

In my defense, they do look quite a bit alike and our market insists upon stacking them right next to one another. But, alas, my Superman cripples at the sight of cilantro-kryptonite and he was sure this salad was going to be a problem. I insisted he was wrong. Turns out he was right. Now we have quite a bit of salad to work our way through without him. Not that I mind so much since it is excellent! Now for the recipe…

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Herbed Couscous

Oct 16th, 2010 // Recipes, Sides, Veggie Friendly

Herbed Couscous

This little side dish doesn’t look like anything special, but I promise both your family and your guests will love it. It’s incredibly easy to cook and makes an excellent compliment to fish, chicken or meat.

Herbed Couscous

Now that we’ve added a nozzle to the jar of olive oil, my kid just loves to drizzle it into the pan before we light the flame.

Herbed Couscous

Look at how hard he is concentrating on squeezing that lemon. It was well worth it… the lemon is the perfect finishing touch to the dish. Now for the recipe…

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