Menu, 8-29-10

Aren't these snowcones awesome? Will be trying these soon.

Also, check out the new website I added to the sidebar- Cooking With My Kid. It's the jackpot for school lunch ideas (and more).

Here's what we're having for dinner this week:

Sun- turkey melt from the airport

M- BBQ pork tenderloin, broccoli and potatoes

T- citrus chicken and rice, carrots and zucchs

W- skillet mac n cheese, green beans

Th- english muffin pizzas

F- out

Sat- looking forward to out of town visitors- will be making crunchy french toast for breakfast, and who knows what for dinner

Next week is birthday-mania in the Bradshaw family. We're pullin' out the cake pans.

Creamy Chicken Tacos (with Mango and Avocado)

I don't enjoy too-long recipe titles that list all the ingredients, but this title isn't complete without throwing the mango and avocado in there because they really set these tacos apart. I think this dish is on the menu in heaven.

Creamy Chicken Tacos (with Mango and Avocado)

2 limes

1/4 C. mayo

1/4 C. sour cream

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cumin

pinch cayenne

3 C. cooked shredded chicken

1 mango

taco shells

2 avocado

Mix together 2 T. lime juice, 1 tsp. lime zest, mayo, sour cream, salt, cumin and cayenne pepper. Add chicken and toss. Thinly slice avocado and mango, and toss in 1 T. lime juice. Spoon chicken into shells and top with mango avocado mix. OUTstanding summertime dinner.

25 Most Common Cooking Mistakes

Photo: Oxmoor House, cookinglight.com

I cam across an article today, and thought it was interesting. I counted, and I've made at least 16 of the 25 mistakes listed...

Find the article here.

Menu 8-15-10

As much as I enjoy cooking, I think I would enjoy it EVEN MORE if I could do it in the likes of this kitchen, which belongs to Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. I love that show- she and Jeffrey crack me right up.

Here's what's cookin in my humble but adequate kitchen this week:

S- taco salad + jello pretzel dessert

M- take out

T- BLTs on ciabatta

W- creamy chicken tacos with mango and avocado

Th- bruschetta chicken

F- birthday BBQ with friends- I'm bringing pesto pasta salad

Sat- pork tenderloin and raspberry spinach salad

Teriyaki Chicken Burgers with Pineapple

My new favorite summer (and possibly year-round) dinner. A BIG hit with all four of us last night.

Teriyaki Chicken Burgers with Pineapple

4 chicken breasts
1 C. teriyaki sauce
4 slices pineapple
4 slices tomato
4 leaves lettuce
4 T. mayonnaise

Marinate the chicken in the teriyaki sauce in the fridge for a few hours. Grill the chicken and pineapple. Assemble sandwiches.

More Veggies, Please

Why is it that babies eat fruit and veggies with no problem, but toddlers struggle to choke down one bite? Every kid loves Mac and Cheese, but few love carrots. Today, I combined the 2 and Jonah ate every bite. Of course, it is good to train kids to eat veggies on their own, but if you need a quick way to get veggies into your toddler without a fight, try this.




Ideas for increasing veggie intake:

1. Dice veggies small, or add pureed veggies to favorite meals or soups. Puree your own with Cuisinart Smart Stick or use pureed baby veggies.
2. Add spinach to smoothies.
3. Make breads and muffins with veggies (i.e., pumpkin or zucchini bread)
4. Make sweet potato french fries with EVOO and favorite seasonings (I like salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder).

What are YOUR tricks??? Do you have a recipe your kids love or an idea for squeezing more veggies into your kids diets?

Menu, 8-8-10

School is starting up for us this week... I am trying to keep a positive attitude. I am hoping to send some extra special lunches from home to remind my first-grader how indispensable her mom is. :)

Family Fun has some fun ideas such as... two-tone puzzle sandwiches, sandwich art, and sandwich on a stick. Can't wait to make these!

Here's what we're eating for dinner this week:

S: chicken enchiladas blancas, green salad, ice cream sammies

M: leftovers

T: chicken and pasta alfredo, yellow squash

W: caesar salad with abc pasta

Th: chicken teriyaki burgers with pineapple, yellow and green beans

F: english muffin pizzas

Sat: green pizza

Must-Try

If you live in Mesa or anywhere in the vicinity, I beg of you to try out Caffe Boa Bistro if you haven't already. I love the original on Mill in Tempe, but am completely smitten with its little sister in Mesa. Cannot say enough good about it. Look over the menu and see for yourself. Try the house-pulled mozzarella, SoCal Love, and any of the handmade pastas (my husband loved the linguini with mushrooms). The starter course of bread with pesto aioli, olive oil and hummus is unforgettable. Best restaurant in Mesa without a doubt.

Menu, 8-1-10

Don't know why, but this grass cake struck my fancy. You won't find it on my menu for this week but its pretty just the same...

Sun- meatloaf, mashed and rolls courtesy of Kelli herself, green salad, steamed veggies, chocolate bundt cake, homemade peach ice cream courtesy of Chris!

M- going out... deciding where is the hardest part. So many outstanding dining establishments, so little time (and money...)

T- linguini with spring veggies

W- chefs salad

Th- tacos

F- broccoli chicken calzones

S- pizza or somethin of the sort