Winner Winner Family Dinner

At the end of the first semester of 7th grade, my 12-year-old son, David, came home from school and plopped down a little composition book onto the kitchen counter.

“You can read this if want, Mom. It’s my journal from English.”

“Sure. I’ll take a look,” I told him. Here I thought was my opportunity to peruse the musings of the adolescent mind. Perhaps I’d glean some insight into why haircuts are evil and anything sour is so good. Or why showers should be skipped.

I flipped through his work and was amused. His stories were pretty funny and, hey, his writing skills were pretty good, too! Then something I was not prepared for; something very poignant and sweet; perhaps even a little nugget of affirmation?

Each journal entry was an answer to a question posed to the class from the teacher. This one in particular answered the question: "Describe your favorite setting." David described in detail that his favorite setting is dinnertime with his family. (awwwww) His words painted a sweet picture of our family dinnertime routine.

Now a year later, that same young man has discovered that not everyone sits down for a meal together most nights. Lunchtime conversation at school one day recently must have included an informal poll of some classmates about family dinners. I think he was genuinely surprised that many kids did not sit down to a meal with family on a regular basis.

That got me thinking... what are families doing about dinner these days?

I started poking around...Research shows that family members who share a daily meal are healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is a lot evidence supporting the notion that kids do better in school if they regularly sit down with family for dinner--plus, more of these kids stay off drugs and don't drink or smoke. The family dinner kids are also found to have less obesity rates. I won't bore you with all of the details, but there really are many studies with conclusive results in support of family dinnertime.

Good news for kids, too--statistics show that families are coming back to the table. In 1998, 47% of families polled by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse made dinner together a regular habit. By 2007, that figure was up to 59%. I don't think it's a stretch to conclude that, in light of this economic downturn and high national jobless rate, families are eating at home with more frequency now more than ever.

That leaves me hopeful... because, as we cope with the negative aspects of the current economy, maybe we (as a culture) are also being reminded to place higher value on our families and the time we invest in each other.

Mascarpone

I just love to say it--mascarpone, MAS-car-PO-ne, mas-CAR-po-NE. The way Giada De Laurentis says it is my favorite...you have to hear her say it. It's like butta.

But what do you do with it? I bought this cute, little tub of mascarpone cheese a while back. I am sure that I had some intended use for it. But my near 50, foggy, forgetful brain has not allowed that "use" to surface from the deep recesses of my mind.

So, I ask you: what would you do with a tub of mascarpone cheese? Leave a comment, please :)

(And, keep it clean--my mom reads this!)

(Oh, and mom, keep it clean, my kids read this.)

Dinner Challenge

OK... I just love this kind of challenge: dinnertime is fast approaching and I need to create a meal from whatever I have in the pantry and fridge. I have 45 minutes. I picture Alton Brown narrating from my dining room table. My three kids comprise the brutally honest team of judges.

(I know, I know. I really need to get a life!)

Oftentimes, it's a bust and I end up creating a mess, then calling for pizza! However, some nights I have a hit--like I did last night. This is now what I call a "keeper," so (for once!) I wrote down the ingredients.

The "judges" were all in agreement--this tasted great. Even Alton was impressed... well, it's my fantasy after all!

I had some asparagus and half a pound of bulk Italian sausage I had to use up. I used these two ingredients to get the creative juices flowing. Throw in some freshly chopped herbs, a little cream...Here's what I came up with:

3/4 lb cooked fettuccini
1 cup pasta water
1/2 lb. bulk sweet Italian Sausage, sauteed, set aside
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, cut into short strips
1 large bunch asparagus, chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian herbs (basil, marjoram, oregano, flat leaf parsley--some or all)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium. Add the onions and some salt; cook for about 5 minutes, then add the asparagus. Cook for another 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and saute for a minute, until fragrant. Add the wine. Heat until bubbly and then reduced down--another few minutes. Add in the fettuccini, sausage, herbs, salt and pepper to taste. Use some of the pasta water to thin out the sauce as needed and continue to reduce as all of the flavors marry, about 2-3 minutes.  Remove from the heat; add in the cream and whisk in the cheese. Serve immediately.
Servings: 4-6

Enjoy.

Happy in Happy Valley

We've all done it. Some have really enjoyed it. Some have regretted it. Some can't remember it. Some can't even speak of it... I did it last weekend and it was more memorable that I can articulate.

I'm talking about spending a weekend with friends in their home. (What did you think I meant??) I just want to pay homage to these dear people who made me feel as though I was a guest in a warm and cozy bed and breakfast instead of their peaceful, inviting home. This was definitely a lesson I want to share in how to treat your friends...It was such a treat, I didn't want to leave!

My friends, Jean and Mitch, live in a lovely suburb of Portland, Oregon. They are empty nesters after having raised four kids. I traveled up on Jet Blue from Long Beach with a mutual friend for a long weekend of R & R. Heavy emphasis on the relaxing!

Both Jean and Mitch picked us up at the airport in the late evening and we went directly to their home. They treated us to a little buffet of snacks that Jean had casually set out in her kitchen. I had grabbed one of those wrapped sandwiches in the terminal to eat on the plane, but, honestly, it tasted as though TSA had fished around in there and took out all the good stuff! Two bites felt like sawdust in my mouth. I was so thankful for these little nuggets in Jean's kitchen--fresh cheeses, pasta pillows filled with spinach, and this amazing quinoa-couscous blend with veggies (recipe follows). Tickled down with a glass of wine and I was in Heaven!

After some warm conversation next to the fireplace, we headed off to bed. I stayed in a bedroom with two adorable twin beds--one for me and one for my open luggage. I shared a large bathroom across the hall with my travel companion. Jean made me feel so at home with soft sheets, lots of pillows and cozy bedding along with a help yourself attitude that I did just that... and felt completely at home. I had forgotten toothpaste and shampoo; no worries, both were easily found and appreciated.

In the morning, coffee was set to brew as Jean had mentioned the night before. I turned it on and helped myself to a cup while I enjoyed the show outside. Say what you want about Oregon weather, but I found nothing but sun and warm temps this mid-April weekend. Beautiful birds swooping in and out of the backyard enjoyed a smorgasbord from feeders strategically placed. Mitch and Jean's son built a stunning wood deck all across the back of the house and the landscape around it was beautiful. This change of scenery was just what I needed with three teenagers back home and a family room affectionately referred to as the "locker room."

Slow and easy conversations, good coffee, getting lost in downtown Portland, chasing the little grandchildren...The whole weekend was like that. Jean and Mitch just made me feel at home, even allowed me full run of the kitchen as I cooked on Friday for the kids and grand kids. The secret was this easiness that Jean possesses. She's always been like that, but I have a new found respect for this simplicity, this freedom from formality that I sometimes just can't get away from when I have a guest in my home. Somehow, I succumb to propriety and allow my insecurity to take over. Jean has learned the secret...and I have always "gone to school on" Jean. She's taught me about raising kids, working out (she runs a gym), and healthy foods.

Once again, I've caught the lesson. I can't wait to have her in my home to return the favor of a comfortable, restful weekend. Of course, we'll have to wait until the "locker room" clears out.

RECIPE: Harvest Blend with Vegetables
Ingredients:

1 pkg. Trader Joes Harvest Grains Blend

3 1/2 c. vegetable broth

2 tbsp. butter

3 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 c. diced celery

1/2 c. diced carrot

1/2 c. diced green onion

1/2 c. diced red pepper

1/2 c. diced green pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 c. toasted slice almonds

1/4 c. shelled pistachios

salt and pepper

1 tblsp dried oregano

optional: fresh, chopped herbs like thyme, basil and/or marjoram

Heat broth until boiling and add the harvest blend package along with the butter. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover and fluff with fork.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the celery, onion, carrot and peppers. Saute for about 5-7 minutes until the veggies are crisp tender. Add the garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant. Toss in the harvest blend, nuts and optional herbs (if using). Toss until well combined. Serve immediately. Adding in a cooked protein (chicken, sausage, meat or tofu) makes for a great meal, too! Enjoy... Thanks, Jeannie!