On Feeding Boys...

Food is one of my passions. In fact, when I was a child I would cook in the kitchen, all the while pretending to be on a cooking show (á la Julia Child). I used to be a professional baker. I just love to cook. Mmmmmm...

Anyway, my love of food has been passed on to my children (although I am not so sure about my love of cooking, although both of my children do just fine in the kitchen). Anyway, we have a houseful of boys this next weekend (ummmm...starting today, actually) and I am trying to get healthy yummy food into the ones who live on chicken nuggets and corn dogs. Hmmmm...

I've been searching the internet for quick, easy recipes and stumbled across The Pioneer Woman Cooks (by way of 365 Days of Crockpotting).

Oh. my.

I think I've died and gone to heaven.

For dinner tonight, we are making (yes, ALL of us--ummm, that is, me and the boys):

Roasted Ricotta Tomatoes
Spicy Shrimp
Peach Crisp (not with the Maple Sauce, though)

and
Cinnamon Ice Cream, doubled of course

My philosophy is (and I hope it works with the more picky among the crew) is that if you help make it, you are more likely to eat it. And they all love shrimp (so they all tell me!). The tomatoes might be a bit iffy with the one who likes ketchup, but hates tomatoes...and loves pizza, but hates tomatoes. Ummm...we'll see.

And after dinner, I'm hoping everyone will be full enough to just chill and watch the first four episodes of Torchwood: Children of the Earth. Except I've just been reminded that softball is tonight. So, Torchwood will have to be tomorrow.

Sigh.

But, the boys will be gainfully employed (volunteering, that is) at the concession stand during softball. Which will keep them off the computer and various game systems. And out in the fresh air. So, it's all good.

The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters

Oh, I am so excited! My friend Heidi--her husband has been working hard on his first children's book: The Adventures of Hashbrown Winters. And now it's done. And it's awesome. And I wanted to help spread the word! Go pick up a copy. Isn't it time for some family bonding over a book? I think so!

Summer Fun Series Week 1 Wrap-Up

Well, we had 10 kids show up to make Thai Chicken Wings today. We separated them into 2 groups (middle school and elementary school). The younger kids pretty much just dumped everything in a bag and squished it together. The older kids cut wings apart, pressed or chopped garlic, grated fresh ginger, and then dumped it all in a bag and squished it together.

We made a sample batch of the wings for them to try before they started cooking--needless to say, those wings are all gone. But I do have a new batch in the freezer for another day (that my son made).

Next week we are making deviled eggs. Lots of people around here have chickens, so we have an abundance of fresh eggs.

Woohoo! Summer Fun Series Commence!

Remember that post a couple of weeks ago about summer plans? Well, it has kind of evolved (on Tuesday, anyway) to include a bunch of neighborhood kids. School gets out today, and starting next week, the fun will commence! The first cooking thing we are doing will be a freezer meal (or appetizer--depends on how you look at it) for the kids to take home.

Thai Chicken Wings
Ingredients

• 24 meaty chicken wings, tips removed, cut into wings and drumettes
• 8 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 4 tsp soy sauce
• 4 tsp honey
• 2 tsp dried coriander, crushed
• 2 tsp fish sauce

1. Place chicken wings into a large resealable plastic bag. Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, coriander, and fish sauce. Seal bag, turn to coat. Freeze. Or refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.


2. Preheat oven to 350°F.


3. Place wings on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes. Turn and bake 5 minutes more or until chicken is no longer pink.

That darn fish sauce smells really bad, so I'm thinking of providing nose plugs (you know those things they sell for swimming without getting water in your nose?). I will also have wings done before they get there so they know what the wings taste like before they make them.