This was a BIG snack HIT for Sabrina

I made this last month for one of her snacks.  (Yes I do a few breakfast a week, a few dinners and a couple of snacks)  She loved it.  I so ENJOY the look on her face when she gets something new.   Many people were shocked with some of the recipes calling for things like onions or leaks or seasonings you consider adult stuff, But I think that is what makes them better foodies later in life.  She loves those things, LOVES veggies.  Simple recipe--- carrots, sweet potatoes and leaks.  Steam till soft, mash OR puree depending on age and they love it.  All those veggies have a sweet taste, kids love em.  Now back to the snack:

Tex-Mex Rice Cakes (Makes 14-16 Cakes)

1 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese, grated
3/4 Cup Frozen Corn, defrosted
2 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped
1/2 Tsp Salt
2 Eggs, whisked About
2 Tbsp Vegetable or Canola Oil for cooking

1. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs.
3. Add eggs to the rice mixture and mix to combine.
4. Using about a 1/4 cup of the mixture, shape mixture into patties.
5. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and add patties, cooking 2 minutes on each side until golden brown.
6. Serve alone or with salsa. 

NOTE: I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup put about a tablespoon and half of the mixture in it then just turned them out, then started frying.  EASY.

OH!  You'll find most of the recipes are easy, But MAN do you have to do a TON of chopping if you are feeding food with texture for the over 8 months and so.  Tiny chopping take up my nights.

G....

Things We Cooked Today

Bobby told me I should be posting some of the meals I make for Sabrina so I will try and start.  I'll have to work on not being lazy and taking some pictures also.

Apple Breakfast Bars
1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups raw apples, shredded

Combine all ingredients. Let stand 10 minutes. Press mixture into 8" x 8" baking dish.  Bake at 375? until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Loosen with spatula, and cut into bars while warm. Serve hot for breakfast or snack **Freezes Well**

And

Rice Cooker Mac & Cheese (Serves 4-6)

2 Cups Pasta (I used macaroni, but you could also use rotini, faralle or bite size pasta)
1 1/2 Cups Chicken Stock (I use low sodium stock)
1 Tsp Salt
1 Cup Whole Milk
1 1/2 Cups Cheese ( I use a 3 cheese blend of cheddar, mozzarella and monterey jack)

* Option: You can also add a cup of finely chopped broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, butternut squash or frozen peas. Do so in step #2.

1. Place the first 3 ingredients in the rice cooker and cook for 15 minutes.
2. Open the lid, add the milk and cheese, stir to combine, close the lid and cook for an additional 20 minutes (25 minutes if you want it to have a crust on the bottom).

*Rice cookers can cook at different heats, so make sure to check the mac & cheese after if cooks for 30 minutes once or twice.
3. Serve.

She loved both. Tomorrow we cook 2 more dinners and 2 more breakfast and a snack.  Man this is tiring.

The Mongolian Pork Chops

I think the chops came out very good.  Bobby said he really enjoyed them.  My baby carrots did have a bit of a problem I left them in the oven to keep them warm after they were done and they were a tab bit sticky as they had maple syrup in them.  I forgot about bread until I was almost done cooking, UGH, I hate when I do that.

Well now I have to get back to my bread machine disaster.  We were talking about this pizza bread we used to make with cheese and pepperoni in it so I decided to make it for him tonight.  I think I must have dozed off or something because it's got way too much yeast in it.  It's like a Lucy moment, the top is about to lift off the bread machine that is how huge it is.

So it ended up being Mongolian Pork Chops, candied baby carrots and Medeterranian couscous and a Malbec.

A Long Week for a Holiday

We SO enjoyed that short week.  I cannot wait for the next holiday, (July 4th)  I am trying not to use any vacation days so that they can be put towards family vacation days.  Bobby has some astronomical amount of vacation hours so he took a week off last week, got a bunch of stuff done around the house, we went to his folks house for Memorial Day and had a great time, Sabrina got in the pool with all the kids and loved it.

Today is day 1 of my week for making her food for the week.  So I need to come up with some before I go to the gym.  We on the other hand are having Mongolian Pork chops and I cannot wait.  I made the marinade last night and put the chops in (DELICIOUS).  We will see how they come out, I know I'm making baby carrots with that but not sure what else.  I think i'll make bread too if I have time.  Sabrina's meals are so easy, BUT, they require SO much chopping that it takes forever.  At this stage in her life I do not want much of her food pureed, more chunky so she bites into it.  She needs oatmeal for her breakfast which is quick and easy.  I just make enough for 4 days and it's usually just oatmeal, milk, grated apple or mashed banana and a dried fruit I mince up like fig or apricot even prunes (gotta keep her regular).   I'll post after dinner on how the Mongolian pork chops came out.

This was Pretty Darn Funny

Sabrina Takes the Cake

It has been one full week since the First Birthday debacle and she finally feels well enough to eat her cake, so we put a candle on it today sang to her (which she loved) and we had cake.  It was hilarious at first because she didn't know what to do with it,  We were trying to get her to just rip into it but she would only put her mouth on it and stare at us.  She seemed to like cake. 

This was one WILD week.  It started with the sickness from the ear infection, now we think she has an allergy to cows milk, she has a bad bout of eczema on her back and cheeks, and throws up from it, So no more weening from formula to milk for now.  She also does not like her milk from a sippy cup and the daycare wants her to have it that way, OH WELL again, to bad, she will not drink it that way, she sips it, then abandons the whole thing, if you then put it in a bottle she drinks it down till it's gone. 

The next item, we have had a horrid beginning of separation anxiety, you parents know what fun that is.  Everyone has been shocked because she's the kid that just LOVES to go to everyone.  She did not want to be out of our arms thursday - yesterday.  Today, she is her old self again.  She always just bounces back quickly and gets on with life.  I just LOVE that kid.  I know she is gonna be a bad ass as a young adult and into adulthood, (excuse my use of the "A" word).  But I truly believe she'll accomplish anything she sets out to do.

Happy 1st Birthday Sabrina

What a day! After cooking and prepping stuff all last night and today the one year old party is done and over, 2 hours of party for about 17 hours of work.  FUN!  The bad part, the kid didn't even get to go to her own party.  YES, you read that right, she got a 102 fever after her nap and was in no mood to be bothered with parties.  She was burning up, screaming and crying, I gave her some tylenol (the good thing since children's Tylenol is liquid she likes it and just drinks it).  She felt better half an hour b4 the party ended so I decided to dress her and run her over to the park about 4 or 5 minutes away and that way the family and friends (some who drove very far and were so understanding) could at least see her,  She was fine till we got there then the WHOLE crying thing started again.

We have been home for just over an hour and she's been Ok, playing with gifts right now. She did have a lil crying spell but that went away as she started opening presents, We are keeping a close eye on her tonight, I'm sure she's just teething, she's had flushed cheeks all week and her gums are red, but I am sure she if fine.

We love you little girl.