It's back to school, back to business - a hectic time for everyone.
The beginning of September really does feel like the New Year. The calendar is full, the days are spoken for, the night is often busy, too. When the family sits down together for a meal these days, it's a rare treat. When it's just not possible to get together, make 'em happy with comfort foods that will keep until they get home.
Monday is my day off, but it was full of appointments. Driving during the morning rush, I saw little ones walking out the door with giant backpacks and moms pushing strollers, leading the older children safely to school. I felt nostalgic watching them, remembering earlier days when my kids were little, thinking of the sweet innocence of children and the excitement of living in a home where everything is fresh and new.
I work Saturdays. By the time I finish this last day of the week, I generally come home to a house that's been neglected. Dishes piled up here, clothes strewn there, cupboards bare.
Imagine my surprise when I actually came home to a rare treat! Waffles were on the menu. My son Jeremy, who never cooks, realized that if he wanted to eat, he had to take matters into his own hands.
Necessity being the mother of invention, Jeremy made waffles. Here is a quote from my oldest son that I never thought I'd hear: "I decided not to use vanilla. I used lemon extract instead."
The original recipe calls for lasagna noodles cooked for a few minutes.
Today I tried the "no boil" type noodles.
They worked really well.
16 oz. lasagna noodles
I call these tasty treats, "Back to School Brownies". Perfect with a nice glass of milk and not too sweet. This recipe is from the back of the Nestle Toll House Cocoa package. They're chewy and delicious.
The beginning of September really does feel like the New Year. The calendar is full, the days are spoken for, the night is often busy, too. When the family sits down together for a meal these days, it's a rare treat. When it's just not possible to get together, make 'em happy with comfort foods that will keep until they get home.
Monday is my day off, but it was full of appointments. Driving during the morning rush, I saw little ones walking out the door with giant backpacks and moms pushing strollers, leading the older children safely to school. I felt nostalgic watching them, remembering earlier days when my kids were little, thinking of the sweet innocence of children and the excitement of living in a home where everything is fresh and new.
I work Saturdays. By the time I finish this last day of the week, I generally come home to a house that's been neglected. Dishes piled up here, clothes strewn there, cupboards bare.
Imagine my surprise when I actually came home to a rare treat! Waffles were on the menu. My son Jeremy, who never cooks, realized that if he wanted to eat, he had to take matters into his own hands.
Necessity being the mother of invention, Jeremy made waffles. Here is a quote from my oldest son that I never thought I'd hear: "I decided not to use vanilla. I used lemon extract instead."
"I got it online," says Jeremy
2 cups of flour
1
teaspoon salt
4
teaspoons baking powder
2
tablespoons white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon lemon extract
In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar; set aside.
Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature. In
a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
Stir in the milk, butter and vanilla. Pour the
milk mixture into the flour
mixture; beat until blended. Ladle
the batter into a preheated waffle iron.
Cook the waffles until golden and
crisp. Serve immediately.
As I write this, I'm the only one home. Bailey's working out at the gym, Justin is working after school, and Jeremy is visiting his gramma.
I just finished making this delicious lasagna. They'll be happy to find this when they get home.
This wonderful recipe is an old standby from my friends, Janice and Tim. No ricotta in this one. Just hamburg or ground turkey, and the rest of the traditional lasagna fixins.
The original recipe calls for lasagna noodles cooked for a few minutes.
Today I tried the "no boil" type noodles.
They worked really well.
Trader Joe's and Roche's Food Club brands featured in this one.
The delicious finished product.
All layered and lovely and ready to eat.
16 oz. lasagna noodles
2 qts. spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
3 cups mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 pounds hamburger or ground turkey
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. fennel (if desired)
Cook noodles in salted boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cover with lid. Let stand 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water so you can handle it. Lay the strips on paper towels. Brown meat & drain fat. Season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Stir in sauce & water.
Pour 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Put a layer of noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella, cheese & parmesan cheese; repeat layers finishing with the last remaining meat sauce, mozzarella and parmesan. Cover with foil.
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
I call these tasty treats, "Back to School Brownies". Perfect with a nice glass of milk and not too sweet. This recipe is from the back of the Nestle Toll House Cocoa package. They're chewy and delicious.
 |
| Hits the Sweet Spot |
1 2/3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter or margarine, melted
2 TB water
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/3 c. flour
3/4 c. Nestle Toll House cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 c. chopped nuts (optional)
powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pan.
Combine sugar, butter & water in a large bowl. Stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Stir into sugar mixture. Stir in nuts. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 18-25 minutes until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan over wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into bars. Makes 2 dozen brownies.
No comments:
Post a Comment