A little pesto...

We've kind of discovered that Ben's body doesn't like mayonnaise.  But he loves deli sandwiches in the lunches I pack for him.  So we were considering options, and he suggested PESTO to moisten it up a little, and WE LOVE IT.  It's a super easy way to add great flavor to otherwise boring turkey sandwiches.  Give it a try!

Veggie Ideas

I got a tip from a woman in my ward in South Ogden. She said that when she started making dinner, her teenagers would clamor in and start complaining of how hungry they were. So she started having a tray of fresh veggies in her fridge. And every evening, before she even started cooking, she would put the tray out on the kitchen table. If anyone went into the kitchen to snack or nibble, she had veggies there for them. Good idea, eh? I mean, I don't care how many vegetables my kids eat before dinner! Fresh veggies don't really count as "spoiling your dinner," y'know?

Anyway, I loved that advice. And I combined it with this little idea that I thought was cute... to put the veggies in a cupcake tin. (I think it was in Family Fun magazine a few years ago.) I tried it yesterday... I just left out a little veggie "display" on the counter and every time the kids (or I) would wander to the kitchen looking for a snack, we'd pick up a cucumber... or some sugar snap peas... or some carrots. It was kind of fun.

Just an idea for the day.

My Favorite Ingredients

I thought I'd keep my own little on-going list here of my favorite ingredients. You'll see what I mean.

My favorite...

• Sourdough Bread: big round loaf, Boudin is the brand, I think (Costco) - used for my Tuna Melts
• Salsa: Garden Fresh Gourmet, Jack's Special Salsa (Costco, refrigerator section) - delicious just with chips, but also really good in Becky's Black Bean and Chicken Casserole and in my Black Bean Soup
• Tortilla Chips: Garden Fresh Gourmet Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (Costco) and Kirkland brand Organic Tortilla Chips (Costco)
• Fish Sticks: Trident brand, "The Ultimate Fish Stick" (Costco, freezer section) - used in Monica's Fish Tacos

Dinner Time!

Hey y'all. Welcome to my newest project.

I don't claim to be a great cook. I do, however, like to feed my family good food. I don't create recipes, but I do like to collect the good ones that my friends have already tried and proven. And I do like to flip through cooking magazines now and then, ripping out recipes that I want to try. (Some people look at fashion or celebrity magazines? I look at food!) I then try out the recipes on my loved ones, and if they pass the family test, then I'll post them here. Hopefully, even with pictures!

So here I go... trying to gather all of my family faves in one place. No longer do I have to type up a recipe to e-mail it to you (or worse, have to read a recipe to you over the phone!), but they'll all be right here (eventually) for you to peruse at your leisure. I'm not putting in recipes in any particular order, but I am going to index them on the right column so you'll be able to pull up whatever kind of dish you're looking for. I'll include the first name of who I "stole" it from as well as some of our family's variations. I have been known to tweak up a recipe now and then...

Well, I hope you find some "good eats" on here... Enjoy!