Listening While You Eat August 9, 2012

So this blog is pretty new. I believe a little over a month. I just realized that I have ten followers. It’s kinda excited in a small way. Someone is finding even the slightest use/ enjoyment in my writing. That’s a part of why we all blog isn’t it; in hopes someone will ‘take interest’ in what we have to say? So anyway thank you to those who have taken interest I hope that the thoughts and ideas that tend to get shifted at The Bottom of A Mom’s Purse fill you with even just a bit of enjoyment.

So Sit back and listen while you eat. Whats on the menu? How about one of the family’s favorites

Ham and Asparagus Casserole

• 1/2 lb fresh asparagus, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 2 c. cubed fully cooked ham
• 3 c. cooked rice
• 1 c. diced celery
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper
• 1  can  condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 c. chicken broth
• 1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 Tbl butter
• 1/2 c. bread crumbs

Boil water for the asparagus (adding a pinch of salt helps green the color but not required) 

Cook the rice. (I recommend washing the rice first to rid some of the starch. I also add a little oil and lemon juice when its done)

Cut the ham (I use ham steaks) and celery 

A 2 qt casserole dish is a tight squeeze but it makes the casserole bakes together very nicely.

cook the broth and soup in a sauce pan and add the cheese. (the cheesey-ness is the best part) cook until melted.

Mix the ham, asparagus, celery, lemon pepper and rice in the dish.

Pour in the cheese mix.

The breadcrumbs and butter make a nice crusty topping, but when I’m short on time and energy (which I often am), I skip it.

Toss in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees (I also usually throw tinfoil over it to help lock in the moisture)

This meal does create a lot of dishes in the sink and prep can be a little timely.

I like it because all the ingredients are things we usually not only keep in the house, but also things we  keep thawed out. It’s a yummy delicious dish that everyone can enjoy.

Perfect Pan Pancakes! July 28, 2012

Who doesn’t love a stack of warm of fluffy pancakes? I’m a big fan of the whole “breakfast for dinner” taboo. I know many turn up their noses at the idea, but why? It can be just as healthy and filling as any other meal. Besides With Jeff’s odd work hours mornings aren’t a time to eat… or really even be awake. Lol. I make breakfast often when I don’t know what to make or I simply just forgot to pull something out the freezer  ::Gasp! a mother forgets to do something!::For years I swore by Bisquick. Well, at least It was always what I used. Well always till I ran out and started making my own. These aren’t just any pancakes though. These are far more fluffed and tastier than any mix I have ever… uh.. mixed.

 

2 tbl white vinegar

3/4 cup of milk

1 cup of flour

2 tbl sugar

1 tsp baking power

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

2 tbl melted butter

 

Its easy I swear!

First: Mix the vinegar and the milk in a bowl. Set it aside

Second: Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking power and salt

The milk and vinegar will turn “sour” and will be lumpy. Third: melt the butter (I nuke it for about 15 seconds) and add the butter and egg to the milk.

Now just combine the milk mixture with the flour mixture and whisk together. No need for an electric mixer, even a good spoon will do!

Sometimes I like to add a little cinnamon!

I don’t have an exact measurement for how much to pour into the pan, I just throw some in there. But do beware that the pancakes will rise a bit and if the pancake is too thick it won’t cook well in the middle.

For those using a gas stove, you may have to turn down the gas gradually as the pan will continuously get hotter burning the pancakes.

Flip once the side start to turn off-color. Once you make your first one you get the hang of it. I also use a quick dash of cooking spray.

I like to scramble up some eggs with cheese to go along. For fun a sprinkle of powdered sugar. A little fresh-cut fruit and it’s a meal!

Good Friends, Good Food July 5, 2012

Ass a child I was very a picky eater. Worse, my mother just accepted it and didn’t generally make me eat anything I didn’t want to. I didn’t starve, she made a point of buying and making the things that I did eat. Now, Later in life, I’m still somewhat of a picky eater, but at least I’m more willing to try new things. I love eating out at new non-chain places or ordering non familiar dishes at familiar restaurants. It’s fun! With that being said, One of my best friends flew up from Texas and was here visiting friends and family.  She has a little girl about 18 months or so.

 

I found it interesting to watch and interact with her because its been a long time since Elyssa was that little and Olivia is still a bit away from being that big. At the same time she found amusement in playing with an older more interactive child. We had quite the day! We played games throughout the house including Hide and Seek.

 We walked to the local school yard and played and ran in the hot sun.

 

Once dinner time came around we ended up at the local Ihop. I love breakfast anytime of day. I don’t see the taboo in eating “breakfast” for dinner. As long as it’s somewhat healthy and/ or balanced. We knew Ihop would be perfect for the kids most of all. It’s nice, but not so nice that you worry about the mess kids leave behind. I got the bacon omelet with pancakes. Minus the chaos of the children, it was really good. I loved it. It had this amazing cheese sauce in the middle, and of course tons of bacon.

 

We hung out a bit longer until the children tiered out. I was purely exhausted. The heat, the excitement of it all, I was happy to end the day and put my feet up. Sheila is one of my best friends and even though she is [what seems like] a million miles away, we do a lot together throughout the year.

 

Being a stay at home mom can become very isolating. I find myself looking forward to cookouts and other get-togethers more so than I used to. For most of us it is in our human nature to be social. We thrive on human interaction. Don’t fight it, embrace it!