At Home in the Suburbs

Baking with Laura - Christmas Cookies

2011-12-15T20:11:00.000-05:00

Christmas press cookies are delicious and fun to make! I use the recipe in the Joy of Cooking for spritz cookies. It is basically a batter for butter cookies. The batter is then placed in a cookie press, and then baked in the oven. The cookies can be stored in a tin for a week or so and then served on a pretty platter for Christmas Eve and Christmas. You can choose the design disk to place in the cookie press. The photos show wreath cookies and Christmas tree cookies. They look pretty when topped with sprinkles.

Cooking with Linda - Broccoli Rabe

2011-02-18T07:57:00.004-05:00

Broccoli rabe is my husband's and my favorite vegetable. We try to eat it about once a week. Our three sons don't like it, though I think they will acquire a taste for rappini as they mature. After all, they eat edamame!

Ingredients:
one head of broccoli rabe
extra virgin olive oil
2-3 cloves of garlic
garlic powder
juice of one lemon
iodized salt
white cannellini beans (optional)

Sit down at the kitchen counter to prepare this vitamin-rich green, as it is time-consuming, at least for me. Cut off and discard roughly 2" of the hard, tough stems. Tenderize remaining stems by peeling the tough stem exterior or "skin" with a pairing knife then splitting them lengthwise, twice, so that the ends "flower." My mother-in-law, a wonderful cook, taught me this trick. For ease of eating and incorporating this green into recipes, cut all stems and large leaves in half.

Soak greens (split stems, leaves, florettes) in a large pot of water for ten minutes, agitating with tongs to remove any impurities. Drain water; replace with fresh, clean water. Soak again, and drain water in the sink in a large colander. The one featured in this link is my favorite, the one I use several times a week.

Lay out a clean, dry dish towel on the counter top. Place two layers of paper towels on top of dish towel; using tongs, place wet broccoli on top of the toweling to absorb some of the water. Over medium-high heat, saute 3 thinly-sliced garlic cloves in a few tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. I cook the broccoli in my favorite large stainless steel saute pan. It comes with a clear, tempered glass lid, which helps me keep an eye on the cooking process.

Place the greens into the sizzling oil and use tongs to turn so that all leaves, stems, and florettes are lightly coated in olive oil. Saute with lid on for about 7-8 minutes or so, until broccoli is tender and bright green. Season to taste with iodized salt, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, and a teaspoon of "raw" extra-virgin olive oil. The combination of these flavors in unbelievably savory.

Rappini - Tenderized, Ready to Saute

Cooked & Ready to Eat

I use stainless steel tongs (a favorite cooking and serving tool) for flipping while sauteing as well as for serving (one-handed tongs for buffet service works great...for salads, especially).

A Very Versatile Green One of our favorites is broccoli rabe combined with slices of boiled-then-grilled Italian sausage and orecchiette (little ears) pasta. We also enjoy broccoli rabe with white cannellini beans. Simply add the canned and drained beans toward the end of the saute process, so the beans become warm and flavorful.

A versatile topper, broccoli rabe is delicious on top of a grilled chicken breast or Italian bread toasted in the oven with a sprinkling of olive oil and salt. Leftover broccoli rabe leaves, tenderized stems, and delicate florettes are delicious and nutritious in a sandwich in lieu of lettuce. Or, simply place it alongside a fresh Italian roll, your favorite cheese (we are fans of Asiago and Dubliner) and (as pictured below) portabella mushrooms with roast red peppers.

Satisfying Vegetarian Lunch
Carnival Glass Dish

Tip from Mom: Even if it's just for the two of you, always cook the whole head of broccoli...or the whole head of boiled cabbage or cauliflower. Leftover Andy Boy broccoli or broccoli rabe can be warmed up and used as a side dish for next evening's dinner. Or, you may want to prepare the leftover vegetables in a new way by incorporating them into a favorite recipe.

~ Linda

Baking with Linda: Heart-Shaped Brownie for Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T21:48:00.003-05:00

Soon after I was married, my mom gave me a heart-shaped baking tin. Now, nearly 19 years later, a heart-shaped brownie is our Valentine's Day dessert....following pale pink, heart-shaped raviolis with pink vodka sauce. This Valentine's meal, by candlelight in the dining room, has become a tradition in our family. Tonight we listened to Andrea Boccelli, which was perfect.

Ghirardelli - our Favorite Brownie Mix

Follow the recipe on the box. I use one bag of brownie mix for my approximately 10-inch baking pan. Ideally, use organic eggs and olive oil in place of vegetable oil. Serve with a dusting of confectioner's powdered sugar, strawberries, festive swirls of whipped cream, and glasses of cold milk!

If there are coffee lovers in your family, you may want to try 1/3 cup espresso or coffee in place of the 1/3 cup water called for in the Ghirardelli brownie recipe. A delicious mocha flavor results.

Happy Valentine's Day.
~ Linda

Finding the Balance on and off the Mat

2011-02-13T18:30:00.005-05:00

For me, yoga practice is a metaphor for living well, balanced, strong, healthy.
As a stay-at-home mom, if I can't find a few hours a week for working out, then something is off-balance within the demands of daily living, raising children, and keeping a home.

My gifted yoga instructor says yoga increases our ability in "finding balance between exertion and ease" ... whether settling into a deep twisted lunge, holding side plank in yoga toe lock, "resting" in plank, or struggling to get a spot in the parking lot before class is filled.

With this in mind, I am trying to find "the ease" when the pressure's on to get it all done, when there's too much "Incoming", too many demands on the too few hours in a day ... when I make the time for yoga and running the treadmill, I am more productive, energetic, and positive outside the gym; when I'm not exercising ... well, you get the picture...

I come from a long line of hardworking women (my mom raised four without help ("Don't think about how you're going to get it all done, just do it!" she routinely says, even when I was expecting my third...)
- she beat Nike to that slogan.
Her mom - whose frequent adage was a firm, "Push yourself" - worked full-time on her feet until she was 88, walking to and from work in the snow... And her mom (my great grandmother) ran a bar and grill in Astoria, Queens, while raising seven children ...

Still, I will intentionally try hard to take occasional shavasanahs (restorative, resting poses) by sitting for a while with feet up on the ottomon, by flipping through a magazine, by trying a new recipe, by enjoying a frivolous phone conversation with a friend about nothing important.

If you practice yoga or are determined to give this ancient, body and mind-encompassing exercise a try because you believe in its benefits ("Don't mess with ancient wisdom," my teacher says.) I encourage you to use yoga props such as foam blocks, cotton straps (pictured below), or bolsters.

These props will help you to experience a full-range of postures ... with some measure of "ease" as you settle into the poses and as you reach your personal edge of exertion within these challenging yet health and strength-yielding positions.

Namaste.

~ Linda

Where We're Dining - BLT Market, NYC

2011-02-11T11:38:00.004-05:00

Beautiful paintings of fruit and vegetables at BLT Market

Semi-Smoked Jumbo Scallops

Acacia Marinated Alaskan Black Cod Served in Skillet

BLT Market is one of several BLT restaurants located in Manhattan and in several other cities. Their website is http://www.bltrestaurants.com/. BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel. Laurent Tourondel is a French trained chef. Others include BLT Steak, BLT Fish, BLT Prime, BLT Burger and BLT Fish Shack. BLT Market is located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel at the corner of 6th Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan. The setting is beautiful yet casual. The menu changes seasonally to adjust to use the freshest seasonal ingredients available. The portions are small and the prices are high, but the food is beautifully presented and amazingly delicious. We started with an appetizer portion of fresh pappardelle/sunchokes/red wine braised short ribs/garlic parmeson gremolata. This was one of the tastiest dishes I have ever had. My only complaint is that the portion was miniscule. For main courses, we had semi-smoked jumbo scallops/green apple nage/braised endive/american caviar and acaia marinated Alaskan black cod/celeriac puree/wilted spinach. Both were exquisitely presented and delicious. The cod was truly amazing. I can't wait to try some of these recipes at home. We shared a spiced flourless chocolate cake/brandy creme anglaise for dessert. Of course, it was so delicious! Even the coffee was special. Check this link for two cookbooks by Chef Laurent Tourondel, New American Bistro Cooking, and Fresh from the Market: Seasonal Cooking with Laurent Tourondel. Both cookbooks are filled with amazing recipes that I can't wait to try. For a real treat, I would certainly recommend BLT Market! ~ Laura

What We're Buying: I Love My New White Plates!

2011-02-10T12:13:00.008-05:00

I recently bought new everyday china. After years with my old pattern, I was missing a few mugs, a few bowls, and a few dishes. It was time for a fresh start. After looking at many patterns and many stores, I solid white round plates at HomeGoods. The brand is The Palm - they are marketed as restaurant quality dishes from The Palm Restaurant. The dishes have a rim that is slightly raised, which is very attractive. They are bone china rather than stoneware, which means that they are very light - which makes it so much easier to carry a stack of plates to the table. They have a nice shine to them. HomeGoods also has boxed sets of Palm dishes, but they are porcelain. The bone china is sold by the individual piece. I was lucky to get an entire sets of twelve (mugs, bowls, dinner plates and lunch plate) individual pieces.

I've owned many patterns over the years but I love solid white. Food looks beautiful on a solid white plate. The food is what stands out without the distraction of a patterned background or color. Using solid white dishes lets you decorate your table according to the season. You can change the mood of the table by using different colored placemats, napkins, and glassware.

For formal dinners, I love my timeless Lenox Eternal china. It is solid off-white, with an elegant gold border. I have had this china for many years and have never grown tired of it.

~ Laura

Where We're Going - Enrique Iglesias at Madison Square Garden!

2011-02-07T08:17:00.004-05:00

On Saturday night my husband took me to an Enrique Iglesias concert at Madison Square Garden. We had great seats - right on the floor! This was the most amazing concert I've ever been to! Jay Sean opened for Enrique. He was excellent. I love his song "Do You Remember It". But when Enrique came on stage, it was amazing. He is an excellent entertainer and has a spectacular stage presence. His music and voice are fantastic. He sang many songs in Spanish and many in English. He spoke to the audience a lot - in both Spanish and English. He brought several audience members on stage with him, and sang to them, and had them sing and dance. It was so much fun! The lighting effects and background videos were excellent as were the dancers and the band. Assorted reggae artists and rappers joined Enrique on stage at various times throughout the show. Enrique's new album is Euphoria. I'm certainly going to get it. The audience went crazy when Enrique sang Tonight I'm Loving You, Hero, I Like It, and other favorites. Enrique sings with great passion. At one point, he re-appeared on a small stage that was only a few feet from us in the back of the floor. He is not afraid to go into the audience and have the audience crowd around him. The audience was covered with graffiti, and huge balloons breezed around the garden. It was a night to remember. ~ Laura

Cooking with Laura - Grilled Zucchini

2011-02-03T08:23:00.000-05:00

What vegetables should I make tonight? Typically, I make a salad - chopped romaine, dried cranberries, thinly sliced red onion, sliced grape tomatoes, maybe some walnuts and goat cheese - dressed with a mixture of two parts extra virgin olive oil and one part balsamic vinegar - delicious!

But salad every night can get boring and a variety of vegetables is healthy. So, lately I'm making a lot of grilled butternut squash - Stop & Shop sells butternut squash already peeled and chopped into small pieces. I chop the pieces into bite size chunks, and then just toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes until browned (turn halfway through).

We also love cauliflower - washed, and cut into two inch pieces, steamed til soft and then baked in 350 degree oven topped with salt, pepper, low fat deli-sliced American cheese, and a teaspoon of unseasoned bread crumbs, for 15 minutes until cheese melts.

Zucchini is always available, typically inexpensive, easy to cook, and lasts days in the refrigerator. No need to peel it - the skin is full of nutrients. Just wash well, cut the zucchini in half width-wise, and slice into thin slices. Toss with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, and grill on medium-high heat on a grill pan. Garnish, if you'd like, with some fresh mint leaves. Delicious. Turn when nicely browned on the bottom. They are done when soft enough for a fork to pass through easily. Enjoy!

What We're Doing: Reflecting on a very Happy 16th Birthday Party

2011-01-31T17:00:00.005-05:00

Friends' Sneakers in the Foyer -
Can you believe there's a bunch in the closet!

Our eldest turned 16. He invited 25 friends over; our 13-year-old had 10 or so buddies over as well. Of course, family was here. Initially, I was putting the sneakers in the foyer closets, then I gave up ... to the pile shown here! Proudly sporting his Air Jordan 12 sneakers , our 3-year-old sneaker aficionado jumped in for the photo!

These boys were terrific, as each and every one of them took off his sneakers (without being asked) and several used the paper towels to wipe down the foyer floor... again, without being asked. Polite and respectful, what amazing young men they are! Our sons have a knack for choosing terrific friends. For this, my husband and I are very grateful.

Dessert Buffet - Something for Everyone

Feeding 35 teenage boys means big quantity. 18 feet of hero sandwiches, four pizzas, Buffalo wings, side salads, and chips n dip are tasty but nothing beats the dessert table: berry salad, walnut-carrot cake (unbelievable), lots of cookies, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate brownies (our family favorite), homemade pear tart, and my girlfriend's scrumptious medley of chocolate (a decadent mix of dark and milk) and candy-covered pretzels and marshmallows beautifully served on a large winter-white Ikea serving tray.

Happy Birthday! We love you!

~ Mommy (Linda)

What We're Watching - The Kardashians

2011-01-31T09:43:00.002-05:00

Okay, maybe we're not keeping up with the Kardashians, but we're watching them. Find this fun reality show on the E channel. Watch Bruce Jenner, Olympic decathalon athlete, and his wife Kris interact with their blended family. Kris' children from her marriage with Robert Kardashian are Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and Rob. Kris and Bruce have two daughters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Bruce has two older sons from his first marriage. The Kardashian girls are stylists. So check out what they are wearing for the latest styles. Their homes are beautifully decorated, and the family interaction is entertaining.

Catch up with DVDs of the First Season, the Second Season, and the Third Season, and be sure to watch Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami. These pop culture icons will certainly keep your attention or, at the very least, provide some mindless entertainment.

~ Laura

Cooking with Laura - Chicken Cutlets

2011-01-29T20:25:00.000-05:00

Chicken cutlets is a quick, easy, healthy, and delicious meal, and everyone loves them. Buy boneless breast of chicken. Rinse the chicken and trim any fat. Dry the chicken with paper towels. If the breasts are very thick, I sometimes carefully slice them into two thinner cutlets. Lightly dip the breasts in a beaten egg. Then coat the cutlets with a thin layer of breadcrumbs - I like non-seasoned breadcrumbs because they don't burn as easily. Also, I buy natural breadcrumbs with no additives or preservatives. Pan saute the cutlets in olive oil, which gives them a great taste. They cook beautifully in a cast iron pan. Place the cutlets on paper towels to absorb excess oil before serving. Serve with a large tossed salad. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Another Tip from Mom: Economizing Key:
If you are low on eggs, no need to run out and pick some up. Instead, dip the breasts in fat free milk. The milk works just as well (even better because the breading won't go on as thick) as egg in holding onto the breadcrumbs, plus now you have an extra egg or two for scrambled eggs for tomorrow's breakfast.

Economizing Key: Turn leftovers from this dinner into tomorrow's lunch. Nothing my son loves more than for me to pack him this brown bag lunch for school: a chicken cutlet, Romaine lettuce, and light mayo sandwich on a long hero roll for lunch the next day!

Romaine salad with black olives, grape tomatoes, romano cheese, and red onion

No Fuss Visits with Friends and Family: A Well-Appointed Coffee & Tea Tray

2011-01-28T10:39:00.015-05:00

More than what we say or the gifts we give, the time we make for each other speaks volumes about how we feel and care. Sometimes, though, friends and family don't have the time to spend the day or go to lunch. Most often, though, they have time for a quick visit. Sharing a cup of tea or coffee in the privacy and comfort of one's home is a warm and enjoyable way to catch-up with good friends. A good friend of mine, Kim, simmers deliciously-scented potpourri on her stove when we gather at her home. This is a welcoming touch.

So that I'm ready when expecting a visit or impromptu guest, I keep a service tray set on a shelf in my dining room closet, a spacious storage area that my husband built several years ago.

Convenient to have a tea & coffee service tray
ready-to-go so you can enjoy your guests without fussing.

Checklist of what you might want to keep on your serving tray.
Having this tray ready eliminates last-minute fussing:

~ assorted decaf & regular teas: organic green tea is a favorite
~ organic, all-natural honey
~ teabag tongs
~ wooden honey server
~ sugar with spoon
~ sugar substitutes
~ small pitcher for milk or half-and-half
~ a small votive holder & vanilla-scented tea light
(tray above holds a favorite teardrop-shaped crystal votive)
~ or, a small scented candle in your favorite seasonal scent

A wooden honey server and mini "tongs" of sorts (mine is heart-shaped) are two of my favorite tea-serving accessories. I keep them both handy on the tray. Honey is served neatly with the spiral server, which my kids find fun to use. The tongs work perfectly for removing teabags after seeping.

In the closet, next to the tray, I keep a large, wooden dome-topped box (photo below) filled with assorted teas that friends might enjoy. I keep classic regular and decaf teas on hand (Lipton, Irish Breakfast tea) as well as my favorite Yogi teas, which come in exotic and delicious flavors such as Lemon-Ginger and Vanilla-Hazelnut.

Vintage teacups make elegant holders for teabags. Above, I use my great Aunt Helen's pretty pastel-floral teacups to hold the organic green teabags. To hold the used teabags, I use another antique cup from her set. Fun part is, these teacups don't have to match. Although I have several Portmeirion pieces that I treasure, eclectic service is my favorite. A particularly elegant serving piece is the Portmeirion Botanic Garden teapot;
it is classic and vibrant.
The only thing left to do before your friend arrives is to slice some lemon and put out something sweet. You may want to try one of the baking recipes in our older posts - walnut shortbread cookies, pizzelle waffle cookies, chocolate-cranberry biscotti, low-fat blueberry muffins... With this coffee break, we're having my mother's moist and tasty pound cake, made with mini bittersweet-dark chocolate chips.

Served with Mom's Dark Chocolate-Chip Pound Cake

Tip from Mom: Leave a plastic spoon - tablespoon size if you have one - in your can of coffee. Convenient and time-saving. Or leave a spare 1/4 measuring cup in your coffee can. (my sister-in-law gave me this tip) A matter of taste but, for me, the 1/4 cup makes about 3 cups of coffee.

~ Linda

Baking with Laura - Low Fat Blueberry and Chocolate Chip Muffins

2011-01-26T16:51:00.000-05:00

Low-fat Blueberry Muffins cooling on granite countertop

On a cold winter day, there's nothing better than warm homemade muffins just out of the stove. I found this recipe, now a favorite, in Cooking Light Magazine.

Low-fat plain, organic yogurt replaces oil, reducing fat and adding protein. They are moist and delicious. Since my son doesn't like blueberries, I split the batter and add blueberries (loaded with antioxidants) to half of the batter and dark chocolate chips to the other half. We all enjoyed a nutritious muffin for breakfast, and for a mid-afternoon snack with a cup of coffee. I made them in my favorite nonstick muffin tin. These are wonderful to bake on a snow day, or to bring to a friend. I brought a bunch to my nephews who enjoyed them with tall glasses of milk.

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup Stonyfield organic plain yogurt
2 organic eggs
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon zest grated (optional)
1 cup blueberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray muffin tin with cooking spray (or use cupcake liners, as I did). In small mixing bowl, sift together flour and baking soda. In another bowl, combine sugar, yogurt, eggs, butter, cinnamon and lemon zest. Beat until thoroughly combined. Add dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in blueberries and spoon the batter into the muffin tins, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake for 15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Makes 12 muffins.

I sprinkled muffins with Wilton yellow sparkling sugar to give them a golden sparkle and a little extra sweetness.

What We're Doing: Regrouping after a Ski Trip with Family & Friends

2011-01-21T22:37:00.000-05:00

Safe and harmonious: it was a wonderful trip.

Armada Trunk: Pre Ski Weekend
Trip to Costco

I am particularly happy to write this post as a means of savoring and preserving the good times of our ski trip. Reflecting on the long weekend in the Berkshires with my family, sisters, their families, and good friends, three themes come to mind: keeping warm, gathering, and sharing stories.

Keeping warm under blankets during the ride up to the mountain, ice crystallizes in intricate designs outside and inside the car windows. Thermostat reads 2 degrees!

In the morning, there are significant winds on the express 6-seater lift! Cozying up to my husband to keep warm on the blustery lift.

The lodge becomes our warming center: hot chocolate, warming hands at the fire pit at the lodge patio...
Big bowls of spicy Texas beef hot chili , warm burritos, and New England clam chowder (a new favorite of our 13 year old son, a budding food connoisseur) in big bread bowls with bread lids on top...to keep it warm.

Next to safety, keeping warm is a top priority when skiing. Over the years, we've tried many brands of clothing meant to keep you warm. Click on our links (we wouldn't steer you wrong) to check out the tried-and-true warmth-keeping layers that we consider essential for a day on the slopes: Underarmour turtlenecks paradox pants...Smartwool ski socks and skull caps under helmets, turtle neck warmers, face warmers, hand warmers, and Smartwool, moisture-wicking ski socks...ski gloves layered on top of thin, gold-metallic gloves. Favorite underlayers of all: Hot Chillys!

We like Denali and Minus Zero wind-breaking jackets as extra layers, more layers with Polar Max,and Paradox pullovers, handwarmers, Boeri helmets, snow-white Bolle goggles (another favorite!)

Probably to get warm, our 16 year old tried beef barley soup at Dakota steakhouse and seafood restaurant where we sat (about 20 of us) in front of a wide and roaring toasty warm fireplace, beneath several big moose heads and an upside down canoe.

....taking long soaks in Jacuzzis at the hotel...wrapping fingers around mugfuls of hot chocolate...

Out to eat later that evening, and we're all wearing "warm": fur hats, rugged work boots, grey flannel earmuffs, lots of fleece.

Gathering in the garage, a few days before the trip, to load the Yakima rooftop cargo capsule, assembly-line style, with boots, skis, and poles... This ruggedly durable, capacious, and sleekly-designed storage container is an unequivocal MUST!! Check out my link; they are worth every penny. Equipment is clean, contained, and ready-to-go. Perfect for snowboards as well.

...in the car, the five of us, for a three and a half hour ride on scenic, rural route 22 where we see cows, horses, and 6' long icicles hanging down from the rooves of homes with wrap-around porches. We saw a frozen lake on which men were fishing and cars were driving!

Gathering in each other's suites to share a mug of Ghiardelli hot chocolate or a glass of red wine....in each other's suites for a few rounds of rough-and-tumble:

Our Teen Boys taking Turns Bench-pressing their
38-lb Little Brother...Fun in the Suite

..at our long table in the lodge to eat and tell stories about our experiences on Left Bank or Grand Slam or - in case of our sons and ski-loving nephew - black diamond Ace of Spades

Gathering at the table in our suite to play very competitive Scrabble, side-splitting game of Cranium and Duck Duck Goose, which our 3 year old vociferously orchestrated. If your family does not own Family Edition Cranium, I enthusiastically recommend it: sculpting with play dough, humming songs, sketching with eyes closed, acting things out ... So much fun and so much roaring laughter that my 16 year old nephew couldn't catch his breath and my throat was sore from screaming!

...gathering for very large deliveries (my husband ordered) of four varieties of pizza, 3 versions of salad and Buffalo wings....to watch the Jets game; miraculously, I napped through the first hour of the gathering.

..at the scrumptious salad bar at Dakota Steakhouse ( I love salad bars...wish I had one built-in to my kitchen ): wasabi peas, whole radishes, long sprouts, soy nuts...the most delicious lemon-flavored carrots I've ever tasted. Our 3-year-old couldn't get enough of those carrots!

..at the Chipmunk bunny slope to watch our preschooler at Skiwee School and playing with play dough at the Cub's Den Playhouse.

Gathering in each other's rooms to see what snacks each party brought, which ran the full gamut: oatmeal squares, croissants, Nutella, pretzel rods, chocolate chip cookies, muffins, pistachios, Zone bars, turkey and pear sandwiches, almond & apple butter sandwiches, organic pop tarts (can you believe they make them), raw almonds....

..at the breezy top of the mountain, where the windmills turn, to wait for friends coming up on the lift.

...in front of the lobster tank at Dakota steakhouse to watch our son's face as he watched the lobsters...

..at Dakota lobby for our annual photo in front of the 8-foot tall stuffed grizzly bear!

Sharing stories Which route did you take up? Hutch? Taconic? Thruway or the scenic, rural route 22? How was the traffic? Detours? See any deer?

Which lift did you take up? Which trail did you take down? Did you take the 2 mile run? Who did you ski with? Try the workout room at the main lodge? How were the treadmills? The pool? Take any trails thru the woods? Moguls? Icy patches? Which lift has the cushioned seat? Did you take the two seater chairlift that cruises over the alpine slide? Did you hear the top 40 music blasting at the terrain park?

Did your lift stop? for how long?

P-touch Labeler is Indispensable in Keeping
Equipment Organized

Getting Organized To avoid confusion at the bustling ski lodge: Who's helmet is this?? Anyone see my goggles??? Where's my neckwarmer? my sister and I went on a labeling frenzy the week before we left.

With our Sharpie markers and with white adhesive labels made with our P-touch labelers (One of our Top-Top Favorite Products; I couldn't live without mine! Order your labeler today if, like me, getting organized is one of your New Year's resolutions.) we labeled everything: rolling duffel bags, helmets, helmet bags, goggles, gloves, boots, even my son's ski pants were labelled with round, plastic discs dangling from his pockets (cell phone # as well). I labeled our rolling cooler!

Our 3-year-old on the Magic Carpet, Chipmunk Slope

Meeting his Instructor at SkiWee School

Happy and harmonious, the twenty of us: it was a trip to remember with smiles.

Cooking with Laura - Grilled Chicken with Balsamic Glaze, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts

2011-01-21T20:57:00.000-05:00

Grilled Chicken with Balsamic Glaze

Easy, delicious, healthy, inexpensive, easy cleanup - this dinner has it all! As usual, trying to cook boneless chicken breast with a new twist. I buy the thick boneless chicken breast and slice them into two thinner cutlets. When you buy the chicken cutlets thin-sliced, they are usually a little too thin. Run the chicken cutlets under cool water, cut off any visible fat and membranes, pat dry with paper towels, then coat with extra virgin olive oil (of course), salt and pepper. Grill the cutlets on a grill pan that has been sprayed with olive oil, on medium heat about 5 minutes per side, until lightly browned and cooked through but not overdone. In a small saucepan, add 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar and two cloves of finely chopped garlic. Boil down until the balsamic reduces in half. Lower heat, add one tablespoon of butter and stir in. Drizzle the glaze over the chicken. Balsamic vinegar has a delicious sweet taste when boiled down.

For the sweet potatoes, wash and peel two sweet potatoes Cut in half crosswise and then cut lengthwise into eighths. Toss with extra virgin olive oil (of course), salt and pepper, and bake on cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until nicely browned and fork goes in easily. The softer, the better.

For the first time ever, I made frozen rather than fresh brussel sprouts. They were easy and delicious. Steam according to package directions. Drain and add 1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil and a dash of salt. If you don't own a grill pan, order this one now. You will love it and use it over and over again.

Cooking with Linda: Sicilian-style Pizza with Bell Peppers

2011-01-18T06:58:00.001-05:00

Everyone here is happy when it's homemade pizza night! I grew up with homemade pizza on Fridays as well as homemade sauce (with one bay leaf and parsley from my father's backyard garden), meatballs and sometimes gnocchi on Sundays.

Pizza made at home is a big step above the pies that are delivered. Follow this easy recipe, and I bet your family will enjoy it very much, too.

Always helpful, our 3-year-old sprinkles
the part-skim shredded mozzerella.

Brush a light coating of extra-virgin olive oil along surface of a baking sheet. For us, this is Sicilian style because the pizza is rectangular, served in squares, and the dough is fluffy. Spread the two balls of pizza dough evenly, leaving generous amounts of dough in the corners and around the edges of the baking sheet. This allows the tomatoes and toppings to stay in and allows for a substantial crust to hold.

Bake the pizza dough, only, for about 5-7 minutes until it rises and becomes fluffy. Remove baking sheet from oven. I have made homemade pizza dough in the past (seasoned with fresh rosemary) but I find that the dough I purchase at local pizzerias and Italian bakeries is just as tasty. I leave it out, room temperature, for about 45 minutes until I'm ready to use it.

On top the partially-baked and lightly golden pizza dough, evenly spread 3/4 can of crushed tomatos; sprinkle a generous portion of part-skim, shredded mozzarella cheese, touch of garlic salt and black pepper. Add crushed red pepper (optional).

Like his big brothers, our sweet Little Guy enjoys
occasional food prep in our kitchen!

Wash a yellow and green bell pepper; slice thinly and steam on top of the stove for about five minutes until they are tender. Without this step, the peppers may not cook enough in the oven.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until mozzarella is bubbly and light golden brown. Let the pizza cool a bit before cutting. Although I own a large and easy-to-use Pampered Chef rolling pizza cutter, I prefer to also use kitchen scissors to cut Sicilian-style slices.

Sicilian-style Pizza topped with Yellow & Green Bell Peppers

Serve with baby arugala salad, Pellegrino with fresh lemon, and dinner is ready. Pronto!

What We're Doing - Snowblowing

2011-01-12T20:02:00.000-05:00

Ariens snowblower

A big snow means my husband gets to use his big Ariens snowblower - something he looks forward to. Long Island got hit with 12 plus inches of snow overnight. My husband was out there this morning clearing the driveway - and a few neighbors'.

The Ariens is a powerful machine, and its shiny orange metal really stands out in the snow. It glides up and down the driveway, throwing snow 30 feet away, leaving a beautiful clear driveway. And the best part is that no one has to shovel the driveway. All the snowblower needs is a gallon or so of gas and it is good to go for a whole season.

Decluttering 101: Selling on Ebay

2011-01-12T13:54:00.000-05:00

Mickey Mouse and friends - Pinocchio, Daisy Duck, Pluto, Bugs Bunny

Parting with Mickey Mouse - or Not

I've been on a major decluttering mission. The prize would be to have closets that look like those in Real Simple magazine. Realistically, I just don't want to have a shoe fall out and hit me on the head when I open my closet door. I've been tackling one closet at time, making piles of items to give to charity, to give to friends or family, to throw out, to save, and to sell.

It's really hard to get rid of things I've been saving for years, but I keep reminding myself that I haven't regretted getting rid of one thing. Because my house has very small closets and very little storage, I still have a long way to go. For followers of my blog, you know that I was inspired after hearing Gail Blanke speak and reading her fabulous book, Throw Out Fifty Things.

I recently discovered selling on ebay as another way to declutter. A great way to get rid of that old camera that I never used but was very valuable to a collector in Illinois. I also parted with a handmade patchwork quilt that was taking up a whole shelf in a closet - several bidders went crazy for it! Then I started selling my old toys (yes, I still have some) and my son's old toys. So, that's why I took this photo of Mickey and friends and put it up on ebay to sell. Turns out, my mother saw my ebay listing and wanted to bid on the Disney figurines! I told her that I could simply withdraw them from sale and give them to her. Which I did. When I gave them to my mother, she said she didn't want them because she thought they were much bigger. So, there they are back in my storage room - together with Winnie the Pooh, Owl, Piglet and Eyeore - you'll see them on ebay next week!

Winnie the Pooh and friends - Piglet, Eeyore and Owl

What We're Watching: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

2011-01-10T07:22:00.001-05:00

A little embarassing but I'll put it out there ....
I'm an avid follower of this reality series. It's one of only two shows that I enjoy in the evenings. When watching Real Housewives on Thursday nights, I tell my sons not to bother me unless it's an emergency. Not kidding.

Can't get over how catty and competitive these grown women are. Watching the show, I count my blessings: the women in my life - mother, mother in law, sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces and girlfriends - are supportive and kind, each and every one offers qualities and strengths to admire. As I see it (rose-colored, maybe....but still my perception is my reality), their intentions are to edify rather than tear down.

Back to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I like Kyle. She's real, acts in a natural manner, and seems to have her priorities in line. Kyle's the type of woman with whom I'd be happy to be friends. Confident and stylish as well, but then all the women have high style. I enjoy checking out their accessories: earrings, cuff bracelets, necklaces, purses ... maybe I should get a pair of huge hoop earrings.

A tight marriage, happy children, and good friends, Kyle is a woman to admire.
Lisa (the paradigm of classy combined with hip) and Adrienne are my two next favorites. I admire Adrienne's strength, conviction, and dedication to martial arts. Her marriage seems playfully fun-loving, devoted, and healthy.

I'm addicted to this series and ("obvi," as my boys would say) I've divulged to the blogosphere... my husband sometimes indulges me by watching it with me so I can talk to him about it later....lol; he's the best.

If you haven't tried this series yet, give it a shot. NY City Housewives is a good place to start: The Real Housewives of New York: Season One and The Real Housewives of New York: Season Two.

Pardon the cliche, but this series - with all its shenanigans - confirms that money and status do not necessarily yield peace and contentment. The show does, however, yield a deluge of drama - I have boys, no drama. Refined girlfriends, no drama. Very good family, no drama. Again, I count my blessings.

~ Linda

What We're Into: Linda tries to Prioritize

2011-01-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

People think stay-at-home moms have all the time in the world. Not true.
In fact, when Monday morning hits and the kids are at school, I don't know which direction to head in first. I feel scattered and pulled in myriad directions, unsure of what to tackle first:

food shopping, erranding (always a gazillion), scheduling doctor, dentist, orthodontist, car, and vet appointments, organizing a closet or cabinet, sorting through paperwork, taking a walk, calling friends to catch up, gift shopping, the list is endless.

I remember Mom calling it "the merry-go-round" and I didn't get it.
Now I do: spinning like a top.

Prioritizing well is something I plan to really work on this year.
Health and family are at the top of the list - this I know for sure. Next is what my husband and sons need. Basics of keeping the household running efficiently and serenely are next in line (wouldn't that be wonderful ... with three sons and a vociferous dog, I'm a helpless idealist.) Then the real challenge of prioritizing looms.

Which entreprenurial idea to tackle? Which lunch date to make? Who to visit? Which store to go to? Which topics to learn about? Blog template design and taking photos should be on the list; I'm amateurish at both.

Prioritizing well is an art of living skill.
I've heard it said: People first, things second.
This wisdom I adopt whole-heartedly. So if one of the guys calls (and the 3-year-old calls often) and the dishes are piled high in the sink or the groceries are not put away, I'm off and running...

I think a big part of prioritizing is taking the time to carefully think through the options before deciding to have an "indoor day" (and tackling a million indoor things) or to get in the car. Prioritizing well might start with sitting down in the living room (one of my favorite rooms in our house - light colors, serene) more often ... to think ... and plan the day. This part sounds very appealing.

One more 2011 intention is set. I'll keep you posted if I make any headway.

Cooking with Laura - Ravioli

2011-01-05T20:03:00.000-05:00

Ravioli are delicious as an appetizer for a holiday meal or as a main course. The key is to combine an excellent fresh ravioli with a fabulous tomato sauce. I love New York Ravioli Company's large round cheese ravioli. Make a simple fresh marinara sauce, and serve with a good quality, freshly-grated parmigiana or pecorino cheese.

To make a delicious marinara sauce, saute 4 sliced cloves of garlic and one small onion, finely chopped, in two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil until onions are translucent (about 10 minutes). Add one can (32 oz.) crushed tomatoes - I like Tuttorosso. Simmer about 60 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Be sure to cook the ravioli until it is al dente - if it is too solft, the ravioli can open up and the filling can ooze out. I like to use a hand held scoop colander to take the cooked ravioli out of the pot. It is much easier than carrying the large pot of boiling water to the sink and pouring it into a colander in the sink.

Accented in 14k gold, these floral bowls were my grandmother's who we called Nanny. Nanny came to the United States with her mother when she was only eleven months old. Each time I use them I think of her. They are elegant and perfect for serving a pasta appetizer.

Baking with Laura - Traditional Italian Pizzelles

2011-01-02T20:02:00.001-05:00

Pizzelles are a tradition in our family. Pizzelles are an Italian waffle cookie. They are crispy and delicious, flavored with anise. My grandmother made pizzelles on a iron with a long handle which was heated on the stove. I use an electric pizzelle baker that makes two pizzelles at once. I cook them for about 60 seconds each and place them on my granite countertop to cool off. Once they are cool, sift confectioner's sugar on them. Then you can stack them and place them in a cylindrical tupperware or other container.

We make pizzelles for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and other special events. They are delicious with coffee or tea, as a breakfast, a snack, or a dessert.

Traditional Italian Pizzelles

3 organic eggs
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. anise extract
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat eggs and sugar. Add cooled melted butter, anise, and vanilla. Sift flour and baking powder; add to egg mixture. Batter should be firm enough to drop onto pizzelle griddle by teaspoonfulls. Batter may be refrigerated for use at a later times. Makes approx 30 pizzelles, depending on the size of your pizzelle baker.

My sister Linda's pizzelle baker (pictured above) is the Quattro by VillaWare because it makes four, delicate waffle cookies at a time that resemble snowflakes. A similar grill called Piccolo (Italian for "small") is available from Cucina Pro: CucinaPro 220-03 Piccolo Pizzelle Baker. In our family, people tend to take a stack of pizzelles off the dessert buffet, instead of just one, at a time.

For additional delicious flavor, try adding fresh lemon zest, orange zest, or drizzling with melted dark chocolate.

Enjoy!

Cooking With Linda: Grilled Chicken Parmigiana & What We're Reading in the New Year: Giada De Laurentiis Cookbooks

2011-01-01T10:18:00.000-05:00

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to try even harder to make healthy family meals a priority. This is a big challenge in a busy household packed with school, work, team sports (peak of winter and one of our boys is in a basketball league; the other, baseball training), teen social lives, and the interminable, high-priority

To-Do List.

This meal was a winner because the whole family - husband, teens, 3-year-old, and myself, enjoyed it. Satisfying Italian soul food and healthy too, grilled chicken parm starts by making a big pot of fresh tomato sauce: in extra virgin olive oil, saute 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic, half a vidalia onion finely sliced, 2-3 leaves of fresh basil.

Add two cans of whole plum tomatoes (broken up by hand), salt and pepper. We like crushed red pepper for heat. Let sauce simmer gently for about an hour. Meanwhile, prepare the chicken by pounding the boneless, skinless cutlets very thin (or you can buy them thinly sliced), sprinkling some olive oil, salt and lemon juice and grilling them until cooked through. Super quick due to its top and bottom grilling function, I use my Wolfgang Puck Panini Duet, which is not only a multipurpose grill but a great panini maker!

Layering (the fun part) begins: thin layer of tomato sauce at the bottom, then grilled chicken, next part-skim shredded mozzarella, ample slices of savory imported scarmorza (smoked fresh mozzarella), fresh basil, and plenty of parmesan-reggiano grated cheese. The non-traditional part of this preparation is that the chicken breasts are grilled not breaded and pan fried.

In a lasagna pan or a stainless steel roasting pan, bake in a preheated 350 degrees oven until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.

Cool 15-20 minutes before serving so your sliced portions stay together. Serve with tricolor salad, thin spaghetti, and Italian bread.

My sister, nieces, and I are big fans of Giada De Laurentiis - trying new recipes from her cookbooks Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites and Giada at Home: Family Recipes from Italy and California is on my list of New Year's resolutions.

Buon Appetito!

Economizing Key - Leftovers for Lunch:

My boys enjoy chicken parmesan sandwiches the next day on Italian hero rolls. Add slices of roast red bell peppers, tomato, and crisp Romaine lettuce.

Baking with Linda: Chocolate-Cranberry-Walnut Biscotti

2010-12-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

Chocolate Biscotti Dough
Perfectly Prepared by my Oldest Son

All my boys, my husband, and extended family (or so they say) love these traditional Italian cookies, which I make about 2 -3 times a year & definitely for Christmas. A delicious blend of flavors and crunch make them a family favorite.

Cream together:
2/3 cup softened butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
4 organic eggs
3 tsp. vanilla extract

Blend dry ingredients (separately):
2/3 cup unsweetened, unsalted cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 cup dark, bittersweet chocolate morsels
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup craisins, each sliced in half

Whip the softened butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in your KitchenAid Mixer. Incorporate dry ingredients separately in a big bowl. First break up the walnuts by hand and cut the craisins in thirds - less likely for the "bars" to fall apart when slicing them from the log formations. Once splatter guards are in place (I recommend them!), spoon the dry mixture into the wet mixture, about a half cup at a time.

On Pam-sprayed cookie sheet, form two 12" by 4" logs. Tip from Mom: lightly coat your hands with flour so the dough doesn't stick to your fingers.

Bake 23-25 minutes @375 degrees. Let cool 20 minutes before slicing, on a slight diagonal, into "bars." I use a broad-blade knife to slice the logs; my knife measures 1.5" by 6" and works perfectly.

Situate bars, flat-side-down, onto cookie sheet and bake 6 minutes on each side for about 5 minutes. This allows biscotti to cook through and become firm.

Almost 16, my oldest son is an expert at making these biscotti and can make them completely on his own. He and my 13-year-old fight over who's getting the mixing blade and batter bowl! As he and his brothers have discovered, chocolate biscotti are excellent for dipping in tall glasses of milk.
Biscotti look beautiful when served with a fine dusting of confectioner's powdered sugar. They freeze very well; in fact, we like them right out of the freezer with a cup of capuccino or espresso.

La Dolce Vita

What We're Reading - Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke

2010-12-12T12:32:00.001-05:00

Decluttering 101:
I heard Gail Blanke speak at an event a few weeks ago and immediately bought her book, Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life. Gail was funny, engaging, and insightful. Her book is an easy and fun read, and manages to find the task of decluttering to have profound effects.

The first seven chapters take you room by room through your house - your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, dining room, attic, and garage. She encourages you to clear out the physical clutter from the mismatched socks, to the unidenitified keys, to the expired medicines for ailments you no longer have. Gail next takes you into your office to not only get rid of old credit card statements, but to also streamline your brand.

After letting go of the physical clutter, Gail encourages readers to let go of the mental mess - letting go of regrets, letting go of having to be right, etc. Gail shows how de-cluttering your house helps declutter your mind. This book is definitely not one of the fifty things you should throw out!

~ Laura