Cooking Corner Blog : TLC

Menu Planning Mondays: Do you do it? HOW?!

Discovery Health Moms — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:16:52 -0400

A very good friend of mine schedules her meals for her family. She does this, after scanning the grocery store circular for the weekly bargains. She's got a great mix of vegetarian, Italian, Mexican, and comfort food. She accommodates the tastebuds of two growing boys, a darling preschool girl, and her husband, who is also a foodie.

I live in awe of this. I would love to have a more organized plan for family dinners. I'm lucky if I remember to get toilet paper as I race through the aisles at 9 pm, after the kids have fallen asleep and while my husband is engrossed in Monday Night Football.

I confessed in last week's blog that I've reverted to many a grilled cheese/soup night. This week's confession: I actually like it.

I love to cook, but at 5:30 pm, with two kids attempting to tackle homework, while I'm dicing peppers, it's just easier to open a package of something and call it a dish.

I'd love YOUR advice on menu planning. Do you do it? Do you stick to it? Would you care to share what's on your menu for this week?

Sports Moms Unite: What's for dinner?

Discovery Health Moms — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:49:49 -0400

This is my first year as part of the clique known as Football Moms. I'm also a cheer mom. My son started football this year, and my daughter is now a cheerleader.
I've learned the good and the bad: super-cute kids in uniforms, lots of exercise, but lots of fundraisers and so much time away from home!

The hardest part for me? Planning a decent meal at dinnertime.

I've had enough grilled cheese and veggies and dip for a lifetime,

How do you do it? Is there a secret I'm missing?
How do you make a quick, healthy dinner in no time?

Clue me in, wise moms! I'd love to hear your best ideas on time-saving dinners....

Sauce or gravy: Every Italian Mom makes a good one!

Discovery Health Moms — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:02:48 -0400

Nothing says comfort food in my house more than the smell of onions, peppers and garlic, simmering on the stove. Sunday dinner, in my family, means fresh sauce and pasta.

When I first got married, I thought my homemade sauce meant I could "cook". Little did I realize, living together meant dinner seven nights a week! I had to branch beyond pasta and sauce or eggplant parmigiana. That's when I learned the base of veggies and garlic could start any meal; Italian, Mexican, Asian, or even simple American. A great marinara doesn't need to be reserved solely for pasta.

Add a few kids in the mix and I learned the power to hide veggies in that beautiful tomato sauce!

My recipe is as simple as it gets:

I start with a little olive oil and minced garlic, add fresh cut onions, green and red peppers and saute until soft. Then I add about a pound of fresh tomatoes (in the summer) or a few cans of chunk tomatoes if it's off-season, and let simmer. Fresh basil, mint, and a half-cup of parmesean cheese round the whole thing out.

I love adding eggplant, since it's my favorite, or artichokes. And the kids don't even notice the extra veggies.

What's your go-to dish? What spells comfort food in your home? Pizza?

Coming Soon

Discovery — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:08:25 -0400

Coming soon