Author Archives: michele343

PIZZA IN A PITA

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in Kids Lunches, Recipes

≈ Leave a comment


Few foods have a higher lunchtime approval rating than pizza. This one, with the main attractions packed inside pita bread, can be served plain for finicky types or loaded with extras, such as pepperoni, olives, or peppers, for daredevils.

Ingredients

1 whole-wheat pita bread
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp. pizza or tomato sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees. Split the pita bread halfway around the edge and spoon in the cheese, tomato sauce, and any toppings. Wrap the pita in aluminum foil and bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until the cheese melts. Makes 1 serving.

FOUR-CHEESE PITA POCKET

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in Kids Lunches, Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

FOUR-CHEESE PITA POCKET

This pocket sandwich is packed with an Italian-seasoned blend of four cheeses. If you want to add a little extra oomph, spread on some of your child’s favorite spicy mustard.

Ingredients

1/4 cup ricotta cheese
2 tbsp. grated mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp. grated provolone cheese
2 tsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. dried basil
Pinch of dried oregano
Dash of black pepper
1 pita bread pocket

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, stir together the cheeses, herbs, and pepper. Split the bread halfway around the edge and fill it with the cheese mixture. Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil and bake for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Makes 1 serving.

BOLOGNA BOAT

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in Kids Lunches, Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

Bologna may not be included on most parents’ Top Five Sandwich lists, but children recognize the true worth of this lunchtime standby. This version–which comes dressed as a hot dog–tastes great accompanied by a few potato chips and a pickle.

1 tsp. mustard
1 slice bologna (or turkey bologna)
1 slice American cheese
1 hot dog bun

Spread the mustard onto the slice of bologna. Top with a slice of cheese and roll them together. Place the roll in the hot dog bun and wrap it in aluminum foil. Makes 1 serving.

Beautiful Braids

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in Girls Corner

≈ Leave a comment

How To Get Fall’s Fishtail
For the perfect side fishtail braid, follow these steps:
1.     If you are starting with clean hair, spritz a little texturizing spray on for volume. For an unwashed mane, give yourself some added texture with a dose of dry shampoo.
2.     Collect your hair into a loose side ponytail and split it into two sections—for precision, use a styling comb. (Tip: a hair elastic will help temporarily secure your mane while you braid.)
3.     Take a small bit of hair from the outer side of right section and weave it into the opposite section on the left.
4.     Repeat on the other side. (Tip: you are going to be weaving more or less hair, depending on the thickness of your strand.) Alternate weaving back and forth until you’ve reached a comfortable place to secure your braid.
5.     For a more disheveled feel, give your braid a little tug and loosen up your look. If you’re after some added glam, secure your fishtail with a decorative hair tie.
6.     And of course, a generous application of hairsprayis the only way to truly finish this style!
Whether you’re heading out for a weekend brunch or a black tie stunner, weave your way to a next level look with a beautiful braid!

Meatballs in Cream Sauce

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in Dinner, Recipes

≈ Leave a comment

OK you are going to think this is just way to easy for something oh so yummy…

For the Cream sauce…

·        Put some olive oil in the pan

·        Put the meat balls in the pan (after they are cooked) or just dump the frozen ones in from the bag.

·        Then put some beef broth in the pan and cover. Let them get all warmed up and happy.

·        Then put in some heavy cream

·        Sprinkle in some Dill Weed

·        And about 1 -2 tablespoons of butter

  Let them simmer up and things and get all creamy and happy and eat. Enjoy on pasta, potatoes, alone, on creamy polenta.

For the meatball…

·        Frozen meatballs (how ever many you want)

·        Costco has these meatballs in the meat section that are chicken & have pineapple in them they are amazing.

·        You can make your own

  • Extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed

  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley leaves

  • 1 cup milk

  • 4 thick slices firm white bread, crust removed

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground pork

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, cut into chunks

Directions

          Heat 3 tablespoons oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and parsley and cook until the vegetables are soft but still translucent, about 10 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and let cool.Pour enough milk over the bread in a bowl to moisten and let it soak while the onions are cooling. Combine the meats in a large bowl. Add the egg and Parmigiano and season generously with salt and pepper. Use your hands to squeeze the excess milk out of the bread and add that to the bowl along with the cooled onion mixture. (Hang onto the pan – you’ll need it to cook the meatballs.) Gently combine all the ingredients with your hands or with a spoon until just mixed together. Don’t overwork or the meatballs will be tough. Divide into 10 equal pieces and shape them into 10 nice looking meatballs.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.Heat a 3-count of oil in the frying pan over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 10 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil. Put the meatballs in the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes.

We are not all bad

12 Monday Dec 2011

Posted by in Friends

≈ Leave a comment

When we moved into this house we had a great neighborhood.  We started off having great neighboors and friends.  Over the years things have changed a bit as our kids and things have started to grow up.  But of course that isn’t everything.  But what to me is really sad is that people just can’t be nice.  I mean we all live together and we all wanted to start to get to know each other and do things so our kids would have a sence of tradition and community.  But well because of some people just not clicking together, thinking things about someone (maybe because of a rumor), or something well now we aren’t the close community we use to be. 

I feel sad when our kids are in the middle.  This weekend was a good example for us.  One of our neighbors daughters saw us at basketball pictures and asked if we were going to the neighborhood christmas party.  Well we were not invited to the party.  So why call it a neighborhood party when it isn’t.  My husband felt so bad telling her that we wern’t going. 

See this isn’t what we wanted or pictured when we first started this whole thing.  And well I am tired of people thinking they know what goes on in others homes.  Heck just because we have facebook and other things doesn’t mean that we know what is going on with everyone and know everyones business.  I know I don’t post everything and keep things to myself.  I don’t like putting all my dirty laundry for the world to know.  I know that even your good friends and family don’t know everything.  It is human nature to keep some things to ourselves.  So I just wish that people would break down the walls and get to know people for who they really are and maybe you will actually find a good friend or a good neighbor.  That is just who I am.