1/2 c stock
1/2 lb pork cutlets, cut in to cubes
1/2 pear, peeled and chopped
1/8 tsp nutmeg
In an 8-inch frying pan over medium heat, bring stock to a simmer. Add pork and spread out in stock. The liquid should not cover pork; pork will float. Simmer until pork is no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
In a small mixing bowl, toss pear with nutmeg. Add pear to stock in pan, cover and simmer over medium heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Drain and reserve cooking liquid.
Transfer pork to a food process and pulse until minced, about 12 times.
Transfer pears to a small mixing bowl and mash with a fork. Add pork to pears and stir to combine. Add cooking liquid to adjust moistness if needed.
Source: Cooking for Baby
1/2 c pearl barley
1 tbsp butter
1 garlic clove, minced
6 oz crimini mushrooms, chopped
1 cup stock
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp thyme
In a dry saucepan over medium heat, toast barley, stirring often, until it starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
In same saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and become tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in barley, stock, 1/3 c water, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to medium-low, cover and simmer until barley is tender, 30-35 minutes.
Source: Cooking for Baby
1/2 c quinoa
2 tbsp EVOO
1 1/2 c Stock
2 summer squashes or zucchini, coarsely shredded
1/2 tsp ground cumin
In a sauce pan, toss quinoa in 1 Tbsp of oil to coat. Add stock and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Quinoa will be translucent.
While quinoa is cooking, in a small frying pan over medium-high heat, heat remain 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add squash and cumin and saute until tender, 3-5 minutes.
Remove quinoa from heat. Add squash to quinoa and mix thoroughly before serving.
Store in refrigerator up to three days; freeze up to three months.
Source: Cooking for Baby
The house is still tidy from the night before, Mitch is sleeping in, the kitties are eating wet food in the kitchen and I have Isadora all to myself.
Sunday: Chicken enchiladas and refried beans
Monday: Spinach and cheese raviolis with red sauce. Salad.
Tuesday: Enchilada left overs and refried beans.
Wednesday: Turkey burgers and sweet potato fries (tatie tots for Mitch)
Thursday: Stir fry and Gyoza
Friday: Roast chicken breast. Salad.
Saturday: Turkey paprikash. Salad.
Neighbor Shelly’s couch cushions were a little too squishy so she decided to replace them with new firm cushions. Her couch is so much more comfortable for sitting now, but those cushions still had a lot of life left in them. She had five, but I only took two. They’re kind of big and I felt overwhelmed about trying to stash them somewhere until I could cover them.
I used the last of my awesome Barnslig fabric from Ikea to cover the cushions. I’ve used to decorate tons of stuff in Izzy’s room. Her upcycled cat litter bucket now toy storage bucket, the crib rail protector, and a crib quilt. I definitely need to go back and get more before they discontinue the pattern. I just love it!
I’m so proud of myself. I actually made gusseted corners for a perfect box fit and sewn in zippers so I can take them off and wash them. This was my third time ever sewing in a zipper on something. I messed up the first time, and had to tear it out, and do it over again, but I am very pleased with the end result.
Izzy was having so much fun “falling” into the cushions and jumping on them. I really am bummed now that I didn’t take all of them.
I wonder if she’s going to go through that brooding awkard phase when she’s a teenager? I’m thinking she’s going to totally be over it because we blast Bauhaus in her playroom. What do you think?
and don’t you for get it.
We went to the Academy of Sciences today with Grandma Judy. We found the secret little kids room, and popped inside. It was totally awesome! There was so much fun stuff for kids! I know where we’re going to spend every rainy Sunday morning this winter. (Allyson: Let me know if you and Anneke would like to join us. We’re members and we can all get in for free!)
There was a play house, a tree, a pond and best of all a sailboat complete with a galley. Izzy went straight to the galley and started whipping up tasty treats for all to enjoy.
We absolutely have to get her this play kitchen from Ikea for Christmas.
There was a tray full of plastic bugs to play with.
Izzy and Grandma Judy played with puzzles.
Izzy wore her fabulous new dress from Elena today. It was adorable and she’s such a little girl–loves to wear dresses. She looks kind of pissed off in this photo, but she wasn’t. She was just trying to figure out how to step down off the curb and in to the grass.
Izzy is starting to mimic everything these days. I guess that means I need to finally stop cussing. Today she started doing the funniest thing–she pursed her lips into the tiniest little “O.” I started cracking up, and was wondering what she could possible be copying, then I realized what she was doing. Whistling! She had a very faint whistle escaping her lips and it was the cutest thing ever. Now I realize how often I whistle at her to gain her attention or call her over to me.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. I was hoping for later. I told Izzy to come over and lie on the changing pad so I could change her diaper. She didn’t budge. Instead she chanted, no no no no no. I knew it was going to happen one day, and I had hoped it wouldn’t be her first word. Luckily, it wasn’t. Her first word was actually two words–thank you. How awesome is that?
She’s has other words too: mama, daddy, kitty, yeah and many animal sounds–meow, baaaa, *snort snort*, ssssssss, doodle do. Tonight, she said turtle. Oh that was cute! She’s also trying to repeat I love you. It’s so cute I want to squeal!
She’s been answering simple questions with yeah or a shake of the head. She’ll also honor basic commands to fetch, sit, stand, etc. sort of like a dog–so eager to please.
She can point out many body parts too. Blee-blen (belly button) is her favorite, but we’re trying to break her of the habit of yanking people’s shirts up and jamming her finger in their blee-blen. We have been unsuccessful to date. She also knows nose, ears, head, knees, toes and elbow. It is amazing to watch her learn and pick up new motor skills. This parenthood thing is pretty all right.
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
Salt
1 tablespoon EVOO
1 tablespoon butter
1 Package lean white turkey
2 to 3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
Black pepper
1 cup vegetable stock
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons parsley
2 tablespoons dill
Bring a pot of water to boil for pasta. When it comes to a boil, add pasta and salt to season the cooking water. Cook pasta 6 minutes to al dente.
While water comes to a boil and pasta cooks, heat a deep skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil then butter then ground meat. Break up meat and crumble, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic, onions, red bell peppers and seasonings to the turkey. Cook 5 or 6 minutes then add chicken stock and sour cream to the pan. Bring to a bubble and reduce heat to low. Add cooked pasta and stir. Let pasta absorb some sauce, a minute or so. Adjust seasonings and serve. Garnish the prepared dish with chopped parsley.
