While away camping with my son’s boy scout troop on Block Island last week I made dinner for 20 adults. I also made a killer nectarine, peach & blueberry crisp (gluten-free too). It was done in a Dutch oven on a campfire. I decided to make another one (without peaches) but added another element by mixing a little lemon curd with whipped cream. Delicious.
I had a little rhubarb and some strawberry compote so I made mini strawberry rhubarb crisps at the same time.
Recipe below.
It can be hard coming up with new recipes all the time. I’ve been working a few extra p/t jobs since my husband is still out of work and it seems like we get in a rut of the same ol’ same ol’ rotation of foods. But with summer trying to spring upon us (if the damn rain would just hold up for a while) new foods (and some summer-time favorites) are getting into our weekly menus.
At the supermarket the other day I saw a special on shoulder lamb chops from Down Under (NZ/Australia) and scooped up a few packs. I thought it would be nice to put a dry rub on them instead of just grilling/cooking them with just salt and pepper.
sprinkle spice mixture on lamb
Since it was pouring out we cooked them inside. My suggested rub was fabulous and the house smelled so good while they were cooking (I’m not a big fan of cooking-lamb smell)! You could imagine yourself in some Middle Eastern or Northern African bazaar.
Lamb with Aromatic Spices
In a small bowl mix together these ground spices:
2 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp turmeric
½ Tbsp coriander
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp cayenne
½ tsp sumac
1 tsp salt
I used ½ inch thick shoulder lamb chops.
Preheat oven to 350°F or get outdoor grill started. Sprinkle spice mixture on lamb, let sit for a few seconds before rubbing in/around. You don’t need to use up all the spices, just lightly coat. (Using gloves help prevent staining, eases cleanup) Let sit for 10 minutes.
For oven method: in a hot iron skillet (on medium-high) place a tsp neutral oil and sear the meat until brown then place in oven to finish. Cook approximately 15 minutes (depending on thickness). For grill: place on indirect heat (so that spices don’t burn) for 8-10 minutes each side.
Sear in iron skillet
finish lamb in oven
My husband and I came up with a delicious sauce too– plain yogurt with fresh chopped mint, sriracha and a tiny squeeze of lemon juice. We served them with boiled new potatoes, corn off the cob, haricot vert and broccoli. All the boys love each of those vegetables, but I wasn’t sure about the lamb. I thought it might be too spicy for my youngest two so we left two small chops naked.
It was a good call. Everyone enjoyed it all and there were no tears or cries of “too spicy”. And now I’ve got a new item to add to our rotation.
Friday night I got an email that brought great news– which I need right now! The recipe my son & I entered in the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” recipe contest with The White House/First Lady’s Office, Epicurious, Dept of Education and USDA was selected as a finalist for our state! Once background checks are done and they do a final test kitchen tasting, we’ll know if we’re the winners! So we have, at worst, a 1 in 3 chance of winning.
I’ll be biting my fingers until the 3rd week in June! The winners from each state and territory get a r/t flight to DC, night’s hotel and a state dinner (really a lunch) with the other winners and Michelle Obama! My son is excited but not going to say anything until we know for sure. He’s a better person than I am.
My son picked a recipe that I’ve made in various ways but built upon the same foundation. It’s based off this. He said that lentils were optional but he didn’t put them in the recipe. And if they have milk it’s a complete My Plate (USDA guideline) meal. He had to say why he and I should be picked and I can’t find it anywhere– so I guess he just filled in the spaces on the entry form online and I didn’t save it (nincompoop!) 
So wish us luck! We could use some positive vibes. I will let you know if we get picked!
And the Food Service Director I was sort of complaining about was the one who recommended we enter! Karma be on my side, please!
My son is so thrilled to have won his own prize-winning cake!
Many moms of boys I know get a bit sick of Minecrack Minecraft. My boys play and play and play. They stay in on the computer too long and I find it hard to get them off willingly. I have to resort to turning it off or taking away another privilege. But last weekend I actually turned their obsession into something else fun. (We’ve done Minecraft themed Halloween costumes and decorating before too!)
Our town has a library that Mark Twain started and each year the library puts on a country children’s fair called the Frog Frolic. My kids run around safely unattended for hours and hours (while I volunteer at one or two stations) in the sun and fresh air, bouncing on one of several bounce houses/obstacle courses, and do cute games. For the past couple of years the fair has had a Cake Walk– kids and adults bake/decorate cakes that are then auctioned off in a contest. The contestants walk around on top of numbered lily pads and when the music stops whomever is on top of the drawn number is the winner of a cake– of their choosing. Continue reading
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Ramps! The other day while driving I noticed the ramps*. Why I hadn’t noticed them before, I can’t tell you, but the last two days I’ve noticed them everywhere. Best is that when I pulled up by my house … Continue reading
I love Thanksgiving; it’s my favorite holiday. Just family and friends gathering to enjoy each others’ company while eating good food. No presents. No expectations or disappointments surrounding gifts. No spending huge amounts of money. Just getting together and having a good time. I also love turkey with all the trimmings. So does my eldest son. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce and vegetables is a perfect meal for him. Sometimes I want the Thanksgiving dinner without going to all the trouble of making a Thanksgiving dinner!
So, I figured out a way to make a turkey dinner without roasting a turkey for 4 hours. It happened when I found thick sliced turkey breast at Trader Joe’s. I thought, I can stuff these! I don’t need no stinking whole turkey.
Continue reading
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Two of my kids’ favorite vegetables. Broccoli and green beans. I can offer them these any day of the week and they’ll eat them without any hesitation. If you notice, these are cooked. They’re ready to reheat and serve. But … Continue reading
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Brussels sprouts with Hazelnut Oil! I’m not the hugest fan of Brussels sprouts but my husband and eldest son adore them. There are ways I prefer them cooked and this is one. Blanch in pot of boiling water until almost … Continue reading
This should really be titled: you won’t believe this is gluten free or even if you can eat gluten, this recipe rocks.
One part of trying to eat gluten-free foods that I find really difficult is giving up bread and many baked items. Trust me, most gluten-free recipes (especially bread) just doesn’t compare. So, I’ve been scouring the web and cookbooks for some ideas to satisfy my occasional craving. (Funny, since I do notice that I don’t actually crave as many carbs since I’ve gone g/f)
Today I found a scone recipe through King Arthur Flour and I adapted it. 
I am so pleased. This will satisfy the pickiest eaters too and those suspicious of gluten free things (yes, there are those people out there). They come out fluffy, moist and slightly sweet but not overly. My recipe is not for all allergy sufferers as it has almond and dairy in it. Continue reading
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I’ve been eating trying to eat just gluten-free foods the past couple of weeks. I haven’t put my whole family on it yet, as we are such bread and pasta loving individuals. I’m finding it difficult to find a really good gluten-free … Continue reading