Cobbler a la Traci

This has to be one of the fastest and easiest (and tastiest) recipes I've encountered. It comes to me via another one of my "super mom" friends who manages to do it all. Traci has two young children, works in the same stressful business as Annie and me, successfully runs her home, and can STILL show up to work every morning with a smile on her face and looking very stylish, indeed. She brought this cobbler type dessert to one of our many office potluck/birthday celebrations and was more than happy to share her recipe.

Cherry Cobbler

2 cans cherry pie filling
1 box white or yellow cake mix
1 1/2 sticks butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Put the cans of cherry pie filling in a 9 x 13 dish. Sprinkle the box of cake mix over the cherries. Melt the butter and drizzle over the cake mix. Sprinkle the nuts over the top, if desired. Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.

The cherry pie filling can also be substituted with any of your other favorite fruit filling.

I'm telling you, it doesn't get any easier than that!


Thanks for saving the day, Traci!

A Dedication

I would like to dedicate this post to the inspiration behind this blog - my dear friend and co-worker, Annie, who is, I might add, the ultimate SUPER mom. I don't know how she does it: mother to two active boys, wife, career as a financial advisor (and we all know that isn't easy!) - and that's just the tip of the iceberg. One day, Annie asked me if I had any recipes for fast and easy meals she could make for her family before dashing off to soccer practice. Well, I began typing up some recipes and emailing them to her. The emails began to be forwarded to others until finally I decided to start the blog, get creative with it, and share it with as many people as I could. All because of Annie - who is also celebrating her birthday today. Happy Birthday, Annie!



Chinese Fried Rice

1 1/3 cup uncooked instnt rice (I use instant brown rice as a healthier option - you can also use regular uncooked rice if you have the spare time, whateve that is)
1 cup water, plus 1/3 cup
2 eggs
butter or oil
soy sauce to taste

The measurements above are for about 4 servings. For my group, I double this.

Bring the ONE cup of water to a boil, then add the rice (unless you're using NON-instant rice, follow the package directions). Cover and remove from heat, allow to sit for five minutes.

In the meantime, scramble the eggs in butter/oil. Add rice to eggs and cook on high temperature for about five minutes or until browned to your liking, stirring very often. Add the 1/3 cup of water and cook down. Add soy sauce to taste and heat through.

I've used this recipe for many years. It's great because you can add shrimp, pieces of cooked chicken, vegetables, etc., whatever your family likes, toward the end of the cooking process. For extra protein I add a couple of extra eggs; I've even attempted to use tofu, but my family resisted with a resounding, "NO!" At any rate, it's very versatile.

This dish is also excellent with the following Egg Drop Soup recipe.

Egg Drop Soup

2 eggs
2 cups water
2 chicken flavored bouillon cubes
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)

This can also be doubled, tripled, etc. You may use chicken stock in place of the water and bouillon.

Boil the bouillon in the water until the cubes are dissolved. Bring the temperature down to a simmer. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken stock (bouillon) until very well incorporated (no lumps). Carefully pour the cornstarch mixture back into the pan and stir thoroughly. Whisk the eggs (tip: use the same bowl from the cornstarch to save a dirty dish). In one hand, VERY SLOWLY pour the beaten egs into the pan while slowly stirring the soup with the other. You may add a little soy sauce if desired. To garnish, sprinkle some chopped green onion on top.

Go save the day, Annie!

Flying by the Seat of My Pants

Yeah, that pretty much sums up the story of my life (Chick, stop nodding your head). And speaking of Chick, I was on my way home from work one evening this week, when he called and wanted to know what was for dinner. To be honest, I was kind of hoping for a quiet, pick-at-this-and-that sort of night so I didn't have a menu planned, however he had a stressful day and was looking for some comfort food. I weakly suggested, "I have some chicken?" "Okay." Well, when I arrived home, I did what comes naturally to me: wonder, "now what?" Wanting to try something different, I made up a Chicken Parmesan recipe as I went along to see what would happen. This may be how it went:

Spontaneous Chicken Parmesan

Several chicken breasts
Couple of handfuls of seasoned croutons, thoroughly crushed
Grated parmesan cheese
Cooking spray
1 egg, beaten
Salt
Mozzarella cheese
Spaghetti sauce

(Remember, friends, this was done on a whim so no measurments were used.)

Pre-heat oven to 375 F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil, if you prefer. Combine the bread crumbs (crushed croutons, wink - wink) and the parmesan. Butterfly the chicken and dip it in the beaten egg, then dredge it in the crumb/parmesan mixture and place in the baking dish. Salt it. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until no longer pink in the center. During the last 5 minutes in the oven, sprinkle some mozarella over each piece. Ladle a generous helping of the spaghetti sauce in the center of each plate and place a chicken breast on top.

While the chicken was cooking, I threw together some corn on the cob and green beans with almonds.

Then I held my breath.

Chick exclaims, "Un - believ - able! This is the perfect end to a rough day!"


Sigh of relief. Don't you love it when a "plan" comes together?

Fisher of Men

It's been said that the fish Jesus used to feed the multitudes was Tilapia. Although the Bible doesn't mention the specific kind of fish that was caught, I like to believe it is. Tilapia is such a clean, mild-flavored fish and one of my family's favorites. One evening, on a whim, I threw together a few simple ingredients for something different and, thankfully, they approved - the fish was consumed so quickly, I wasn't able to photograph it or even try it!

Baked Tilapia

Fresh tilapia fillets
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning

Preheat your oven to 375 F. Arrange the fillets in a lightly greased glass baking dish. According to your taste, sprinkle the rest of the ingredients over the fish and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes or until it flakes easily with a fork.

Does it get any simpler than that? Serve with a simple salad, your favorite bread, and all will be right with the world.

Now, go save the day, Mom.

Breakfast Tip

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Breakfast food is my favorite kind of food. So, on the weekend I consider it a treat for me (and my family) to cook a big breakfast. But, as you all know, it's frustrating during the weekday morning rush to make sure everyone, not only eats breakfast, but gets something you feel good about serving them. I really don't always trust these overly processed, ready-made, instant food products. However, I did come up with my own ready-made breakfast treat/solution. On these leisurely Saturday mornings when you have time to whip up a batch of your family's favorite pancakes, double the recipe. Individually wrap the leftovers and freeze them. Now, when your charges are ready for breakfast on a weekday, just pop one or two (or three or four) in the microwave for a few seconds and let 'em eat to their heart's content. Okay, I realize there are several brands of frozen pancakes out there in your "grocer's freezer", but wouldn't you much rather feed your loved ones something straight from your own hands and heart? Besides that, it saves a little money, too!

Now, go save the day, Mom!

Mom Quote of the Day

A mom quote for President's Day:

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." ~Abraham Lincoln

Moms, pray for your kids. It'll cling to them all of their lives, whether you, or they, know it.

Ch ch ch Changes...

Sorry friends, I'm a David Bowie fan from way back...

Yes, "changes" are on the way and I just couldn't wait to alert you to this new addition to the blog. It isn't another recipe (although plenty more are on the way) - it's an avatar. I know you're receiving this by email, but you just HAVE to visit the website so you can see her. ;-)

www.supermomrecipes.blogspot.com

Let me know what you think by leaving some comments!

An Odd Bird

I just love a good chicken salad. My friend Glenda, who is just the best cook ever, gave me this recipe which she improvised. When she read off the ingredients to me, I was delightfully surprised, yet even happier after I had tasted it. Of course the main ingredient is chicken, but you can cook it any way that suits you. Naturally, I adapted it to the crockpot...

Chicken Salad

3 or 4 chicken breasts
1 cup white seedless grapes cut in half
1 1/2 cups pistachios, coursely chopped
1 1/2 cups mayo
1 1/2 teaspoons curry
1 teaspoon ginger
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Place chicken breasts in the crockpot. Sprinkle with curry, ginger, and lemon juice. Cover and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours, or on high for 4 - 6 hours. When done, cut chicken into bite size pieces, then mix with grapes, mayo, and pistachios.

When I made this recently, much to my chagrin, I realized I was out of grapes. Since I had my mouth all set for a chicken salad sandwich, I substituted pineapple. Still great! Grapes will always be the best, but the pineapple was lovely, too.

Happy eating.

Mom Quote of the Day

I had an idea a couple of days ago. Katie was actually the inspiration behind it (Katie inspires a lot of things...). She had given me a daily desk calendar for Christmas with funny, and touching, parent and mom-related quotes. They're just too good not to share, so I decided to post the best ones from time to time:

From the Mom Dictionary

• Jackpot: When the kids sleep over at Grandma's for the night.
• Junk: Anything that belongs to Dad.
• Magic: A child's kiss.
  

Now, go save the day Supermom...

For the Kiddos

Call me biased, or just a mom, but I have to admit that God blessed me with the most beautiful daughter ever - inside and out. Katie LOVES to help people - she'll even tell you so. This includes helping me in the kitchen, too.

In one of her "kid" cookbooks (yes, she has her own collection) she picked out a cute recipe to share on the blog and happily agreed to pose for a photo to demonstrate.

Igloos

1 apple (your child's favorite variety)
creamy peanut butter
miniature marshmallows
cinnamon

Cut the apple in half and place on a plate cut side down. Smear peanut butter all over the outside. Stick the marshmallows to the peanut butter to resemble the ice blocks of an igloo. Sprinkle a little of the cinnamon on top.

Kinda cute, huh?

Happy eating!

Old Guys Rule!

Sorry folks, the blog hasn't been too busy lately - but life sure has. Between the holidays and the activities that accompany them, I'm ready to get back to normal. Whatever that is.

Chick turned 40 this past week. January the 13th, actually, so Katie and I threw a surprise birthday party for him here at home on Sunday. And what a surprise it was! About forty of his closest friends showed up to help celebrate his new membership to the 40-and-over-club. It's about time - I reluctantly joined about nine months ago. Anyway, we had lots of your standard cake, ice cream, punch, chips and cheese dip... However, word has it that the cheese dip recipe (courtesy of my mom, again) came from a popular Mexican restaurant around town. I don't know how true this is, but it is very good and quite different from any other recipe I've ever used.

Restaurant-Style Cheese Dip

1 pound Velveeta, cubed
1 stick butter
8 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons jalepeno pepper juice
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 tablespoons ketchup
3 1/2 cups milk

On medium low heat, melt butter and whisk in flour. Remove from heat. Add dry mustard, paprika, cumin, pepper juice, garlic salt, chili powder, and ketchup. Mix well. Return to heat. Add milk and cheese. Continue to stir until cheese is melted.

Happy Birthday Chick! Remember, old guys rule!

Enjoy!