The Masa King!

That's Samuel's new name since he created the best tasting masa for our tamales!  It's a tradition that's faltered in recent years, and this year, with the purchase of a real Tamale Steamer Pot (see below), we're back in the kitchen again.

The quest?

It's always the same:

To make the perfect tamale!

Moist, savory, some heat...

This year we made two types of tamales:

Classic Shredded Pork in a Red Chile Sauce

&

Mozzerella & Sliced Green Chilis'

 

Utterly delicious!

 

(See my pot in the background?  She's a beauty alright!)

These are not for the feint of heart and they do pack on the pounds!  But oh, to once a year sit down to a plate of three (or four) piping hot tamales...

HEAVEN!

Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Carrots...Oh my!

T

 

 

The transition from rice cereal to pureed vegetables is quite the adventure.  For most, the journey is complicated and fraught with ups and downs...a love/hate if you will.  For our son, it was the same.  He was at first startled, then grossly insulted, later resigned, and then finally he wholeheartedly embraced the new cuisine!

Oh!  To be six months again, and trying everything for the very first time!

Odwalla, where have you been all my life?

 This is a shameless post about how yummy Odwalla apple cider is.  The fact that we are NOT an apple cider family, should tell you just how wickedly delicious this stuff is!  Fortunately for us, a neighbor dropped it off with "Merry Christmas" wishes, and we paired it with some of our other favorites foods such as crackers, cheese, and sausage for a simple weeknight meal.  The kiddies suggested we eat picnic-style on the living room floor, which of course, made everything taste that much BETTER!

Enjoy a simple meal tonight!

 

Our In-house New York Deli

You know how this season can be crazy!

We found ourselves at Winco late, late, late, and what was I to do since we were determined NOT to eat out again?

Answer:

A loaf of fresh baked bread, a bag of pre-shredded slaw, and some peppery pastrami.

Result:
Hot Pastrami Sandwiches, Sweet & Crisp Coleslaw, and Crunchy Sour Kosher Dills.

 

 

And I ended up with one happy family!

I'll post the recipe for this super-simple weeknight meal on our food blog...soon.

Until then, look, read, be hungry, and then invent something incredibly yummy in your own kitchen!

I can't wait to read all about it...

Pass the Chips!

On this Thursday I was absolutely exhausted so Samuel suggested taking the family out to one of our favorite restaurants:

Felipes!

It's a small, hole-in-the-wall, to-die-for restaurant that has amazing chips and salsa-Owen was addicted!-and the best Chimichangas, Pork Tamales, and Tacos.

 

 

The kids absolutely LOVE the SUPER-cheesy quesadillas, rice, and beans.

 

We were one happy family, and I think I'll have to remember to be exhausted more often around the dinner hour!

Roast-a-doro!

We celebrated the colder weather with a roast and invited our neighbors and some families from our ward.  It was so much fun, and even though my personal favorite was the chili topped with Frito's (who doesn't love Frito's?!?), I think the favorite by far was the s'mores with dark chocolate!   

Dora and Alan (not pictured)

 

Zachary

 

 

 

Olivia, Samuel, and Gabriel

 

Tammy and John

 

 Crystal and Brandon

 

The kids had a blast roaring around in the car.

 

Sous Chefs

I am so grateful for my kitchen helpers!

 

They are a blast to work with and I love to see their culinary creations!

 

 

Check out their beautiful pizza pies!

Now that's "amor'e"!

Books & Burgers

Samuel needed to purchase his books for an upcoming class, so we made it a family affair and hit the Sac State campus.

So much has changed since I graduated in 2002.

Back then we only had one baby, Isabella!

She's so big now!

We ended our visit with a stop at Suzie Burger. We'd never been before and totally dug the crisp retro atmosphere.

A cheese-steak sandwich all the way, burgers, and fries...yum!

Gabriel sucking down his lunch of choice: Formula!