Want to know what I had to make for dinner on Father’s day?
I asked him what he wanted and he told me to ask Ian. I said that Ian would pick spirals (Kraft Mac & Cheese, the spiral noodle version). Which he somehow confused with spaghetti-o’s, and decided that was what he wanted. Some spaghetti-o’s. Yep, that’s right. I had to go buy some spaghetti-o’s for him.
I made some Annie’s organic star soup for the boys, and grilled cheese for all plus broccoli & carrots. Except me, I had some cheesy shells.
But after spending the day organizing and rearranging things, that simple meal was perfect for me.
Ian’s first snow cone of the season
I have been on a one course meal lately. This week is no exception.
I don’t just want casseroles, but I don’t want to think about making two things for dinner plus a vegetable. I don’t want a meat and a side, just everything together.
Yes, yes, I know, it’s Tuesday not Monday….I had wanted to put my meal plan out on Sunday night, so it wouldn’t interfere with the Silhouette Challenge post yesterday, but the best laid plans of mice. Right?
Why is dinner time so trying for my children?
Sid is such a little copycat, he does everything his brother does. So when Ian doesn’t stay in his seat at dinner, neither does Sid. Sunday was one of those nights. I got the boys their plates and Ian informed me they wanted to eat outside. So I put the plates down on their little table outside and proceeded to get mine ready.
Twice I had to go out to tell them to sit down. On the benches, not the table. And no, they don’t need to ‘just go get a toy’ or a stick or a ball or a blanket or anything else. I hadn’t even gotten food on my plate by this time. I turn back to the kitchen when I hear that distinct sound of a plastic plate hitting the ground.
Ian had gotten up, again, and Sid decided brother’s identical dinner looked better than his own. So he reached for it, and Ian rushed back to save it and somehow Sid’s plate got knocked to the ground.
Mama lost it, and so did dad. OK. We didn’t really flip out that much, but we did have to raise our voices, to which a very tired Sid responded with loud bawling and refusal to eat at all. After I finally got my dinner plate ready I relented and let Sid sit on my lap, and he still wouldn’t eat, but at least he wasn’t screaming any more. I somehow tricked him into taking a bite and he was hooked after that. But who could resist pulled pork slowly cooked in beer?
Both boys finally ate their dinner, I still had to remind Ian to keep eating, and to stay sitting but we got through it.
This was not taken on Sunday, they just love to eat outside
I have finally found a non-condensed, organic tomato soup that I like.
Let me clarify something: I DO NOT like tomatoes. At all. They totally gross me out, and I can’t stand the smell.
But I have always like Campbell’sTomato soup, because it doesn’t taste like tomatoes. (I will eat tomato based stuff like marinara sauce, but I don’t like the chunks of tomatoes in it)
I am trying to get away from the canned soup with the high sodium, because I don’t want the boys eating it. I finally found one that I like, it is not condensed, so you don’t need to add anything to it. But I found it is the perfect ingredient to this wonderful Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup with Tortellini.
Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup with Tortellini
What you will need:
1 20 0z package of refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 32 0z box of Pacific (or any brand) tomato soup*
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
pepper to taste
How to make it:
In a large pot boil pasta according to package directions
In another pot melt butter, blend in flour and cook on low till thick and bubbly. Stir in milk, cook on low stirring constantly, add grated Parmesan cheese. You may use shredded cheese but the smaller the cheese pieces the easier it will melt and incorporate into roux.
Slowly whisk in tomato soup, basil, garlic and pepper. Simmer on low until soup is warmed and pasta is cooked, mix with cooked pasta.
Serve warm with crusty sourdough rolls.
*If you would like you can substitute for 2 cans of condensed soup plus 1 pint of cream and an additional 1/2 cup milk. Don’t have time to make a roux? That’s OK. Omit butter & flour, substitute milk for heavy cream. Heat cream, add cheese then follow the rest of the directions.
1 20 0z package of refrigerated cheese tortellini
I Tri and Craft 