Scrumptious Sundays

Overnight Oats (serves 2)

1 c old fashioned oats (uncooked)

2 c milk (dairy, almond, or coconut)

2 Tbsp Chia seeds

1 small very ripe banana (mashed)

1/8 c chopped walnuts

2 Tbsp goji berries (or any berry dried/fresh)

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground flax seed

Variations:  add peaches, grapes, dried apples or any combination of chopped fruit (dried or fresh)

Combine everything.  Store overnight (or at least 6 hours) in refrigerator.  The oats will soak up the liquid so no cooking is needed.  If you want a hot breakfast simply warm the oat mixture on the store or in the microwave.  Add a few drops of honey if more sweetness is desired.

Our favorite so far has been using fresh raspberries and almost milk.  Lots of variations (even chocolate milk?) to try!! I use a mason jar to put it in, and have eaten it up to 3 days after I made it.  Texture was still fine.  Got 3 ready-made breakfasts out of it.  Jason says he feels like it fills him up longer than a protein shake.

Scrumptious Sundays

Spicy Basil Chicken

Super, duper easy!  Great backup recipe when you don't know what to make for dinner. 

 Even little Liam liked the spicy chicken.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons canola oil

1/4 cup minced shallots

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

6 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces 

1 tablespoon fish sauce

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons lower-sodium soy sauce

1 1/4 teaspoons chile paste with garlic (such as sambal oelek)

1 teaspoon water

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup sliced basil leaves 

Preparation

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add shallots and garlic to pan; cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add chicken to pan; cook 13 minutes or until chicken is done. Combine fish sauce and the next 6 ingredients (through salt) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add fish sauce mixture to pan, and cook for 1 minute or until mixture thickens, stirring to coat chicken. Remove from heat. Stir in basil.

Scrumptious Sundays

Creamy Corn Risotto
Cooking Light August 2013

Ingredients

1 large red bell pepper

4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 6 ears)

1 3/4 cups 1% low-fat milk 

2 tablespoons butter, divided

2 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock

1/2 cup chopped onion 

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 cup uncooked Arborio rice or other medium-grain rice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

1/4 cup dry white wine 

1/2 cup sliced green onions

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler to high.

2. Cut bell pepper in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 8 minutes or until blackened. Wrap peppers in foil; let stand 5 minutes. Peel and chop.

3. Combine corn, milk, and 1 tablespoon butter in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer; cook 10 minutes. Stir in stock; keep warm over low heat.

4. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; swirl to coat. Add onion and garlic to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in rice, salt, and black pepper; sauté 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in wine; cook 30 seconds or until liquid almost evaporates, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in 1 1/2 cups corn mixture; cook 3 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Reserve 1/2 cup corn mixture. Add remaining corn mixture, 1 cup at a time, stirring frequently until each portion of corn mixture is absorbed before adding the next (about 20 minutes total). Remove pan from heat; stir in 1/2 cup corn mixture, bell pepper, and green onions.

Liam's 1st day of Preschool

Liam is attending Preschool for the first time this year.  He is going full day, but only one day a week (Wednesdays).  His classroom is the same place he goes to for nursery on Sunday at church so it is a familiar place.  He's gone 3 times now and seems to love it every time.  Vocabulary is still minimal so he isn't telling us he loves it, but he doesn't cry when we leave him and his daily report typically says happy, energetic and playful.  He looks so big in some of these pictures.

 Didn't love the backpack at first

 Big brother put his hat on Liam, and Liam refused to take it off.  Wore it all day!

That's our typical happy, smiling boy!!

Gavin's 1st Day of 2013 Preschool

Gavin is attending preschool 3 days a week this year.  M, W, F for half days.  His first day was Monday August 26th and he couldn't have been more excited.  He went to 3 weeks of summer camp and his teachers were the same teachers he will have this year.

He chose the first day of school outfit.