Hey Momma, I'm Hungry!

Yes, that's right. You read that correctly...30 minutes. Roasting garlic is something that I've tried exactly once before. I couldn't even bear to look at the roasted garlic mashed potatoes I made because I was so sick of the garlic smell by the time we got to eating. 

When I wanted to make some roasted garlic for the mayonnaise in the cuban hamburgers, I hit Google and found a Rachael Ray method for roasting in 30 minutes. I was all "say whaaaa?", then got down to business. 

On a side note, I still remember my rather disappointing book signing with Rachael Ray. I was a die-hard fan. Watched 30 minute meals religiously and made a few of the dishes when I started out cooking. I even bought a Yum-O shirt to wear the wonderful day that I would get to meet Rachael and we would become best friends.  

While I was waiting in line, a woman came up to me crying. She wanted Rachael to sign a book for her dad as a Father's Day gift, but they had turned her away due to time constraints. I'm a sucker. I get to Rachael and place my three books on the table (mine, my sister's, and random lady's). I didn't get much more than a passing nod and a scribble from her Sharpie...and my time was over. She must have had writer's cramp. Writer's cramp would make me cranky too. 

Oh yeah, roasting garlic...

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit .

Separate the cloves of garlic, sprinkle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rachael says that this process can be used for heads of garlic. I only used three cloves because that's all that I needed. 

Fold up the packet and place it in the oven for 30 minutes. 

Half an hour later, just squish the skins and voila! The roasted garlic clove...

pops right out of the skin! Yum!

Bye, bye roasting for hours - 400 degrees for 30 minutes is my go-to garlic roasting method. 

Posted by Hey Momma, I'm Hungry! at 6:41 AM | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

There are very few shows that I actually watch with any regularity. Most times, I have to watch episodes that I've missed OnDemand. This past weekend, I missed the finale of Worst Cooks in America and was left waiting for the episode to appear. I love me some Bobby Flay. 

He could cook for me anytime. I would not complain. When I was menu planning a few weeks ago, I had these hamburgers planned. Then life happened, and for whatever reason, this recipe was put on the back burner. Until yesterday. I am so sorry that I waited so long to make these burgers. They were completely delicious and quick to throw together. The roasted garlic mayonnaise and dijon mustard turn this into a burger that is truly divine. Even DJ gobbled it up! With the weather warming up enough to be grilling, this recipe is a nice little edition to any cooking repertoire. 

I am looking forward to warmer temperatures this weekend and getting outside to get some work done. Hope that you have a wonderful weekend! 

Cuban HamburgersSource: Bobby Flay

Ingredients
2 pounds ground chuck
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 cloves roasted garlic, pureed
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
4 soft, classic hamburger buns
8 slices thinly sliced Swiss cheese
4 slices thinly sliced smoked ham
2 dill pickles

Directions
Preheat the grill to high. Form the meat into 4 burgers. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes on both sides for medium doneness. When the burgers are done, remove from the heat. Adjust temperature of grill to medium-low. 

In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and roasted garlic (more on this tomorrow), seasoning with salt and pepper. 

Spread both sides of each bun with mayonnaise and mustard. Place a slice of cheese on the bottom portion of each bun. Assemble the burgers by adding another piece of cheese, slice of ham, another slice of cheese,  pickle, and cover with the top of the bun.  

Wrap the burgers in aluminum foil and place on the grill. Using a heavy pan or a brick wrapped in foil, press down on the burgers for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Lower the lid of the grill and cook an additional minute or two to melt the cheese and allow the flavors to meld. 

Posted by Hey Momma, I'm Hungry! at 4:48 AM | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

Let's get right to the good times this past weekend - Easter. DJ got a bike from the Easter bunny. He's so excited to start to ride it - we just need to get him a helmet and safety pads. 

It was so nice to be able to see my family on Easter. Working for a hospital, there really is no time off. It definitely makes me realize how lucky I am to be able to spend some time with the ones I love. Maria is going to be a beautiful bride in July of 2014, which means that she will be moving. Not just a little - like other side of the US and possibly out of the country. It makes me adamant to spend as much time as I can with her before she spreads her wings and starts her own family. So very many crazy baking nights to come. 

I've been really searching pinterest for sensory activities for DJ to do. Cornmeal and a pan made for a perfect activity that DJ played with for a good hour, at least. 

He made a jump and used his monster trucks. 

How cute are these letters that I bought as magnets for the fridge? The letters have little eyeballs and are so very cute. 

And anything that motivates DJ to practice spelling his name? Winner. 

Some of the warmer days have really made me think about summer, spring cleaning, landscaping, and gardening. I am famously lack-luster at decorating the house. When I saw this stacked flower pot, I knew that I had to try it. Can't wait to share the results with you!

Posted by Hey Momma, I'm Hungry! at 6:41 AM | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

I love a good potato. I've tried time and time again to make good potato bites, fries, chips, etc. I haven't always been successful. Sure, they were edible, but not exactly enjoyable. It makes me very, very happy to see the food disappear with joyful bites. 

Who ever knew that something as simple as giving the potatoes a head start with a parboil  would be the secret to making them so crispy and delicious! I am so excited to share these with you. Hope you get in the kitchen soon and make these puppies! 

Crispy Potato Bites
adapted from Kristin Schell

Ingredients

1½ – 2 lbs potatoes, quartered

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

For the seasoning: 

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Place the potatoes in the water and set timer for 8 minutes.

While potatoes are boiling, combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

When timer goes off, drain potatoes into a colander.

Place pot back on stove on medium heat, melt butter and add olive oil. Pour drained potatoes back into pot and toss until coated with butter/olive oil mixture. Add seasoning, toss potatoes to coat.

Place potatoes skin side up on parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until crispy.

Posted by Hey Momma, I'm Hungry! at 5:15 AM | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

As any parent knows, sometimes a little time out is necessary to regroup when things get a little out of hand. In that spirit, I'm taking a time out to share some precious moments that I've had the joy of experiencing lately. 

Last week, I was able to spend some time with my former spelling assistant. It was so wonderful to be able to see Dave and play his favorite game, Jeopardy. 

Even though the numbers are fuzzy, I know that I had the highest score on the board before I had to leave for the night. It's proof that I really am smart. 

I can have more please?

I made dog treats for a four-legged friend that joined us that night. I let Duke be my taste-tester. Judging from the fact that he sat and stared at my every time I walked into the kitchen, I'll say the treats were doggy-delicious. 

DJ had talent day at school. He's always stealing my camera to take pictures. Since he's not a girl that I can simply dress in a tutu and pass off as a dancer, photographer was the perfect choice. Here is a picture of his monster trucks in the garage. He loves monster trucks and uses my coupon binders as jumps. 

I took some paid time off to do some errands and do some bridal dress shopping for my sister's wedding next July. DJ and I paid a visit to Great-Grandma. DJ insisted on wearing his Halloween costume that day. What a wonderful moment to capture!  

One of my absolute musts is taking some quiet time, even if just for a few minutes in  between loads of laundry and cleaning, to read. Lately, I've taken a real interest in getting my financial house in order and being self sufficient. I'm not very far into Smart Women Finish Rich, but I look forward to learning more. Momma needs some time to herself after all. 

DJ likes "reading" too! Apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Almost to the weekend!

Posted by Hey Momma, I'm Hungry! at 5:57 AM | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

Working a crazy schedule means not being home for dinner the majority of the time. It's been a challenge to get into a routine of making a delicious meal, just to leave it to be reheated later. By the time I come home, I just want to get a shower, share some snuggle time, and go to bed. My share of the dishes end up in the refrigerator to be reheated the next day for lunch.

The thing I love about this recipe is that you can make the chicken and vegetables ahead of time, mix up the sauce in a separate bowl, and pop both in the fridge to be heated through and combined when it's actually meal time. It's a great, healthy meal that can be on the table in about half an hour - who doesn't love that?!

Honey Cashew Chicken with Rice 
slightly adapted from Prevention RD

Ingredients1 cup dry brown rice

For the chicken 
2 (6-oz) skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp  black pepper
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cups broccoli florets
3/4 cup frozen edamame
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1/3 cup unsalted, dry-roasted cashews

For the sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp lower-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp Sriracha, if you like spice (I left it out)

Directions

Cook rice according to package directions.

In a bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Dredge chicken in the mixture. 
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame oil. Saute chicken for 5 minutes until browned. Increase heat to high, and add broccoli, edamame, garlic, and onion. Stir occassionaly until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are crisp-tender, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in cashews.

In a small bowl, combine vinegar, honey, and soy sauce. Stir with whisk until combined. Add the sauce to the chicken, stirring to combine. Serve over a bed of rice. 

Posted by Hey Momma, I'm Hungry! at 5:00 AM | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |

At my work, we are having a weight race. Even though I don't have much weight to lose, I joined for the sake of having to be accountable for making healthy decisions like grilled chicken instead of my to-go-meal of pizza, using more fresh produce in our meals, and making time to use those fitness DVDs and weights that have been collecting dust. I try to be good, but working in a kitchen poses a huge problem. The try-not-to-eat-everything-in-sight problem. Turns out these smoothies are the perfect answer to a quick tummy filler for breakfast, before work, or a refreshing treat after a workout. 

Berry Smoothies
adapted from Annie's Eats

Ingredients

1 ripe banana, peeled
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1½ cups baby spinach leaves
1 cup orange juice
Agave syrup or honey, for sweetening if needed

Directions
Place the banana, blueberries, raspberries, spinach, and juice into a blender or food processor. Mixture is done when no flecks of spinach are visible. Add additional juice for desired texture and syrup or honey for desired sweetness. 

Posted by Hey Momma, I'm Hungry! at 5:00 AM | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to X Share to Facebook |