SCARE TACTICS...NO JUST PLAIN CHUTZPAH

GEMMA...PROMISING TO BE GOOD FOR CHUTZPAH!

Some of you may say I’m horrible for admitting this and I certainly won’t win Mother of the Year Award this year…but I have been known to use scare tactics when it comes to the kids. I hope they’re not scarred for life…or in therapy (which I’ll offer to pay)…but at times when they don’t want to go to bed, won’t listen, fight with one another, won’t eat dinner or mess their bedroom…Chutzpah comes a calling. Who is Chutzpah? Isn’t this a Hebrew word for audacity or nerve? Well yes…but in my house it’s also a three legged pig wolf who eats children when they don’t listen to their parents. The actual term is Chupacabre which I learned one night watching Dateline or Animal Planet…or maybe both. I was taken with the story of a creature of the night who ate goats and sheep. I couldn’t remember the name Chupacabre and so when I told the story the name came out as Chutzpah….And now when the kids won’t listen to me I warn them that Chutzpah is in the backyard just waiting to prey on small children who are being bad. (I guess this is my version of Where the Wild Things Are).

This past weekend there was an article in the local paper that Zombies were collecting money in the parking lot for some cause (I suppose they were Zombies since its close to Halloween). Anyway 4 year old Gemma saw the picture of a bloodied zombie and asked me…”Mommy are these Zombies going to eat me?” What mother in her right mind wouldn’t say…of course not sweetie…they don’t exist. No not me…I responded by saying “well if you don’t sleep in your own room tonight they might stop by. She was terrified…but at least I’ll get some sleep.

CEDAR GROVE COOKING CLUB

THE CEDAR GROVE COOKING CLUB HAS PUBLISHED A COOKBOOK--WHICH I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY

Last night I spoke at the local Cedar Grove Library. I shared thoughts on my career--juggling motherhood and working for Martha Stewart...and of course my love for cooking. I have been very fortunate in my life to be able to juggle it all. It hasn't been easy...but I do believe where there is a will--there is a way. I often tell my family..."We may not have it all together---but together we have it all". It was one of those sayings you see in someone's kitchen on a plaque...and I've adopted....I wouldn't be able to do any of this without the support of my husband and my children. Bob and I work as a team...and we get support from the girls--I'm so proud of them especially as Graceann, Caroline, and Pauline get older and help me with the the babies--Gemma and Rebecca. They all came to support me at my talk...and even though occasionally one or two of them or even three of them interjected a word here or there...I believe everyone had a great time.

I CREATED A DISH FOR THE CLUB FROM EVERYDAY FOOD MAGAZINE--QUICK AND EASY SPINACH DIP (The recipe can be found at www.marthastewart.com/recipe/hot-spinach-dip )

IT STARTED WITH SAUTEEING FRESH GREEN SPINACH WITH ONIONS AND GARLIC

IN MY SPEECH I SPOKE OF PHOTOGRAPHING FOOD....HERE I TOOK PHOTOS OF WHAT THE COOKING CLUB MEMBERS MADE. (I THINK MY YOUNGEST ATE ALL THESE CHIPS)

THIS WAS MY BREAD BASKET WHICH WENT WITH THE WARM SPINACH DIP

YUM...MEXICAN OLIVE PIZZA!

MORE DIP...

A PERFECT APPETIZER....

ANOTHER TIP WAS MAKING QUICK PICKLES...IN THIS CASE QUICK PICKLED CARROTS....THE RECIPE IS 2 CUPS VINEGAR 1 CUP WATER, 2 TBSP SUGAR AND 2 TBSP SALT....ADD A SPRIG OF ROSEMARY AND SOME CRUSHED RED PEPPER...AND YOU'RE GOOD TO GO

I WAS HONORED TO SPEAK AT THE LIBRARY....

COOKING CLUB MEMBER JOYCE ACTUALLY MADE THIS AMAZING CAKE FOR MY FAMILY....MY GIRLS WERE ESTATIC!

WHAT GREAT DETAIL....THANKS JOYCE!

CHICKEN SOUP--IT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL

CHICKEN SOUP IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL...AND THE COLD RAINY WEEKENDS....

GEMMA ENJOYED HER SOUP WITH SOME CRUSTY BREAD.

This weekend it was rainy and cold and really miserable out. I actually loved it because it gave me a break from all the busy sports activities we have (soccer games/softball doubleheaders etc)....so I got to run my errands without getting them done within a certain window of time. One of my activitites included grocery shopping. At A&P this week--poultry is 50% off. So no time like the present to stock up on sale items...and STOCK is the key word. I made some Chicken stock and soup...which was perfect considering the weather. The recipe is super easy...and my girls love it.

CHRISTINA'S CHICKEN SOUP RECIPE

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken

2 split chicken breasts (bone in/skin on)

1 large onion, quartered

4 carrots, cut in 2 inch pieces and peeled + 6 carrots sliced diagonally 1 inch thick

4 ribs celery, cut in 2 inch pieces + 4 ribs celery sliced diagonally 1 inch thick

10 sprigs fresh parsley

2 bay leaves

1 tsp. peppercorns

2 whole cloves garlic, peeled

2 gallons cold water

1 package egg noodles

Directions:

Place everything in stockpot (with exception of 6 carrots and 4 celery, and egg noodles) and place on high heat. When pot begins to boil lower heat and let simmer for about 4 hours. Skim the pot occasionally of foam and such. Remove Chicken from pot. Remove bones from chicken. Set Chicken aside to cool. Roast bones at 400 degrees in oven. Then put bones back into stock and let continue to simmer. After 1 hour strain stock completely of vegetables, peppercorns, bones.

Dice or shred chicken and place back in pot. Add 6 carrots and 4 celery) Prepare noodles as packaged and then add to pot.

serve with crusty parmesan bread.

Chicken soup can be saved for leftovers but stain the broth--otherwise the noodles soak up the broth and become mushy (which I learned the hard way)

GEMMA LOVES HER SOUP! ENJOY!

DELICIOUS POTSTICKERS

The great thing about these potstickers is that they can be made in abundance and frozen--so you have a quick and easy meal at your fingertips.

Pauline getting her hands dirty--I love that it becomes a family affair!

I mentioned last week that Lucinda Scala Quinn came on Martha's show and made what appeared to be the most delicious simple easy meal I had ever seen--potstickers! The recipe is from Everyday Food and I promised I would make them this weekend and let you know just how easy and delicious they actually are. Well Lucinda has delivered again. This is sure to become a family favorite recipe. I love the fact that I can make a bunch and freeze them...imagine easy and delicious chinese food faster than it takes a Chinese delivery man to come to your house. I also love the fact that my girls got so into this project. They perfected every dumpling as they went on. Here's the recipe link in case you missed it http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/pork-and-chive-pot-stickers?

If there was any downside to this project it was finding the wonton wrappers. I travelled to 4 different grocery stores (Acme, Shoprite, Kings and Foodtown) and none of them had the wrappers---then it dawned on me that we got the wrappers on our show at Whole Foods--so that's where they must be. Whole Foods isn't very close to me...but in the end I think it was worth driving two towns away for. Even though they didn't have round wrappers--but square...I think they still worked.

Caroline perfecting the art of the Potsticker.

Caroline's perfect Pork Potsticker.

Yum...delicious...they were all devoured!...we also made the broccoli in oyster sauce....and then I created my own eggplant "snakes" in oyster sauce....everyone loved that.

Thanks Lucinda for another most delicious dish....and if you are looking for more delicious recipes....be advised that Lucinda actually has another new book coming out this month called MAD HUNGRY. I've seen some photos from the book and I can't wait to try some of those amazing recipes...and always I will share my adventures!

If you have a quick and easy recipe...I'd love to try it....please email me at threepluskids@aol.com Thanks....Christina

THE PEE PEE DANCE

When you have girls—dads luck out in the potty department. Whenever my girls have to go to the bathroom—I have to take them…after all they’re girls and it wouldn’t look right for Bob to go into the women’s room. Of course it never fails—whenever we go out to dinner I beg the girls to go potty before we leave….”no we went”….”I don’t have to go”….or “but I did just go”. Then the minute we sit down at the restaurant I hear “I have to go to the bathroom”—or worst yet…just as the waiter is placing the meal on the table “Ok mom, I have to go to the bathroom now!” And because we’ve got girls…it’s me taking them….and you know how women like to go together to the bathroom—well it starts at a young age because all it takes is for one person to say “I have to go!” and the next thing I know they all have to go. It’s as if they’re missing out on something big if they don’t all go--- (ooh—you didn’t get to see the color of the stall…ooh).

I can remember when they were younger and I would bring them in the stall with me when I had to go to the bathroom. I would help them first go and then I would undo my pants and start to pee—but they were so excited to wash their hands (and to see if they could reach the faucet)…that they would fling open the door---PEEP SHOW! Why is it when they’re in diapers all you want them to do is learn how to go potty…and once they learn you wish they were still in diapers.

Of course I can always guess when they have to go potty. They start the pee-pee dance. They start rolling from foot to foot, swaying side to side and only when I ask do you have to go potty---they concede yes. Of course there are other clues too. Today I brought Gemma with me to work. We got off the train (her first train ride)…of course we were running around so late that I forgot to force her to go potty before we left. As we got off the train and started to walk to work I held Gemma’s hand tightly. She squeezed my hand and pulled me closer and then said, I have to ask you something. I was wondering do they have potties at your work? Ok say no more…now we’re running as fast as we can to my work.

KITCHEN GOOD THINGS!

I will probably sound like a broken record but I do have one of the best jobs possible--working for Martha Stewart. At my fingertips I have the best tips, recipes, ideas, one could possibly imagine. Of course this gets me in trouble whenever I bring a baked good, or project to my daughter's school--unless it's worthy of 4 stars--I'm frowned upon...afterall I do work for Martha Stewart!

I love being able to apply what I learn from Martha in my own house--especially the kitchen. Not sure if any of you saw Lucinda Scala Quinn on Martha this week with her quick and easy potsticker recipe. I will make some this weekend and let you know how it works out...but I must say that it seems to be one of the most easy family friendly recipes you can even imagine. It's featured in Everyday Food Magazine and also online http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/pork-and-chive-pot-stickers?

Here are some of my quick "Good Things tips" which I learned from Martha that I think you may find helpful too.

1. When you have some wine leftover from dinner or a party (I actually don't personally know anyone who ever does have any leftover...but if you do)...freeze it in an ice cube tray and use the wine to enrich sauces and gravies and stews and braises.

2. When you're scooping ice cream for kids into an ice scream cone place a mini marshmallow in the bottom of the cone first to prevent drips (of course I don't really have a tip to prevent drips from the sides of the cones when my girls let the ice cream melt away...but this prevents it coming through the bottom of the cone).

3. (this good thing is actually one of my own ideas to help save time)...when you buy meat which you plan to marinade... pour the marinade in a ziplock bag and place the meat inside. Freeze the meat with the marinade until you plan to use it. Then the meat marinades when you defrost it and its ready when you're ready to use it. I buy London Broil in bulk...make one motherload of marinade and freeze the meats in their marinade and then before I leave I take the meat out to defrost and it's ready when I come home to make dinner.

4. Save ends of bread and partially dry stale bread and either break them into tiny pieces yourself or if you have a cuisinart pulse them to make your own bread crumbs...you can add spices like dried basil or oregano to give it a little punch.

5. TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR FOOD...especially when you go out to dinner or you're eating something you truly want to re-create. I learned this from Martha who photographs everything. When my sister Celena got married I took photos of all her food served. Then I created a book which included many of the photos...she was so grateful for this since that's one memory from her wedding that wouldn't have been recorded unless we had done it.

6. Freeze seasonal fruit...I love making a blueberry cake and my family loves devouring it. Frozen berries work best...I think because they have so much moisture--the cake becomes so moist....but frozen blueberries are so expensive...in the summer when blueberries are abundant--freeze the berries for later use.

I would love to hear about some of your good things...I promise to post even more...but I have to run for a meeting. You can email me at threepluskids@aol.com

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES AND THE TWINS!

This past weekend my daughter Graceann announced that she had her entire Halloween costume figured out. I was very proud that she planned ahead and thought of what outfit to put together. I appreciated her forethought and not waiting til the last minute...until she told me that she had figured it out courtesy of the Party City Catalog. And for $49.95 she could be "Raspberry Girl". First of all I don't think I've ever spent that much on a regular outfit for any of the girls...especially when you're talking cheap synthetic material. I told Grace I would rather give her $49.95 so she can buy a cute "real" outfit from the Gap or Old Navy...and she and her friend could buy the same outfits and dress as "twins". Then the whining began..."you never let me do anything..." "me and Mia had it all planned out...she was going to be blueberry girl and I was going as raspberry girl...why are you ruining it for me". I told her if she truly had to be raspberry girl...put on some pink...hold a basket of raspberries and call it a day. Nope...just more whining. When the whining wasn't getting her anywhere...then she played the pity card. "But mom, this is the only gift I'll ever ask...I'll work for it...my entire allowance for the entire year can go to this outfit!" Obviously I didn't teach them well...even though almost every year we've made our Halloween Costumes. Occasionally we bought things...like the year Caroline wanted to be a policewoman...we bought the badge, the hat etc. But we've always made our costumes...and they always turned out beautiful, unique...special. Of course having 5 girls was a bit easier because most of the time the costumes were princesses or fairies.

Well after enough whining, and sympathetic looks I grabbed the car keys and drove over to Party City. Yes there was Raspberry Girl...in all her raspberry glory...except for $49.95 it was a bit skimpy. Grace tried it on...and surprisingly (and to my hidden happiness) didn't like the outfit...."But I need something Mom....we're here...we have the coupon...what else can I be?" Of course my eyes seemed to magnetize towards the clearance rack...which Grace didn't want any part of. Finally she settled on Vampirina. She was happy cause it looked cool...and Mia could get the same costume. I was happy because it was 20 dollars less than Raspberry girl.

Of course now all the girls want me to run to Party City and get them a store bought outfit vs. our homemade beauties. And then I received an email from a friend that I think is pure genius. One of my girlfriends is organizing a COSTUME TRADE IN PARTY... so you bring an old costume and take a new one. The best part of it is that her kids go to another school so my kids won't be teased and told "ha ha I was that pirate last year!". I think in today's economy this is an excellent idea and I'm surprised more people haven't thought of doing this...or maybe they have and I've been under a rock...but I think its genius...and I LOVE IT....so moms UNITE...AND ORGANIZE THOSE COSTUME PARTIES!

On another note...hats off to the Minnesota Twins. I suppose by now you realize I am a huge baseball fan...The Mets are my team of choice. But as we all know they didn't fare too well this season. Minnesota one month ago was out of first place by 7 games. They perservered and even being 3 games out of first with only 4 to play in the season...they won when they needed to and tied for first place with the Detroit Tigers. Last night was the tiebreaker! What a game it was! Such a nail biter...the Tigers went up 3-0 then the Twins went ahead 4-3 and then the Tigers tied it...then went one up 5-4...and then the Twins came back and tied that. When it was all over in the twelfth the Twins scored the winning run 6-5! My girls got into the game because I was jumping up and down like a crazy lunatic. The Post Season is such a great way to spend time with the family. My girls love all the antics and craziness and fun of the playoffs and the post season. It's been a while since our beloved Mets were a part of it...but we have fun adopting new teams and rooting for them...even learning about where they're from (***ding, ding ding...history lesson here!). So Let's go Twins...they play the Yankees tonight. (As a Die hard Mets fan...you have to know we're totally against the NY Yankees--sorry don't mean to offend!)....and Let's go Colorado....they must beat the Phillies who took it from our Mets.

The Post Season....you never know what to expect...maybe Raspberry Girl will show up!