And a sandwich for dessert.

So this happened.

But after cleaning up, this happened.

Those are Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches.  And yes, they totally rock.

I used the tiniest slices of leftover Italian bread to make mini-sandwiches that didn't have 350 calories each, Trader Joe's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Callets inside which made them super easy and added a little cinnamon to the egg and milk mixture.

You're welcome.

I like what I like.

Last night on Twitter and Facebook, there was an amazing(ly long) conversation about food.  Specifically who likes what.  The contenders: Cilantro and Celery. Later Mushrooms, Beets and Olives came into the fray.  I'd like to throw in one more contender.

Brussels Sprouts.

You can buy them on the stalk at Trader Joe's.  Cool, huh?

I have expanded my palate  a lot in the last decade.  Mostly, I must admit, in the direction of vegetables.  And also mostly because of my husband.  He likes veggies.  He has shown me the way.  (No, I still don't like mushrooms or olives.)

One thing we really enjoy often and all year round are Brussels sprouts.  I know, I know.  But here are two great recipes to get you started if you want to try them.  They're nutty and delicious - and they have good stuff on them.  I find slicing them like this makes them much easier to eat and also tastier. ( Click the titles to be directed to the recipes in a new window - always true on my blog.)

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Caraway & Lemon

(my favorite way to eat the B-Sprout these days)

You can SEE the nuttiness!

Served with chicken tenders and acorn squash.

Brown Butter & Dill Brussels Sprouts

Here they are quartered and served not only with
brown butter (what's better than that?) and dill, but also almonds.  Yum!

So go out on a limb!  Try some new veggies!  Cook up some B-Sprouts and tell me what you think.

Also, if you'd like to cash in on any of the other foods up for discussion at the top of the post - let 'er rip.  Any other controversial foods out there?  I'm not really fond of mollusks, either....

                                                                                                                                                                          

I'll see you at the "No Kid Hungry" Twitter Party.

My friend Molly is hosting a Twitter Party on Friday night.  It is sponsored by ConAgra Foods, and is in support of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign.

You know I have two kids.  You know how important food is to me.  Did you know that nearly one out of four children in the United States doesn't know where their next meal is coming from?  I find that staggering.  

I took the No Kid Hungry Pledge today to help stop child hunger.  It's free.  And now I'm looking forward to seeing ways I can help end child hunger in my community show up in my email box.  For every person who signs the pledge between now and November 24, 2010, The ConAgra Foods Foundation will donate $10 in their honor to Share Our Strength. I was number 15, 303 to sign.  What number are you?

So what's this Party all about, you ask?  Molly puts it this way: 

"Clearly a Twitter party can't fix this.  But one of the major challenges is simply awareness.  So if, by getting together on Twitter to talk for an hour, if we can open our eyes a bit wider, well then, that is a good thing.

We'll be talking about the campaign as well as cooking ideas for making affordable, healthy meals, and how we can work as individuals and families to help confront this issue." 

The Party's on Twitter on Friday, November 12 - 7:00 - 8:00pm, CST.  There is a customized Tweet Grid to follow along, or you can use the hashtag #NKH.

There will also be $300 in Walmart gift cards given away trandomly throughout the party.

I hope to see you there!

~V~

Wrap it up.

I've been eating a lot of wraps for lunch.  

Here's my favorite combination these days:

FlatOut Flatbread

smeared with 

Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss

layered with 

Shredded Carrots and Apples

and

A few slices of thinly sliced turkey breast.

Yum.

What did you have for lunch?

The things we do...

From the back seat of my Honda Cr-V, my children track where we are by noticing the water towers we're near.  These landmarks are very common here in the Plains of Minnesota, and each one is a little different.  My children have names for each one, and it helps them figure out where we are, and where we're going.  I think it's pretty smart.

The other day when my five year old had school and my three year old didn't,  he and I took a mini- tour of the local water towers for Something To Do.  It was a huge hit.  We walked around the first one (fenced in), we TOUCHED the second one (after ignoring the No Trespassing sign and running up the hill it was on, leaving the car running for a quick getaway), and we played at the park next to the third one.  Then when my Kindergartener came home and got wind of what we did - we went back and touched the second one again.  This is just one of the crazy, creative, semi-ridiculous things I do for my children.

The clock glows blue at night!

We touched this one.  Twice. 

This one's next to a great playground....

...and has a bonus tornado warning siren!

What strange things did you find yourself doing this week? - with kids or not!

Happy Halloween

I love Halloween.  I wonder if I'll be the only adult (1950's poodle-skirt-wearing-girl) walking her kids (Buzz Lightyear and Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl) around in costume.

Tell me about any crazy candy you got - or are giving out.   I found gummy hamburgers and hot dogs - only the hot dogs are severed fingers!

Also - Yes.  I baked the seeds.  Three batches:  Rinsed with salt and cumin, Un-rinsed with salt, Rinsed with sugar and cinnamon.  All delicious!

Be safe out there tonight!

When Life Hands You Lemons...

...make curd.

I had an excess of citrus.  I'm not exactly sure what possessed me at the store, but it happens sometimes. 

I took this recipe for Lemon Tartlets from Eating Well and made a lime curd and a citrus curd (lemons, limes and orange).  Then I made these:

These little gems are amazing.  They pop right into your mouth and your tastebuds explode.
My mouth is watering as I type.

Lime curd cooking.

Citrus curd thickening.

Yes.  Yes, I did eat some with a spoon right out of the bowls.

The lime was outstanding.  The orange one I cut the sugar in half and it was still a little too sweet for my taste.  I wonder if you need it at all, except for the science of having sugar in there.  I'm willing to try it next time without added sugar - For Science!

One more shot for good measure.  YUM!