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Share a Spoon - Easy Peasy Pasta Alfredo

Thursday, September 30, 2010


Think Tank Momma



HAPPY THURSDAY SMACKERS!

Share a Spoon

Today's theme is...

PASTA

I didn't have a request today, so I actually chose the theme.  I was hoping that we would get some fun new recipes.  Pasta is one of the most versatile and universal ingredients.  Almost every culture has their own version of a noodle or some sort of pasta.

I make all sorts of pasta dishes, most of them Italian in origin.  Though we do enjoy a nice stroganoff and goulash on occasion.  I love couscous and orzo salads.  Chicken noodle soup is my husband's favorite.

Today I thought I would share an easy peasy pasta dish.

This is my Americanize version of Prociutto and Peas.


Easy "Peas"y Pasta Alfredo

Ingredients:

1 Box Penne pasta
1 large ham steak diced
1 bag of frozen peas
2-3 Tablespoons of fresh chopped Italian Flat Leaf Parsley

Alfredo Sauce:
2 cups heavy cream
1 stick butter
2 cups grated parmesan
black pepper
1 clove garlic grated




Cut ham steak into bite size chunks.  Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet and brown the ham steak.  Remove from heat and set aside.




In a sauce pan, over medium heat, melt butter and heavy cream together.  Add the grated garlic and let simmer.  Whisk in parmesan and pepper and simmer over low heat.




Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil.  Salt the water liberally and boil pasta according to the directions.  In the colander, open the frozen peas.  When the pasta is done pour the hot water and pasta over the peas. Stir peas into the pasta.

Pour pasta and peas back into the pot the pasta was cooked in.  Add the browned ham.  Pour the alfredo sauce over and mix.  Stir in the flat leaf parsley.  Serve and Enjoy!





I made the rolls to go with this meal.  They are super easy.  Even if you don't have a stand up mixer.  You only have to knead this dough for 6 minutes or so.  It's a very soft light and fluffy dough.  I promise, these are SOOOOOO worth the effort.

Ingredients:

1 package quick rise yeast
2 Tablespoons of sugar
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups warm milk
1/4 sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 Tablespoons salt
2 cloves grated garlic
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1/2 cup olive oil
7-7 1/2 cups of flour

In a large bowl add yeast, warm water and 2 tablespoons sugar.  Allow the yeast to bloom.  Takes a couple of minutes.  Warm the milk in the microwave while waiting for the yeast to bloom.  Crack the eggs into a bowl.  Once the yeast has bloomed add the warm milk, olive oil, eggs, sugar, garlic, oregano, salt and three cups of the flour to the bowl.  Mix together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.  Slowly work in the remaining flour one cup at a time.  Once all the flour is incorporated turn dough out onto a clean floured surface and knead the dough for 6-8 minutes.  This is a soft and a little sticky dough.

Coat the bottom and sides of a large bowl with olive oil.  Add dough to prepared bowl turning to make sure it is coated in the oil.  Cover with a clean dish towel and set aside to rise.  The dough should double in size in an hour.  Punch the dough down and turn out onto a clean floured surface.  Cut the dough into 4 equal parts.  Cut the quarters into 6 equal sized pieces.  

Cover a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Roll the dough into 24 rolls and place on the prepared cookie sheet.

Cover the rolls and let them rise until they double in size.  Takes about 45 minutes.

Melt a stick of butter.  Brush the tops of the rolls with the melted butter.  Sprinkle with a little parmesan and flat leaf parsley.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.





I promise you will LOVE LOVE LOVE these, and you will LOVE LOVE LOVE me for sharing them with you!!

O.k...I shared mine, it's your turn.  Bring on the oodles of noodles!  Link up, leave me some love, and let me know what you want to see here on Thursdays!
 
Amare Dalla Casa di Romano!






Bully

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

My boys walk home from the bus stop everyday.  It's several houses down from where we live.  So, Kooper calls me the moment he gets off the bus and we talk until I can physically "see" him and his brother.


Last week he called and he was in tears.  He was crying so hard I could barely understand what he was saying.  I had asked the same question I do every day, "How was your day?"


I got from the conversation that someone had been mean.  I just couldn't really make out the details through the tears.


Once he got home I got the whole story.  A kid in his class has been bullying him since school started this year.  He has been calling my son "fat", "stupid" and making fun of him so that he has quit participating in football with the other boys at recess.  He told him the only thing he(my son) could do was outweigh his(the bully) mom.


I was furious to say the least.  I felt the sting of anger hit my eyes, and I fought back the tears with everything I had while I consoled my broken hearted son.  I asked him several questions about the other child, and fought the urge to make disparaging comments about the bully.  We discussed the situation.  I told Kooper that the bully was just jealous.


Kooper retorted "He's not jealous of me mom, I don't have anything he wants, why would he be jealous?" 


I said, "You do too son.  You have friends, and family who love you.  Do you know why people say hurtful things like that?"


"Yes Mom, I know that he does it to make himself feel better.  It still doesn't make it any easier to take." he replied.


My heart skipped a beat.  For a split second I was elated that the things I try to impart in my children are actually sinking in.  Then the reality of his words hit my heart and the stinging in my eyes took over.  I hugged my baby tightly and told him that I loved him.  Told him he was perfect and that no one could take away his dignity unless he gave it to them.  I wiped my tears before he could see them.


I told him that obviously this little boy was lacking something at home.  Kooper argued that this boy claims how perfect his life is all the time.  Boasts about it even.  He has everything.  He has perfect this, and perfect that.  I asked Kooper if he really believed that.  He sat and thought for a moment.  "I guess not.  He wouldn't have to tell everyone if that was true would he Mom?"


"No Koop, he wouldn't."


"He's kinda sad and pathetic huh?"


"Son, obviously he has some issues that we don't know about.  Just remember that and try not to let the things he says get to you."


With that Kooper got up and went to play in his room.


I quickly made a break for my room where I no longer fought the anger or hurt and I let the tears fall from my face.  How dare that child hurt my sweet tender hearted baby!  After I let it out, I washed my face and composed myself.


I spoke to Kooper later and he asked me not to address the situation at school.  He said his teacher had seen him crying after recess and that she assured him that she would correct the problem.  I agreed that this time I would let it go as long as it was addressed by his teacher.


The next time?  Momma Bear is going down to take care of it!


What would you do Smackers?  Have any of you had similar issues with school bullies?

PINT - Notes to Self

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Only Parent Chronicles

It's STICKY Love Day!

Make some Post-it Notes and Stick 'Em Up!

Then run over are link up with That One Mom.
















Friends You Love Blog Hop - There are Toys in my Tank!

Monday, September 27, 2010

FriendsYouLove


WELCOME!


Today is the final installment of Friends You Love's Monday Blog Hop.  I hope that everyone has found some new friends to follow and get to know.


We have had the opportunity to meet some amazing women this way, and also highlight some amazing women as well.


Last week, my good friend Holly from 504 Main graciously agreed to guest post on the FYL blog.  She offered me two posts to choose from.


I thought they were both amazing so this week I am posting the other post here.


I absolutely love Holly and I think you all will too.



I am just a little bit obsessed over old toys. There is a sweetness about them. A mystery too. When I go to the flea market and see a worn doll I always wonder who, what where did that doll come from? Same thing goes for the bucket of hot wheels cars or the toy train or the rocking horse or the Little People Farmhouse. Yes, in spite of my house being filled with toys, and the fact that I {and sometimes the kids} are continually picking them up....I do have a fondness for those well-loved toys.

I am always preaching to my kids to take care of their toys...because when I was a child, I of course, took the utmost care of mine. In fact they are in pristine condition {or so I thought}. I, of course, ultimately hope this is teaching them something about responsibility and respect.

I have been very anxious to share my childhood toys with my children. Every time my Mom says "Dad is going into the top of the garage (or the attic)," I ask if he could look for one of my treasures. Well, my parents are all for this - they are cleaning house - time for my brother and I to store our own stuff. So, now, every time they come to visit I can expect at least one new find to come with them. And I am so excited about it! Just giddy, in fact!

 I so wanted my own purple corvette and Ken!

My son looks at me like I am crazy {maybe he knows something the rest of the world can only assume?...hmmm...} when I tell him that I used to "use my imagination" when we played with Legos. When I suggest he can mix pieces from different boxes, he just about passes out {he likes order} - he cannot even fathom it  "But Mom they come in sets. You cannot mix up the pieces!" Of course, we had sets with were houses, police stations, fire stations, etc., but nothing like the $150 sets they sell now {seriously, I am so tired of paying $5 in shipping for a teeny-tiny 45 cent piece, which is necessary to finish building the battleship}.

Over the last couple of years, Puzzle Town, Legos, Barbies, Nerf Ping Pong, and an my Cabbage Patch Dolls have found a new home at my "big-girl" house. Most of them have remained boxed in a closet or garage, but recently we have started pulling them out to play with. Boy was I in for a shocker! These toys that I thought I had left in perfect condition look a little tattered and bruised...all because they were loved of course!


We have unearthed my Barbies - most of who have had a haircut and some even without heads, a purple Barbie Corvette, a Mrs. Beasley with "false" eyelashes - most likely drawn on with a marker, a stained but oh-so lovable Raggedy Ann, a beat-up musical bunny, two Cabbage Patch dolls - one of which is a boy named Carol Lennie that at the time, I insisted could be just be a tomboy...he/she was part of the first run of Cabbage Patch dolls and my mom {try as she might} could not get a girl doll. I now can see he was clearly a boy.

I love these toys and love watching my kids play with them. I am wondering what toy brings back wonderful memories for you? Or what toy have you passed on to your children?
Signature


Anouncements!

Sunday, September 26, 2010


*DRUM ROLL PLEASE*


The winner of my Mabel's Label Mama Cards™ Giveaway is....

bigdisneyfan


(Please email me)

Congratulations!

A big round of applause and THANK YOU to our sponsor.



In other FYL news....




As September comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who made the Friends You Love event such a success.  What a better way to say "Thank you!" than by throwing a party?!?!

Please join us
Thursday, September 30
from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. CST
for the
Friends You Love Twitter Gala
sponsored by

To participate follow
hosts
and
as well as special guest

On the day of the party, we will provide you with a custom tweet grid to follow along!

RSVP in advance and be entered into a random drawing!