Lately, I find myself amused by most of what my 17-month year old does. If it's not a funny face, sound, or move, its whatever new habit she's picked up, like the one she's in right now: sitting on and in everything. Yes, she's impressed me by sitting on a ball and in a colander, both without falling, but her seated accomplishments don't end there. They also include on top of books, a group of blocks, and in a laundry basket. Of course, she sits on normal things too, like chairs and her pouf, but it seems she enjoys the greater challenge of things that are not actually made for sitting, which only proves that our kids are more clever than we think and know how to have all the fun.
Recipe:
Rice, Broccoli, and Feta Cheese Sauté from Quick Vegetarian Pleasures
This recipe comes from the most tattered cookbook in my collection, which of course means it is my most beloved. Many years ago I shared it with my sister and her boyfriend, and he loved it so much they ended up making it over and over again.
serves 2-3
Ingredients
1 cup white or brown rice
2 cups water
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium tomatoes, cored, seeded, and diced
1 bunch broccoli, stalks peeled and cut into bite-size pieces (about 5 cups)
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 cup water
1 cup (about 5 ounces) of feta cheese, crumbled
freshly ground black pepper
1) Combine the rice, water, salt, and veg. oil in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to simmer, and cook cook until all of the water is absorbed (20 min. for white rice and 45 min. for brown). When done, remove from heat and keep covered.
2) In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Saute the garlic 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not brown. Add the tomatoes and sauté 2 minutes more. Add the broccoli and oregano, toss well, pour in the water, and cover the pan. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender, stirring occasionally.
3) Stir in hot rice, feta cheese, and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Project:
Plant a Spring Garden
Most kids love flowers, plants, and dirt, and now is the perfect time to put them all together in an activity that will hopefully reap wonderful treasures (and snacks). It will be good times for all as the older children can be a part of the planting crew, while the younger ones will benefit down the line when they can stop to sniff the flowers as they master walking.
What You Will Need:
a sunny spot in the ground or some pots
gardening soil
hand trowel or large serving spoon
seeds
water
Easiest things to grow: sunflowers, marigolds, cosmos, calendula, potatoes, snap peas, cucumbers, zucchini and squash.
For best results follow the directions on individual seed packets, as some seeds need to start indoors, and some require more sun than others. Also, feel free to use seeds from food at home, but beware some are treated so that they will not bear fruit.
No comments:
Post a Comment