First Words, Cauliflower Chestnut Gratin, and an Adorable Pull-Toy

Not many things can compare to the excitement of when baby starts talking. Maybe it's witnessing the sudden leap from infant to little person, or getting the audio byte of what the child's voice is going to sound like, thereby making it possible to conjure up the next 40 years to come. Or maybe it's just one of those defining moments that can't really be explained in...well words.

I'm currently experiencing this as my daughter has just of late become a spout of words. Everyday she adds a new one, and today was no different: today it was pumpkin. We walked into Trader Joes market and were greeted by a pumpkin patch display complete with hay bales. She pointed toward it all and said pumpkin over and over again, getting a little more excited each time. When I realized what she was saying, I keenly said, "Ya, a pumpkin." I guess she had been listening last month when we read her "The Very Best Pumpkin" at least two times a day.


Recipe:

Cauliflower Chestnut Gratin

Nothing says fall more than chestnuts. This recipe is comfort food at its best with out the large quantities of cheese. Consider this a healthy recipe with its hearty servings of cauliflower. You can make it even healthier by pairing it with some kale chips or steamed kale.

Ingredients
3 cups cauliflower florets

box of chestnuts, roughly chopped (available at many Trader Joes during fall and winter)

2 Tbs. butter or Earth Balance

2 Tbs. flour

3/4 cup of half and half or milk + more milk to thin

1 Tbs. Dijon mustard

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, more for topping

salt and pepper to taste


1. In a medium-sized pot, add cauliflower to boiling water and par boil for about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and place in an oven-proof bowl along with the chestnuts. Set aside.

2. In a small pot melt butter. Place the flour at the edge of the pot and, using a wooden spoon, incorporate it slowly into the butter, stirring constantly. Cook, stirring constantly for a minute or two. Very slowly add the cream stirring vigorously with a whisk. Continue to stir as the sauce thickens to prevent lumping. Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, add the mustard, cheese, salt and pepper.

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower and chestnuts and stir to coat them evenly. Add a bit of grated Parmesan cheese on top, if desired. Cook until the cauliflower is tender, about 20 or 25 minutes.

Product:

Roulapic Pull Toy by Djeco

In need of a fun gift for a toddler? Well look no further. Djeco's artists have done it again, creating a cute, colorful rabbit that any walker will love to pull and push around. Roulapic the rabbit moves up and down, side to side, and thanks to a spring, the flower in the back wiggles around when pulled.