Food Wright Away

Hi all, Summertime is often filled with cold beverages and cold foods! Unless you grew up Hispanic, which means you are aware that we tend to eat hot soup dishes like pozole no matter what the weather outside is like! When pairing dessert with our meals, I try and find desserts that are also going to give you the crisp, refreshing taste—that sweet summer indulgence. I also aim for things that require being next to the oven for the least amount of time. One of my go-to recipes is strawberry poke cake. This cake has become a staple in our house for birthdays and special occasions, and anytime we want cake. So basically we have it year-round. I adore how quickly and easy it is to pull together and that it requires only a small amount of ingredients. Not only that, but you’ll find that it’s not overly sweet. Just a great way to end your meal on a high note!   What you need: Yellow can mix box-and required ingredients to make said cake such as oil, eggs, and water. All box mixes...

Hi all, I want to start by saying holy cow! Exactly one year ago today, I posted my first food post! I was a little nervous at the fact that I would be opening up to everyone on social media, but I was also very excited. I set off creating this as a space to share quick recipes that have made dinner with toddlers manageable. I also wanted to connect with other parents out there and people who may not have children but want recipes that are not complicated for weeknights. I want to express my gratitude to my existing and new followers. Thank you for joining me on this fun project and reading my posts. I have so many fun ideas for this year! Now, as I get ready to pack for my weekend in Houston TX (which I hope to share with you guys soon), I wanted to pop in real quick and talk about bread.  Rather, my love for bread. OH, how I love carbs in general. Fresh bread, store-bought bread, frozen bread, you name it. Lately, I have found myself in a breakfast rut. Not qu...

Hi all, The weather here in the mitten has been as unpredictable as my toddler's attitude from one day to the next. Extra shout out to the momma's out there dealing with little ones that think they're teens. Penny doesn't have a filter, which can put me in rather interesting positions when out and about. Trying to keep my cool has become a new skill I've been practicing. She's only three, after all, and I would ideally like her to be honest. Perhaps not in the middle of the grocery aisle when she's loudly proclaiming that "that lady is going to take all the pasta, mom!" Oh, Penelope... anyhow, the cold weather hit us somewhat hard. I wish I could say unexpectedly but it is Michigan in January. What's difficult is experiencing 40° weather on one day and then a snowstorm on the next. This is ideal soup weather.  One soup that I'm very fond of is a beef vegetable soup my dad makes. Also known as picadillo. It would fill the air with...

Hi there! I’ve been MIA for a while now. It’s been a busy and hard couple of months. We lost Grandma Juanita (Devon’s grandma) early this year and recently lost my buelo Enrique (my grandpa). I’ve been trying to stay positive and treasure every moment I have. Yes, even the tantrums and the sass. With the holidays comes a busy time for us. We often have multiple stops for both thanksgiving and Christmas. Right now, I savor the time I can sit down and cuddle with a soft blanket on the couch! Those moments and far and in between. For those of you who have an instant pot, or perhaps you’ve asked Santa for one this year, this recipe is for you. Now, if you don’t have an instant pot, rest assured you can still make this recipe in a regular pot on the stovetop. My fascination with rice started at a very young age. Serve me rice and beans, and oh my am I in heaven. There isn’t a style of rice I don’t like. When it comes to dessert, my first thought isn’t always rice, but with this ch...

Hi all, I've been busy daydreaming about all the things I can do with apples. It’s apple season! Besides strawberries, my kids could munch on apples all day. I wanted to provide you guys with a few quick and easy recipe ideas. When you get back from apple picking and think perhaps, you got out of hand, and you grabbed so many apples that you're not quite sure what to do now. Apples for everyone! Most of these require very few ingredients making it a great way to keep those little wild ones busy helping. Unless you'd rather they stay out of the kitchen because you don't want to referee another pointless fight: ugh, mom, penny has more mommy, Noah not nice Penny doesn't know; she's a baby  mommy; I, not a baby, stop it, Noah!  (Seriously, you'd think my kids couldn't stand being in the same room together for more than five minutes.) 1.  Apple tart This recipe is one of my absolute favorites. I'm a sucker for pie crust....

Hi all, I want to dedicate this recipe to my brother Erik. Growing up with him meant that in the summer, I'd often be woken up by his heavy breathing two inches from my face. He'd wait until I opened my eyes and ask the unnecessary question, "ca, are you awake?" Clearly, at that point, I was. That would be followed by the "can you make me some eggs?" He'd watch from afar as I'd make him some simple scrambled eggs. Sometimes I'd try something new, and he'd eagerly wait for it to be cool enough to eat. He's always been my guinea pig. Even to this day, he'll wander into the kitchen when he visits peeking into the Tupperware containers to see what leftovers linger. Now that he has his own home and family with my sister in law, he's trying out his hand at cooking and will ask me for pointers or suggestions. This one is for you, Erik, so pay attention. What you need: Shredded chicken (see recipe  HERE or purchase a ...

Hi all, I wanted to create a post on my go-to whole chicken recipe, especially now that we're coming into fall. This post will be short and sweet, and I hope that it provides all of you with a go-to way of making chicken. I love to use this recipe to serve straight from the crockpot, in tacos, casseroles, soups, you name it. What you need: One whole chicken One lemon Six cloves of garlic One tablespoon of salt One tablespoon of pepper Two cups of chicken stock Set your crockpot to high, and pour in your chicken stock. Cut your lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the pot. Toss the lemon in as well. Next, add your garlic cloves. Place your whole chicken on top of the garlic cloves and sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for four hours on high; or six to seven hours on low depending on the time you have available. Try this out on Sunday night to get a head start on your lunches for the week. Let me know what you all create with this chicken! ...

Hi all, Many people dislike Monday's. While I don't love Monday's, I also don't mind them. Something about feeling like you can start the week over and that the possibilities are endless, gets me through Monday. Some would choose to have Monday's off; I'd rather have Wednesday's off. It breaks up your week and somehow makes you feel so productive. Now whether I use that time to be productive or not, is another story. I do miss having Wednesday's off. Anyhow, I wanted to present you guys with a recipe you could whip up in 20 minutes, and it would brighten up your week. Noah loves this recipe. When I tell him it's chicken and noodles I'm not even lying this time! You could substitute the ground chicken for grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or do veggies and noodles. This recipe yields leftovers, yay for packed lunch! Penny would prefer this recipe to have rice instead of noodles. Get creative and use whatever you have on hand or what y...

Hi all, I wanted to venture out and try a new recipe. Something jaw dropping but still manageable for a mom of two little ones. I’d highly recommend this if you’re having friends over for dinner or if you’re choosing to enjoy a nice romantic night at home. People will marvel at how long you must have spent making dinner. For those of you who are a little timid when it comes to cooking fish that stares back at you, I’d suggest getting the fish cleaned and headless at the grocery store. Meijer had these whole catfish all ready to go for me.   What you need: Three catfish Two lemons  Half a cup of bread seasoning Italian seasoning Salt Pepper Three cloves of garlic Olive oil Pre heat oven to 450°. Make sure to dry off your catfish with a clean paper towel. Drizzle olive oil over each fillet and lay them next to each other on a cookie sheet. Thinly slice your lemons and place two slices under each catfish. Smash your clove of garlic...

Hi all, Devon and I moved into our first home almost 11 years ago. A two bedroom one bathroom trailer and a heart full of dreams. It was tiny but just right for us. Penny wasn’t born yet, and Noah was a small little guy when we moved out of that home. Sometimes I’ll ask him if he still remembers it and he nods yes. I don’t think he does though. We were on a budget, and I’d sit down and plan two weeks worth of meals. Nowadays I have a hard time trying to make up my mind on what to make for dinner tomorrow night. Then I think about how I used to plan 42 meals and wonder how I did it! Creating a meal plan is a great way to stay on budget and keep you from eating out as much. I don’t meal plan that extensive anymore, but I do try and at least figure out our lunches for the week. Well, more so our dinners that will yield lunches. Look at how little he was!  One of the first couples of recipes I tried when we moved in was Shepard’s pie; I liked this because ...