Awesome Recipes

Baked Caprese

This is a completely awesome recipe that I got from Food and Wine - even though I don't get the magazine anymore, they still send me the weekly recipe e-mails.  Bonus!  It's really easy to make and so delicious.  I served it the first time with pan-seared salmon and then as left overs with a runny egg on top (over easy really, but the runny yolk is key) - I think I liked the left overs more than I liked it the first time, and that's saying something.  If you like caprese at all, I urge you to try this one (for non-techies: the title is the link - click that).

The next two recommendations I have are dips I've made and everyone's liked.

Spinach Dip with Feta, Lemon, and Oregano

10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise -- I tried to make it without they mayo and it wasn't the same; you really need it
2 Tbsp fresh oregano or 2 tsp dried
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese -- you can actually omit the cheese if you want; it's still good
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Salt to taste

Mix everything in the food processor until well combined.  Refrigerate for 1 hour and serve.

Cheese Dip

3/4 cup shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup reduced fat cottage cheese
8 oz package of cream cheese - at room temp and cut into quarters
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/2 package dry veggie soup mix
Worcheshire sauce to taste

Mix everything EXCEPT cream cheese and soup mix in food processor until smooth.  Add cream cheese and soup mix and process again until smooth.  Refrigerate for 3 hours and serve.

This recipe is one from Weight Watchers and has been a big hit at our basketball parties.  It also helps with my cravings for Pimento cheese spread (sooo love it but I can eat a small thing of it in 2 days; not healthy.)

I hope you guys try these out and enjoy!

Boosterthon

 Will's school does a fundraising event called Boosterthon Fun Run.  This is the 2nd year Bethel has done this event, and although there are issues with it (not enough money goes directly to the school), I think it's a winner overall.  The idea is to have each child run as many laps as possible while having sponsors pledge them a dollar amount per lap with a maximum cap (so you know how much you'll be spending); or you can pledge a flat amount.

We wanted Will to ask for pledges himself this year so he had to think of who to call.  When we asked him who he wanted to ask to sponsor him, his first answer was "Barak Obama".  LOL!!  After telling him Obama was trying to get sponsors himself, we asked him to pick again.  After scratching his head and screwing up his eyes he says, "Um, Mitt Romney?"  Again, LOL!  He finally settled on family and made the calls, one each day.


I remember having to sell candy bars year round and once event doing some kind of jewelry sale as a fundraiser.  I've been approached by parents whose children are selling wrapping paper and other goods.  While that's fine, I don't need to add any more candy or goods to our house.  With Boosterthon, we pretty much ask family (who don't want to buy candy or goods either).  They've been very good to us - thanks family!

This is Will's class at the end of the Fun Run.  After running for about 30 minutes or so, Will completed 38 laps; now, it's not a real track, so don't get too excited over 38 laps.  At the same time, the guys told us that any child who completed 35 laps ran over 2 miles - very proud of my kiddo!  He's a very fluid runner - I'll be posting video of it later.

All in all, we're happy to have helped the school in a fun and healthy way.  Thanks again to our families for helping too!