Traditional Latkes with Caramel Applesauce

Hello friends!  How are we all doing on this Monday before the holiday weekend?  Has the panic set in yet?  Is your computer making fun of you for how much online shopping you're doing?  If your answers are yes, then we are friends.  If you finished your Christmas shopping in June, then please go away.  (Just kidding I love everyone you can stay)

It's full-on Christmas Vacation/Home Alone mode at our house, and this weekend would have gone viral had it been captured on video.  There was a snowstorm, a crying Santa visit and family galore.  All the things that make the holidays merry and insane at the same time!  My son is learning about Hanukkah at school and asked if we could make latkes, and this weekend felt like the perfect time to do it.  My mom and my sister-in-law took charge with this Martha Stewart recipe, and they came together perfectly.  Did I mention the caramel applesauce?  Served with that and a dollop of sour cream made these the hit of our chaotic weekend :)

Recipe for Traditional Latkes here.

Recipe for Caramel Applesauce here.

Spaghetti Squash Bolognese

At first glance, doesn't that sort of look like cheesy garlic bread?  WELL IT'S NOT!  Oh, you gathered that because the title of this post is "Spaghetti Squash Bolognese"??  Stop rubbing your smart brains in our faces.  But you're right, this is spaghetti squash that is roasted first and then topped with a ground turkey-based marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and roasted again until the cheese gets all bubbly and golden.  It's very simple to make (although I always make Carson slice the squash in half as I fear for the safety of my fingers) and easily would feed a family of 4 if not more.      

You can find the recipe HERE.

*I would feel remiss not to bring up the recent terror attacks in France.  A friend of mine who is an American citizen living there summed up how I've been feeling lately by writing... "it's like a bad dream, the kind you want to shake off when you wake up with a hug from your partner or kids."  I wish I could understand, or provide answers, especially because my son is old enough to ask questions, but instead I feel confused, frustrated, lost and tired.  And oddly, I keep thinking about these people who carry out such acts of hatred, and I keep imagining them as babies.  Innocent little babies, with their lives in front of them.  I want to wrap them up in my arms, and I want to love them.  Is that just the strangest thing?  I don't know, I guess it helps me to believe that love will always win.

Sausage and Arugula Sauce

I hope all you moms out there enjoyed Mother's Day yesterday!  I began my morning by eating so much brunch that I still wasn't hungry for dinner that night, and spent the rest of the day doing simple things with my kids, like dance parties outside, getting on their scooters and riding them around the driveway, going for a walk and picking flowers and an hour-long play session with Play-doh.  We ended the day watching Harry Potter for the first time, and my heart felt so full (the wine probably added to that feeling).  With our busy lives, I rarely get the chance to actually PLAY with them, so I was thankful for a day of zero plans or expectations.  Ok, back to food...  

Whenever I'm in Los Angeles, instead of cooking I watch the Food Network and make mental notes about what I want to make when I get home.  Usually my brain floods up with those ideas and I rarely remember any of them, but this particular recipe stuck in my head.  I made it on Friday night and have been eating leftovers all weekend.  It's a simple sauce made up of sweet sausage, marinara sauce and loads of arugula.  I followed this recipe but I used one pound of sweet Italian sausage, an entire bottle of marinara sauce, and greek yogurt instead of mascarpone cheese to lighten it up a bit.  I also served it over polenta instead of a baked potato (and it would also be perfect over pasta or spaghetti squash).  Next up this week, the other recipe that stuck in my head... s'more truffles!

(Obviously that one stuck.)  

Salmon with Potato Salad & Horseradish Yogurt

We had a particularly indulgent weekend, with my son's all-day birthday party on Saturday and pre-Easter festivities on Sunday.  It's definitely possible that my middle kid had pop rocks candy for two different meals. Where do I pick up my parenting award?!  (I really hope our dentist doesn't read this blog.)  Needless to say, we were all feeling it on Monday, so I was searching for a lighter dinner that wasn't the same old same old.  I came across this salmon recipe while sitting in the doctor's office during my son's 7-year-check-up.  We are big salmon eaters here, but Carson usually grills it, so I was excited about trying out a new cooking method (and we go bananas over horseradish anything).  The recipe did NOT disappoint... the salmon was bright and tender, and the quickly-fried herbs on top were EVERYTHING.  I added some arugula to the potato salad for more greens.  I highly recommend this one!  Especially if your kids ate 17 pieces of cake last weekend like mine.    

Recipe here.

p.s. My kids did not eat this (with the exception of my son eating a little salmon).  No, no, no... they ate whole wheat tortellini and chocked down some Spinach Balls.

Creamy Tomato Vodka Sauce

While we were in California, I met a new friend who shared a bowl of pasta with her homemade tomato vodka sauce.  I instantly fell in love with her, in a... "I love your pasta and want to be able to cook like you" kind of way.  We talked about the recipe and I tried to remember everything she said, which wasn't easy because she's not the type to measure things.  Last night, I tried it out, and I think I did a pretty good job.  Now I'm in love with myself!  Just kidding.  I was surprised at how easy and quickly this sauce came together, however I'm sure you could let it simmer on your stove for hours and it would taste even better.  Now I've got to track her down because she mentioned she makes a killer alfredo sauce too... oh pasta, why do you do this to me.    

Creamy Tomato Vodka Sauce

(Makes approx. 4 cups)

Printable Recipe

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 shallot, minced

4-6 cloves garlic, minced (depending how much you like garlic)

2 tomatoes, finely diced

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup cream

1/3 cup vodka

Seasonings to taste: dried oregano, dried basil, salt and pepper

In a deep skillet or pot, heat olive oil and butter over medium-low heat.  Add the shallots, garlic and fresh tomato, and saut� for about 5 minutes, until shallots start to soften.  Add the tomato paste and stir, saut�ing for another couple of minutes.  Then add the crushed tomatoes, cream and vodka.  Stir, and let simmer for 20 minutes, or longer, until the sauce thickens and the flavors develop.  Season to taste with seasonings.