Recipe Roll

I am learning to embrace my role as chef in this house. Although I realize that everyone seems grumpier in our house when there is no food, and thus how much an impact fresh, wholesome food has around here, I still lack motivation to get in there and cook sometimes. I usually end up enjoying it though - the process and of course, the product. And I'm learning that it's okay that there are always dishes piling up. Now that the babe eats three meals a day, I am slowly adjusting my expectations of motherhood.

 At first, motherhood didn't include too much cooking. Concern for nutrition hit the back burner during the times when I struggled just to make it to the store with a fussy or sleepy or hungry baby and we were content with the goal of eating for survival at times (this lasted for the better part of Abram's first year). My husband and I could scrounge around in the kitchen if need be for a meal or two.  But now I have this little one whose diet is primarily determined by me and what I offer him. And he is growing like a weed and in need of lots of good fat and calories and nutrients. So my role in the kitchen has taken a step up. Motherhood for me now includes a lot of cooking, feeding, and cleaning up. And I presume it will stay like that for many, many years. 

The past week or so was sort of an explosion of cooking (aka, Abram was taking long naps), and several dishes I made were new or almost-new recipes. They are a random assortment, so here goes.

Easy Slow Cooker Refried Beans from 100daysofrealfood.com
Taco Seasoning  from allrecipes.com 
Mini Crustless Breakfast Quiches from The Heavenly Homemaker blog
Dry Ranch Mix to make dip, a combination of 100 days and the Heavenly Homemaker's recipes
Giant Breakfast Cookies from The Heavenly Homemaker blog
Fried Okra from allrecipes.com
3 loaves of Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread - I can't find the recipe on the internet, unfortunately.

We liked all of these recipes! My fave were the breakfast cookies. Any excuse to eat dessert, right? I wanted to share the links as it always helps me when cooking (or, when wondering what to cook) to know someone else has tried it and liked it. It gives me confidence or something.

Tonight, we're having Cheesy Chicken and Rice adapted from this Cheesy Beef and Rice recipe. I've never made it with chicken, but I've made it several times with beef and it's a hit at our house (not to mention easy and healthy). My hubby likes to eat it with a big pile of tortilla chips almost like a dip. And then we put more sour cream and salsa on top, and avocado if we've got it. Yummy.

Carb heaven in a loaf pan.