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It's wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom

When Grandma Comes to Town...

Grandma and the Gang!

Grandma and the Girls!

My husband's mother, Grandma K has been in town for two weeks. We've had a great time and a definite highlight for my kids are Grandma's Chocolate Chip Pancakes.  A treat they look forward to whenever she visits. She made them Saturday for breakfast and Sunday night for dinner. The kids were in pancake heaven!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Aunt Jemima Original Pancake Mix

3 cups mix

2 1/4 cups milk

three eggs

3 tbsp. oil

pour batter hot grill 350-400 degrees

sprinkle with chocolate chips

       serve up with whip cream or powdered sugar

 

 

Finnish Mac and Cheese... the Ultimate Comfort Food

The first weekend we moved to the Sonoran Desert, I met my friend Paive who had relocated here from Finland. She has two boys around the same ages as mine, and we spent time together with the kids frequently.  She has since moved away, but one of the things she left us with is a delicious recipe for the ultimate comfort food.

My friend says this dish is close to being the national dish of Finland! It is called "Lihamakaronilaatikko." 

Can you pronounce that?  We'll just go with Finnish Mac and Cheese! 

It is a kid's favorite and since she prepared it for us, my children cannot get enough. It's full of wholesome, basic, comfort food ingredients: eggs, milk, cheese, tomatoes, ground beef, macaroni, salt and pepper, and ketchup on top!

Well, since the Storytellin' Family spent most of the weekend ill with the flu, we are all ready for something soothing and not too hard on the system.  

I am still feeling a little under the weather, so rather than write out the recipe and steps myself... 

Here is a beautiful site, I found that shows step by step instructions and pictures of Finnish Macaroni and Cheese.

Enjoy!

Southwestern Salsa Extraordinaire

Tomorrow, the kids and I are going on a picnic. I am bringing my current summer signature dish. 

I had this salsa a few months ago at a neighborhood party. The host was kind enough to give me the recipe.  It is so colorful, so delicious, and so easy to make. The bonus is the kids even like it. I adjust the seasoning on part of the batch so it is not so spicy.  

The salsa is fresh, low calorie, and great for hot weather because there is no cooking involved.  It has been a crowd favorite everywhere I've taken it. 

Southwestern Salsa

1 can white corn drained and rinsed

1 jalapeno finely chopped

1 can black beans drained and rinsed

1 container red cherub tomatoes halved

1 red or green bell pepper chopped

1 zucchini chopped

1/2 cup fresh green onion

1/2 cup fresh red onion

1/4 cup Italian dressing

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/2 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

3 or 4 shakes of hot sauce

cilantro garnish sprinkled on top

Mix ingredients together and marinate over night, or for several hours.  I make a double, or triple batch to have it all week long. It's a great topping over chicken, vegetable dip, and yummy with chips.  

Happy Summer cooking!