Children's Book Review: Zen Shorts

Zen Shorts
Written and illustrated by:  Jon J. Muth
Published by:  Scholastic Press, 2005

from goodreads.com:
Jon J Muth, author of the best-selling book, THE THREE QUESTIONS, has crafted another profound and winning picture book.

"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.


* Zen Shorts is a Caldecott Honor Award book.   Although I borrowed this book from the library, it is one of those books that I wouldn't mind owning for our own shelves.  I didn't know what this book was about before I took it out of the library.  The cover shows a panda bear wearing shorts....hmm, is that what "Zen Shorts" are?  Not quite.  In this story three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda.  He tells each of them a different story (Zen tale).  While this can be used as an introduction to the Zen philosophy we enjoyed it as a family read-aloud.  The watercolors throughout the story contrast with the black and white paintings during the Zen tales.  This is a great book for some deep discussions, which we unfortunately didn't have.  It just means that we'll have to take this book out again or buy it for ourselves.
 
Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Chicken Parm Garlic Bread Burgers

We have a Weber charcoal grill that I will admit that I have no idea how to use.  My husband and I are both totally fine with this.  Although I'm hoping to figure it out by summer so I won't have to use the oven and heat the kitchen up even more when it's ridiculously hot already.  I saw this recipe and it had me at garlic bread.  As I read on though I noticed that it used an outdoor grill.  Well, I couldn't wait for my husband to make these so I was going to make it work and cook them inside ASAP!  I thought that these were really good!  My kids, who like all of the ingredients loved the garlic bread roll but didn't eat much of the chicken.  I do have to admit that I really like my chicken breaded and fried when having chicken parm.  So, may have to do a redo with this with breaded cutlets!  Overall, this was a pretty tasty sandwich!

Chicken Parm Garlic Bread Burgers
recipe slightly adapted from Lauren's Latest

Ingredients:
4 thin sliced, boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
non-stick oil spray
4 thick slices mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese {you’ll want the real stuff so it will melt!}
1 cup good marinara sauce
4 fresh kaiser rolls {you want soft and chewy rolls}
8 tablespoons butter
1 large clove garlic, minced

Directions:
Preheat skillet on medium heat and spray with non-stick oil spray.

Rub each chicken breast with olive oil, garlic salt & pepper. Place in skillet and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Top each piece of chicken with 2 tablespoons marinara each, 1 slice of mozzarella and 2 tablespoons parmesan. Heat another minute or two until melted.

Place rolls in toaster oven and toast until golden brown.

Place butter and minced garlic in a microwaveable mug.  Heat until butter is melted, approximately 20 seconds.  Pour onto top half of toasted roll.

Place chicken in between garlic bread bun, top with more cheese, marinara and freshly torn basil, if desired. Serve immediately.

Family Rating:  1 1/2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: My Side of the Car

My Side of the Car
Written by:  Kate Feiffer
Illustrated by:  Jules Feiffer
Published by:  Candlewick Press, 2011

from goodreads.com:
Sadie has wanted to go the zoo forever, but something always gets in the way. Not today! Today they are finally on their way, and nothing can stop them - not a broken arm or a lost dog or a surprise visit. Not even her dad’s observation: "Sadie, it’s raining." Because when Sadie looks out her window, not only is it not raining on her side of the car, the sun is shining and people are watering their lawns and wearing sunglasses. Even when the road on Dad’s side starts looking more like a river, Sadie can barely see a raindrop fall on her side of the car. This warmhearted tale of a child’s optimism and a father’s loving patience is guaranteed to tickle the funny bone, no matter the weather.

* I liked that this book was written/illustrated by a daughter/father and was inspired by real-life events.  Sometimes children want something so badly that they convince themselves otherwise, when things don't go their way.  In this story Sadie wants to go to the zoo so badly that even though it's raining on their drive to the zoo, when she looks out her window it's sunny out.  The father in this story was definitely a lot more patient than I could ever be.  Luckily, his patience works out in the end.  As I sit here pondering, I can't think of a time when my kids and I had a similar experience, although I know they are still young!  Overall, this was a cute story that the family enjoyed.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Meatless Monday: Black Bean Burritos with Avocado

I am not a big bean eater.  In trying to be adventerous and showing my kids that I will try new foods and eat foods that I don't really like, I decided to make these burritos.  I like avocado and was hoping that would help!  Thinking that neither the kids or I would enjoy these very much I also made yellow rice to serve with them. I know they kids, especially my son, loves yellow rice and figured he'd eat something at dinner.  I think my mouth almost dropped when my son proceeded to finish his entire half of burrito that I gave him and proclaimed "You're the best cook!"  I wasn't as enthusiastic as he was about this meal, but I have to say, that once I added the avocado, sour cream, salsa, and cheese, the beans didn't stand out as much.  As an added plus, this was super quick to make and my son at another burrito for lunch the next day!  Finally found something that he likes (but which unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of!). 

Black Bean Burritos with Avocado
Recipe slightly adapted from Cooking Light, January 2005

Yield:  4 servings

Ingredients:
1/2 cup diced peeled avocado
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained
4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
6 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
6 tablespoons bottled salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar

Preparation:
Combine avocado and lime juice, tossing to coat.

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in water, cumin, and beans. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 1/4 cup bean mixture into each tortilla. Top with 1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 1/2 tablespoons salsa, and 2 tablespoons avocado; roll up.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

BLT Mac n Cheese

Happy Easter!  Since my daughter turns six this month and we'll be hosting a big family party later in April, we are going to my parent's house to celebrate Easter. Unfortunately, being pretty new to the blogging world, I don't have any previous Easter recipes.  So, I am posting a dinner recipe from a couple of weeks ago.

 C'mon, who doesn't love mac and cheese?!!  and bacon?!  I LOVE bacon!  Recently when I made my son boxed mac and cheese (one of those days when I just couldn't think about cooking!) he told me that it was "the best dinner ever!"  But of course when I made this homemade mac and cheese with bacon he barely ate any of it....go figure!  I really am not a fan of warm tomatoes and wasn't going to add them, but I figured I might as well try them and give my kids a chance to see if they like them.....they didn't.  I also didn't make the romaine salad, so technically, my Mac n Cheese was missing thte L part.  I usually go shopping at the end of the week for the next week.  I didn't want to buy the lettuce too early and meant to go back to the store the day of making this to buy some....but I forgot.  I don't think that this dish could have been bad because bacon makes everything taste good!  I thought it was different with the addition of the cream cheese.  But it wasn't the most amazing mac and cheese I've had.  It does require a bit of prep time and then another twenty minutes of cooking, so definitely not a quick weeknight meal, but can be doable if you get home early enough and can get some other stuff done during the cook time.

BLT Mac n Cheese
EveryDay with Rachael Ray, June 2011

Yield:  4 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 ounces fusilli pasta
2 1/4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
6 ounces cream cheese
2 cups finely shredded orange cheddar cheese (about 8 oz.)
6 ounces cherry tomatoes quartered (about 1 cup)
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 small head romaine lettuce, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)

Directions:
1.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes; drain.

2.Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until almost al dente; drain. In the same pot, bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat; whisk in the turmeric and stir in the cream cheese. Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Add the pasta, bacon and tomatoes; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish and bake until heated through, about 20 minutes.

3.Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the yogurt and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Add the lettuce and toss to coat. Serve the salad with the pasta.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Children's Book Review: The Easter Egg

The Easter Egg
Written and illustrated by:  Jan Brett
Published by: Scholastic, 2010

from goodreads.com:
Jan Brett’s lovable bunny hero, Hoppi, and her remarkable Easter Rabbit will enchant readers as they pore over illustrations filled with dazzling eggs made by Flora Bunny, Aunt Sassyfrass and others. If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. Discouraged, he goes into the woods to think when a blue robin’s egg tumbles out of its nest. Hoppi keeps it safe and warm until the baby bird hatches, and when the Easter Rabbit arrives, he chooses the empty blue eggshell to reward Hoppi for his kindness.

Spring is everywhere in gorgeous illustrations framed with pussy willows, flowering vines and flowers. Side borders feature busy rabbits making their unusual eggs and, in a border above, the Robin’s family drama unfolds.


* Our family is a huge fan of Jan Brett.  We've read and own a lot of her Christmas-themed stories.  When I saw this book on sale in my daughter's Scholastic book order a couple of years ago I had to add it to our collection.  In this book, Hoppi hopes to decorate the winning Easter egg so he can help Easter Rabbit hide the eggs on Easter morning.  Unfortunately, Hoppi realizes how difficult it is to make the perfect egg.  I especially liked the line in the story when Hoppi realizes, "I guess I don't have to win.  I just want to make an egg I am proud of."  Ultimately, Hoppi does do something to be very proud of when he helps Mother Robin with one of her eggs.  Of course, the beautifully detailed Spring pictures help add to the story, as do the pictures in the side bar. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I haven't found very many "quality" Easter stories.  This is definitely one that is worthy of keeping in our permanent collection.

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up!

To Die For Blueberry Muffins

I had so much fun participating in Tina @ Moms Crazy Cooking Crazy Cooking Challenge last month when we had to make a spaghetti with red sauce dish.  I couldn't wait for this month's challenge, which was to make a blueberry muffin.  The recipe must be found from another food/cooking blog. 

Now, I have to admit, my muffins did not look like the muffins that Avanika made on her blog (hers look MUCH better!).  I was ready to go find another recipe but you know what?  I tasted one and they were delicious!  If you go to Avanika's blog @ Yumsilicious Bakes  you can see that there's supposed to be a crumb topping on the muffin.  I made the topping, but I kind of knew when I was making the topping that it wasn't really "crumby" enough.  The butter/sugar/cinnamon topping sank into the muffin so it had bits of "crumb" mixed into the batter instead of on top.  She also gives the ingredients for a streusel topping, though I went with the crumb. Did I already mention though how moist and tasty they were?  None of these muffins even had a chance of being frozen for another time because we at them all!

To Die For Blueberry Muffins
From Yumsilicious Bakes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh blueberries

For the crumb topping [the one on the muffins]
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed [I used about 1/2, it wouldn't hold]
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the streusel topping I usually use, and would prefer with these:
2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons rolled oats
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans [I usually use walnuts]
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Directions:

For the muffins:
1.Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease muffin pan or line with muffin liners.

2.In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.

3.Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup.

4.Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries.

5.Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

For the crumb topping:
1.Mix together sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon.

2.Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

For the streusel topping:
1.In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats, brown sugar, and pecans.

2.Using a fork, cut in butter until well combined and mixture begins to hold together a bit.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up!