Real Food, Real Life

I am constantly looking at websites, recipe archives and cookbooks to find inspiration to feed my family healthy and interesting meals. Truthfully, I enjoy reading about cooking a lot more than I enjoy doing it, but I am committed to providing my family with healthy meals. I write this blog to help me organize my thoughts, plan my meals and streamline my shopping and food preparation. This is real food and real life. I do not have a staff of writers, nutritionists or support people to do what I do. I am a working mother with three very busy children and a typically complicated life. Grocery shopping is a chore for me and I struggle to find the energy to organize meals every night. I am not a domestic diva nor do I derive pleasure from chopping vegetables into perfect hexagons and making decorative flowers out of spun sugar. I do, however, take great pride in my greatest achievement, my children, and the little darlings need to eat. I refuse to cave in to our societal pressure to do the dinner drive through. Dinner in my family is a time for us to connect and share the events of the day. Granted, we often eat late but we are still afforded the opportunity to share the events of the day with one another over a good meal. I believe that the family dinner is grounding for the family, especially the children.
So, with family dinners my goal, I try to view the planning and preparation of the meals as a challenge. In this way, I am much less resentful of the time it takes to grocery shop and prepare the meals. Organization is the key to success as this is not an easy endeavor. Hopefully, you can find some tips and menu plans that resonate with your goals for feeding your family and that my reflections on my own journey in this blog will make yours a little easier.

Peace,

Julia

Menu Week 4

Sunday
Brisket http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/100844
Carrots, Onions and Potatoes



Monday
Grilled ham and gouda sandwiches with frisee and caramelized onions
http: http:/www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/231733


Tuesday
Fettucine Alfredo http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/105505
Salad
Garlic bread

Wednesday
Pork Chops with Apricots and Prosciutto and Gouda
Asparagus steamed
Pilaf

6 Pork loin chops, cut 1 inch thick
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
6 slices prosciutto or ham
6 dried apricots
11/2 T Olive Oil
1 cup dry white wine
½ cup water
½ cup shredded gouda
Trim excess fat from shops. Slit a pocket in meaty part of each chop cutting toward bone. Season chops with salt and pepper. Chop prosciutto and apricots, mix with shredded gouda .Stuff each chop with stuffing
Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add prok chops and cook turning once 3-5 minutes or until browned on both sides Remove from pan and place in pyrex dish. Add wine and water to frying pan, reduce over low heat and then pour over pork chops. Bake in 350 degree oven until done. Cover with foil until last 5 minutes

Thursday

Refrigerator review

I realized that this is a lot of food for the week so far…so tonight we are cleaning out the leftovers and having a family favorite, Refrigerator Review. Make a salad and all are happy

Friday ( I really want to go to a fish fry)

Corn chowder http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/232298
Salad
Garlic Bread


Grocery List

Meat

1 5-6 lb Brisket
8-10 slices Prosciutto
Ham (lunchmeat)
5-6 Loin cut Pork Chops
Bacon

Bakery

2 loaves french bread

Dairy
4 cups cream
Gouda cheese
Parmiagiano-Reggiano cheese

Produce
Carrots
Onions
Potatoes
Asparagus
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Celery
Garlic
1 cup frisee
½ lb Yukon gold or red potatoes
1 medium sweet potato
Fresh thyme

Dried goods
Fettucine
Beer
White wine
Dried apricots

Canned goods

Tomato paste
1 can Beef broth
1 can Stewed tomatoes
5 cups chicken broth

Frozen Food

3 cups frozen corn

Pantry items

Dijon mustard
Red wine vinegar
Molasses
Soy sauce
Paprika

Kitchen clean up

Friday Dreams...Summertime in Wyoming




Friday: Baked Potato Bar

It is still Lent and I am considering going back to the Knights of Columbus for a fish fry. If you haven't tried it yet take a chance and go. This is a great way to feed your family with delicious food for a reasonable cost. Look on line for a Catholic church near you that is hosting a fish fry. These only occur on Fridays in Lent. If you decide to cook your fish at home here is a link to some great fish recipes.

http://menu-planning.suite101.com/article.cfm/lenten_fish_fry

Reflections from the Backcounter
Cooking is one thing, clean up another. Once the groceries are bought, meals planned and food prepared, there is still another mountain to climb before we sleep…the dreaded clean up. The Backcounter Buffet model of food serving has really helped our family streamline the clean up process. It is not necessary on a busy weeknight to set a full table and use serving dishes. All this does is double the amount of dishes that need to be washed, dried and put away. Try it and you will see. Serve directly from the stove and the backcounter. The buffet line starts in the kitchen cabinet for plates and glasses and goes through the stove and ends with the silverware drawer. Each family member is responsible for getting themselves to the table and for cleaning up their own plate. If you have messy cooks in the house, there are a couple of tricks. Pull out the trash can and have it available to immediately dump scraps, empty cans or bottles during the meal prep. Train your cook to at least rinse out the bowls or utensils that he/she is using as the cooking happens. If time and manpower allows you can team cook. We do this in my house. One person is cooking and the other is coming along behind as we go and cleaning up the mess. No way around it…clean up is not fun but at least with the Backcounter Buffet model, there are fewer dishes to go around

Peace,
Julia

First Communion

Thursday: Split Pea Soup http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/vegetarian-split-pea-soup-recipe.html


Reflections from the Backcounter: First communion. I have introduced you to Fridays in Lent and the meatless cuisine. Now, let’s reflect on every Catholic mother’s dream….the first communion…. dress. Yes, I did say, dress. The first communion in the Catholic church is a sacramental and blessed event but as a separate topic, all Catholic mothers have a dress agenda. This is the truth. The dress is of utmost importance to the event and the ceremony around the hunt purchase and photographic documentation of the dress are of paramount importance. I’m not sure that the clergy gets this.
I have had three children receive their first communion in the Catholic church and each event was a wonderful celebration of family and faith. Did I mention the dresses? Every little Catholic girl has the opportunity to wear the nicest dress of her lifetime for her first communion. The shopping is epic. This weekend I had the pleasure of having one more chance to shop for a first communion dress. My niece (the one with the Constellation project) had the opportunity to have the dressing room limelight this weekend. No room in this dressing room for modesty. Little white dresses and veils were flying, cousins were criticizing and her proud mother and aunt were holding back tears as we saw the delicate beauty of the child dressed in chiffon and tulle. When I am an old woman, I will remember this day!
Peace,

Julia

Salmon Pasta

Wednesday: Salmon Pasta http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/232148

Well, I have a sixteen year old and the truth is, he is an eating machine. The result is that my carefully crafted menu plan has been consumed! My menu called for grilled salmon on Sunday and I planned to use the left overs to make this delicious pasta dish. Unfortunately, the human eating machine ate it all and I don't have any salmon left to make this pasta. I do have some canned salmon in my pantry and so I am going to try an emergency substitution. We'll see how it goes!

Reflections from the Backcounter: School Projects

I think that on many levels, homework is a terrorist plot to undermine the stability of the home. As if it were not enough to supervise and evaluate the homework of my own three children, I am, as I write this, helping my ten year old niece write an essay about the origins of a new constellation. I’m thinking that if she cannot accurately spell constellation that we are starting from a negative position. Luckily, my dinner is already cooking and I have a few moments to spare. Oops, need to stop and sign my son’s schedule for next year. I am confident that multitasking requires 2 X chromosomes.
Peace,

Julia

Orzo risotto with sausage and artichokes and Shopping!

Tuesday: Orzo risotto with sausage and artichokes. http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/orzo-risotto-with-sausage-and-artichokes This is a great way to have a risotto dish in much less time and it is really good. I love Orzo. Orzo is the Italian word for barley but the orzo we buy in the store is really barley shaped pasta .Orzo cooks very quickly and makes a great side dish with meat or chicken. It can be served simply with just butter. parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley or it can be more elaborate as in this recipe. Give it a try and I will post pictures after we make it tonight.
Reflections from the Backcounter
Shopping, a modern day version of the traditional hunting and gathering task of women in ancient time. Although food shopping is often tedious, shopping for the big provisions at Costco is truly like hunting for big game on a safari. It takes cunning and skill to navigate the hordes of hungry people clamoring for a sample of the just cooked pizza bites or tuna salad prepared by the latex gloved and paper gowned freebie czars. Clearly, this is a challenging environment and a seasoned guide is a must. I recommend that you avoid weekend shopping at these large warehouse stores unless you are in a group...there is safety in numbers and great fun can be had by all. My sister and I went to Costco on Sunday and bought out the store. Then over a glass of wine and a lot of hilarity, we divided the spoils of our hunt and laughed all the way to the bank. We derived a great deal of savings because we were able to buy in bulk but more importantly, the task of hunting and gathering was shared and therefore, the burden lessened. Between the two of us, my two girls, her daughter and a friend we filled two carts and hit the checkout line in under one hour. We had no mishaps and even persuaded the sample lady to part with her wares and give the kids a taste.Everyone pitched in and we were able to return to our weekend in record time. The lesson here is to share your chores and enjoy the company of a friend! It may take a village to raise a child but on a busy weekend I’ll be satisfied to have just one other woman to help me survive the aisles at Costco! (In the time I have spent writing this; my poor sister has been struggling to sort out the accounting of the split on the wares from Costco. She was stymied by the tax calculation…time for another glass of wine.)

Peace,

Julia

Tamale Pie

Monday: Tamale Pie http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/100567 Refried Beans and Spanish Rice (recipe on menu page, Sunday). This is a favorite with my children and I often make this on the weekend and then just pop it in the oven after I get home.

Reflections from the Backcounter
Scott Peck, M.D. wrote in his landmark work The Road Less Traveled, “Life is difficult”. I always find this an important statement to reflect on when I am faced with the challenges of my life. This always seems more relevant on Monday mornings when the enormity of the week feels almost crushing. Remember, the purpose of the Backcounter Buffet is to center you, inspire you and remind you that you are not alone as you face the challenges of balancing home, work, childrearing and life. Hopefully, the menus, recipes and reflections from the Backcounter can help you feel a little less isolated and a little more supported. Meals can regain the purpose of original intent; an opportunity to connect with and enjoy the company of family and friends. The menus and shopping lists will streamline your efforts and the Backcounter Buffet model will ease serving and cleaning up the dinner mess. Engage your family in the process by having the kids help with the shopping and food prep. Consider asking for their input on rating the recipes and challenge them to come up with new menu ideas. Share the site with your friends and try collaboration on shopping and meal prep…Remember, we all benefit from community. Let’s strengthen our resolve to reach out and connect with those who love us and we will find that although “Life is difficult” it is also rich and joyful. Let me know how it goes and please feel free to share your thoughts by leaving comments.

Peace,

Julia

Menu Week 3 and an Update on the Backcounter

The Backcounter Buffet is evolving. Check out the changes. Now we have a menu and recipe archive to help you more easily find your favorites. The mission of the Backcounter Buffet is to offer support and practical help to busy mothers who are challenged to find balance in their lives. Every week I will post a menu and recipes with a shopping list to help streamline your meal preparation efforts. The daily posts will highlight the meal for the day, prep tips and reflections on life. I too am a busy mother who faces the struggles we all encounter. My reflections are based on my experiences and those of the other women in my life. My family is eating the menu right along with yours. I hope you enjoy the view from the Backcounter
Get your grocery ads out and find the best deals! Happy cooking .
Peace,

Julia

Menu Week 3
Sunday


Grilled salmon http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/105288

Grilled vegies (zucchini, squash)
Pilaf (see recipe from week 2 menu!)

Monday

Tamale Pie http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/100567
Refried Beans
Spanish Rice

2 cups Uncle Ben’s Rice enriched parboiled rice
1 stick of Butter
3 cups Chicken broth (homemade or canned)
1 can El Pato Tomato sauce and add enough water to equal 1cup liquid
Melt butter in saucepan and add rice. Saute for 1 minute
Add chicken broth and tomato sauce and bring to a brisk boil. Lower heat to very low and cover. Rice will be done in about 20 minutes. Top with 2-3 sprigs of fresh cilantro

Tuesday

Sausage Orzo http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/orzo-risotto-with-sausage-and-artichokes
Salad

Wednesday

Salmon Pasta http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/232148

Salad

Thursday

Vegetarian Split Pea Soup http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/vegetarian-split-pea-soup-recipe.html

Cornbread and Salad

Friday (Lenten Friday)

Baked Potato Bar

Stuffing for potatoes (Steamed broccoli, sauteed vegies peppers, zucchini, onion, cheese, sour cream,scallions, )

Saturday

Roast Chicken http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/13626

Garlic mashed potatoes http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/108582

Peas and roasted vegies

Grocery list

Dairy
Butter
1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar
Sour cream
Produce
6 large onions1 green pepper2 zucchini
2 yellow squash
2 red bell peppers1 bunch cilantro
1 bulb garlic
Chives
1 lemon
Fresh dill
Potatoes for mashed potatoes (Yukon gold or red )
Baking potatoes
Broccoli
Lettuce for salads
1 pound carrots (about 5 large), cut diagonally into 1-inch-thick pieces1 pound turn (about 4 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges1 pound zucchini (about 2 medium), halved lengthwise and cut diagonally into 1-inch-thick pieces
Pantry Items
Chili Powder
8 oz of red wine
Salt, Pepper, garlic
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar1/2 cup dry white wine2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
Olive oil
Grated Parmesan
Vodka
Dried split peas
1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds2 teaspoons ground cumin1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt3 medium garlic cloves, chopped fine
Meat and Poultry
2 pounds of ground chuck 1-2 fillets of salmon
Italian sausage
1 Large roasting chicken

Canned goods
6 cans Chicken stock
2 cans of Mexicorn (sold at most supermarkets)
2 8 oz cans of tomato sauce
1 small can of cream-style corn 1 can Sliced black olives
Refried beans
1 can El Pato tomato sauce (Mexican tomato sauce)
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (Cara Mia)
Dried Goods
Uncle Ben’s rice
1/2 package of Cinch (or Jiffy) brand cornbread mix
Fritos
Orzo
Angel hair pasta
Frozen Foods
1 bag Peas