To The Pointe... My Girls Are Getting So Big!

Mom Life.  It's NOT the easy life.  Whether you are a stay-at-home-mom, a full time or part time working outside the home mom, married mom, divorced mom, single mom... We all have our struggles. But it's a rewarding life.  It's one where we are happy when the day is done, kissing our beautiful children goodnight and then enjoying a bit of silence... but LOVE seeing their messy little bedheads in the morning.  It's a bittersweet feeling when a birthday rolls around.  We are happy to see them meeting milestones, seeing them learn and grow. However, it's heartbreaking knowing that year 3 is done and no longer can you refer to them as a toddler. Or when Kindergarten has ended and you officially have a FIRST grader.  

Moms are busy.  Parents are busy.  So when something comes around to make our lives a bit easier, I'm all for it!
My sweet girls are 3 years and 3 days apart. That means we have not one, but two birthday's to celebrate.  We usually combine the girls friend party and then do a small family party for each.  I came across the very best thing to ever happen to birthday parties...

To The Pointe! Dance Academy in New Prague, MN

They're local, very reasonable, FUN and the best part for us busy moms... They basically take care of everything.  I'm talking everything from the cutest dance party invitations (see, I'm right... right??)

to the matching "thank you" cards. AND everything in between.  I walked into a gorgeously decorated dance studio

with gorgeously decorated cupcakes (you get to choose your own flavor... hellooooo, strawberry!)

with three wonderful dance party hosts/organizers to keep the kids busy, organize activities AND handle clean up.  (Yes, you heard me right. They even take care of clean up.)

My tiny dancers and their fabulous party guests enjoyed 1.5 hours of crafting, dancing, and cupcake eating.  

Then at pick-up, all the little ones lined up and performed a dance for us parents.  My girls had chosen jazz as their dance type, and got to perform to "Welcome to New York" by *gasp* Taylor Swift, but To The Pointe! Dance Academy in New Prague is SO accommodating... They can seriously pull off ANY party theme.  Musical theater, jazz, tap, ballet, show choir, hip hop (just to name a few)... AND they'll even throw in something like the ever popular Frozen for your Elsa and Anna obsessed cutie, or a Pirate Party for your handsome little Jake and the Neverland Pirate admirer. Your little one and their guests DO NOT need any dance experience to enjoy these fantastic parties. My kids jumped in the car at the end of the party, and my Little One says, "BEST DAY EVER" at the same time as my Sweet Girl says, "I want to do that again next year for our birthday party!" I had moms come up to me this week to tell me that their little girl (who had no previous dance experience) had the greatest time ever at our To The Pointe! Dance Academy dance party.

My point is (see what I did there?)... To The Pointe! Dance Academy in New Prague can really make a birthday party hassle free and easy for parents, but so incredibly fun for your birthday girl or boy. It was completely magical for them and for me.  It was so wonderful to sit back and really watch my children and their friends have fun dancing, crafting and interacting.

You can learn more about the wonderful birthday parties at To The Pointe! Dance Academy in New Prague by checking out their website at www.tothepointedanceacademy.com or email them at tothepointedanceacademynp@gmail.com

Potato Leek Soup

Sometimes I find inspiration in the most unexpected places. My family and I recently had dinner at Celt's Craft House in Apple Valley. One would possibly hear the words "craft house" and automatically think, "Oh!  They have bar food." That's exactly what I thought and was totally mistaken.  They took bar food to the next level.  The burgers, the steak bites, (which were tender and cooked to perfection) the onion strings... all amazing. But one thing really stood out in my mind and that was their potato leek soup.  It was creamy, filling and perfectly garnished with sour cream and snippets of green onion.  Even my husband, who could possibly be one of the pickiest eaters on the face of the planet, enjoyed it.
Having never tasted a leek before, let alone cook with one, I set out and did some recipe research.  I wanted to perfectly replicate the delicious bowl of soup I had just a few weeks before.  After trying a few different things, I came up with a recipe that I'm totally happy with!
Doesn't this look AMAZING?  I promise, it tastes just as good.

If you've never cooked with leeks before, don't let that intimidate you. They're easy peasy!  I wouldn't use the hard leafy tops (maybe save to throw in to make a big pot of stock?) but the white and the very light green parts at the bottom are where it's at!
Best part?  It couldn't be easier to throw together.  If you're really pressed for time, this would be a great soup to throw together over the weekend and reheat on a busy night or for lunch the next day. It's very filling!
Check out the recipe below:

Creamy Potato Leek Soup

*3 medium size russet potatoes, cleaned, peeled and chopped

*3-4 celery stalks, cleaned, trimmed and chopped

*3 leeks, cleaned, trimmed and chopped

*1 bay leaf

*1 tsp dried thyme

*4 cups of chicken broth or stock (I used Swanson's since I

didn't have homemade on hand)

*1/2 c heavy cream

*salt & pepper to taste

*sour cream

*chopped green onions

Throw potatoes, leeks, celery, bay leaf, thyme and some salt and pepper into a soup pot with the chicken broth.  

Let boil for 15-20 minutes or just until potatoes are fork tender. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.  CAREFULLY put into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Add everything back to the soup pot, turn on low and add the cream.  Add some more slat and pepper to taste.  Let simmer on very low for about 20 minutes. Ladle hot soup into bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with a few green onions.  Perfect!  It's pretty and completely delicious.  I think you'll agree!


*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

 

Hellooooo, Bok Choy!

About a year ago I was at a housewarming party and tried a salad that was to die for delicious.  It was made with (GASP) bok choy.  Before this, I had never even tried bok choy (other than the bit they throw into my Chinese take out) but now that I had and loved it, I was determined to find a recipe to try on my own at home.


Bok choy is known for it's mild flavor and is wonderful in stir fry's and soups.  You can eat it raw as well, which is how I use it in this recipe.  I read up a bit on bok choy (yes, I'm a tad nerdy like that)and found that not only is it yummy,  but it's packed with vitamins A & C. Just one cup provides more than 100% of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin A and close to 2/3 of the RDA of vitamin C.  Trust me when I say you will eat more than one cup of this salad. It's low calorie but rich in anti-oxidants. So good, right??


I just get totally thrilled when I find something new that I love and usually go a bit overboard with recipe testing using that star ingredient. It's just how I roll.  So if you come to my house and I'm on a bok choy binge, don't be alarmed.  Something tells me after you try this salad, you'll be hooked as well.  The crunch from the sunflower seeds, sliced almonds and ramen are addicting and the dressing is so sweet and mouthwatering. Make it for lunch, dinner, as a side dish, share at a potluck... just MAKE IT!

Bok Choy Salad

*one bunch of bok choy, rinse and chop

*one package of ramen noodles, crushed (discard seasoning packet.  I just used 1/2

of the package and added more nuts instead for crunch.)

*one handful shelled sunflower seeds

*one handful sliced almonds

*2-3 green onions, chopped

*2 tbls Nanko rice vinegar

*1/4 c olive oil + 1 tsp

*one tsp butter

*1/2 tbls soy sauce

*one tsp toasted sesame seeds OR 1/2 tsp sesame oil

*1/4 c sugar

*pinch of salt

Melt one tsp olive oil and butter together in a large sauté pan.  Throw in ramen noodles, seeds and almonds. Stir often and sauté until golden, but be careful not to burn them. In a shallow bowl mix together 1/4 c olive oil, soy sauce, sesame oil or seeds, sugar, rice vinegar and salt.  Whish until well mixed.  Put boy choy and green onions in a big bowl, add noodles, seeds and nuts and pour dressing over it all.  Done!  Easy and delicious!

*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

 

A Healthy Addiction

Hello. My name is Sara and I have a salsa addiction. There. I said it.
I've canned countless jars of salsa of different varieties.  Mild. Spicy. Black bean, corn and pineapple salsa. Bruschetta. (which is good for numerous things... including a salsa substitute. Recipe is on this blog so be sure to check it out!)  Canned salsa is delicious!  Duh.  Buuuuuuuut my FAV salsa is fresh.  Chop it all up, let the flavors mingle, fresh out of the garden salsa.  It's absolutely divine.  Everything about it rocks.  The colors, the flavors, the way you can add it to breakfast, lunch & dinner.  (Trust me!  Once you taste it, you'll totally "get it.")
The weather here has been cooler the last week or so.  Fall like and crisp.  But nothing is what it seems here in MN and now today is 80 and sunny.  My mind went from pumpkin spice lattes, hotdish and soups to grilling & fresh veggies. (Have I mentioned before that I cook by the weather? I do.)
Aren't these colors GORGEOUS??

Make this delicious fresh salsa, my friend.  You won't regret it!

Fresh Garden Salsa

*8 roma tomatoes

*1 yellow pepper

*1 green pepper

*1 bunch of green onions

*1/2-1 jalepeno (depending how spicy you want it. Be sure

to remove seeds if you like it more mild!)

*1/4-1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped fine

*Juice of one lime

*3 cloves of garlic, minced

Chop all veggies by hand.  (it will go faster than you think!)

Add a pinch of salt and pepper. 

Done! Enjoy, amigo!

*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Just Another Manic (Marsala) Monday

Life gets busy.  Especially when we are gearing up to start school next week! My Sweet Girl is starting FIRST grade.  Seriously.  She'll be away from her mama every single day and while I tell her I'm so excited for her (and part of me is) I'm secretly having a hard time with it.  I really enjoy spending my days with her and I'm going to miss having her here with me.  She adds so much fun to our days.  However, while Little One is starting her first year of preschool, she will only be gone a few hours a week, so I still have her to soak up the love. I'm really looking forward to some one on one time with her and fun mommy/daughter dates, but I can't help but feel guilty that my oldest will be missing.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who struggles with this?


The weather here in MN has been a bit cooler these last few days making it feel totally fall-like around here.  I've been really enjoying it and I'm bringing out all my "cool weather recipes."
Feast your eyes on this...

Chicken Marsala is one of my very favorite ways to enjoy chicken.  I had been a bit intimidated to try making it at home since I've had so many wonderful marsala dishes while dining out, but found that it's much easier than I had thought it would be.  The key is to use a marsala wine with a good taste.  I really like Florio marsala because it's a bit sweet. It's also not expensive, which is a nice little bonus. Another bonus?  It will take you less than 30 minutes to make this delicious meal. 

Chicken Marsala

* 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch thick
*one package of sliced, fresh portabella mushrooms

*1/2 c flour

*salt & pepper

*3 Tbls butter

*2 Tbls veg oil

*one cup Marsala wine

*2 Tbls sherry wine

*1/4 c chicken broth

*pinch of dried thyme

*parsley

*fresh grated parmesan or asiago cheese

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper to season, and then dredge in flour. Grab a skillet (I use my cast iron for this meal) and heat 2 Tbls of butter and one Tbls veg oil. Set heat to a medium/high and lay chicken breasts in a single layer.  Brown on both sides and then remove from pan.  Turn down the heat to medium, add the last tablespoon of butter and oil and then the fresh mushrooms. Cook mushrooms for about 6 minutes, turning often so they don't burn. Add the sherry wine and then cook mushrooms for another minute or two so they absorb all the flavors of the wine. Next, add the chicken broth, thyme, and the marsala wine. At this point I add my chicken breasts back if I think they could use a bit more time to cook. Simmer and reduce liquid by about half. 

Remove from heat and sprinkle with parsley and parmesan and/or asiago cheese.

I usually serve this with a side of linguini and will pour the marsala sauce all over it.  SO GOOD.  If you're like me, you may want to make a double batch of marsala sauce so you have leftovers for the next day.  (This meal reheats very well) Or for seconds that night. Trust me, you'll be tempted!

Enjoy! Have a happy Monday, friends!

*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Tomatoes? Bruchetta!

If you're like me and go crazy with tomato plants, or you just tend to buy a ton at the farmer's market and wonder what in the world you're going to do with them all, I have a tasty answer for you:

Bruschetta.


Nothing says summer like a delicious, homemade bruschetta using garden fresh tomatoes.  It's pretty, it's delicious, and it's healthy! Plus, it's absolutely wonderful to open a jar of fresh tomato and basil bruschetta in the dead of winter... you get a little taste of summer and it's completely refreshing.
A little bonus?  It couldn't be easier.  Canning can sound a bit intimidating, but it's really worth the effort.  Once you do it, you find it's much easier than you originally thought and then you get on a kick and wonder what else you can start sealing up in those cute little jars. (Hint: pickles.  My husband makes the BEST dill pickles and I will post that recipe in the coming weeks as well.)


But, for now... bruschetta.


I would suggest using a variety of tomatoes.  I use roma's, red cherry, orange sun sugar and yellow pear.  This recipe will make 4.5-5 pints.  I usually use three pint jars and three half pint jars.  The half pint jars make for some super cute little thank you gifts.

Fresh Tomato & Basil Bruschetta

*5 cloves of garlic, minced

*one cup dry white wine

*one cup white wine vinegar

*1/2 cup water

*2 Tbls sugar

*2 Tbls dried oregano

*one Tbls dried basil

*one small handful of chopped fresh basil

*2 Tbls balsamic

*9 cups chopped tomatoes (use a variety to get those beautiful colors!)

Boil jars. Combine and boil all ingredients except for tomatoes and fresh basil. Mix tomatoes (I drain off some of the liquid and scoop out some of the seeds with my finger when chopping them up)  and fresh basil in a bowl and toss together, then pack into your hot jars.  Carefully & slowly ladle hot liquid/herb mix over the tomatoes, leaving about 1/4 inch space from the top of the jars.  Carefully place jars into a hot water bath, making sure the water covers the jars by at least an inch.  Process for 20 minutes in rapidly boiling water.  Carefully remove and set jars out to cool on a dishtowel overnight. Check to be sure all jars have sealed after 12-24 hours and reprocess any jars that haven't sealed. 

You guys.  It's perfection.  I mean it.  Spoon it over crusty baguette slices and top with feta cheese for an amazing appetizer, OR you can toss it with some pasta and feta to make it a main course.

Now, run out and get your ingredients and jars.  You can thank me later!

Hot Days, Cool (Healthy) Treats

I'm pretty sure you'll never hear this Minnesota Girl complaining about the heat.  Don't get me wrong here; I enjoy my AC in the summertime.  But after the long months of cold dreary weather, I welcome the days of warmth.  Of course, we need to find fun ways to cool down on these hot summer days.  Playing in the pool, running in the sprinkler, splashing at the beach... those are all super fun ways to cool off.  Water is a great way to stay hydrated, but when snack time rolls around and the kiddos are pleading for popsicles with their beautiful baby blues, I can pop a healthy treat out of the freezer that doesn't get a, "this isn't a popsicle" comment from anyone. These are kid and husband approved. (In this house, when it comes to healthy food choices, husband approval is even tougher to get than kid approval. Yikes!) They're very easy to make and I tend to do it after the kids go to bed when I know the following day is going to be a hot one.  This gives them plenty of time to freeze overnight.

Fruity Freeze Pops

*12-18 strawberries

*1/2 banana

*a big handful of watermelon chunks

*3oz pineapple juice

Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour into ice pop molds & then place in your freezer for 12 hours.  Run hot water over the mold to loosen the fruity freeze pop, hand them out and watch them disappear!

I just love how they look in the mold... kinda pretty, right?

I absolutely love these all natural, healthy little snacks that I can provide for my family and feel good about giving them. What is your fav healthy summer treat?