"I Don't Like Chicken And I Don't Like You"

Izzy sobbed as we walked down the Path Station steps on our way home from pottery class. He was contrary from the moment I picked him up and discovered that I hadn't bought fish for dinner.

Apparently fish is his favorite food, or so he wrote in an "All About Me" book he recently created. I had mentioned that I might buy some this afternoon but when left to my own devices, I realized that I wouldn't have sufficient time to prepare and cook it so I opted for a roast chicken instead.

When I told him I had purchased a roast chicken he became disconsolate. He scooted along, tears streaming, bemoaning the sad state of his dinner and life.

As he walked, halfheartedly, down the Path steps, he sobbed, "I don't like chicken and I don't like you." A woman smiled knowingly and hurried on as she heard me offer this response: "That's okay. You don't need to eat the chicken and I will always love you anyway because I am your mama." I do hate to see him so upset and clearly something more than chicken was ruining his afternoon.

Finally on the train, thankfully a kind soul gave up her seat for my teary-eyed boy who sullenly munched on a slice of bread. Which was clearly the key to what had been ailing him. Surprise. He was hungry. He was thirsty and he had to pee. As soon as those needs were ministered too, he experienced a revival. He scooted home with a new outlook and a smile.

Once home, I set to making a few sides to go with the chicken. As he watched me prepare he exclaimed, "Yummy chicken. I want a wingy."

Behold "Mr. I don't like chicken" now!

Turning Into A Pizza, Who Me?

If you are not familiar with Pete's A Pizza, the wonderfully silly William Steig book, in which a father lovingly turns his son into a pizza, run out and read it (they have it at the JC library). It is sure to inspire giggling and pizza-making of one kind, or another.

Following in the footsteps of Pete's father, Izzy and friends decided to turn me into a pizza too. They covered me with all manner of toys and foods from his kitchen. Clearly fun for all!

Don't Judge A Cookie By It's Color

Gray would certainly not be my first choice cookie color either. However, I had no idea that the use of buckwheat flour would result in a gray cookie. I just loved the sound and ease of the recipe which included cocoa nibs as well. You see I have had a package of nibs languishing in my pantry for months, destined for some long forgotten recipe and I so desperately wanted to use them. The time had come.


My friend H. observed with raised eyebrow, as I mixed up this odd looking batch of dough, basically a butter cookie with the addition of buckwheat and cocoa nibs. She looked even more skeptical when they emerged from the oven. Her daughter, on the other hand, was easily won over upon first taste, though for Izzy it was not love at first bite, nor for me. We needed to have at least three before they became an addiction. Order your nibs now! This is one unusual cookie.

What are Meatballs?

Is an odd question to hear from a five year old yet I heard it twice today. Once from Izzy when I told him what I was making for dinner and a second time from his friend I., who was joining us. I began to feel remiss with my meatball making because I have probably made them on average of once a year since Izzy started table food, which would mean he has probably eaten them only five times, if that.

Each time I make meatballs I am always surprised at how little time it actually takes and how simple they are to prepare. I hereby vow to make them more often, especially after tonight's success.

The two friends were so very absorbed in their meal, meatballs and sauce, plunked on top of plain spaghetti, old-school style. I haven't seen that since visiting some Italian restaurants when I was a kid but the vision came to me and I had to serve it that way. The meatball recipe, made with grass-fed beef, had an interesting addition, toasted pinenuts. You know I don't think I have ever made the same meatball recipe twice but I think this one might be a keeper.

My Mini Meatballs

1 lb. grass-fed ground beef

2 cups torn day-old bread, crusts removed

1 1/2 medium onions, finely chopped

2 large cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup milk (I used goat)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, chopped

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 eggs, beaten

salt, pepper to taste (about 1/2 tsp. of salt)

1. Soak bread in milk for 15 minutes. Squeeze out liquid.

2. Saute onion until very soft. Add garlic and cook for two more minutes.

2. Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix by hand.

4. For mixture into walnut sized balls. Sautee in batches in a tablespoon or two of olive oil until browned on all sides. Remove to drain and then continue to cook in tomato sauce of your choice. I used two cans of whole plum tomatoes, one onion, 2 cloves garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper.

Shopping At Buon Italia: Izzy's Picks

Clockwise: black pasta (read cuttlefish ink), dried fava beans, marinated anchovies, and dried borlotti beans.

An impromptu visit to Chelsea Market this weekend led us to Buon Italia, a gourmet Italian food shop. Izzy was dizzy with glee as he skipped down the aisles, picking out random items. He was particularly smitten with the idea of black pasta and I will be challenged to find something to do with it, as well as the dried beans. In the meantime, it has been difficult keeping him from downing all of the anchovies in one sitting. Believe me when I tell you and he can attest, they are so much tastier than the jarred variety.

Don't Let This Happen To You: Goldfish Frenzy

In her latest post, The Yummy Mummy recounts a hilarious shopping excursion to the Duane Reade, during which her innocent children are lured in by the silent, penetrating call of the insidious Goldfish. Don't let this happen to you. Be prepared.

Do not go shopping unarmed. Always, always carry an artillery of healthy delicious snacks to combat those evil fish, there are even organic versions that are far better. But better yet, bring along other enticing items: chunks of cheese, dried fruits, applesauce, etc. You get the idea. And of course, get to know which aisles to avoid.

Spice Boy: Definitely His Father's Son

A peek inside Izzy's lunch bag and I can see he is his father's son. As I have mentioned, A. douses all of my delectable meals with hot sauce of one kind or another. More recently, Izzy has taken to adding extra chili oil to his tofu, and I approve since I like a bit of that on my tofu too.

This morning when I told him he was having our leftover tofu for lunch, he asked if he could bring the spice bottle with him. I guess I didn't realize what a crucial component it was to his meal. His teachers must certainly have been amused when he asked them to shake some on his food.

What's next? A stash of hot pepper flakes and a spice bottle to match every food?