grasshopper pie

Back in our Biltmore days, on the nights we didn't drink, we ate grasshopper pie, which gave me a great idea for dessert tonight!

here's an idea if you need something quick, cheap, and will please.

ingredients:

chocolate graham pie shell
mint chocolate chip ice cream

Allow ice cream to soften and then spread it into the pie shell. Place in freezer.

That's it! Of course, you can make this a thousand different ways by changing the shell and ice cream flavor...i was thinking a regular graham shell would be good with butter pecan ice cream...haven't had that flavor of ice cream in ages.

Purged a little after dinner tonight in what will be the nursery...maybe my creativity hasn't completely left me...just took a vacation!

dinner...3 days in a row?

with all said in my "struggle" post, here is a sampling of dinners this week.
monday--veggie lasagna and cheese bread


i found this delicious recipe from Parents Magazine, September 2009 issue. it was very easy to make, in fact, i think i will make it even easier the next time by assembling it ahead so that all i have to do when i get home from school is pop it in the oven.

ingredients:

1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 c shredded carrot
3 c baby spinach
1 jar pasta sauce (be sure to get a tasty one...it makes a big difference)
6 regular lasagna noodles (uncooked)
1/2 carton (15 oz) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 c shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1. Prep the veggies. Cut them all and then place them in a bowl with 2 Tbs water. cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes; drain. Stir in spinach.
2. heat pasta sauce, covered on high for 2 minutes.
3. Layer 1/2 c sauce, 4 noodles, half the veggies, half the ricotta, 1 cup sauce, and 1/3 cup mozzarella. Stack on 4 more noodles, remaining veggies and ricotta, 1/3 c mozzarella, 4 noodles, and rest of sauce.
4. Preheat oven to 350.
5. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 1 hour. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing. Makes 8 pieces.

The best part: Each piece is stuffed with 3 kid-sized portions of veggies!

again, i cannot take credit for this dish..check out Parents Magazine, September 2009 issue if my directions aren't clear.

Tuesday--Breakfast for Dinner!

fried eggs for shaun
scrambled for me and landon
homemade waffles with fresh blueberries

i just love breakfast for dinner...we did this once a week at least growing up!

Wednesday--potato soup

with it being ridiculously cold outside, this hit the spot!

Thursday--Fabios!!!

after cooking for three days (yes, for all you die hard cooks out there 3 days is stretching it for me!), we were ready for a change.

Fabios hit the spot...if you're a local and haven't checked this out, you've got it...it is fantastic and delivered! nothing better than that on a work night!

maybe next week i can continue the goal of cooking 3 nights a week and add something else to my nightly schedule that would make me feel a little more normal.

considering i've been trying to post this exact post all week, it might be a nice goal to post a little something each day on this blog or Landon's Love.

i'll need a lot of cheering on!