The Kitchen Chalkboard - Page 3 of 4 - Learn together at the Chalkboard

Spinach Salad with Truffle Vinaigrette

January 28, 2019 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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I have long been singing the praises of truffle oil. My obession with Truffle Popcorn has not waned. I am trying to convince everyone and their mothers to buy it. It has so many purposes! So my best friend throws out the challenge, what are some ideas for a Weight Watchers friendly Truffle Oil recipe? Challenge accepted.

Enter the Shari Salad. Clocking in at five Weight Watchers Freestyle Smart Points this salad with its truffle oil vinaigrette is a great addition to your meal plan. Hearty and filling with different flavors and textures, this recipe with a few ingredients, is anything but boring. Try this Weight Watchers Friendly Truffle Oil Recipe with some grilled chicken or a good steak.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Chicken Meatball Soup with Pasta

January 16, 2019 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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Winter has arrived! And here I am, longing for a chicken meatball soup with pasta. There are a ton out there but I wanted one that doesn’t take an hour to make and require the use of the stove and the oven. During weekdays, when I am trying to get dinner on the table, I need simple. And this recipe, which I’ve adapted, is just that.

You may not have used Great Northern Beans before but I recommend you try them. They should be easy to find in the bean aisle of the grocery store. Great Northern Beans are high in fiber, low in fat, and have no cholesterol. They are medium-shaped white beans with a firmer texture than Cannellini beans. They hold up well in this recipe and really make a great addition here.

I heard Rachel Ray use the term stoup, half soup, and half stew, years ago. This recipe would be in that category. It is not very brothy since the pasta, meatballs, and beans absorb a great deal of it. This makes it hearty but not at all heavy.

I didn’t even call this soup to my kids — it’s meatballs and pasta without sauce. It’s all about marketing, right?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Gift Ideas for Someone who Likes to Cook

December 3, 2018 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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Gift giving is hard. I’m here to make it as easy as possible. Check out the items below to bring a smile to not just the cooks but everyone on your list.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Looking for an Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer?

November 13, 2018 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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Look no further!

This weekend my husband and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Instead of the usual dinner out, we booked a food tour in NYC. We went with a group, explored, ate and learned a ton! The tour checked out a bunch of Mom and Pop shops in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan. My husband and I ended the day with a full belly, great history on a neighborhood we’ve never really explored and so, so many food ideas!

One of the first stops was at an olive oil store for a tasting of their products. There we learned about the various varieties and processes of oil production. We had tastings of olive oil on bread and it was delicious. But that wasn’t the real winner there. Truffle popcorn was. I can almost taste it as I write this.

It was simple but flavorful, you ate it and wanted more and more. As I watched everyone “gobbling” it up I immediately thought of Thanksgiving. I knew this was going to be the easy Thanksgiving appetizer I was making. We visit family locally so Thanksgiving is a rare slow holiday for us. I don’t have to make the meal, I just bring a dish or two. This year, truffle popcorn is one of those dishes.

You need to make this simple Thanksgiving appetizer, too. It’s time to make Truffle Popcorn.

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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How to Make Pumpkin Puree

October 18, 2018 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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It all started with Curious George.

Storytime in our house is always an interesting time. It usually involves me reading while my little ones ask ten thousand questions. The conversations can be about anything from what are clouds made of to the most recent, what’s pumpkin pie taste like?

Curious George was eating a pumpkin pie and my husband pipes in, “Can you make a pumpkin pie?” I was ecstatic! My family never asks for any specific food. Let alone a vegetable! I’m counting pie as a vegetable in this instance. It’s an ingredient, right?

Before we make a pie, we need to make the pumpkin puree. Let’s go to the chalkboard.

Want to learn how to make pumpkin puree from scratch?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Quick Ramen Dinner

September 14, 2018 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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The kids went back to school last week and our leisurely summer schedule was out the window. I had backpacks, school supplies, forms, lunch boxes and snacks all ready to go. And then the whirlwind happened. Shoes that fit weeks ago were too small, the big kid tried to put the little kids’ clothes on and tears were shed. We managed to pull it together to get outside in time — only for the bus to be a no-show. It was not the morning I had envisioned

By the time evening came, I had Meet the Teacher Night and was running out of steam. I needed a comforting dinner with little time commitment.

Enter the key to dinner in minutes – instant ramen noodles.

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Online Grocery Shopping Comparison

July 12, 2018 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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Which Online Grocery Shopping Service is Right for You?

I needed to run to the store to grab a few things and I took the boys with me. As we were walking through the aisles my youngest said, “Woah they sell food here? This is unbelievable,” he marveled as we walked around. The women in the store were having a good laugh. It was at that moment that I realized just how much I grocery shop online.

I’m forever on the quest to simplify my life. I love to use technology to make things easier, and with two kids, it is a necessity. Based on my son’s reaction to the grocery store, one may even say I’ve gone too far. I’m not alone in my obsession. According to industry estimates, online grocers are said to be worth $100 billion by 2025.

That estimate was proof that I’m not alone in my thinking — online grocery shopping the greatest invention ever. Being able to meal plan and shop anywhere, at any time? Amazing!

But which service should you use? After using three different services over the past few years, I have seen their strengths and weaknesses. So without further adieu, here’s a comparison of three popular services, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Peapod.

Let’s go the Chalkboard.

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How to Get Your Child to Eat Vegetables

March 1, 2018 by Kristen 2 Comments

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I don’t know about you, but I am always trying to get my kids to eat more vegetables. Fruits haven’t been too much of a problem but anything green? No way! Even though when you ask my little guy what his favorite food is he will almost always say “peas”. Seriously. If he ever tells you that, do NOT believe him. I’ve called his bluff many times and given him peas. His reply, “never said that.” Bless his heart.

Despite my little guy’s pea obsession, I’m always on the hunt for a new way to get my boys to eat more vegetables. I recently took a class on Child Nutrition. It was a fairly basic class but there were a few good takeaways that really helped.

Want to know how to get your child to eat more vegetables?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Well-Stocked Pantry

January 12, 2018 by Kristen Leave a Comment

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When I moved into my first apartment, I decided I needed to learn how to cook. I loved to eat and nurture so cooking was a natural fit. Slowly cooking through the only cookbook I had, The Campbell’s Soup Cookbook, I learned a ton and I was sold.