Mac and Cheese with a Twist

This recipe was inspired by my intention to incorporate vegetables in every dish that my daughter eats. She actually eats it! Not only does it make many servings (that I freeze) but it is also relatively inexpensive (no fancy cheese).

- 8 oz package of Ancient Harvest Quinoa pasta shells

- 1 package of organic frozen spinach

- 2 oz of pepper jack cheese

- 2 oz of mild cheddar

- sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and panko

- plenty of nutmeg

- salt and pepper

- bechamel sauce (you can also just make a quick rue with a little butter, flour and milk and call it a day. The purpose is to make a little sauce to bind the dish and to cut down on the amount of cheese)

Cook the pasta according to package instructions.

Make the bechamel / rue in a pan large enough to fit all ingredients

Add the defrosted package of spinach, cheese, nutmeg and seasoning

Mix together until ingredients are combined

Add the al dente pasta

Transfer all to baking dish and sprinkle top with panko and Parmesan cheese

Bake in oven until golden and serve

Enjoy!

Scandalous History

I hope you can see this picture (taken with my phone) well enough. The Stamford Barnes and Noble named one of its isles Scandalous History and I thought it fun to share. Your guess is correct: there's an abundance of Borgia tales and biographies of French kings that "lived fully". As for the scandalous part, there's a lot in history that should go into that rather small isle dedicated to the notorious romantic escapes of Popes and Kings.

...

Espero vean bien la foto sacada con mi teléfono. El Barnes and Nobles de Stamford nombró Historia escandalosa a una de sus secciones. Y, sí, están en lo correcto si pensaron que ahí abundan las historias de los Borgias y las biografías de reyes franceses que tuvieron una "vida plena". En cuanto a la descripción de escandalosa, hay mucha más historia que debería incluirse en esa parte pequeña de la librería - no sólo los cuentos de tórridos romances de Papas y Reyes.

Masa de tarta

Tarta de Zapallitos antes de hornear. Zucchini Pie before the oven.

Masa de tarta "facilísima". "Easy" pie crust.

Estas son las fotos de la masa de tarta "facilísima" de la que escribí en el post anterior.

These are the pics of the pie crust I blogged about before.

Masa de tarta facilísima!

Mi Mamá me dió esta receta para masa de tarta hace unos días. Es muy fácil de hacer, rápida y rica. Yo hice una tarta de cebollas, queso y crema pero se puede rellenar con lo que quieran. Aquí va:
- 2 tazas de harina leudante o harina común (con un poco de polvo para hornear)
- 1/2 taza de aceite de canola
- 1/2 taza de agua
- sal a gusto
Poner la harina sobre la mesada y hacer un hueco con las manos en el centro.
Agregar el agua y el aceite de a poco e incorporarlo con la harina y la sal lentamente hasta fromar una masa.
Formar un bollo de masa sin amasar demasiado. Envolver el bollo con papel plástico y dejarlo reposar en la heladera por 30 minutos.
Estirar hasta obtener el grosor deseado y forrar un molde de tarta previamente enmantecado y espolvoreado con pan rallado.
Rellenen la masa con lo que mas les guste y Bon appetit!
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My Mom gave me this recipe for pie crust this week. It's easy to make, quick and delicious. I made onion, cream and cheese quiche but the possibilities are endless. Here goes:
- 2 cups flour ( if it is regular flour add 1 tsp or so of baking powder)
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup water
- salt to taste
Put flour on top of counter and make a well in the center.
Add the water and oil slowly working the flour into the well until the dough is formed.
Do not over knead the dough, just form a ball and cover it with plastic wrap . Put it in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes.
Roll dough until desired width and fit it into a tart pan previously greased and dusted with breadcrumbs.
Fill your pie crust with whatever your heart desires (bake) and enjoy!

Second ESL year at St Mary's

The new year is here and the second ESL session begins next Wednesday 2nd February at 7 at St. Mary's. The book this year is Side by Side - Book 2 and Workbook 2.

Please contact St. Mary's if you have any questions at (203)324-7321.

Hope to see you there.
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Llegó el año nuevo y empezamos la segunda sesión de clases de inglés el próximo miércoles 2 de Enero a las 7 en la iglesia de St. Mary's.

Contáctenos llamando al (203)324-7321 si tienen alguna pregunta..

Los esperamos.

Children and The Media

I just had to share my outrage at the photos of children of celebrities splashed over magazines and TV shows. Why is it allowed? The media should be forbidden to print pictures of underage children. I'm referring, especially, to Tiger Woods children.

I was appalled to see and hear Wood's wife accounts of her being chased by paparazzi to the kids' schools? There are no boundaries for the media even when children are involved? How awful it is to think that as a society we are not protecting ALL of our children.

I believe that ALL children, despite their nationality, background or family income should be protected in the same way.

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Quería compartir mi desagrado por las fotos de los niños de las celebridades que aparecen desparramadas por las revistas y shows de televisión. ¿Por qué está permitido? Los medios deberían tener prohibido mostrar imágenes de niños menores de edad. Me refiero, especialmente, a los niños de Tiger Woods.

Todavía no puedo creer cuando la esposa de Tiger Woods contaba acerca de como la perseguían los paparazzi hasta la escuela de sus hijos. ¿No hay límites para los medios cuando se trata de niños? ¡Qué espantoso es pensar que somos una sociedad que no proteje a TODOS nuestros niños!

Creo que TODOS los niños, independientemente de su nacionalidad, parentesco o ingreso familiar deben ser protejidos de la misma manera.

Oh, The Places You'll Go

Dear Juan Francisco Cattaneo,

Welcome to the world! Your aunt and uncle and your cousin can't wait to meet you and hold you.

Here's a little Dr. Seuss from all of us - especially from Zoe who loves this book:

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

...

So...

be your name Juan Francisco or Bixby or Bray

or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,

you're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So... get on your way!

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Querido Juan Francisco Cattaneo:

Bienvenido al mundo. Tus tíos y tu prima no ven la hora de conocerte y tenerte en brazos.

Aquí te enviamos un link a una canción que seleccionó Zoe con mucho amor. Te doy una pista: es

acerca de un sapo que se llama Pepe.