“Is it kid’s choice tonight, Mama?” my kiddos ask a few nights a week. I know if I answer “yes,” I’ll hear squeals of delight and shotgun orders for hot dogs or chicken nuggets or Sunbutter and jelly sandwiches. And usually once or twice a week, I’ll oblige. Heck, it’s easier on me. Plus, they are healthy hot dogs and organic chicken nuggets. And we use whole grain-wheat bread with no high fructose corn syrup and my jam is all natural. So, there. I can feel good about it. And so can they.
You’ve probably caught on by now that cooking isn’t my main gig. Although I do cook (although not always well). And I do bake… but I come up with most meals on the spot, 30 minutes or so before I know everyone will be hungry. I certainly plan a lot of things in my life, but meal planning is not one of them.
I do have a few favorites though – recipes that are tried and true and worth the extra effort for special occasions, company, or because somebody asks me nicely. I’ve featured many of them here, and thought it would be nice to pull my faves into one post. Feel free to browse around and see if any of these strike your fancy.
The Marketing Mama’s favorite recipes
Aunt Trudie’s Lasagna – There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe this lasagna. It. is. amazing. Always a hit.
Creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup – I’m a big fan of thick, creamy soups. Chicken/turkey wild rice is my absolute favorite. This recipe is easy and delicious.
Chicken Chow Mein – Yum. Make a double batch so you can freeze some for later.
Hot Dog Aliens - The only kid-friendly recipe on my blog. Ha! It’s kind of a craft project!
Candied Walnut Gorgonzola Salad – Making candied walnuts is super-easy and they taste amazing. You will be very popular if you make this salad.
Greek Isles Pasta Salad – My tried and true Baptism-potluck-summer BBQ-4th of July-birthday party salad. Always goes fast. Delish.
Red Lobster Garlic Biscuits – If you are a fan of these biscuits at Red Lobster, now you can make them at home. yum.
Loring Cafe Artichoke Dip (aka Artichoke Ramekin) – Hard core artichoke lovers will ditch the spinach and give this a shot. It is very popular and I get a lot of google traffic from people trying to find this recipe! It isn’t an exact recipe, but it has all the ingredients for how to make the most amazing artichoke dip ever.
What is one of your signature dishes? If you’ve blogged about it, please share a link!
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Marketing Mama® features articles on parenting as a working mom, health, family activities, cool products, my two adorable children and sometimes I even talk about marketing.
I loved your list of favorites! I HAVE to try your lasagna;). And love the idea of your thick soup (I myself am working on some Ribollita recipes, an Italian veg plus bread thick soup). Glad to find you (thanks to Kate;)).
Yum. Good favorites. Mallory is really into soup right now so I'm going to make the turkey wild rice soup tonight. Thanks!!
I haven't blogged about it yet but one of my signature dishes is an apple gorgonzola salad… that and my sweet potato casserole. MmmmMM
The hot dog aliens are hysterical! I'm so trying that with veggie dogs.
My signature dish last summer was definitely my balsamic corn salad here: http://bit.ly/9vPdcu
It's super easy and tastes like summer exploding in your mouth.
Ohh, they all sound awesome- I'll have to try that Gorgonzola salad-yum! I like to think I plan ahead but in reality I don't. My go-to is usually homemade mac & cheese with carrot puree or turkey burgers. My grandma's stuffing is one of my signature dishes too:) http://capitolmommy.blogspot.com/2009/11/guest-recipe-of-week-wk-4-grandmas.html
No tried and true recipes to share (sadly) but I did want to pass along many many thanks from family and friends for your gorgonzola salad – I made it several times over the summer and got rave reviews every time. Love it, and way so easy. Thanks for sharing it!
My signature dishes seem to be all about carbs. I do love the carbs. I wouldn't call myself a great cook, but I can get by. Like you, meal planning isn't something I really do. But somehow or another we do all get fed.
I would say that corollary to your post title is, "At-home moms aren't necessarily great cooks, either". But I do have a recipe page, all the same: http://www.strocel.com/cookery/
working moms DO cook too! Haven't been keeping up with my blog reading – I went back to work! I keep meaning to write something meaningful about that, but I'm to busy… working
The Greek Isles Pasta Salad looks great…thought that was Basil from the picture – may have to add some of that too when I try it! This is one my favorite "treats" that I make every year at Christmas — Toffee Almond Crunch. It looks like you've bouhgt it at a fancy candy store and it is SO easy to make!
http://littleglimpse.blogspot.com/2009/12/goodies.html
This may be a little off topic, but it relates to food. Is anyone familiar with any research saying high-fructose corn syrup is worse for you then regular sugar?
High-fructose seems to be the buzz word right now and I would like read any research available comparing it to sugar.
Great recipes!! I would say you are one heck of a cook!
Blessings-
Amanda
I can attest that the Lasagne is awesome!
So many favorites…we do chicken tacos a lot, my kids love it. Just shred the chicken and there you go! Just like hamburger, sort of. lol
I love kid choice nights, though now with my bigger kids it means that they get to help in the cooking (of course, sometimes that is more work for me than if I didn't have help…) ;o) I figure my little food allergy princesses and dude need to learn how to cook for later on…
Chicken or turkey wild rice soups is a fav here, too (done all gluten and dairy free). and I do lots of freezer and slow cooking for the family, lots of stir fry love and muffins. Lots of muffins. My whole blog is about my gluten and dairy free food yummies: angelaskitchen.com