Mushroom Risotto...hold the mushrooms

Yesterday I was really hungry for risotto. I knew that I had a bunch of mushrooms in the fridge, so I was planning to make it with mushrooms. I normally prep everything before I even turn to range on, but I was in a hurry last night and decided to chop as I went. Well, by the time I got to the "slice mushrooms" part, I found that my mushrooms had gotten all slimy and gross. Since I was already mid-risotto, I had to wing it. I cooked up some chicken and a few slices of bacon, caramelized some onions, and chopped up some frozen grilled eggplant and voila! - smoky balsamic chicken and eggplant risotto. At least that's what I'm calling it and if the hubs asks, it was totally intentional and no I did not waste the $5 container of mushrooms that he told me I would forget about!

The chics call it "the cheesy rice". Whatever. Big chic was thrilled that it was in her thermos, I mean Lunch Jar, today. I didn't take a photo of the thermos, cause, really, it wasn't that exciting. But, here it is in a bowl ready to eat.

She took a slice of French bread, and some white grape juice with her Lunch Jar AND she's buying a yogurt from the dining hall.

Lasagna Soup

Lasagna is soooooo good, but I rarely make it because I feel so guilty eating it. The same things that make it great are the same things that make it bad for you...cheese, cheese, and more cheese! I came across a lasagna soup recipe that had all the flavor of lasagna with only a bit of cheese. It's Paula Deen's Tastes Like Lasagna Soup. I know that Paula Deen is not normally known for her healthy cooking, but this recipe is actually very healthy. I made a few modifications, though, to boost the nutritional value even more. I added a buncha spinach and omitted the mozzarella. I also added a small spoonful of ricotta cheese to the top. YUM!

I packed the soup in her lunch jar and then sent a few snacky type things in a little bento to eat with it.

Oreo, Goldfish crackers, Lasagna soup, Dried cranberries

Spaghetti and Meatballs

When a recipe is on the cover of Bon Apetit magazine, I expect it to be good...no...I expect it to be GREAT! We've made several of the cover recipes over the years and most have been outstanding. When I got the latest issue, I knew immediately that I was going to have to make the cover recipe...Spaghetti and Meatballs All'amatriciana. It looked fantastic! The hubs doesn't normally like many pasta or Italian dishes (crazy, I know) but I knew that he would be willing to give it a go if it was the COVER recipe.

Finally we had a day, a few weeks ago, where I had a chance to make it. I have to say that I was a little disappointed with the recipe overall, but the chics devoured it. The recipe made a ton so I froze the leftovers with my lovely Foodsaver. I'm so glad I did cause the big chic asked me to make it for her lunch for tomorrow!

Spaghetti and meatballs on whole wheat pasta, Breadsticks, Cucumber slices, Clementine, Pecorino Romano cheese

Tortilla Soup

There are tons of recipes for tortilla soup. We've tried lots of them in search of the perfect one. I'm a bit picky about the tortilla soup. For example, if it doesn't actually have tortillas IN it (and you only add them as a garnish), it's NOT tortilla soup. Good tortilla soup also always has little droplets of orange colored oil across the top. Not sure why, but it's always there. So, after trying many many recipes, my family finally decided that The Mansion at Turtle Creek's recipe is our favorite. (I mean, come on...Dean Fearing? Of course it's our fave!) We've been making this same recipe for several years now and it ALWAYS awesome. It also happens to be my oldest chic's all time favorite soup.

My other favorite tortilla soup is from Central Market's cafe. It's more of a broth/veggie tortilla soup. I was lucky enough to go to opening night when they opened a Central Market close to our house (the fourth greatest day of my life next to marriage and the birth of my children!). One of the grand opening tchotchkes was the Central Market cookbook and in this cookbook is a recipe for tortilla soup. So, yesterday I decided to veer from the Mansion's recipe and try the Central Market version. Let me tell you...the recipe in the book is NOT the same as the soup in the cafe. I ended up with a huge pot full of cumin flavored chicken stock. Not only did I waste two red bell peppers, a pound of chicken, two poblano chilies, four tomatoes, etc...etc...but I also wasted two quarts of homemade chicken stock! Grrrrr! I should have turned back when I realized there were no tortillas IN the soup! I guess that'll teach me to vary from our tried and true recipe!

Anyway, the oldest chic was really disappointed that the soup didn't turn out and we had to eat something else for dinner. I figured the only way I could make it up to her was to make a batch of the "good" tortilla soup for dinner tonight and of course she wanted to take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

Blackberries, Tortilla chips, Cilantro, Shredded cheese, Lime wedge, Tortilla soup, Red bell pepper strips, Cucumber slices, Carrot sticks

It's supposed to be super cold tomorrow, so this should be a great lunch to warm her up. Oh! And we've added sushi to our "most awesome lunch ever" list. She had no problems eating it in the dining hall and said that no one even commented on it. She ate all the rolls in her lunch then came home and ate all the rolls that were left in the fridge. That's my girl!

Butternut Squash Soup

Well, this is the last lunch for a week. We have a Thanksgiving Feast on Friday and then the chic is out of school for Thanksgiving break! I've got a lot of cooking to do between now and then so I'll probably post some non-lunch related stuff over the next week. BUT, we have one more, so here goes...Butternut squash soup.

Butternut Squash soup - Croutons,creme fraiche and pumpkin seeds to add the the soup - Fruit leather - Cheese curds - Homemade whole wheat flax cinnamon babka

The babka was a variation on my favorite cinnamon babka recipe. I really wanted to try making it in the Pullman pan AND I was trying to make it healthier but still yummy. It was. I literally had to wrap it in Press N Seal and walk away from the kitchen so I would stop eating it. The chic asked me to make her some cinnamon bread this morning so she should be thrilled to see this in her lunch! I will post the recipe later this weekend!

When you let the three year old help...

The three year old loves to help in the kitchen. She's usually in there with me when I'm getting her sister's lunch made so she's seen many many lunches created. Today, she really wanted to make her sister's lunch. And since I had nothing planned except soup, I let her. I asked her what she wanted to make and she said "a kitty". So, with her guiding me, I cut out the pieces she requested and helped her put it together. I thought the kitty should have had more whiskers, but I was "informed" that "kitty cats only have twos whiskwers". How can you argue with that? I think she did really well for her first lunch and I think the big chic will love the fact that her sister made it for her.

Kitty cat sandwich, strawberries, Yellow cherry tomatoes, Sweet Potato chicken and rice soup, Fruit Bites

**I added a granola bar to the lunch. After looking at it, I thought it needed a little more super-sizing!

You might have noticed that this is a new box. I found it last night at the Sanrio store (thanks to Amber who told me that the Sanrio store carried bento boxes!) and had to add it to our collection. The Laptop Lunchbox is definitely our favorite by far, but it's fun to have a few smaller boxes for snacks and whatnot. I also like to send the smaller bento boxes when she takes soup.

Lunch Jars are the new Thermos

School lunches seem so short. The chic gets 30 minutes and by the time they get in their seats and get their lunches out, it seems like 10 minutes has already passed. She is allowed to use the microwave to re-heat food, but that just takes more time out of her already precious lunch. So, I went looking for a thermos so she could take warm foods in her lunch without having to use the microwave.

I soon discovered that what I knew as a thermos has been re-styled and re-named a "Lunch Jar". It sounds so fancy. I imagine some really sophisticated looking woman lounging on a chaise with a super breathy voice saying it really slowly..."L u n c h J a r". And did I mention that they are ridiculously expensive? I spent twice as much on a "Lunch Jar" as I do on insulated Starbucks mugs! But, what are ya gonna do? So, since we've had a streak of Fall weather, I made soup. And since she's got a new "Lunch Jar" burning a whole in her lunchbox, she's taking soup tomorrow.

Tomato soup, Cheese sandwich, Edamame, Fruit Roll

We made Michael Chiarello's Tomato Soup cause he is awesome and the person to go to if you want anything fresh and full of flavor.

I decided to defrost an ice pack and refreeze it in the bottom compartment of the bento box. I'm hoping that will do a good enough job of keeping her sandwich cool. (fingers crossed)

The chic has her first Field Trip Tuesday, so I'm trying to come up with something yummy that doesn't have to be refrigerated. They also want to be able to throw all the packaging away. Ugh! I've got my work cut out for me. Especially since it also has to contain "flowers or faces or anything pretty"! :)