Well, I’m late for the first time on my Secret Recipe Club post… which I’ve now noticed was the last time I posted in the past month too! Yikes!!!  It’s my first time being late and I owe a huge apology to Anne at Quick and Easy, Cheap and Healthy for not having this written and ready to post.

Good intentions and all that, you know. I have no excuse, especially since I made and photographed the recipe within a day of receiving my assignment! All I can say is that the past month has felt like I have been sleepwalking through my days and they are all one big blur. Today just absolutely snuck up on me.

Anyway, when I was going through Anne’s blog trying to decide what I would make I kept coming back to her recipe for Hot Chocolate Granola.  I make a lot of granola at our house, but for some reason it hadn’t really sunk in that I could coat my granola with chocolatey goodness. ‘Nuff said.

I’m pretty sure that my modifications really chipped away at the healthy factor of the original recipe, so if you want a healthier version, then Anne’s version is the way to go. I was more looking for a treat style granola in this case that I could use to really dress up some parfaits. This chocolate filled, Nutella coated granola, sprinkled on some good vanilla yogurt and layered with fruit would be a great addition to your Mother’s Day plans and is easy and fun for kids to put together.

The original recipe is filled with oats, puffed cereals for bulking things up and some cocoa powder to get the chocolate effect. Anne’s family has to watch for nut allergies so my version ends up being a departure since we love nuts and love to bulk up our granola with them. I’m sure her original recipe is fantastic as is though so if you are looking for a nut free version, make sure you go and check it out!

I took the base and switched out a few things for what we usually have on hand and like in our granola. I increased the amount of rolled oats, added nuts, kept the flax but added some almond meal and quinoa flakes, increased the cocoa powder, used agave instead of honey, and added in a fair amount of slightly melted Nutella to coat everything. When it was all cooled I chopped a couple of bars of really good quality chocolate into chunks and tossed that in with the granola. This is a much more decadent version of the granola I usually make and I consider it to be more of a treat or dessert type of sweet than a daily breakfast kind of thing, but either way this is definitely the most chocolatey granola I’ve ever made. I can’t wait to experiment more!

Well, my efforts to post all through March ended up in a dismal failure. Cole, poor kid, after being so foully sick with adenovirus for the first couple of weeks ended up passing it on, complete with a side of pink eye, to Kayla. Needless to say we’ve been in a madhouse dealing with sick babes and grumpy, bored preschoolers. Thankfully everyone is well again now, and just in time for their spring break this past week… which really just meant that the crazy busy effect was still in full swing. A house that was clean is now once again a mess and a mountain of laundry awaits during this week’s continued crazy schedule of school, preschool, swimming lessons for the boys, a therapy-music class for Kayla, finding a new preschool for Cole in the Fall, regular therapy sessions for Kayla and a counseling session for Aidan, etc etc etc. – I wish that were all of it but my head is spinning just thinking of the week ahead and the insane amounts of caffeine I know I’ll be making myself sick on just to get through the day and keep from drowning in it.

Why and how on Earth does any of this remotely relate to the fact that my first post in a couple of week’s again now, and this month’s Secret Recipe Club post???

Well, here is my convoluted logic.

I hated the month of March this year. Hated. It. Between the husband’s work and travel schedule and all the kids having sick or busy issues out the wahzoo last month was just shy of a nightmare. March was on my &%*$ list for sure, and April was officially on notice.

April is usually a favorite month of mine because it’s my birthday on the 20th- self-serving, I know, but there you go. I like my birthday.  Well, guess what? My blog assignment for this month just so happens to belong to the charming Alessio over at Recipe Taster, who just so happens to  share the same birthday! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALESSIO!!

And still, how does my tirade about March fit in??

Here’s why.

Alessio’s beautiful recipes, photos and stories helped me slow down and remember why I love cooking. Even during busy times, sometimes I need to remember that the time and effort put into making a fabulous meal doesn’t have to be hours and hours and lots of courses to be a hit. The love the creativity of it and the chance to make something from scratch that my family will eat and that will nourish their bodies is what I love about it.

And my boys do love pasta, so with all the gorgeous and creative choices on his blog there was no shortage of inspiration.

Looking through those recipes inspired me to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and last week, even though we were in the middle of spring break, kids everywhere, running around, driving me crazy, I decided to make homemade pasta, and roll it out by hand since I have no pasta rolling machine. Alessio, of course, has many stunning pasta dishes on his blog so in my mind it was a natural fit and the perfect way to slow down a bit and remember why I love being in the kitchen.

One recipe I kept coming back to was his Tagliatelle with Walnuts and Pork Sauce Sicilian Style. I loved the idea of adding nuts to the pasta dish since I’ve mentioned here before that my husband’s usual critique of what I make is that it needs nuts. This should then be one dish that he shouldn’t complain about.

I actually tried to make pasta by hand several years ago and it was a dismal failure because, apparently, I just didn’t have the patience to roll out the pasta thinly enough. Well, last week I did! I guess it helps being distracted from the task at hand and spending time being interrupted because those minutes of letting the dough rest between rolling it out seemed to do the trick for me!

The title above is my nod at trying to name a dish in another language. I don’t know what I’m doing, so hopefully the title translates along the lines of “Springtime Tagliatelle” – which all things considered probably still doesn’t make sense, but since it’s our birthday this month, hopefully you (and Alessio will forgive my lame attempt and feel free to correct me in the comments!

This version of Alessio’s Tagliatelle I know is a departure from his sauce recipe, but it is all inspired by taking Alessio’s lead and using fresh pasta, along with a balance of complementing fresh ingredients, keeping the preparation simple, and being creative to put together a satisfying meal. In this case I made the Tagliatelle from scratch, using my Kitchen Aid to mix and knead the dough and then letting it rest before rolling it out by hand. The noodles were then rolled, cut and boiled before being tossed with a mixture of ingredients I had been sautéing while waiting for the pasta dough to rest while I was rolling it out. It took some multitasking, but nothing too difficult. I started out with some olive oil and a little butter, then some garlic and shallots, then some chopped bacon I had already cooked separately (I wanted to use pancetta here, but just flat out ran out of time to go to the store and had bacon on hand), and then some fresh asparagus and chopped hazelnuts. The whole thing was then dabbed with some creamy goat cheese for a little bit of a tangy sauce along and a bit of salt and pepper. That was it.

My kids are funny, because even as picky as they are, these are the kinds of dishes they love, and they did love this meal! Go figure!

Life is funny.

Cake is yummy.

I am full of exhaustedness and I don’t think that is a word.

I wanted to concentrate on finally just enjoying having kids that are mostly healthy, so I made cake. Chocolate cake that my friend Krista tipped me off too which is her son’s favorite birthday pick and today is his birthday! She has been so sick I told her I would make a cake for them, but she lives over an hour away and said they would be ok (I still would’ve done it!). Anyway, Cole saw me looking at the cake recipe and reminded me that I was mean when we were at the grocery store yesterday because he wanted to buy a chocolate cake mix and I refused and told him if he wanted cake, we would make cake. With sprinkles of course. Even if they are leftover sprinkles from Valentine’s Day (you can’t really tell, but there are hearts all over the cake too!)

After all, when you are skin and bones like he is any day is a cake day (what a life, huh!?). The hilarious part is, as much as he proclaims to like cake, he really only likes it as a F.D.D. (Frosting Delivery Device). Doughnuts get the same treatment. Just the frosting for that kid.

I also sometimes like to think I’m channeling June Cleaver in a perfect mom moment. You know, like where there is a big chocolate cake and a cold glass of milk waiting for the kids after school. It rarely ever turns out that way, but today it did.

Of course, instead, Aidan showed up with a major headache crying and had forgotten all his stuff at a friend’s house, but honestly, what would our day be without some kind of drama. I probably wouldn’t know what to do with myself.

So. Back to the cake, and always the kids.

There are candles on the cake that I lit three times, letting the boys blow them out, because every once in a while, we like to just light up a cake and have an UN-Birthday party. Nothing big. No presents. Just extra silliness and steam letting off. Maybe a little dancing around the living room and a movie night. But with cake, and candles, and extra hugs and kisses. Just because.

Life is too short not to have your cake and eat it too.

At least we finally got back to some semblance of normal this week, which actually meant swimming lessons for the boys. Thankfully, they are loving it.

As always, Sweet Baby K is a champ and just hung out with me on the sidelines for now. She loves the water, but her mama isn’t nearly so comfortable and she is extremely wiggly and can’t be trusted not to just put her face underwater without knowing what to do about it. She is also a little Houdini, so I can only imagine what kind of trouble we would get into with her being slippery.

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake - the only change I made was to bake the cake in a 12×12 square pan for 45 minutes – I then cut the cake into four equal 6×6 squares. This way I have enough for a double layer 6-inch cake now and one for the freezer for another day within the next month or so. Or I can crumble it and make cake pops or something like that. The chocolate frosting is a creamy, fudgey variation on ganache that I love. It is smooth and spreadable. If you want it to be a bit more sturdy, use only 1/3 cup of half and half or use heavy cream instead.

I guess when you are 4 1/2 but only weigh 29lbs there are benefits – like fitting in your sister’s indoor swing.

I’m really glad we had this swing this winter, but I’m even more glad for the spring weather!

World Down Syndrome Day… was today. I’ve known all about it and had great plans to celebrate, but honestly since Cole has been feeling better I’m just playing major catchup and was busy just enjoying my kids feeling well.

Miss Kayla was especially precious to me today as I thought about how she has changed our world in amazing ways over the past two years. I wouldn’t trade exactly who she is for anything!

The Utah Down Syndrome Foundation put together a video that really says it all. I have said pretty much every single one of those things they say in the video. And at the beginning, I wouldn’t have believed it.

My most favorite quote reminds me of how Kayla’s big brother’s already feel about her – she DOES rock that extra chromosome!

Here’s to the kiddos with designer genes!

I can’t wait for the weather and my kid health to really behave like the springtime is here! Today is a beautiful spring day, so at least we’re halfway there!

Soon it will be picnic weather, our favorite time! The picture is from a picnic we took at the end of the summer last year.

What would your perfect picnic look like? Menu, location, etc.? I’m ready to start dreaming!

Cole’s fever finally broke! Just about 5 minutes before my last nerve was ready to go! It has been a day of him finally feeling better, me not panicking as much and trying to tame the biohazard area of our home, the decontamination of which has me completely wiped and will have to somehow be finished tomorrow. On the major upside we picked the hubs up from the airport today and got to have a little family time. Off to sleep for the first night in almost a week!

Hugs,
Holly

I seriously love these cookies and with how crazy this week has been and is continuing to be I really wish I had a batch of these ready.

Then again, probably a good thing I don’t have them because I’m pretty sure I would inhale the entire batch.

Last week’s sick fest is still going strong here at our house. Cole’s fever that started last Wednesday night is still with us with a vengeance – even though he’s been on an antibiotic since Friday. This nonstop fever is a new one, even for me. Meanwhile ridiculously skinny that he already was is getting downright bony since he is still barely eating at all an has managed to drop almost two pounds now and has officially slid right off the growth chart for weight.

I was really hoping last week’s shenanigans would stay in last week.

Sigh. Make yourself some cookies and send some good thoughts poor little Cole’s way.

Dark Chocolate Madeleines

3 large eggs, room temperature
3 oz bar bittersweet chocolate (70%-82%), finely chopped
1 stick (4 oz) unsalted butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup natural cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it in the microwave. Add the finely chopped chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds, then stir until smooth and set aside to cool.

Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder in a medium bowl and set it aside.

Place the eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer or use a hand mixer and beat for three minutes on high speed until thick and light yellow.

Reduce the speed and add the sugar gradually. Increase the speed to high and beat until light, about 4 minutes more.

Add the flour/cocoa mixture and gently fold it into the egg/sugar mixture using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.

Add the cooled chocolate and butter mixture and blend and gently fold it in until evenly mixed but still very light and fluffy.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the batter in the fridge for at least 1 hour and up to two days.

Fill special madeleine molds 2/3 full or use a mini muffin pan that has been well buttered and floured.

Preheat your oven at 425 F and bake the madeleines for 7 minutes to get a nice rise, then reduce the heat to 350 F and continue to cook for 4 more minutes.

Keep baked madeleines in an airtight container, but they are best eaten the same day they are baked.

You can serve them plain, with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, with a cup of tea or hot cocoa.

Makes approximately 3 dozen.

Adapted from La Tartine Gourmand

I had good intentions of posting a cute St. Pat’s idea today, but the ingredients are still sitting on my counter after being purchased two weeks ago. You know. Before all &%*$ broke loose again around here.

Best of intentions and all that! Anywho…

In the meantime, I was looking back at the past few posts and thinking about how this week has translated in our eating habits – which, to be honest, it hasn’t. I’ve been sustaining myself on a ridiculous amount of Diet Mtn Dew (seriously, I may need an intervention), and the only kid who has been willing to eat anything this week was Aidan, and that was only under duress since he never wants to eat anyway. When he does eat, all he wants is cereal, and this week that was fine with me.

At least that explains why once again after only a few days my granola supply has dwindled again so much. I’ll be making more sooner than I thought apparently.

Anyway, while I was thinking about this translates into the food we eat in our lives when we’re being hectic and scattered (and grumpy on my part!) it made me realize I make a lot of pancakes around here. A LOT of pancakes. I have several recipes I like, depending on my mood, what ingredients I have, etc. The issue lately has been that every time I ask Cole what he’ll eat, he says ‘pancakes’ (at least before Cole got sick, decided not to eat anything and to lose 1.5 lbs and slip right back off the weight chart). This could be on a day when he decides to wake up only 30 minutes before he is supposed to be at preschool. I can mix and make pancakes from scratch pretty stinkin’ fast, but honestly, not in 30 minutes while still having enough time to get him to eat them and get ready. Not even if I multitask like a wild woman!

This has brought me around to the possible idea of pancake mix again. I’ve tried some of the store bought ones in the past and they aren’t too bad, but I just have a really hard time paying for anything premixed in a box or bag that I can just make from scratch. So I don’t buy mixes. I don’t like to commit any part of my grocery budget to them.

I remembered that one of my BFF’s makes a pancake mix using powdered buttermilk and that a few years ago (almost three now to be precise) we had them and loved them. Well, this recipe uses the same buttermilk, but is a different mix.

Let me preface all this by saying that, yes, it uses a whole lot of shortening. I’m lucky and can find the good stuff (you know, without the bad stuff) where I live. If you can’t, I’ve made this recipe several times before and we LOVE them too and it uses oil instead of shortening. I think it works because of the oats and wheat though, but wouldn’t work here. I’m working on modifying the recipe here, but if you or your kids want to have a straight up buttermilk version then this is a really good one (you know, comfort food, not health food – after all, we are on a fattening the kids up crusade here at our house, and though they don’t usually mind getting the oat/whole wheat version, sometimes only these will do!).

I’ve included links at the bottom of this post to all my other favorite pancake recipes. As for these buttermilk pancakes from the homemade mix, they are tender, light, easy and super fast to make and by modifying the original method a bit the mix gets a really smooth, silky texture. We all love these pancakes and I seriously love having a big jar of mix in the fridge to scoop from that I know what went into it and how fresh it is.

PW’s Sour Cream Pancakes
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Blueberry Pancakes
Apple Oat Pancakes
Whole Wheat Oat Pancakes

Thank you for your kind comments and virtual hugs and support (even if you make me cry, it’s nice to cry over something good for a change). I didn’t mention in last night’s tirade about Kayla’s latest diagnosis that the reason I’m so exhausted and haven’t slept is because Cole has been sick for the past few days. A pretty constant, sneaky fever that just doesn’t want to quit. He is finally starting to mend I think, but unfortunately he doesn’t like to eat anything when he’s sick, so in the past 4 days he has eaten one taco, half a doughnut and half a turkey, ham and cheese sandwich and two danimals. Most of that was today. What this all means then is that he is now back down to 29.5 lbs and has officially lost his little toe hold on the growth chart. And he was supposed to be gaining weight. So much for that!

Anyway, I’m determined to try and get things back on track (even if our track seems to be a constant series of train wrecks!) tomorrow and stop my moping.

Kayla starts her new thyroid medicine in the morning and I’m not sure what to expect, but I really hope it helps her.

Thank you again for the support and help and reaching out. It has been what gets me through the day and I will definitely be getting in touch with those who have offered to lend me your expertise about our various issues – just as soon as I come up for air and get a little time on the computer and not just my phone.

Hugs and love,
Holly