tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120935602088421072024-03-13T15:09:25.189-04:00My So-Called (Mommy) LifeCooking, Dining, and Child Rearing in Athens, GeorgiaAthens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-39889566966184990062020-04-01T13:56:00.000-04:002020-04-01T13:29:26.344-04:00Table of ContentsWelcome to My So-Called (Mommy) Life. For many years I had dreamed of writing a food blog; a place where I could share my favorite recipes and and my thoughts on local restaurants. Three years ago I became the mama to a feisty, voracious baby girl, and my life has been a beautiful chaos every since. This year I welcomed a sweet, smiling baby boy to my brood, and life has gotten even Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-79493242504931289862020-03-03T12:06:00.000-05:002020-03-03T12:06:01.062-05:00Veggie and Turkey Egg Casserole
Veggie & Turkey Egg Casserole
INGREDIENTS
1 lb Lean Ground Turkey
Garlic Powder, to taste
Chili Powder, to taste
2 Tbsp Butter
1 Bunch of Kale, chopped
2 Bell Peppers (I like 1 orange and 1 red)
12 Eggs, beaten
1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp (or more) Salt
2 Cups Cottage Cheese
2 Tbsp Butter, melted
8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-26970852758992667362019-12-01T13:07:00.003-05:002019-12-23T19:59:30.740-05:00Sausage, Apple, & Pecan Stuffing
INGREDIENTS
16 oz loaf French Bread (or bread of choice) - torn into bite sized chunks
8 tbsp butter, divided
1 lb ground Sage Sausage
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted preferably (bake at 350 for 5-7 min.)
2 Golden Delicious Apples, cored, peeled, and diced
1 Onion, diced
2 Celery Stalks, diced finely
1 tsp Kosher Salt (or to taste)
1 Tbsp to 2 Tbsp of Poultry Seasoning (to taste)
1/4 Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-16148796986848238942019-12-01T12:46:00.000-05:002019-12-01T12:46:12.314-05:00Protein Oatmeal Muffins
PROTEIN OATMEAL MUFFINS
INGREDIENTS
5 Cups of Old Fashioned Oats
4 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed
1 tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cups Whole Milk
1 Cup Full Fat Greek Yogurt
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil, softened
1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter
2 Cups Unsweetened Applesauce
4 Rounded Scoops of Unflavored Unsweetened Protein Powder
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
12 oz Frozen Blueberries or 2 Cups Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-6746138723633540902019-09-19T10:23:00.003-04:002021-07-12T18:29:58.117-04:00Best Cheeseburgers Ever
INGREDIENTS
1 Egg, beaten
2 tsp Worcestershire
1 tsp Dijon (or regular) Mustard
1/3 Cup Italian Seasoned Panko (or non-Panko) Bread Crumbs
1 Tbsp of Cream or Milk
1 Garlic Clove, minced or 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder1 tsp Salt
1 lb 80% Ground Chuck
DIRECTIONS
Combine all the ingredients and patty into burgers. Cook it however you like to cook your burgers :)Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-75570608233531339812019-09-19T10:18:00.002-04:002019-09-19T10:20:30.759-04:00Healthy Meatballs
Kid Friendly Meatballs:
INGREDIENTS
1 lb 93% Lean Ground Beef or Turkey
1/3 Cup Old Fashioned Rolled or Quick Oats (or breadcrumbs)
1 Egg, beaten
1/4 Cup Whole Milk or Buttermilk
1/3 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan (optional - omit if you have a picky kid)
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Italian Seasoning (alternatively you can use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and then omit Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-39099334297912897752018-04-06T16:55:00.002-04:002018-04-09T19:24:26.723-04:00Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites
I am currently obsessed with Starbuck's Sous Vide Egg Bites, so when I saw Food & Wine's copycat recipe using the Instant Pot, I had to give it a try! It's a really flexible recipe, so you can switch out ingredients to your liking. I made one batch with just spinach and ham and called it "Green Eggs and Ham" for my children, and then made another with roasted red peppersAthens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-66020372832801244732018-03-31T10:03:00.002-04:002019-12-01T12:43:15.565-05:00Rooter's Cabbage Casserole1 Head of Cabbage
1 Onion, diced
2 Cans of Cream of Mushroom soup
16 oz Mayonnaise
2 Cups of Ritz Crackers, crushed
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
Cheddar Cheese
Slice cabbage into thin strips (roughly 2" x .25"). Combine 1 can of cream of mushroom soup with equal parts mayo. Place half of shredded cabbage into a large 16x9 greased glass oven pan. Layer diced onions over cabbage, sprinkle Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-80529696839450193122017-09-04T17:58:00.000-04:002019-12-01T12:44:18.833-05:00Wacky Cake
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Cup White Sugar
3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tbsp White Vinegar
6 Tbsp Canola/Vegetable/Coconut oil
1 Cup of room temperature water
Grease an 8x8 pan.
Mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Put the mixture into the greased pan.
Make 3 depressions in the mixture: in one put Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-74829581131679755012017-08-27T16:58:00.002-04:002019-12-01T12:44:18.769-05:00Coca Cola Cake
2 Cups White Sugar
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Butter
3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
1 Cup Coca Cola
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups small marshmallows
Mix sugar and flour in a bowl.
In a pot over medium heat, melt the butter and then add in cocoa powder and Coca Cola. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Pour mixture into the bowl with the flour & sugar.
Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-82031765417599301352017-08-22T17:49:00.001-04:002017-08-22T17:49:43.330-04:00Protein Oatmeal Muffins
Protein Oatmeal Muffins
Makes 18 Servings
INGREDIENTS
5 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
4 Rounded Scoops Unflavored Whey Protein
1/4 Cup Ground Flaxseed
1 tsp Salt
1 Cup Natural Peanut butter (or Nut Butter of Choice)
2 Cups Whole Milk
1/2 Cup Full Fat Greek Yogurt
2 Cups Unsweetened Applesauce
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil, softened (or Oil of Choice)
1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
2 tsp Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-86477288670048715772017-05-18T19:11:00.000-04:002019-12-01T12:45:14.634-05:00The Softest Chocolate Chip Cookies
The Softest Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Recipe adapted from Averie Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup (1 Stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
1/4 Cup Cream Cheese (not the whipped kind or lower fat)
3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup White Sugar
1 Large Egg
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 Cup All Purpose Flour (spoon into measuring cups)
2 teaspoons Cornstarch
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
2Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-72933477002659459622017-02-27T18:06:00.002-05:002017-02-27T18:38:10.401-05:00Healthy Meatloaf
My meatloaf is actually my kids' favorite meal. I try to make it healthier by using oats instead of bread crumbs, and I think it really adds to the flavor. My secret ingredient though? Buttermilk. It makes the mealoaf extra rich and moist!
HEALTHY MEATLOAF
INGREDIENTS
1.5 lbs 85% Ground Beef
2 Eggs, beaten
3/4 C. Buttermilk (full fat)
2/3 C. Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-48260168534937199032017-01-01T17:53:00.000-05:002017-02-27T18:18:13.519-05:00Chicken Taco Salad
CHICKEN TACO SALAD
INGREDIENTS
Salad Dressing:
1/2 to 1 Jalapeno, seeded & chopped
1/3 cup diced & seeded Tomato
1/8 cup chopped Cilantro
1/3 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup Sour Cream
Juice of 1/2 Lime
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Onion Powder
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Chicken Mixture:
3 Cups of Shredded Rotisserie Chicken
1 (15oz) can Black Beans, drained & rinsed
Kernels of 2 Corn Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-74851082818335387802016-12-25T17:52:00.000-05:002017-02-27T18:13:56.775-05:00Breakfast Sausage Casserole
INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Onion, diced
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 lb Ground Sage Sausage
11/2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
8 Eggs
1 3/4 cup Milk
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Dried Mustard
1/4 tsp Salt
8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
6-7 slices of Sandwich Bread
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter, Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-44218811254726581232016-11-01T17:51:00.000-04:002017-02-27T18:14:47.058-05:00Corn Pudding
CORN PUDDING
Ingredients
1/4 Cup White Sugar
3 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp Salt
3/4 tsp Nutmeg
6 Eggs
2 Cups Whipping Cream
1/3 Cup Butter, melted
2 (15 oz) cans of Creamed Corn
1 (15 oz) can of Golden Corn, drained
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a 2 1/2 to 3 quart flat baking dish.
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowlAthens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-57575973349335791912016-04-07T13:23:00.001-04:002016-05-31T18:06:49.406-04:00One Pot Baked Ziti
My life has been so chaotic lately, I barely have time to cook or post recipes any more. My 4 year old never stops chattering, and my 18 month old's idea of fun is trying to climb furniture or turn the oven on. So when I make dinner these days, I need it to be relatively easy, and with little clean up. Also ideal? A meal that everyone in my family will actually eat. &Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-4006701285699548272016-02-15T14:11:00.001-05:002017-01-10T18:35:36.974-05:00Cheesy Broccoli & Chicken Quinoa Casserole
I have a deep love for casseroles. It is really hard to cook a main dish and several sides when you have two young children. A casserole means less cooking, less cleaning, and a less frazzled mama. Plus, casseroles will always be the quintessential comfort food.
This Cheesy Broccoli & Chicken Casserole was created with picky eaters in mind. My daughter Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-55105664440357093902016-02-09T13:30:00.000-05:002016-02-09T13:30:06.022-05:00Blueberry Oatmeal Cups
Blueberry Oatmeal cups are currently my breakfast obsession. I make a batch every other Sunday, freeze half (they freeze and reheat great!), and then keep the other half in the fridge to eat all week. I usually do blueberries, but sometimes I use cherries or peaches instead. I bet it would be great with pecans too! Not only are these muffins delicious, but they keep youAthens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-70315119813011146672016-01-19T12:11:00.000-05:002016-01-19T18:46:28.656-05:00Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I needed a quick and healthy dinner that would appease both my husband and my picky toddler. I'm a huge fan of cashews and lettuce wraps, so I thought, "Hey, let's try Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps!". It only took about 20 minutes to make, and everyone gobbled the wraps right up. Success!
Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Serves 4-6
INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil (or Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-34116417733998574122015-12-20T10:01:00.000-05:002015-12-30T14:32:38.785-05:00Browned Butter Pecan Pie
In my family, no single person is responsible for all the holiday cooking, regardless of who is hosting the meal. We are a potluck family, where each family member is assigned a dish or two to bring, so we can focus on just being together. I had three separate holiday dinners to attend this Christmas, so I was sure I would be asked at least once to bring a dessert. I had beenAthens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-7584692678288597072015-10-20T11:44:00.000-04:002015-10-20T10:37:39.499-04:00Pasta with Creamy Butternut Sauce
One of my favorite fall dishes is Pasta with Creamy Butternut Sauce. The sauce tastes rich and decadent, but it is oh-so-healthy. It's also a really easy dish to make vegetarian! But for my meat-eaters, this dish is excellent with sliced sausage added to it. Either way, it makes the perfect comfort meal for a cool fall evening. Enjoy!
Pasta with Creamy Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-78714908448052845802015-10-16T10:38:00.001-04:002015-10-16T10:38:34.801-04:00Ultimate Fudge Brownie
The only thing in my culinary life that can match my deep love for chocolate chip cookies is a fudge brownie. My favorite kind of brownie has a flakey buttery crust on top, but is gooey and fudgy inside. While I adore my healthy brownie recipes (like my Black Bean Brownies), sometimes I just want a classic delicious brownie! For the past few months, I've been Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-71319232832431633692015-09-22T09:35:00.003-04:002015-09-22T09:35:53.476-04:00Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Today is the official last day of summer. Most people are excited about the start of fall, but I have to admit, I'm more of a summer gal. I love swimming, and the long summer days, and the fresh meals you can make with all the wonderful summer produce. Summer food pretty much trumps fall food in every way...except breakfast. As soon as I start waking up to the chill inAthens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12093560208842107.post-57941795759396921732015-08-17T10:49:00.000-04:002015-08-17T11:09:02.301-04:00Gazpacho with Goat Cheese Salsa
Summer is finally coming to an end, so it's time to hurry up and make your final summer dishes. Gazpacho is definitely one of those recipes that require in-season produce. If you tried to make this during the winter, you would end up with a watery flavorless soup. In the summer this soup is vibrant and fresh and delightful! It's one of my Athens Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520710946908449338noreply@blogger.com0