“Clean Out the Fridge” Pasta

Pasta of any kind is always a big hit at our table, but this one is in a class of its own. True to the name, you can put anything and everything into it. Ask the kids to pick out their favorite veggies and throw in a protein. Tonight I used bowtie pasta (a staple in our house), smoked sausage, 2 yellow squash, a red pepper, capers, pesto, basil and Italian flat-leaf parsley (both from my new garden!). You can through anything you like in it. Start the pasta water and once it comes to a boil, salt the water before throwing the pasta in-this is the only opportunity you have to flavor the pasta itself. Heat up some oil and saute the veggies, starting with the ones that take the longest to cook first. Keep in mind how small you chop them also affects the cooking time.

Chop small, slice thin, and you will have dinner on the table in fifteen minutes flat! This is a great go-to dish for busy nights, tired mom’s and picky kids.

Add this quick favorite to your arsenal and sit down to the table with a smile. Thanks for having Dinner at The Hampton’s and we’ll see you next time around the table.

Pizza Night!

Pizza night is an exciting time around most houses with children, and, even husbands for that matter, but how can you make pizza night healthy when the average serving of pizzeria/delivered pizza is over 1000 calories? You make it yourself. The best way to control the quality of your food, is to make it yourself. Now, before you say “Yeah, right!” and close the screen, I promise this is easy! I have a recipe for you for pizza dough, it’s an easy recipe and once mastered can be a go to on those nights you are too tired to think.

What did I do tonight? I used the pizza dough recipe in the whole wheat form (nothing like sticking a little extra fiber and protein in there when they aren’t looking) and topped it with pizza sauce (yes, from a jar), some low-fat cheese and turkey pepperoni. What a hit! Is there a vegetarian in the house? Top it with all veggies, some olive oil or sauce and enjoy. The whole idea of pizza night is to be creative and since you made the dough, there is no reason you can’t divide the dough up and have everyone make their own!

I am a firm believer of a kid in the kitchen creates a healthy eater for life. Get them involved, and, yes, let them make a little mess-after all aren’t they worth it?

Home-Made Pizza Dough

Dissolve a 1/2 t. yeast (or 1/2 a packet) into 1 1/2 c. warm water. Add 1 c. white flour and mix for one full minute. Add another cup of white flour and mix for another full minute. This is to develop the gluten. Let sit and rise for one to three hours, depending on how long you have.

Add 1 t. salt and 2 T. olive oil. Mix thoroughly. Add 2 c. flour (white for white dough; whole wheat for whole wheat dough) a half a cup at a time. Take out and knead for ten minutes. Allow to rise in an oiled bowl for three hours.

Knead dough and shape. Dimple it, brush with oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Top with desired toppings and bake at 350 for 10-15 mintues, or until the desired doneness for your family.

 

I hope this is as big of a hit in your house as it was in mine! And, as always thank you for having Dinner at The Hampton’s. We’ll see you around the table next time!

Welcome to Dinner at The Hampton’s

Most every night I am asked the same question from someone in my life, “What Are You Making For Dinner?”, and it doesn’t come from my kids. I love food and consider myself an accomplished foodie with a large arsenal of family favorites and entertaining specialties. Every Monday thru Friday I will post what I am making for dinner, share the recipes, and tell you the best way to make it fun for the whole family to eat healthier.

On the weekends, join me for the Weekend Edition, where we spend time baking bread, cookies and other goodies for the family. I will take you on a journey with me as my family eats healthier and happier.

We are also embarking on a mission to soften our carbon footprint. As a part of this process, I am starting a garden and will share the process with you on my alternate blog, The Garbled Gardener, and hope you will work to become more green too.

Thank you for having dinner with the Hampton’s. We’ll see you around the table next time!