Cooking

I always cook our family meals (comes with the stay at home mom thing for me), but I really haven't been INTO it as much since we've been here in Germany. German kitchens are very small, for one. They are only just now picking up on the concept of counter space and my house is old and hasn't been updated to that point. We bought a little chef's cutting table that goes next to the stove, but it offers only a bit of cooking space. In any case, between that and just being pregnant and not in the mood to get fancy, we've been going the baked meat item with steamed veggies and side carb route for months. No bread baking or cook books for me here lately.

For the past week, though, I've had the urge to get creative with dishes containing more than 5 ingredients. About time!! We had some friends over last night and I made a white beans and greens casserole with turkey schnitzel. Today's breakfast =s oatmeal banana nut pancakes, and I am making a potato, spinach, and lentil ragout for diner. I am finally excited about cooking again! It feels good to rediscover something that I love to do.

I have a special place in my heart for Betty Crocker, but in light of keeping things light for Miles' recent body building campaign, I have been using the American Medical Association's Family Health Cookbook. I haven't made a single one of their recipes (even though some of them sound down right eccentric) that the whole family hasn't loved. It rocks. Last I checked, Amazon has the hardcover for under eight bucks (usually a $30 book, to boot). I recommend it in a big way.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Medical-Association-Family-Cookbook/dp/0671536672/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253693890&sr=8-1