quarantine

Quarantine Florentine Pasta Bake

Anyone who cooks (or bakes) often knows that the same devil may care cooking style that causes you to dump an entire batch of cookie dough that completely

Anyone who cooks (or bakes) often knows that the same devil may care cooking style that causes you to dump an entire batch of cookie dough that completely flopped can also create some of the most amazing dishes you have ever tasted. This is kind of a story of both. It started out with a phone conversation with my father, in which he was telling me about his quarantine trip to the grocery store; we discussed how hard it is right now to find simple ingredients, and he ended by telling me that he managed to set hands on all of the ingredients for their lasagna recipe, and he went on to tell me that they were having it for dinner that night. (Braggart.) Well, that’s just mean, right? So you know what happens next. It digs a hook in my mind…one word. Lasagna.

Now, being that I live with 5 dudes, you can guess that I keep a pretty well stocked pantry, most of the time, but alas, I did not have the ingredients for lasagna on hand. Buuut, I had loads of chicken that I just finished cooking in the crockpot, and spinach, ricotta etc, so I thought “Great! I’ll make a white lasagna, I’ll just make the noodles from scratch.” This made my food envy situation immensely improved, and I went on about my day. As Saturdays often do, the day flew by me. I looked at the clock and realized that it was almost 6:00 pm, and I had done nothing to prepare for the fantastic white lasagna dish that had been simmering in my thoughts all day. (Yes, I really do dwell on food this much.) No worries though, as a mother it is literally my job to perform miraculous feats, in and out of the kitchen, and I do take this job quite seriously, so I was not worried, overmuch.

I love this moment. (Not my photo) Looks promising, right? Oh, how wrong.

I grabbed a lasagna dough recipe from the internet, my stand mixer, followed the recipe to the letter, watched it mix and ended up with a rock hard lump of dough that could not even be rolled out with a rolling pin. Now, this did not surprise me, actually, because I have only ever made pasta by hand mixing on the counter. You know, the flour pile… you crack the eggs in the center…I had that momentary red flag, yet I ignored it, because I was in a hurry. I added some water to soften it a bit, hoping for a miracle, and ended up with a soggy mess. Well, if you know me at all, you know that I am a firm believer in failing early and often, so recognizing this for the shite show that it was aiming to be, I dumped it straight into the trash and glanced at the clock. It was now 6:25 p.m., and ma dudes have been working outside all day. They are looking at me like a pack of starving wolves, and I am standing in the kitchen empty-handed, with no dinner plan in sight. Well, I had planned on pasta, so pasta it shall be. I rifled through the pasta side of the quarantine pantry, which is starting to look a little bare, to find only a couple family sized boxes of cheap dried spaghetti, and one sad, lonely box of tri-colored rotini. Rotini it is. I was feeling a little sad too, over the lasagna, but I was pulling whatever ingredients went together out of the fridge and freezer and hoping for inspiration to strike. It did. In a big, big way. I seized upon the ricotta, mozzerella and pepperoni slices and chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers. If I couldn’t have lasagna for dinner then I was going to have the next best thing, although I still wasn’t really sure what that was going to be.

On a side note, I have to be fair, and tell you that I did not get any process photos, at all, perhaps because I was, sort of, pouting to myself about lasagna, and didn’t even think about adding this to the blog until it was half gone. Sorry about that. I was thinking about dinner, not blogging. Back to the story.

I had a half formed plan in the back of my mind, but the sort that’s more like “this can’t possibly work, but I’m doing it anyway.” I would make a cheese sauce from evaporated milk and mozzerella and spinach. I would layer the rotini in, in place of lasagna noodles, and add chicken and pepperoni in place of the meat sauce and sausage that I normally use in lasagna, add ricotta, and top with more mozzerella, olive oil and spices, in a lasagna pattern, and see how it all turned out. I dumped it all in my good lasagna pan, and waited with baited breath. Well, all I can say, is that it turned out Delicious. Delectable. Truly. Extra cheesy, savory with the sun-dried tomatoes, a little spicy from the peppers. Everything you could want in one dish. Ma dudes were seriously impressed. Now, if you know us well, you might be thinking, “I’m sure that doesn’t take much. If it’s food, they’re impressed.” You wouldn’t be wrong, exactly, but this dish would impress almost anybody who likes Italian style food. With a salad, and a good loaf of bread, it’s Sunday Dinner worthy, or even holiday worthy. Imagine that, and made from my sad little quarantine pantry. You can make an equally impressive meal, from your own little quarantine pantry. Let’s get you started:

I wish I had gotten that fresh from the oven, cheesy, bubbling photo, you know the one. Instead, I got this. Cold…after I had eaten.

Here’s a list of all the ingredients I used, but I would just say use whatever you have in your fridge that you love in your pasta.

I used Rotini, but you can use whatever pasta you have on hand.
Ricotta
Shredded Chicken, pre-cooked.
Pepperoni Slices, I used the larger sandwich slices.
Mozzarella
Olive Oil
Oregano, I used dried.
Parsley, I used dried.
Red Pepper Flakes

For the Sauce:

Evaporated Milk
Garlic, minced
Shredded Mozzarella
Red Peppers, minced
Sun-dried tomatoes, minced
1/2 cup frozen spinach
Oregano, to taste
Parsley, to taste
Red Pepper Flakes, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste
Sea salt, to taste

Boil pasta water. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Remove from heat, and drain in colander.

Heat evaporated milk in sauce pan. Add spinach, garlic, red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes (don’t be afraid to go heavy on the sun-dried tomatoes, as much of the flavor in the sauce comes from them) and spices, heat through, let simmer about 6-10 minutes. Add mozzarella, and combined until melted and semi-thick sauce forms. Remove from heat. Set aside.

In a lasagna pan, drizzle bottom with 2 tbsp. of olive oil, then add pasta. Top with a small amount of sauce, lightly covering noodles. Add shredded chicken, then top with a layer of pepperoni slices, top that with ricotta, then more sauce, then mozzarella. Next drizzle with a little more olive oil, then top with oregano, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Repeat until you run out of ingredients. Now, some people are very particular about the order that everything goes into lasagna in. I’m not. Plus, lest we forget, this isn’t lasagna. Anything goes. The closer I get to the top of the pan, whatever’s left goes on however it fits. If it fits, it sits. The most important step though, is the top layer of mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil and herbs. Once everything is in the pan, bake at 400, until bubbly and browned. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes, then serve hot.

This recipe heats up beautifully the next day as well. I can tell you this honestly, as I’m finishing off the last piece of this recipe, as I type. Still amazing. I hope you give this one a try with whatever quarantine pasta ingredients you have lying around your pantry. When you do, let me know what variations you create, in the comments. Or share your photos with us on instagram @canigetaramen. On FB and Pinterest we can be found @canigetaramen.food.blog. Have a safe and happy Monday.

Is It Time To Start Your Side Hustle?

I keep reading article after article, stating expectations for everyone in quarantine to come out of this crisis better than they went in. While I don’t necessarily agree with this mentality; I feel like people have enough stress on them right now, just dealing with this new way of life; if you do have the ability to find something positive (such as personal growth) to focus on, it’s probably a good idea to pursue it. There are so many people at home alone right now, and while some of us are desperate for a few minutes of quiet, others are intensely lonely, and in dire need of company. Finding a common goal, and some people on line to share it with, might be what it takes to keep you mentally healthy through this prolonged isolation. Or maybe you just need something to take the focus off of your endless to do list at home and remind you that you are a person in your own right again. It seems that everyone is starting a side hustle right now, because of the job insecurity that this virus has caused, worldwide. While this will increase competition in most industries, there has never been a time that there are so many free (and paid) resources to help you start a small business. Shopify is a great place to start. They are currently running a free trial which I have been delving into. Dropshipping seems to be their specialty, which I don’t, yet, know that much about, but there are many resources on Youtube, to get you started. If you have been ruminating on a side hustle for a while, today is the day to start.

After being (mostly) cheerfully stuck together in quarantine for a few weeks now, the boys and I have started on a new side hustle. Having, myself, a background in skin care and food blogging, paired with the boys’ love of all things gaming, pop culture and conventions, added to our love of over the top birthday and holiday celebrations, the idea for a gifting business sort of fell into our laps. We’ve been working on melding all of our talents, interests and quirks into an opportunity that will keep us happily working together during this unique situation. We’ve spent the last few weeks creating a new line of spa products, which will fill luxury spa baskets, starting right before Mother’s Day. Because birthdays are our favorite celebration, we will focus, as well, on festive pop culture toys, and collectibles and other birthday oriented gift hampers, aimed at both children, and adults, alike. Plus, we are sourcing items for housewarming gifts, and, unique foodie trays/baskets meant for themed dinner parties, entertaining, anniversaries, date nights, and other special occasions. It’s certainly not a new idea, but it’s a good fit for us, being that it incorporates many of our favorite things, in one engaging opportunity, which can be achieved from home, and online as well, making it the perfect quarantine enterprise, for us.

I hope that all of you are staying healthy and engaged in life. I hope that you find what you need to come through these troublesome times with your health and relationships intact, and having learned something to take with you into the future. Stay well.

Suddenly…they’re home. Survival Tips from a Mom of 4 Who Schools at Home.

I can imagine the shock that parents are feeling right now, knowing that the weight of their children’s education, temporarily, lies on their own shoulders, in the midst of this

I can imagine the shock that parents are feeling right now, knowing that the weight of their children’s education, temporarily, lies on their own shoulders, in the midst of this quarantine. I am in a state of disbelief myself that they closed schools, and we don’t even use them. I’ve just never imagined something like this happening in my life time, and I’m sure that many are feeling the same. So, now that you are responsible for all of this, how are you going to survive your kids being home with you all day? How will you get them to do their work, from home? How will you get anything else done? I remember too well the feeling, myself. “What am I doing? I’m not a teacher. I don’t know how to do this. My kids barely even listen to me. I must have lost my mind.”

I lived in fear of waking up, one day, to a closet full of checkered prairie dresses and denim clad robot like children tossing seed to chickens in the backyard. We didn’t have a backyard then. We do now, and also a few chickens, but the children have grown into amazing, free thinking, well mannered, well educated young men, who are an absolute joy to us, and make us proud to be their parents, daily. No robots here.

If you are floundering at the idea of helping your kids learn at home, remember first that you are helping them learn. The bulk of responsibility for their education still falls on them. You will facilitate from the sidelines but it’s still, ultimately, between your child and his/her teacher. Keeping this in mind will take a load off of you, help you stay calm, and make you a better helpmate to your child and his teachers.

Here’s a few tips that may help you survive this quarantine with your beloved kiddos:

Wake Up Before Everybody Else

This is the most important thing you can do for yourself. It is so important to give yourself at least an hour or two in the morning, to drink your coffee, make a list of your goals and plans for the day, work out, eat a good breakfast. Take care of yourself first. This is a non-negotiable, in my house. This is not selfish. It is absolutely necessary to surviving this. Your day will get so hectic. You will need this. Please. Do it.

Get Fully Dressed Every Single Morning.

Yes it can be jeans and a t-shirt. No yoga pants, unless you are actually doing yoga, then yes, of course. Then..get out of them, and into something better. Do not fall into the trap. I’m not saying this to be shallow. Four days of sitting around in yoga pants reading, will have me in a deep depressive state, like nothing else on earth. Again, it’s about self care. Do your hair and makeup (mostly for moms…but, if that’s your thing Dad, you go.) like you are going somewhere. Yes, I know that you are not. That’s the point of a quarantine. Get ready anyway. Take lots of pictures with your kids, the dog, whatever. Play outside in the yard, if you have one. Walk the dog, if you can. Stay as active as this quarantine will allow. Stay out of public though.

Set Very Clear Boundaries At The Outset.

Because you are a parent first, any kid in his/her right mind is going to try to get around you on this school from home deal. You must be clear from the outset that it’s not going to happen. It all begins with this principle: Less talk, more action. Do Not give more than one warning. Do not beg your child to do what he or she is supposed to. One chance. That’s it. I know that this seems counter to my usual free range, democratic, hippie parenting style, but you first have to set up respect…then you can give them freedom. If they are defying you at first, give them loving consequences. No shouting, begging, wheedling, bribing. Just calm, clear appropriate consequences. No extremes. For my kids, this meant losing video game/youtube time, for that day. No gaming with friends online, no making videos with friends…nada. Keep in mind, during this social distancing, it’s their lifeline to the outside world. You should only have to do this once. It works.

Accommodate Your Child’s Learning Style as Much As Possible.

I know, I know, this seems impossible when you have more than one at home. Trust. I know. I had four that I was schooling from home. Take this time to really get to know them. Not who you think they should be, not who the school tells you they are, but them. Who they want to be. Who they are, right this minute. Then help them develop that character. Meet them where they are. Help them feel heard, and seen. What kids want most, is to be approved of. By you. They know more about themselves right now than you ever will. Trust this. Don’t tell them who they are, let them tell you, and go with it. Use this information to help them craft their dream life, not yours. Use fun tools, like board games, with little ones especially, to spend time, and get to know them better, while they are learning new skills. Find their level, and go there. Build with them. Bake with them. Read with them.

Give Them The Why.

When children truly understand the why of education, they become willing participants, as opposed to feeling as though they are being forced to do something that they don’t want to do. This helps to create a harmonious home, which is crucial when you are all together. All. Day. Long. Remind them, often, that they are doing this for their own future gain. Not for you, not for their teacher, but for themselves. Keep their eyes on their own life goals. Many times children feel as though they are just slogging through hours and hours of unnecessary work, for no other reason than somebody told them to. Of course they want to rebel. They need to see the path to their own goals. Add plenty of time for exploration into their day. Help them connect the dots.

Take Plenty of Brain Breaks.

You will all need them. You, more than the kids, if you are, at all, like me. Do some work. Grab a snack. Play a little. Do some more work. You are not at public school. Play by your own rules, as much as possible. Enjoy the freedom of it. Read, in front of them. Make lists. Show your children good learning habits, and good life habits. Lead by example.

Exercise.

Get as much exercise as this quarantine will allow. You are all going to need to blow off steam. Eat healthy, stay active. Exercise indoors. Exercise outdoors, if you have the space at home. Get out in nature, or bring nature indoors. Just stay active and connected.

Get Fresh Air, Often.

If you live out a ways, open your windows, let some cool, fresh air into your home. It’s cleansing. Let the sunlight in. Find some positive. Have a picnic in the backyard. With the kiddos, or by yourself, when you need a break. Try to add little luxuries to each day. For the kids and, for yourself.

Watch For The Up All Night Trap.

As any homeschooling parents learns, right quick, if you give them too much freedom, they will immediately abuse it. You guessed it. By staying up all night long. Doing what, you might ask? Right, again. Playing video games. The bane of every parents existence. Do yourself a favor and have them sign in their devices at night. For the love of all that’s holy, take the devices, after 9:00 p.m. Set clear rules and regulations, around video games from the start, or you will live to regret it. There is not much, more horrible, in this world, than having a full day of schoolwork to complete, with snotty, exhausted, miserable kids, who were up all night gaming with their friends online, while you truly believed that they were sound asleep. Turds. My kids are huge gamers. I can see the educational merit in quite a few video games, truly. We use tons of games for learning. They are a valuable learning tool, when used properly. I am not anti-video game, but they do not replace a solid education. That being said, there are so many great games online to help you through this trying time…which brings me to my next point.

Use Tech. Use Tech. Use tech.

There are so many great companies right now, trying to help parents through this. Get audio books, online. Use Amazon, Internet Archives. Project Gutenberg & Barnes & Noble, for free reading material. Tour Museums, from the comfort of your living room. Use the Smithsonian Websites, College websites, NASA, and the Space Center websites. Get access to as much info, online, as you and your children can absorb. Youtube has tons, and tons, of great fun educational videos. Do STEM/STEAM projects. Think outside the box. You will be amazed at what your children find fascinating and you may even end up learning a bunch, from them.

I hope this list helps you view your quarantine in a better light. I hope, as well, that you will take this unique opportunity to get to really know your children , and enjoy every minute spent with them. The most important thing to remember is your first job is to be a parent, then an educational facilitator, and to remember that this is a temporary assignment, that can turn out to be some of your best memories made, with your children. As mothers, we tend to put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect, with everything. This just isn’t possible. All you can do is keep your goals in the forefront, take plenty of breaks, and keep your expectations of yourself, realistic. Take care of yourselves, and thanks for reading.

Find me on Pinterest & FB@canigetaramen.food.blog. We can be found on Insta@canigetaramen. Feel free to drop me a line in the comments:)