A day in the kitchen

Today was one of those days that involved a whole lot of kitchen action.  I always love those days because it means I probably got to indulge in plenty of yummy stuff!  And right now it is extra enjoyable because it is so fun to try out our new kitchen.

We started the morning with waffles.  I haven't pulled out the waffle iron in a long time, so everyone was pretty excited for breakfast today!  I used my mom's recipe (3 cups flour, 4 eggs, 2 Tbsp olive oil).  These are some super fluffy but light waffles.  Nothing like those tasteless, heavy ones we've gotten used to at the Residence Inn breakfast buffets.  These are the real deal.  Mmmmmmm.

Sift together:
1 3/4 cups cake flour (I use all purpose)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
 
Beat well:
3 egg yolks
 
Add: 

2-7 Tbsp melted butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups milk
 
Make a hole in the center of the sifted ingredients. pour in the liquid ingredients. Combine them with a few swift strokes. The batter should have a pebbled look, similar to a muffin batter.
 
Beat until stiff but not dry:
3 egg whites
 
Fold them into the batter until they are barely blended. 

Lunch was a bit of a mish mash of things.  Riley was starving when we returned from our walk so we quickly threw a banana her way and then got some leftovers warmed up.  Leighton was desperately in the mood for his favorite rice and beans from a Mexican restaurant near us that we actually walked right past on our walk, but it wasn't open yet.  So Roy, the good Daddy that he is, hopped in the car to go fetch Leighton's lunch.  While he was out, I quickly got some artichoke bread in the oven.  I had seen this recipe on a blog that is part of a recipe challenge and I figured I just had to sample the oh-so-bad-for-you goodness.  It did not disappoint!

I then got a cake baked for dessert.

Then I got the dough ready for homemade pasta for dinner (another recipe of my mom's ... 3 cups sifted flour, 4 eggs, 2 Tbsp olive oil).

After Riley's nap, Roy was up to bat for afternoon snack and made us all some popcorn with his new popper he got for Christmas (a new weekend tradition the kids are loving!).

And, finally, it was dinner time.  I made homemade fettuccine tossed in tomatoes and basil with a salad and Roy was in charge of some Italian sausages on the BBQ.

Now all our bellies are full and then dishes are done and we will do it all again tomorrow!