Food for thought

=)

So, I was invited to join a book club and we had our first meeting/pot luck dinner on Saturday 3/31.  It was so much fun! We read "The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks. I enjoyed the book, but the general consensus was it was predictable and we decided no more Nicholas Sparks for a while, he just likes to find any tragedy he can think of and throw it into a book.  Just a little too emotional. 

But, the best part of book club was the pot luck! Since the book was set in North Carolina we decided on a southern theme! Yummy comfort food! We had fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, chicken pot pie and potato salad!! 

I made the sweet potatoes and corn casserole.  DELICIOUS!!! The corn casserole was a complete success as there was none left over, and everyone loved the sweet potatoes! 

April's book is Sophie Kinsella's "I've got you're number".  It takes place in London, so maybe we will have tea party!!!! hee hee!! 

I am LOVING book club so far!!! =) 

Here are the recipes I used:

Paula Deen's Corn Casserole

(I made it with the cheese this time, but I usually omit it) 

Ingredients

• 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
• 1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inchcasserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm. 

Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
I got this recipe from "The Taste of Home Cookbook", but tweaked it a little by adding the apple and I generally eyeball the spices =) 

Ingredients

• 4 Pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 large), peeled and cubed
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 apple, peeled cored and cubed

Topping

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup melted butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1) Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender.  Drain.

2) In a large mixing bowl, mash the potatoes.  Add the milk. brown sugar, butter, egg, cinnamon, vanilla, allspice, salt and nutmeg; beat until smooth.  Transfer to a greased shallow 2-1/2 qt. baking dish.  

3. Combine flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans and melted butter in a small bowl.  Sprinkle over the mashed sweet potato mixture. Bake, uncovered for 50-55 minutes or until heated through and topping is browned.

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Today,  I went to BuyBuy Baby and bought the Baby Bullet and attachments for my bullet so I could start making Sofie's first foods! =) I am so excited! I'm starting her off with apples.  I made them this afternoon and tomorrow we will try the food for the first time!! 

I peeled and cored two red apples and boiled them for about 15 minutes.  Put them into the bullet with a  1/4 cup of water and blended it for 20 seconds.. perfect consistency! Can't wait to feed her tomorrow morning! 

Her doctor told me to feed her the same food 4 days in a row to detect an allergy.  Next fruit on the menu is pears!!!

I'll share pics of Sofie's reaction when I make the pears! 

xxoo

***** UPDATE!!! 4/3 *****

So, I fed Sofie her apples this morning.. Got some pictures and a video, but she hated it! I can only imagine what she must have been thinking "what the f? this isn't my milk!" lol  I love her!!

Video: Sofie's First Foods 

xxoo