A Latchkey Kid's Staple Food

Do they even make this stuff anymore?

If you're a product of the 80s, have divorced parents, or remember the "ABC After School Special", raise your hand. Hi there. It's good to know I'm not alone.

I'm actually a product of all three, and Pizza Quick was a staple in our house. Growing up, there were a few hours in between the time my sister and I got home after school and the time our mother walked in the door. I think "Latchkey Kid" was the token term that categorized my sister and me. Whatever you called kids like us, we all ended our day the same way - alone, and hungry. Pizza Quick was our mother's saving grace. It fed us fast for years. Whether or not it fed us good is up for debate.

Over the weekend, I threw together a really quick and dirty pizza...without Pizza Quick. (By the way, if you didn't figure it out 25 years ago, Pizza Quick is just spaghetti sauce.) I had a basic recipe for dough, and there were two different kinds of cheese in the fridge: mozzarella and Parmesan. What I didn't have was sauce, but I did have a jar of Trader Joe's bruschetta topping. Here's the end product:



I wish you could taste this. Lucky for me, I was able to snap a photo before my daughter ate the last piece. It wasn't Pizza Quick, but it was pizza that went quick. Big difference.

Two Ducks in the Tub

Some nights, getting the girls in the tub is a monumental task. You have to compromise. You have to negotiate. You have to promise things. And you have to be willing to get wet.

Girls, it's time to get in the tub.

Not now, Mom.

But if you don't get in the tub, your skin will get so dirty it will fall off and everyone will be able to see your gooey guts.

We don't care. Guts are cool, Mom. How come we can't see Dad's guts? He's pretty dirty.

If you get in the tub, I'll give you a cookie.

We ate them all when you were making dinner.

If you get in the tub, I'll let you watch Spongebob.


Mom, Spongebob is a poor representation of aquatic life, and not at all an accurate representation of how to maintain a healthy relationship with your friends and culinary work colleagues.

You guys are full of crap. Get in the tub.

Can we have a hamster?

No hamsters.

Can we have a pony?

No room for a pony.

Can we go to Disneyland?

No.

Can we watch Spongebob?

Sure.

If nothing else, I knows my boudaries, Peeps.
Love,
ManicMommy

Good Enough to Eat: Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes & Mozzarella

Sometimes I throw things in a pan and they end up in the trash. Sometimes I throw things in a pan and then end up on Facebook. Here's an example of the latter that you just have to try - especially if you're one of those Resolutionaries like myself. This year marked my 15th anniversary of making the same resolution. I love being predictable.

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Slice spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and lie face down on a baking sheet. Line it with aluminum and I'll show you a trick later that makes scooping this thing out pretty easy. Bake for about 45 minutes, then remove and let it rest for about a half hour...unless you want to burn the crap out of yourself. Using a fork, scrape the squash in spaghetti strands onto the aluminum. When you're done, just pick up the aluminum, and transfer to the skillet, or into an airtight container if you're going to save it for later. (Hint: I baked the squash the day before, which made the prep on this dish fast and easy. Who loves being fast and easy? I do! Don't tell my husband. Thank you.)

In a large skillet, melt butter or olive oil. For better taste and fewer calories, use reduced-calorie margarine. For fewer calories and less guilt about clogging your heart, use olive oil. Add garlic and sautee for a few minutes, until garlic is fragrant but not brown. Add spaghetti squash and sautee for another couple of minutes. Again, this is a fast and easy process. If you're making this as a side dish, save this for last. Add salt and pepper and tomatoes. Sautee for another minute to let the tomatoes soften. Remove from heat and add mozzarella, folding it in until it's melted. You can always add more cheese, which makes it super delish but not so low-cal. ;)