On tap this week

The weather this past weekend was perfect!   It's weekends like this that give you hope spring is really here or at least on her way.....

It was G's bday so Nana & Grampy came up to help celebrate.   The big boys played golf while Nana and I hung out with the wee one and then we all met for lunch.  Pickle does not take well to sitting in a high chair these days which makes life interesting to say the least.   Hopefully this phase will pass soon.

We are lucky enough to have a park within walking distance to the house and we spent the afternoon down there.   Pickle wants nothing more than to be outside and he had a blast at the park and made some new friends to run around with.  I love it that he is not shy around people - I think one reason is because he is in daycare and is just used to be around others and playing.

Sunday I took a nap when Pickle did and as a result the afternoon was rushed - which I hate.   G was outside working on a project with converting the kennel and so I was trying to cook for the week and keep a toddler happy.  Not a whole bunch of fun but it all worked out and we even slipped in a walk around the neighborhood. 

Here's what on tap this week......

Cheese & Spinach Tortellini w/ Alfredo sauce.  I discovered after I was cooking the pasta that there wasn't going to be enough for two meals so I cooked some chicken as well.   Going to basically play it by ear and see what happens.

I also made a Shepard's Pie which I've never done.  I looked at a lot of recipes but I basically patterned mine after here - since I work with a bunch of engineers I think its only fitting.

Here is basically what I did.....

1 lb ground beef
Olive Oil
1 onion diced
1 can corn - drained and rinsed
1 1/2 tablespoons flour (would use more next time)
1 1/4 cup beef broth

7 small pototoes
butter
sour cream

butter
paprika

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Butter/spray a 9 inch glass pan

Cook you potatoes sans skins and then smash them. Add butter and sour cream to your liking for a smooth  creamy mixture and put aside.

Basically you brown the ground beef and drain it.   Then you cook the onions in some olive oil until the are tender and the corn and let it simmer with the onions for a minute.  Then add the beef back in and sprinkle the flour over the top.  Let cook for a couple of minutes and then add the beef broth.  Start with a cup and cook for a minute or so until the "gravy" forms.  You may or may not want to add more broth at this point.  Mine was a little soupy.....

Pour the meat mixture into your pan and spread the potatoes over the top.  Put some small pats of butter on the top and sprinkle the whole thing w/ paprika.

Into the oven for 30 minutes. 

G and the Pickle both liked this and so it will probably be put on rotation.