MIXED BERRY OVERNIGHT OATS

For my boy, the day before Kindergarten:

This all felt like a lifetime away when you were teeny tiny and now, cliche as it sounds, it feels like it snuck up on me. Older folks will tell you ‘it goes by quickly,’ and when you are in those early years of parenting, it feels like no such pace. Yet, as we’re on the eve of the first day of kindergarten, and you’re trying on polo shirts and getting a larger lunchbox and reviewing how we handle conflict with friends that should maybe be a liiitttllleee less physical than how you bicker with your spicy little sister, and it truly does feel like a wildly quick, albeit full, five years.

It likely all went unnoticed by you, but deciding where to put you for school this year has caused me all sorts of worry and stress and back and forth. Knowing that we have a choice in this shows immense privilege and I do not take that for granted. I hope one day you see that going to school with daily support from your teachers and parents to learn and grow is a gift not everyone gets. I will remind you of that when it feels hard to hustle out the door or do homework when you just want to play. I wanted to choose what would be best for you but I also see now that I was protecting myself, as well.

Should we hold him back? He cries easily. He’ll be the youngest.

Should we drive further to the better school? I want him to have friends close to our house.

Do we do this or that Spanish immersion school? It will be frustrating for him, different, more difficult, he’ll be behind.

I could talk myself into and out of each option on any given day. In the eleventh hour, we grabbed the last spot at the dual immersion school you are heading to and buddy, I feel really good about it.

I am overly empathetic with you and your sister, and it is tough for me to rise above your emotions sometimes. As an adult, I hope that will read as an extension of my deep affection for you, but in these young years, I know that you look to me for stability. When you cry about getting a shot, I probably shouldn’t cry too ;) If you come home unhappy from school, I would blame myself for making the wrong choice, and I think I was trying to find some way to avoid that. But here is what a wise mentor reminded me: it is not my job as your parent to make everything easy and comfortable for you. A child who does not learn how to work through hard things themselves, how to rise to the occasion and figure things out, won’t have those necessary skills to handle difficult things as they grow up and out of our care.

My job is to support and love you and encourage you - to protect you, yes, but not from a challenge. I want to step in when I see someone take your sand toy at the beach or your sister rages at you, but I also want you to be confident that YOU know how (or can learn how) to handle those circumstances on your own. It may not soak in until I am gone or you are a parent yourself, but I hope that you look back on your experience of me and see that I truly did the best I could to parent you. That doesn’t mean it will all look right by you, and I’ll be the first to say I’ve messed up, and will continue to, but I truly do delight in you. You are loved so completely by your family.

I know that you are kind. I know that you are a good friend and will stick up for your people. I know that you want to be silly and make people laugh. I know that you are incredibly curious and so bright, Curran. From here on out, school will be a big part of your life and is just as much an education in people as it is in every other subject. Ask questions. Include people. Do your best. Choose grace. Speak up for yourself and others. “Cool” is temporary, “nice” leaves an actual impression - be nice.

Home is always here. You will forever have a cheerleader in me. I love you so much, my baby.

- Mommy

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MIXED BERRY OVERNIGHT OATS

Makes 6 small servings

I admit I am not really a fan of cold oats, but my kids love these. I did not invent overnight oats, but these are the ratios we’ve been using for a creamy, pudding-like texture. It will looks thin at first, but that liquid is absorbed by the oats and chia to thicken the situation. My kids love carbs; but this adds some fiber and protein and healthy fats so they don’t have a blood sugar crash.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups nut or oat milk
1 cup plain yogurt (dairy-free varieties work too!)
2 Tbsp. ground flax
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
2-3 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt
1 lb. of mixed berries - blueberries, chopped strawberries, cherries etc.

for topping

yogurt
cocoa nibs
toasted coconut
toasted nuts
granola

instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, yogurt, flax chia, maple and vanilla and stir well to combine. Add the oats, cinnamon, a big pinch of salt and mix. Stir in half of the berries. You could also just top with the berries, but I find my kids don’t try to pick at it if the berries are just non-negotiably in there.

Transfer the overnight oats into portioned containers and pop them in the fridge for two hours or overnight.

The next morning, garnish with remaining berries, more desired toppings and enjoy!
Oat cups will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

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Sara Forte 2019-08-19

Mixed berry overnight oats

6

An easy, grab and go breakfast with oats and fruit, whether you're going back to school or out the door to work.

• 1 1/2 cups nut or oat milk
• 1 cup plain yogurt (dairy-free varieties work too!)
• 2 Tbsp. ground flax
• 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 2-3 Tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 lb. of mixed berries
• yogurt
• cocoa nibs
• toasted coconut
• toasted nuts
• granola

188 calories5 grams fat2 grams satFat0 grams transFat32 grams carbohydrate14 grams sugar6 grams fiber26 grams netCarbs6 grams protein

In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, yogurt, flax chia, maple and vanilla and stir well to combine. Add the oats, cinnamon, a big pinch of salt and mix. Stir in half of the berries. You could also just top with the berries, but I find my kids don’t try to pick at it if the berries are just non-negotiably in there.

Transfer the overnight oats into portioned containers and pop them in the fridge for two hours or overnight.

The next morning, garnish with remaining berries, more desired toppings and enjoy! Oat cups will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.

PT15M

 

PT12H

american

Breakfast

breakfast, simple, kid-friendly, gluten free, dairy free

LENTIL-CAULI TACO MEAT

Ok. I had to double post on both SKCC and here because so many of you asked me for this recipe. The first time I made this, I was literally grasping at what was left in the fridge. It made a wet gross mush in a pot that I had no interest in eating, so I tried to save it by drying it out in the oven because I HATE wasting food. It had crispy edges and a deep tomato flavor and I ate it for three meals straight. To be honest with you, I cannot get it as good as it was the first time. Below is something pretty damn close.

My family does eat meat, but in an effort towards sustainability and health, we eat a lot of vegetarian meals. Love a good mushroom taco, or even some saucy tempeh, but this mixture has the crumbly, spicy, crisp edges I remember from the ground beef tacos of my youth. Chili, sloppy joes, tacos, hamburger helper, any other babies of the 80’s know that dinner rotation?

If you give it a whirl. Let me know your thoughts. I’ve used it in tacos, as shown, but also sprinkled it in a salad with avocado and peaches and pepitas, and put it in burritos for my wee ones. You could add rice and stuff it into bell peppers (there is a recipe in my story highlights). Anyway, you get the idea.

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LENTIL-CAULI TACO MEAT

Makes about 4 cups / Serves 6

If you need to cut a corner, use the steamed lentils from Trader Joes. I actually prefer them - they are drier than the ones I cook at home. Keep an eye on it while it’s in the oven, and stir it around. We want to dry it out to get some crunchy edges.

Try it in tortillas with smashed avocado, cabbage and taco sauce below.

Quicky Taco Sauce

• Blitz Together:
• + 1 cup plain, whole greek yogurt
• + 1 jalapeno
• + 1 large garlic clove
• + zest & juice of 1 lime
• + small bunch cilantro
• + salt & pepper

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. avocado or extra virgin olive oil
1/2 a yellow onion, roughly chopped 
3 garlic cloves
1 (1.5 lb.) head of cauli, leaves and core removed, broken into florets (or 12 oz. fresh, not frozen, riced-cauli)
3/4 tsp. Kosher salt/ 1/2 tsp. sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. coriander
1 cup canned tomato sauce (I like Muir Glen!)
1 cup cooked lentils, drained

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Preheat the oven to 400’ and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

Into a food processor, add the onions and garlic. Pulse a few times to chop well. Transfer to the pot with the hot oil and give it a quick stir. Put the cauli florets into the food processor and pulse, scraping down the sides every few times until it is in tiny rice-like pieces. Add it to the pot along with salt and pepper, sauté about 5 minutes until things soften and get golden in places. 

Add the cumin, chili powder, coriander (or about 1 Tbsp. taco seasoning) and stir. Add the tomato sauce and lentils, stir again. You’re going to think it looks like a soggy mess, but press on! Turn off the heat, let the mixture cool down. 

Transfer the cauli mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread it in an even layer. Let all the steam off, then bake it in the upper third for 35 minutes, stirring once or twice during the baking time. Turn the oven up to 450’, and cook another 5-10 minutes. Turn off the oven, but leave the tray in there for another 10-15 minutes to dry it out further. The moisture level will be different per person because some cauli can be pretty watery, lentils can have different textures etc. It should look a little charred in spots. Stir it around to cool.

Assemble as you wish - into a taco or roasted sweet potato or room temp into a taco salad. We didn’t make it super spicy so it would be kid-friendly too. 

Store covered in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze for up to a few months.

Sara Forte 2019-07-30

LENTIL-CAULI TACO MEAT

4

A simple and delicious vegan taco filling.

• 2 Tbsp. avocado or extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 a yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 (1.5 lb.) head of cauli, leaves and core removed, broken into florets (or 12 oz. fresh, not frozen, riced-cauli)
• 3/4 tsp. Kosher salt / 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. coriander
• 1 cup canned tomato sauce (I like Muir Glen!)
• 1 cup cooked lentils, drained

184 calories8 grams fat1 grams satFatNaN grams transFat23 grams carbohydrate7 grams sugar9 grams fiber15 grams netCarbs8 grams protein

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Preheat the oven to 400’ and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

Into a food processor, add the onions and garlic. Pulse a few times to chop well. Transfer to the pot with the hot oil and give it a quick stir. Put the cauli florets into the food processor and pulse, scraping down the sides every few times until it is in tiny rice-like pieces. Add it to the pot along with salt and pepper, sauté about 5 minutes until things soften and get golden in places.

Add the cumin, chili powder, coriander (or about 1 Tbsp. taco seasoning) and stir. Add the tomato sauce and lentils, stir again. You’re going to think it looks like a soggy mess, but press on! Turn off the heat, let the mixture cool down.

Transfer the cauli mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread it in an even layer. Let all the steam off, then bake it in the upper third for 35 minutes, stirring once or twice during the baking time. Turn the oven up to 450’, and cook another 5-10 minutes. Turn off the oven, but leave the tray in there for another 10-15 minutes to dry it out further. The moisture level will be different per person because some cauli can be pretty watery, lentils can have different textures etc. It should look a little charred in spots. Stir it around to cool.

Assemble as you wish - into a taco or roasted sweet potato or room temp into a taco salad. We didn’t make it super spicy so it would be kid-friendly too.

Store covered in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze for up to a few months.

PT20M

PT45M

PT1H20M

tex-mex

Entrée

summer, casual, tacos, vegan, vegetarian

OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES

We have this “breakfast cookie” recipe going out to our Cooking Club members this week and I wanted to put the recipe here too. The feeding babies section is a crowd favorite, and my kids plow through these. Healthy-ish, grab n’ go, and what not - that’s what ya’ll seem to love about the kids recipes I’ve included around here. It’s tough to find a cookie or muffin that hold together that are both gluten and egg-free, but these work. Report back if you make them, or let me know what you changed. I love seeing your photos!

Our son turned FIVE this weekend. It felt like a big birthday - every increment of five does to me for some reason. My mom always made a big deal of birthdays and I thought it was so fun - I love making him feel like the star of the weekend and the one to make all the calls. We packed the weekend with Legoland, camping with cousins in San Clemente, rocket launching in a field, Chuck-e-Cheese with grandparents, meals of his choice, sprinkle cupcakes etc. etc. It sounds like a lot because it was :)

I feel like we were chin deep in both baby and toddler-hood at the same time for the past few years, and seeing Curran now as an almost-kindergartener is wild. Like we’ve been treading water, and now we can swim. He is thoughtful and emotional and smart and empathetic - LOVES his dad, lights up with the company of friends, is ALWAYS the first person to wake up in the morning with a full tank of energy, very into building things, collector, can recall specific memories in full detail from way before I thought was possible (“remember when I choked on that frozen mango?”…you were one, how do you remember that?!?!). He has figured out that throwing clothes in the hamper is quicker than folding and putting them away which I find both annoying and clever - for some reason it’s a nod from toddler to kid - those little things that feel different.

Curran and I had a tough time with each other during his 2-4 age because he is pretty sensitive, and it would touch on an insecurity of my own - both of us then upset, neither bringing calm to the situation. I thought I was self-aware enough to not ride my toddlers emotions but I did… do, sometimes still. He’s better lately, and I am too, far from perfect, but it feels like we’ve grown in that area together. Perhaps that makes me sound like an immature parent, but little refines us and highlights our weak spots like our own children. Anyway, finding a better rhythm with him has been so special. I used to want time to speed up, I didn’t want to tread water anymore, but the swimming? Now I want to stop time! Curran and I have put together more lego sets in the past four days than I care to have floating around the house but he LOVES them, both the building and the company, so bring on the Legos.

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SIDENOTE: Hugh made a short pdf of quick food photography tips which is now available on our SHOP page. For a limited time, it is available for $1.99, which will be the best couple bucks you’ll spend this week. It is not a full photography course, but the concise and simple tips will absolutely make a difference in the way you capture your food. I’ve learned so much from Hugh, and this guide boils down the handful of important things to think about when you take and edit a photo of your food. Let us know if you have any questions!

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OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES

Makes 18 small

These are delicate, as there is no gluten or egg helping to bind them. If you are looking for something to pack in a lunchbox, and can tolerate eggs, add one in to the mashed banana step to help make them more sturdy. Raisins feel slightly more virtuous, but chocolate chips feel slightly more delicious. Take your pick. Keep them small either way.

I do not usually stock quick-cooking oats, but you can blitz old-fashioned oats in a food processor for a similar texture, or I’ve used Seven Sundays muesli with success (Target or Costco sell the big bags). If you need these to be nut-free, I have a report that sunflower butter works fine.

Ingredients

1 medium, extra extra ripe banana, mashed
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon 
1/4 cup coconut oil, warmed
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup smooth, natural nut butter (almond, cashew, peanut)
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (or old-fashioned oats you’ve blitzed in the food processor a few times to get smaller bits)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 Tbsp. flaxmeal
1/2 cup raisins (chop if they’re jumbo), or mini chocolate chips

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana with salt, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut oil and stir to combine. Add the maple, nut butter, chia seeds and stir again until smooth. Let the chia seeds absorb for a moment. 

Stir in the oats, baking powder, flaxmeal, raisins and let the mixture chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350’ and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. 

Roll the dough into balls of about 2 Tbsp. worth of dough. Arrange them on the baking sheet with a little space between, give them a gently press down, they don’t spread much. 

Bake on the middle rack for 12-13 minutes. Remove to cool completely - they’ll hold together better once cooled. 

Store in an airtight container. Cookies will keep for three days. 

Sara Forte 2019-05-29

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

18

A kid friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free breakfast snack that's great for packed lunches or grab and go bite.

• 1 medium banana
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup almond butter
• 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 3 Tbsp. flaxmeal
• 1/2 cup raisins

146 calories7 grams fat0 grams transFat18 grams carbohydrate6 grams sugar3 grams fiber4 grams protein

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana with salt, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut oil and stir to combine. Add the maple, nut butter, chia seeds and stir again until smooth. Let the chia seeds absorb for a moment.

Stir in the oats, baking powder, flaxmeal, raisins and let the mixture chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350’ and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

Roll the dough into balls of about 2 Tbsp. worth of dough. Arrange them on the baking sheet with a little space between, give them a gently press down, they don’t spread much.

Bake on the middle rack for 12-13 minutes. Remove to cool completely - they’ll hold together better once cooled.

Store in an airtight container. Cookies will keep for three days.

PT40M

PT13M

PT53M

baked good

Snack

gluten free, dairy free, kid friendly, lunchbox friendly