Saturday, August 17, 2013

Tomato Pie


Looking for a creative way to use all those tomatoes you grew this summer?  My blogging buddy Mika gave me a delicious Tomato Pie recipe to try and I knew you all would love it. 

 
For this recipe you need to start with homemade crust. 
SHORTCUT:  If you are a busy (lazy) mommy like me...you can skip this step and grab a Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust, they usually run about $2.50 for 2 crusts in the refrigerator section of your grocery store.

Pie Crust Recipe

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar (increase to 1 1/2 teaspoons if for a sweet recipe)
8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 to 4 Tbsp ice water, very cold


 
1. Cut up a stick of butter into small 1/2-inch cubes, and put it into the freezer. The colder the butter the flakier the crust! Freeze the butter at least 15 minutes, best overnight.

2. Put the flour, salt, and sugar into a food processor and pulse until well combined. Add half of the butter cubes and pulse 6 to 8 times. Then add the other half of the butter cubes and pulse 6 to 8 more times. Your mixture should be course with many butter pieces  visible.

3. Add a few tablespoons of ice cold water (without the ice!) to the food processor bowl and pulse a couple of times. Then add more ice water, slowly, about a tablespoon at a time, pulsing after each addition, until the mixture just barely begins to clump together. Try to keep the water to a minimum. Too much water will make your crust tough.

4. Remove the crumbly mixture from the food processor and use your hands to press the dough together and shape into a disc. Sprinkle the disc with a little flour on all sides. Wrap the disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour. (At this point you can freeze the dough disk for several months until ready to use. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding.)

5. When you are ready to roll out the dough, remove the disk from the refrigerator and place on a clean, smooth, lightly floured surface. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle some flour on top of the disk. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough then place on to a 9-inch pie plate, lining up the fold with the center of the pan. Gently unfold and press down to line the pie dish with the dough. Use a fork to mark the sides to make it look like a pastry dish.

After you have made your pie crust you should bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350 before adding your tomato pie filling. Just keep an eye on it in the oven. If it starts to bubble up take it out!


 

Tomato Pie Filling

4 medium (non-grocery-store) tomatoes

½ cup fresh basil leaves chopped

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used 2 percent milk cheese)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used 2 percent milk cheese)

6-8 Tablespoons (more or less) light mayonnaise

1 onion, diced; or use 1 bunch green onions, chopped (I did the green onion)

Salt and pepper

Directions-Core the tomatoes and slice them about ½ inch thick.  Put them in a colander and sprinkle lightly with salt.  Set them aside to drain. I used a cookie sheet and paper towel to soak up the juices. You should dry the tomatoes out as much as you can so the pie is not watery.
 
Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a small saucepan.  Sauté the diced onion 5-6 minutes, until softened.  Set aside. [If using green onions, skip this step and just chop green onion].
 
 Stir together cheeses, basil and mayo, using just enough mayo to hold the cheeses together. Season with pepper.

 
 
In your pie shell, layer half the tomatoes and half of the onions.  Top with dollops of 1/3 of the cheese mixture, then the rest of the tomatoes and onions.  Top with the rest of the cheese mixture (this will be difficult to spread since we have cut down the mayo—just try to get it distributed as evenly as possible).
 
 
Bake in 350° oven for 30 minutes or until top is browned.  Halfway through baking I added a little bit of both cheeses to the top! 
You can find the original recipe here & here.  I hope you love this fresh Tomato Pie!
 

 


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Hip Hip Crochet



I love craftiness and I am always in awe of ladies who can sew and crochet.  I wish I had those mad skills…but alas I can hot glue the heck out of anything but can’t sew a stitch!  So when my friend Lisa started her crochet business, I knew I had to share her talent with you. 

My name is Lisa.  I am a stay-at-home mother of two.  I have a six year old girl and a four year old boy, they are my world.  When I am not busy with them, you will often find me with a ball of yarn, a crochet hook, and my Pinterest account open to my crochet board. I am always looking for a new project to make. 
 

I started crocheting about a year and a half ago.  My Nana tried to teach me how to crochet when I was about 9 or so, but it didn't sink in.  So after Christmas of 2011 I asked her to teach me again.  I took to it like wild fire this time.  So I started making little crocheted stuffed animals for my nieces and nephews. Once I finished those I just kept going, and Hip, Hip, Crochet was born.  (My wonderful Hubby came up with the clever name.)

To thank you all for liking my page (www.facebook.com/customhiphipcrochet) I will have a drawing when I reach 200 likes.  The person randomly picked will win an earwarmer with flower. 

So what do you think ladies can we get my talented friend up to 200 likes?  I know I would LOVE an earwarmer for this winter for my daughter. 

Until Next Time-
Get Creative

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Lemon & Mint Refresher


I have been a religious pop (soda) drinker for years. I bowed down to the gods of  Diet Coke followed by a long relationship with the Master Diet Mountain Dew (more affectionately referred to as Mommy Crack) and then once I got pregnant it was the Zen of Sprite Zero. 

In order to make some changes in my life, I decided to cut the habit.  I scoured Pinterest for detox recipes and unique ways to make this change while not totally going into fits of craziness.  Turns out what worked for me was as easy as some lemon water and mint.  Also the knowledge that no matter what I drink I am always going to be a little crazy!

 
Lemon & Mint Refresher
1 Pitcher of Water
4 Fresh Lemons
1 Sprig of Mint
 
 
Directions

Fill your pitcher with water or your Brita whatever you use at home.

Slice 2 lemons and place into pitcher of water.

Juice 2 lemons and pour into water. (I use a hand juicer and a toddler, but you can also use a fancy one.)

Take your sprig of mint and break it apart and place in water pitcher.

Leave overnight for best taste results….enjoy!
 
 
Now instead of pop...I am addicted to my Lemon & Mint Refresher. What are you addicted to drinking? 
I would love to know, leave me a comment or a recipe.
 
 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Let's Go Shopping...Instagram Shops

Shopping online has reached an all time high due to convenience and availability.  However, sometimes it is hard to get a good deal because of crazy shipping prices.  

If you are like me and you love to go thrifiting and get a good bargain then get ready to get addicted to Instagram Shops!  The English Teacher in me just cannot stop…so you are getting the breakdown of Instagram Shops Middle School style...5W's & an H. (You know you just smiled and thought about your Middle School English Teacher!)

Who
Fabulous Mommies all over the Country
What
Think of Instagram Shops just like a consignment store…except even more glorious.  They offer name brands, great prices and wonderful customer service at most stores.  In some cases you can even score items new with the tags on them! 
When
24/7
Where
On Instagram which is super convenient.
Why
Mommies are reselling their kids clothing to trade or purchase new clothes for their kids or help add to the family income.  I was able to get my kids school supplies and help with groceries this summer thanks to my IG shop.
How
Just sign up for Instagram and start following @thesmittentoddler.  Check out the shops I am following and start finding deals! I like to follow Mommies who offer name brands, answer my questions quickly and have low prices. 


Ready to get started?  Check out these terms which will
help you navigate the IG Shop world.

Instagram Lingo Cheat Sheet

NWT-New With Tags
NWOT-New Without Tags
ECU-Excellent Used Condition
GUC-Good Used Condition
TTS-True to Size
PC-Play Condition


You are downloading Instagram right now aren’t you? Here are some shops you must check out which offer a good selection and great prices.

 
 I do hope you will stop over to @TheSmittenToddler and check out my shop and of course visit the lovely ladies I have shared with you.  Be sure to check back on Tuesday…I will be posting a breakdown of how to open your own IG Shop and earn a little to help out your family!  Xoxo
 
 
 
 
 

 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

And Here We Go...




To all of my readers who have eagerly awaited my latest post…and waited…and waited….thanks for sticking around.As many of you know, I started a new job which has taken all of my time and energy. 
Tons of new transitions have been going on in my home for the past couple of months. My family has been in constant transition with traveling and switching schedules, but they still managed to keep their sense of humor. 


 

I also have decided that tan fat is so much better than just plain old white fat and that has given me tons of self motivation to start running!  (I also pinky swore to my daughter that we will be doing the Color Run.  I mean any reason to make a tu-tu and wear knee socks seems like a win to me, right?)  But more to come later on the Rocking New Job, my new Insatgram Shop, Personal Changes and how I feel about Aiden James heading to Daycare!
 
With Summer fading and the new school year beginning I will be sharing some Must Have Lists for Toddlers & Teenagers.  It is also time to bust out some sweet Mommy Adventures, New Recipes including Yummy Tomato Pie and French Vanilla White Chocolate Cupcakes...which incidentally is why I have to run!
 
I hope you will stick with me as we get into all kinds of trouble this school year.  Here we go....


Monday, March 11, 2013

Simple & Stylish Bunny Art

I had a little help with this classy little bunny art.  My daughter took my vision and really ran with it or should I say hopped?  So sorry, I could literally not control myself.  I am so lucky to have such a crafty helper in the house. 

We used existing frames which are hanging in our kitchen…which I have blogged about before here.  I love to change these out for Holidays.  They are the perfect scrapbook paper size of 12 x 12.

Using black scrapbook paper as our “mat” we (and by “we” I mean Cheyenne) covered it with brown packaging paper from the Dollar Store.

Next up, tracing our Bunny Silhouette.  Cheyenne used bowls and another sheet of black scrapbook paper to complete the bunny.

I added the cute little tail with a trimmed down cotton ball. 

Be sure to stop by tomorrow and see the Spring kitchen reveal, complete with simple & stylish bunny art.

Friday, March 8, 2013

What I'm Working On...


My husband is a Science Teacher and his school is getting ready to undergo a renovation.  Last week, he brought home this little beauty from the backroom.
How fun right?  It looks like a chair, which is why he saved it from the trash.  I was very proud of him for recognizing the potential in this little treasure.  I think unique pieces like this really make a house a home.  
I need to “man” it up a bit for Aiden, but I am confident it will turn into a great little chair for his room. 
What are you working on?