For My Mom: Grilled Chicken Tacos

2 Comments June 2, 2016 thekitchenbeet

chicken tacos

There are many reasons I write this blog and collect recipes in this space. One of them is my family. As I mentioned in the first “Even My Sisters Can Make It” post, I have four sisters. None of them like to cook quite as much as I do, but I’ve been quite impressed with how many recipes they’ve made from what I’ve posted so far. I also, somewhat weirdly, write this for my kids. I love family traditions and passed down histories. The thought of my children, or even my grandchildren, pulling up this blog to make dinner for themselves or those they love brings me joy. Then, of course, there is my own mother – the one who taught me to make the best tomato sauce that exists and perfect pancakes. She’s the one who made me eat curry when I was little and literally almost always had carrot sticks on the table, no matter what was for dinner. You know what they say – the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I’m now serving my kids up curry, like this favorite one, and forever chopping raw veggies to serve next to our meal.

My mother, who spoils us often with freshly baked bread (another one of her specialties), texted me a couple of days ago. “Any chance you’ll be posting the grilled chicken package recipe soon?” She went on, “(Instagram…)” in case I needed a reminder.
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The Easiest Huevos Rancheros

1 Comment November 17, 2015 thekitchenbeet

The Kitchen Beet - Huevos Rancheros

I’m always a candidate for easy, healthy, flavorful food. Every so often, I like to make breakfast for dinner. It’s usually some combination of a green smoothie, like this one, french toast or pancakes (like the whole wheat-yogurt-cinnamon ones I contributed to Darling), maybe potatoes and definitely eggs. The kids often prefer a scramble or boiled egg, but I like to whip these up for the adults at the table. This recipe serves one each for four (or two for you and your favorite fellow egg-lover), but really, you could multiply it many times.

Southwest Quinoa Chili

5 Comments October 3, 2015 thekitchenbeet

I’m holding consistent with my last post – it’s soup season! This makes a large batch, so it’s perfect for dinner now and freezing half for later. Or, if you’re cooking Thirty-Two Project style, ideal for feeding your family, and another family! Sometimes, I wish the current pace of my life lent to more leisurely cooking, instead of bordering on my near frenetic speed in the kitchen. I know this is a season. Audrey already plays more independently than she did a year ago, and soccer practice for Aidan means a wave good-bye, not parking myself in a lawn chair for an hour and a half to watch. But there’s not as much margin in my schedule as I’d personally like, and moving slowly throughout the kitchen is a luxury I’m not often afforded. This Quinoa Chili is not only a hearty, healthy meal, but ideal for those times when concentrated focus at the stove is minimal.

Sweet and Spicy Poblano-Corn Chowder

Leave a comment August 29, 2015 thekitchenbeet

I mentioned in the last post that I have lots of recipes in the queue, and one of my frequent issues is not having the photos to go with. I would be so much more productive if someone could just follow me around and take pictures (and, um, clean up after me) while I rip through the kitchen like a tornado on a mission. Soup is cooking! Start chopping kale and shredding carrots! Put the pistachio-honey crumble on the bars and get them in the oven! Let’s go! In fairness, my husband is remarkably loving and generous when it comes to cleaning up my kitchen messes. I apparently just need a photographer to really be productive with getting recipes out to you, ha! Since I don’t have that, I’m thankful I had the time and light to take pictures while preparing a meal for The Thirty-Two Project yesterday. This sweet and spicy poblano-corn chowder is one of my all-time favorite summer soups.

Welcome to the “Even My Sisters Can Make It” Files: Southwest Quinoa with Spinach and Avocado

5 Comments May 9, 2015 thekitchenbeet

I have four sisters, but none of them live in the same state as I do. Heather is the one you’d want to decorate your house, or make you a perfect cup of coffee. Sarada is the one you’d turn to for legal advice, and makes things simple when we’re all trying to be too complicated. Heidi can tell you anything you want to know about horses, and she gives the best shoulder rub. Hayley has the perfect accessory for any of your fashion woes, and she always cleans up my kitchen messes, so she might be my favorite to cook for! That’s my role. The maker of food. I count it a high compliment when I walk into one of my sister’s houses and they have ripe avocados, lime and garlic waiting for me on the counter. “Make us guacamole?!”