Friday, December 18, 2009

Great Appetizer Recipe - Southwestern Egg Rolls





If you like Chili's Southwestern Egg Rolls you will love this recipe!

Ingredients
·         2 tablespoons vegetable oil
·         1 skinless, boneless chicken breast half
·         2 tablespoons minced green onion
·         2 tablespoons minced red bell pepper
·         1/3 cup frozen corn kernels
·         1/4 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
·         2 tablespoons frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (I also used shredded carrots in a pinch)
·         2 tablespoons diced jalapeno peppers
·         1/2 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (I omitted this)
·         1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
·         1/2 teaspoon chili powder
·         1/3 teaspoon salt
·         1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
·         3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I used the Mexican blend of shredded cheese)
·         5 (6 inch) flour tortillas (I used Egg Roll wrappers instead)
·         1 quart oil for deep frying (I used the oil to brush on the bottom of the pan and on the tops of the egg rolls and baked for 10 min or so until they were light brown)

Directions
1.     Rub 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over chicken breast. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook chicken approximately 5 minutes per side, until meat is no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove from heat and set aside.
2.     Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in green onion and red pepper. Cook and stir 5 minutes, until tender.
3.     Dice chicken and mix into the pan with onion and red pepper. Mix in corn, black beans, spinach, jalapeno peppers, parsley, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir 5 minutes, until well blended and tender. Remove from heat and stir in Monterey Jack cheese so that it melts.
4.     Wrap tortillas with a clean, lightly moist cloth. Microwave on high approximately 1 minute, or until hot and pliable. (Once again I skipped this step and used egg roll wrappers instead)
5.     Spoon even amounts of the mixture into each tortilla. Fold ends of tortillas, then roll tightly around mixture. Secure with toothpicks. Arrange in a medium dish, cover with plastic, and place in the freezer. Freeze at least 4 hours. (I also skipped this step and followed the instruction on the egg roll wrappers to seal them)
6.     In a large, deep skillet, heat oil for deep frying to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Deep fry frozen, stuffed tortillas 10 minutes each, or until dark golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving. (I brushed the pan with oil and then the tops of the egg rolls and baked at 450 for 10 min until they were golden brown)

I served this with Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch thinned with a little milk to make a sauce.

The Zhu Zhu Pet is Here!

For Hanukkah Abe and Jude (Abe mainly) got a Zhu Zhu Pet.  It was a long anticipated gift that I thought he had forgotten about until he started asking for it again a few weeks ago.  Abe was so excited and Jude loved to watch it zoom around the house.  It came with the predetermined name of Num Nums, Abe did not like it, so we ventured into the process of naming the pet.  The choices were Zioe, Sparkley, Georgie, Squeeky, Speedy, Diamond, Brightly, Strawberry, Peach. Daisy. Bo.Alberta (after Albert Pujols), and Face (Hey I just write them down).  He settles on Daisy, then later in the evening Bo and then finally Speedy felt right.  This is my kind of pet, it does not eat or poop, does not need to be walked and your can turn it off and put it in a closet!

For those of your who do not know what they look like, yes this is what all the rage is about!

Lighting the candles is serious business!

Every night this week we have lit the candles for Hanukkah.  The boys love to help.  It is funny to see the difference in them.  Abe is serious and concentrated, Jude is joyful and not too careful as a two year old should be.





Jude is 2!
















Can you believe he is 2!!
Jude turned 2 yesterday and he really had a great day.  He got a bike from Bubbe and Pop Pop, a kitchen from Maw Maw & Paw Paw and the kitchen supplies from Mommy, Daddy & Abe.  He got to have some friends over for a birthday play date.  They painted ornaments, ate lunch and then decorated their own cupcakes.  As he and Abe drifted off to sleep I laid with them and just appreciated them for the terrific boys they are.  I am truly fortunate to have such a wonderful family and two amazing boys!







Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Free Activity This Winter

KIDS ARTSTART


Last year we danced, we sang, we acted, we painted—we even saw puppets come to life! Want to come play with us?


The Rep hosts Kids ArtStart, a free art event, on the first Saturday of each month from October through April. Each Kids ArtStart event gives young children an introduction to the arts in an event that allows families to share the arts experience.


Each event takes place at the Loretto-Hilton Center in Webster Groves [directions] with local arts organizations and members of the artistic community partnering in the presentations. Additional partners are added throughout the season.


Saturday, January 2, 2010, 10 am

Musical Moves

Presenters: Featuring guests from the Community Music School of Webster University and Kindermusik with Lori Burkhardt.



Saturday, February 6, 2010, 10 am

Story Surprises

Presenters: Featuring guests from Betsy's Storytelling Fantasy and Masterpeace Studio.



Saturday, March 6, 2010, 10 am

Art Masterpieces

Presenters: Featuring guests from the Webster Community Arts Foundation, Foundry Art Centre and Yucandu Art Studio.



Saturday, April 3, 2010, 10 am

Theatre Play

Presenters: Come play theatre games with Paul Vandivort Puppets and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis!



All events are at The Rep, 130 Edgar Road, in Webster Groves, and are free and open to the public. For more information about Kids ArtStart programs, call (314) 968-7340.

Monday, December 14, 2009

3rd Night Of Hanukkah


The third night of Hanukkah was the "Best" according to Abe.  After we lit the candles they got to open all their gifts from our family in Philly.  They were more generous than ever!  Abe got some roller skates, a color wonder Light Brush set, a bunch of books, a Obama Calendar, and a Car wash.  Jude got some new shoes, a portable Train and a tunnel, some books and art supplies.  What a fun night!  The boys played with their new toys, we had fun.  Next Jude's birthday and then Christmas.  What a whirlwind December is!

Hanukkah Fun!



Well we missed the first night of Hanukkah since we were out on the town (parent's need a break too you know!).  The second night of Hanukkah was fun.  The boys helped Brian light candles (and tried to blow them out as usual).  They got a tent and sleeping bags for their gift.  We watched Monsters Inc. while "camping out" in the basement.  It was a fun night!


Santa Claus is Coming to Town


So my kids are really into the holidays this year so my mom took them to a Santa Story Time on Saturday.  Thus far they have been pretty hesitant to even talk to him.  They both went up to him and even took a picture!  Abe even told him what he wanted for Christmas.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Kids Gingerbread Houses at St. Louis Mills Mall - 12/8/09

December 8–10, 2009


Make a Gingerbread House!

Tuesday, December 8 at 10 a.m. (kids 5 and under)

Thursday, December 10 at 4:30 p.m. (kids 6-12)

Food Court

To celebrate the season of scrumptious goodies, kids can build their very own gingerbread houses for the holidays! Graham crackers and icing will be provided. Children are encouraged to bring candy to decorate their delicious creations.

Let me know if you are coming and we can all bring a different kind of candy for the kids to use.

Free Letters from Santa

I found this website where you can prnt out a letter to your child from Santa.  It is very cute and free, I just did the boys.

http://www.freelettersfromsantaclaus.com/free_printable_letters_from_santa.asp

Storytime at the Brodsky Library

Here is a storytime at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center.  WE have been to Hanukkah Parties there and they do a great job. This seems like the storytime we do on Mondays but it is with books by Jewiah authors and Jewish topics, maybe a good time to introduce your children to different religions if you like.

Once upon a time...at the Brodsky Library


First Friday of each month

For children ages 1-5 and an adult

A lively mix of stories and songs with storyteller Barb Raznick. This program promotes learning, listening, and interaction with other children. Includes craft and healthy snack. No charge.

Co-sponsored by the Helene Mirowitz Dept. of Jewish Life at the JCC.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Sara Winkelman at the JCC (314) 442-3288 or email swinkelman@jccstl.org.

The Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library is located on the St. Louis Jewish Community Campus in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building at:


12 Millstone Campus Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
Phone: (314) 442- 3720