Keeping It Clean…..

As the More is More Mom®, I wonder why I am always cleaning up…..more messes? It seems unlikely to me that I could be the only person that notices that things are out of order. In what universe does “mother” mean “maid”? Oh, apparently in mine….. I can see now that while I was busy patting myself on the back for being so darn efficient, I was really shooting myself in the foot.

Speaking of feet….I love shoes! After all, Imelda Marcos is my idol. But last time I checked, my people had only one pair of feet, each. So, why is it that there are never a shortage of shoes kicked off, piled up, topsy turvy in the mud room? Certainly, it would seem entirely possible, to open up the closet door and drop the shoes into their own personal basket provided for them. Apparently, not so much.

 

I consider myself to be somewhat of a problem solver, but on occasion it appears that I am a problem encourager. My Nick is a creature of habit (especially the habits that are sloppy). Ever since he started driving, he’ll come in through the mudroom and empty his pockets (save for the occasional pen that goes through the laundry and explodes mid cycle, resulting in ink all over the wash machine and afore mentioned laundry) dumping the contents, in a big, fat pile,  on the chest of drawers; keys, wallet, pens, pencils, gum. It’s an unsightly mess. My genius solution was to provide him with a receptacle to house his belongings. I gave him a small planter adorned with butterflies to compliment the décor in our mudroom (who knew that mudroom’s could have décor?). Now it is an even bigger mess because it is a magnet for anything that Nick has had in his pockets, or even hands, that he doesn’t want to deal with; pens, pencils, golf tees, golf balls, ball markers, those little pencils you get from golf courses, scorecards, Mc Donald’s gift cards, even the picture order form and check from his sophomore year when he was suppose to have his ID picture taken). I need a better solution, short of expecting that he might actually put everything away.

What is up with the wet towels? Why are they always on the floor, behind the door or in the closet? What is so heinous and offensive about using one of the four hooks that Chuck installed in their bathroom? Do they have cooties? Why is there always toothpaste in the sink? That leads me to believe that there isn’t enough toothpaste on the tooth brush, and quite frankly I’m not up to thinking about that.

Glassware, discarded clothing, food wrappers, magazines, text books, notebooks, sofa pillows out of order, never to be returned to their rightful place in the world, both of my pals are perpetrators, but the car? That’s all Nick (only because Amanda doesn’t even have her permit yet).

 

Because I try to be a good mom, when Nick has a long day on the links, I pack him a PB & J so he doesn’t get too hungry. The other day, I was looking for the sandwich box (it’s not that I don’t have more, it’s just that I like to keep my inventory intact. Again, I know I wasn’t Cleopatra or Marie Antoinette in a former life, but I do believe that I may have been a shop keeper.). Heaven forbid Nick return something to its rightful place, so I decided to hunt it down in the trunk of his car instead. OMG! Not since the promo for Hoarders; Buried Alive have I seen such a fright! There must have been at least 18 empty water bottles, countless flattened sleeves of golf balls, an extra golf bag, golf shoes, head covers, food wrappers, but the worst? The worst was the rotting banana peel. I suppose I could have been thrilled he’d been eating fruit rather than chocolate (like mother, like son), but it was hard to get past the disgusting factor.

I suppose, looking on the bright side, more messes means more getting to know your kids better!

A Sandwich Just Isn’t A Sandwich….

As the More is More Mom®, I am all about making……more sandwiches. Not your average everyday cold cuts on a hoagie roll or PB & J on ordinary sandwich bread. I’m talking about a little something special; dusting off the Panini maker (a notch above the George Foreman Grill).

Of course, my family is under the impression that I am a short order cook, but why should Panini Sandwich Day be any different than any other? In my perfect sandwich world, my boring, picky eaters would be a bit more adventurous and try a fabulous gourmet delicacy; BLT with homemade Pesto Mayonnaise on Italian Bread. It was out of this world!

BLT with homemade Pesto Mayonnaise:

Pesto Mayonnaise:

Makes enough for about 10 sandwiches

In a food processor, combine;

 

2 cups of fresh basil leaves

6 Tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese

¼ cup of toasted pine nuts

2-3 cloves of garlic (I like garlic, I like 3)

¾ tsp salt

Gradually add;

¼ cup olive oil (you may need to add a splash more of olive oil for a nice, smooth consistency)

 

Once blended, combine the pesto mixture with;

¾ cup mayonnaise

Cover and refrigerate. The pesto mayo can be made a few days in advance. It would be lovely on a traditional sandwich as well.

“B”:

Feel free to use bacon or pancetta. You may like 2-3 slices per sandwich. I actually cooked 2 lbs of bacon, because my people are a bacon eating people, and it warms up so nicely for days. My favored method for cooking bacon is on foil lined baking sheets, in the oven on 350°, for approximately 30 minutes. I store it in a container lined with paper towel. It’s a little “slice” of Heaven.

“LT”:

You’ll want a nice tender green, like arugula or baby spinach.

One big beautiful beefsteak tomato is perfect for three sandwiches. You should be able to get 2-3 nice size slices for each serving.

To assemble:

Warm up your Panini maker, or pull out your skillet.

On the outside of each piece of sandwich bread, brush with oil

Flip over and on the inside of each slice of bread, spread pesto mayo

On one slice of bread, layer on tender greens

Add slices of tomato and sprinkle with salt and pepper

Place slices of bacon on top of tomatoes

I would recommend adding sliced cheese. The beauty of the warm sandwich is the ooey gooey goodness, and the only way to get that is with cheese. I chose slices of chipotle Gouda. It had a nice kick.

Heat up in your Panini maker, or in your skillet, for a warm and delicious treat!

A special sandwich deserves a special side. While your basic chips and dip are always tasty, why not take advantage of the amazing produce at the end of the summer season?

Caprese Corn Salad:

The fresh ingredients are out of this world!

In a pot of boiling water, cook;

2 ears of corn (approximately 12-15 minutes)

Allow corn to cool completely and slice the kernels off of the husk

Slice;

2 cups of grapes tomatoes, halved

1 cup of fresh mozzarella cubed (similar in size to the tomatoes)

In a large bowl, combine corn, tomatoes and mozzarella

 

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together;

2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cracked black pepper

 

Toss corn mixture with herb mixture and you’ve got yourself one gorgeous and fresh salad!

 

The most important thing about a Panini sandwich is that it is made with love; your family’s favorite ingredients

Chuck likes a smoked turkey with thick slices of tomato and cheese.

Amanda prefers a plain old sandwich with turkey, bacon and pickles, while Nick is a fan of a PB & J melting mess.

No matter how you slice it, the best part about the sandwich is that it is eaten while sharing ……more time together!