Spaghetti Squash Parmesan

This is one of the recipes that we keep circling back to because we cannot get enough of it! My Spaghetti Squash Parmesan is so yummy, healthy and low in calories and carbohydrates! Here is the link to the recipe /https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/spaghetti-squash-parmesan/

Spring is upon us, so don’t forget to start planning out your garden. You can start your seedlings inside in March then plant outdoors after the last frost. When planting an outdoor garden, it’s always best to have a tiny fence around your garden to keep out the bunnies and other animals. When I was younger, I would help my mom plant everything in our garden: eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, lettuce. She always had me plant marigolds to keep out the bunnies too. Great memories and time well spent!

I will be sure to post some pictures of my garden. We spray our lawn so I don’t want to plant a garden in the ground, it has to be in a raised contained bed OR in pots. I’m finally planning on having my apple trees become organic. I believe going organic takes about 3 years, so this year we aren’t spraying anywhere near the trees and I will only use organic fertilizer spikes to nourish the tree. I am very careful with the foods we eat and grow. Choose organic foods especially when you eat something in large quantities: spinach, kale, strawberries, eggplant, carrots, potatoes, apples. Conventional fruits and veggies are fine too.

Meals on a Budget

Over the years, I have been a volunteer chef at the local preschool where many of the children there are homeless and rely on a nourishing meal. They have since relocated the preschool and it is now housed in the local homeless shelter. I volunteer as a teacher, when time permits, to teach mainly women who are transitioning back from homelessness how to cook on a budget. Typically the meal is for a family of 4 and should cost $10.00. One way to achieve a cost effective meal is to rely on beans as they are high in protein and inexpensive. I prefer canned beans, but you can soak dried beans overnight as well. I want to share with you some of my meals for families on a budget.

First, a few things about homelessness based on an article by National Alliance to END HOMELESSNESS
The solution to homelessness is straightforward: housing. By connecting people experiencing homelessness to housing (public housing) and services, they have a platform from which they can address other areas that may have contributed to their homelessness — such as unemployment, health, and substance abuse.
In many places across America, there is simply not enough available affordable housing. Without this housing stock, many homeless Americans are likely to continue to cycle in and out of homelessness

Also, low-income families are at high risk for homelessness due to unemployment or being underemployed due to a number of factors, such as a challenging labor market; limited education; a gap in work history; unreliable transportation or unstable housing; or poor health.

The homeless shelter that I volunteer at provides training and job placement, and educates residents (some are residents some are out on their own, but come back for continued support and education) on health care options. Most importantly it provides a place that is warm, caring and nurturing – something they desperately need!

My job is to teach them to make a meal. It’s amazing that the first meal I made with them was eggplant and no one had heard of an eggplant let alone eaten one! My Armenian Eggplant Casserole I am happy to say was a bit hit! You should see the dishes they developed! Here is the link to my recipe.
https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/armenian-eggplant-casserole/

This meal is my families’ favorite. It is on the lighter side but we serve it with a side of sour cream, and you can offer some delicious warm bread along side it to dip into the eggplant. This is my go-to meal! Here is a fabulous bread recipe as well. Here is the link.https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/armenian-easter-bread/

Here are a few soups which are also family favorites Pasta Fagioli Soup made with white beans and Lentil Soup. These soups are very hearty. Here are the links.https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/pasta-fagioli soup/https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/lentil-soup/

Pasta is another great option when you are trying to feed a family and provide a hearty meal. Pasta, Tuna and Peas is a great choice. Here is the link.https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/pasta-tuna-peas/ We all love this meal, and it offers the peas and tuna both of which have added protein. Peas are a starchy vegetable, but are very nutritious. Another meal that was offered by another chef the day I visited the shelter was pasta with blanched kale, and you can add a white bean to that.

Meat and chicken also offer necessary vitamins, some more ideas for incorporating meat and chicken are my taco boats ( or tacos), chicken and rice burrito bowls, enchiladas with cheese sauce, and sloppy joes all of these can be found on my website by typing the name in the search bar. These meals are low on cost, but high on taste!

Enjoy!! xo

Spring is in the air!

I am looking forward to Spring and all that it has to offer from Easter egg hunts, to flowers blossoming in my yard, to green grass, and long dinners outside with friends. We had a mild winter with very little snow fall along the east coast. I am still hoping for a little more snow fall though before all the trees start to blossom. This is the time of year we prune back our apple trees. Unfortunately, we didn’t have apples last for the first time in 16 years! Apparently, there was too much rainfall. I also look forward to seeing the blossoms on my apple trees this Spring.

With Spring comes more time for outdoor entertaining! As you know, I’ve been a big fan of these cheese boards “Charcuteries” is the proper name and pronounced (shahr-koo-tuh-reez). In fact, we even do a cheese board dinner some weeknights. If you are planning on entertaining this Spring try incorporating some cheese boards into your menu. It creates a place where everyone will gather, and it sets off a rustic vibe especially when you are eating outdoors. Try to find some rustic boards like the ones seen in these photos. Adding fruit, cheese, and healthy crackers are a great start and you can build your board from there.

Figs are always a hit at my house, but they are seasonal fruits and very hard to find. They are a nice addition to any board, add some honey to drizzle on top and of course pair it with some goat cheese! Don’t forget candles for outside parties, and colorful dishes to have a nice color balance with the food you are displaying. A crisp white linen sets the back drop for this gorgeous display, and will have your guests talking and coming back for more and more food, so stock up on everything and keep it in the frig ready to add to that Charcuterie, so it always looks welcoming.

READY, SET, ENTERTAIN! Happy Almost SPRING! xo Mary

Eat in a Rainbow of Colors

My Rainbow Fruit and Veggie Platter is inspired by the beautiful Christie Brinkley who recently turned 65 years old! She is a true testament of ageless beauty and healthful eating habits. She is just as beautiful on the inside with her humanitarian efforts, and support of many good will organizations like Smile Train. She eats in a rainbow of colors like you see in this gorgeous photo, with the exception of the meat of course as she is a strict vegetarian. Choosing organic fruits and veggies is a good healthy habit so that you avoid unnecessary pesticides. Something she makes a priority especially with her line of Bellissima Prosecco.- A line I have had the pleasure of working with to develop some wonderful drink combos. It is organic and vegan!

Here are some helpful hints on arranging the most beautiful, eye-catching and colorful fruit and veggie platter. Click on the link here.https://marioochskitchen.com/recipe/rainbow-fruit-and-veggie-platter/ And remember to eat in a rainbow of colors to maximize your health benefits at each and every meal and snack!