First week back to school and we’re already looking for a short-cuts. Because I’m a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom, I try to make dinner for my finicky family at least 5 nights a week–sometimes 6 if I’m really ambitious. I’ll admit I’m a creature of habit who often cooks the same tried-and-true meals over and over (hey, when you’ve got a 2-year-old who’ll only eat a piece of bread some days, your sense of adventure takes a backseat to practicality). But every so often, I break out of my routine and try something fun. This week, in honor of the U.S. Open 2010, we sat down a dinner of Racchette pasta and meatballs. The tennis racquet pastas are a whimsical shape you won’t find in every supermarket aisle, but we liked the noodles from De Cecco. The built-in handle on this firm noodle was perfect for my toddler who currently refuses to eat with utensils. My 6-year-old got a kick out of the meatballs acting as tennis balls, and I think my husband even appreciated the effort (ok, maybe he just felt sorry for me, but I’ll take whatever sympathy I can get.) Pass the grated cheese, please!
In a Nutshell: Make like Venus Williams and spread the love with a home-cooked meal that’s low on effort and cost, and big on taste.
