Blueberry Cobbler

If you are ever in the mood for a dessert that you don't have to feel too guilty about, this is one to try. There isn't too much in it that is bad for you, and all the good stuff in the blueberries should more than make up for it, right?

I've made this several times, and it's been wildly successful every time. Let's just say, it never gets to sit on the counter until it gets thrown out like the apple pie my husband brought home from the grocery store last week. Is it possible I've ruined him forever? Could it be that he is so spoiled by homemade that anything less isn't nearly good enough? If that is the case, it's not a bad thing. It just means I am that good.

Maybe someday if you're nice enough, I'll share my apple pie recipe. Until then, this will have to do.

In a bowl, combine the following until it gets nice and crumbly:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 4 tbsp butter, room temperature
Then add the following:
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk

Filling:
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 cups blueberries (can use frozen, just decrease water to 1/8 cup)
Stir sugar, cornstarch and water together in large saucepan, then add blueberries. Cook on medium until thickened, stirring frequently.

Pour hot filling into baking dish, top with crust mixture and bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes until top of crust is golden brown and set fully.

Serve with vanilla ice cream. That is, if you want to share. ;)

Lemon Cheese Pasta

So while I was away from home, I spent a lot of time watching TV. There isn't much else to do when you are sitting in a hospital, really. At some point, we happened upon one of the food channels. Some show, by some famous host was on, though the names of both escape me at the moment because, really, I wasn't paying too much attention to the TV at the time. It was mostly background noise, something to spark distracting conversations.

But then whoever that chef was made something like this. And all of a sudden Dad showed some interest in eating what they were making. And I mentally began to take notes. I'm sure my version isn't exactly what they made on TV, but it's pretty darn good. I made it once before I left, and he ate. He even claimed to have liked it, at least it was better than hospital food. I have made it once since being home, and all the kids ate it. That's saying something, I guess.

"Better than Hospital Food" Lemon Cheese Pasta

Pasta (I prefer whole wheat penne for this one)
Lemon (or prepared lemon juice)
Butter
Egg
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Milk
Fresh grated parmesan cheese

Cook a pound of pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside in colander. In pot, melt a stick of butter, add 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper. Mix with 1/4 cup lemon juice, then add 1/2 cup milk. Add an egg, stirring to break up and mix in to sauce thoroughly. Bring to boiling, cook until you can tell egg is set. Reduce heat, add 1 cup of the cheese. Add pasta and combine, heating through. Transfer to serving plates and sprinkle with cheese.