Pecorino Romano for me

Back to school night!

This is the real deal sign that we have graduated from the baby years…long gone are the conversations about teething and growth spurts.  We are solidly living the life of juggling different kids’ events and activities.

They ate a different meal from us because I fed them early (at 5:30) and knew they needed something more substantial than kale to hold them over until breakfast at 7:30.  They came to back to school night and played with the other kids in one corner of the kinder room while we learned all about the dual immersion program and the curriculum and all that jazz.  I didn’t think kids were allowed so I was going to go and leave Kyle home to do their bedtime routine, but once I realized we could all attend I was happy that Kyle would get to hear everything as well.

This was “cheesy” eggplant and squash dish that I pulled from the freezer (I made it so long ago I don’t even recall what it had in it, but I know that it was cashew and nooch based with veggies and not much else)…then I made into a rice dish by throwing it all into the IP with some water.  Once the rice was cooked I mashed it all together and hoped the kids wouldn’t give it the side eye.

Luckily, they loved it.  It did smell pretty great, so I think I’ll share the leftovers with them.  Kyle doesn’t love eggplant or squash so he will not be participating. Which is why I made us salads instead!

Earlier in the day I massaged two bunches of kale in a tahini dressing so when I came home all I had to do was throw the rest of the salad together.

There was about a pound of tahini in this dressing, which was exactly what I was going for.  All it had besides that was water, a glug of maple syrup and pinch of salt.

I used more of the whole chicken I prepped over the weekend in the dish too.  I tossed it in balsamic vinaigrette and let it sit like that in the fridge.

Beyond that, the salad had pistachios and pecorino romano (for me).

His had parm.

Kyle was SUCH a fan of this.  He kept mmmm-ing over the pistachios and I’m pretty sure his body is much happier now that he’s had a few days in a row of vegetables to counter his boozey weekend.

Sliced the banana bread just before bringing it into school…and the kids were lusting over the smell for the whole car ride.

I promised to make them a loaf soon.

It was the most popular dish (bragging alert!) and the only one that was entirely gone by the end.  Full disclosure, it was also the only home made item.  It’s always nice to beat out cinnamon rolls and croissants, though…

Lunch!

Typical.

I need to roast some squash though, because it’s not quite enough.  I ended up having at least a cup or more of candied walnuts once the salad was gone.  And mega carrots (always).

GNOCCHI NIGHT.

Last time they had gnocchi they weren’t into it.  This time, they scarfed it down.  Kids!  You never know what you’re going to get…

I made both cauli gnocchi and wheat gnocchi and gave both to everyone but me (I am so obsessed with this cauli gnocchi and would happily eat it exclusively for the next month).

I tossed the cooked gnocchi in greens and Cibo organic sun dried tomato almond pesto and then added cheese on top (I’m sure you know by now, but I’ll say it anyway – pecorino romano for me and parm for Kyle).

This pistachio toffee had melted in the Summer heat!  Serves me right for not eating it way back when I got it (Christmas!) but I forgot about it and only recently re-discovered it in the back of the pantry.  It tasted a little weird, to be honest.  I also had a combo of dark and white chocolate and candied ginger.  The dark chocolate was Divine with salt and the white chocolate was Lindt…both excellent.

I’m really trying not to buy any new chocolate because my stash is soooo obscene right now, but it is hard because I definitely have my favorites and go through phases.