Tracy Santany | Family Foodies

In-Laws, Cold Crock Pots, and Last-minute Creativity

December 12, 2008 By Tracy Santany

Here is a simple fact of life: When you are having the in-laws over for dinner, you are going to screw something up. This fits somewhere between “life isn’t fair” and “God has a sense of humor.”

When I want to make sure that a meal will turn out well, I use a crock pot. This way I have as little opportunity as possible to screw it up. I can prepare everything, throw it in the crock pot, and walk away. A few hours later I have a delicious dinner that my mother-in-law couldn’t possibly find fault with.

That is, if I remember to turn the crock pot on before I walk away for a few hours. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen Humor

How to Pretend like You’re a TV Chef

December 11, 2008 By Tracy Santany

I love to watch TV chefs. Paula Dean is my favorite. I sit with my cup of tea and my drool rag and watch her concoct some of the most delicious dishes I have ever seen, and I imagine what it would be like to be a TV chef.

One of the things I like best about this fantasy is knowing that I wouldn’t have to clean up any of the mess. I mean, seriously, that would rock.

So I’m thinking; if you don’t feel like cooking one night but you still have to, then pretend like you are a TV chef. Totally get into the role. Completely but temporarily lose your grip on reality. I’ve done this, and it helps. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kitchen Humor Tagged With: Paula Deen

Celery – Where’s it been all my life?

December 8, 2008 By Tracy Santany

Did you know that eating celery can help reduce stress? I kid you not, it’s a natural tranquilizer! If I had known that I would have dissed it less and ate it more.

Lately I have begun to realize how much of my respect celery actually deserves. I used to think it was okay with cream cheese in it, but I wouldn’t go out of my way or anything. It was a diet food; something you were supposed to crunch on to satisfy your need to chew without adding calories (it only satisfied me if it was stuffed with cream cheese.)

Then last year I moved close to my oldest sister. I was telling her one day how much I used to love her tuna sandwiches when I was a teenager. She said the secret ingredient that made them so good was celery.

What? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Foodie Mom Ideas Tagged With: Soup

Comfort Food – Something We Shouldn’t Live without

December 7, 2008 By Tracy Santany

There is no doubt that most of us should eat healthier. This means more smoothies in the morning and less bacon and fried eggs. More salads with vinaigrette dressing and less vinegary German potato salad. More poached fish and less poaching the kids’ Halloween treats.

We know, we know.

I don’t believe, however, that we should ever have to walk away from comfort food. There is just something so, well, comforting about it. I’m willing to eat fish three times a week (okay I like fish so that example isn’t exactly fair) and leave the cheese sauce off my broccoli. I’m even willing to eat turkey hot dogs instead of beef hot dogs.

Okay I take that back. I’m sorry, but I will never be able to eat turkey hot dogs. It’s just wrong.

But you get my drift, right? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Foodie Mom Ideas

Weeping with Joy over Chocolate

December 6, 2008 By Tracy Santany

We all have momentous occasions in our lives that we will never forget. Three that come to mind for me are the births of both my children and the day I found out that chocolate was good for you.

To be more specific, dark chocolate that contains more than 70% pure cocoa is good for you.

When I saw the word “chocolate” used in the same sentence as the phrase “good for you”, however, that was good enough for me. The world became a brighter place. Life made more sense. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Foodie Mom Ideas Tagged With: Dark Chocolate