My kids are growing up. I knew they would, but seriously… why does it have to happen overnight? One day it is Thomas the Train and Bob the Builder and the next it is all sports and Pokemon. Little People are getting replaced with even littler Polly Pockets. Elmo and Zoe are no longer favorites and instead we love Troy and Gabriella.
I knew things were changing around here when we started back to school. On a shopping trip to buy my 7 year old new underwear, he told me, “Mom, will you please stop buying me underwear with characters on them? I don’t want Transformers or anything… just plain underwear.” While shopping at the Disney store, my big Kindergartner told me that “Princess backpacks are soooo preschool, mom. I just want a plain pink or purple backpack.” Well, then. Okey doke.
Even my 3 year old is getting in on the big act, saying things my other two never had even heard at this age. “I see London, I see France, I see someones pants on fire.” She doesn’t quite have it down completely, but still… so grown up.
The kiddos are even growing up with their meal time behavior. No longer am I getting the “Ewwww…what’s that?” or the “I don’t like <enter random veggie here>”. Instead I am getting at least one, if not two willing kid eaters for just about everything I put on the table. Jacob doesn’t question anything anymore and will try what is placed in front of him. He has always been a good eater, but this more “grown up at the old age of 7” version of Jacob does’t bat an eye at anything and pretty much devours whatever is on his plate.
If you’ve got a bunch of grown up little eaters in your house, try this Rachael Ray recipe out for Zucchini and Bow Ties (and incidentally, Rachael… no hard feelings about Dine & Dish suddenly being removed after a year of holding a very appreciative spot on your fave blogs list and being replaced with a blog that has a very similar name… not hurt by that at all, so don’t worry a thing about it, ‘kay? Incidentally, I do understand that apparently you and the other blog are “friends” so my being on your list was probably a mistake in the first place anyway, but still… was flattered and now, no hard feelings. ) Sorry…where was I? Oh – this recipe… the whimsical bow tie pastas and the grown up zucchini is the perfect combination of maturity (hello – High School Musical) and child (we love Elmo!).
Zucchini and Bow Ties from Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats
Coarse Salt
1 pound bow-tie pasta
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium zucchini, cut into matchsticks
Coarse black pepper
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or shredded (20 leaves)
(I added 2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced)
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Cook the bow ties al dente, with a bite. Heads up: You will need a couple of ladles of starchy cooking water.
Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the EVOO and the garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the zucchini. Cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add a couple of ladles of cooking water. Drain the pasta and add to the zucchini. Toss with the cheese and turn off the heat. Toss for 2 minutes, until the liquids are absorbed. Serve in shallow bowls with lots of shredded basil on top.
Check out some other blogged about recipes from Rachael Ray 365 No Repeats:
- Florentine Meatballs from Family, Friends and Food
- Buffalo Chicken Burgers with Blue Cheese Dressing from The Savory Notebook
- Park City Cashew Chicken from Tarheel Table
- Chicken, Black Bean and Corn Soup from A Good Appetite
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Isn’t it amazing how fast that happens? It really hit me today when I picked Brandon up from his first day of kindergarten how big he is now. I cried watching him walk to the end of the pick-up cul-de-sac and he was just so big and confident. He was just there in his yellow shirt with his Spiderman bag and just…ohhhhh. It felt like my heart was full and I was getting punched in the stomach at the same time. Know what I mean?
My kids are getting more adventerous in the vegetable department. Chopsticks. They will eat anything as long as I give them chopsticks. 🙂
Well, I don’t have any kids, but I would like some Transformers underwear. Do you think they make them in 30something sizes? 🙂
Oh and, screw Rachel Ray. Just saying. 😉 Even though the pasta looks great…
.-= Bob´s last blog ..Cornstarch Waffles =-.
This looks gorgeous. We eat a lot of pasta in the summer–it’s just too hot to cook very much! Thanks for posting this.
Rachel who?
.-= Kate´s last blog ..TWO PESTO PASTA =-.
Looks like a faboulous dish! I will have to give it a shot when we return.
My oldest (he’s the same age as your son), recently moved up to the “plain” underwear as well… funny what signs of growing up they show, huh?
.-= patsyk´s last blog ..Chicken Soup ala Emeril & Giveaway Winner =-.
Oh, and thanks for the link back! I nearly missed that when I scrolled down to comment before!
.-= patsyk´s last blog ..Chicken Soup ala Emeril & Giveaway Winner =-.
Yum! I love zucchini and basil! I make a similar recipe which uses an egg yolk plus Romano instead of Parmesan. It is an old Marcella recipe and is delicious. This sounds a lot lighter though!
.-= Katerina´s last blog ..Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken Recipe =-.
I can totally relate. My son has loved high school musical for years – and I wonder where that might lead. Shopping for school clothes is a total learning experience, as we discover that their favorite colors are “so last year.”
The recipe looks simple and delicious – I am always looking for yummy ways to use zucchini, especially since there is always someone willing to give their bumper crop away!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Good Karma – Cast Your Vote =-.
We don’t have kids yet, but my hus-to-be’s niece was a little girlie girl when I first met her. Over the years, I happily was charged with picking her gifts each birthday and Christmas. I loved buying nostalgic toys for her, like My Little Pony and Hello Kitty garb. Now, she’s at a similar stage as your eldest. This year, I’m at a loss when deciding what to buy.
P.S. – I eyed the same placemat as the one in your photo, at Pier 1 – love it!
Mmmm, tummies are rumbling for these! They sound addictive
vat an excellent picture!! i shud try this way!
cheers!!
.-= nora@ffr´s last blog ..Pineapple Cooking Tips =-.
funny story! my son is still a baby, but i’ve started to imagine all these situations even what i was pregnant.
again, i’m not a big fan of RR, but u’ve got me again!
.-= lululu´s last blog ..Miso Soup with Clams and Tofu =-.
We must be on some strange brain connection, esp thing. I was readying my bowtie pasta post and didn’t even see this one until today. Looks good. Oh, and YUM-O! :-]
.-= Amy J´s last blog ..Creamy Pesto Pasta, Oh my. =-.
Kiddos with a food blogger mama will surely have a well rounded an mature palate, now, won’t they? And about the Rachel Ray thing, IMO you should bother too much. I caught the update when you first discovered it on her blog but didn’t say anything because I don’t think much of her. And to be more honest, I actually just watched her shows to make fun of it. ACK hiding my face now from all those people who adore her (are there any? :P)
.-= The Purple Foodie´s last blog ..Za’atar and Feta Pizza =-.
PS: I cannot believe someone actually picked a name so close to yours! Lets just think they they need your identity to get themselves heard. For me, Dine and Dish is about a warmhearted Kristen with recipes and stories about her life and adorable Kids. And when I think Dine and Dish,your big smile comes to my mind.
.-= The Purple Foodie´s last blog ..Za’atar and Feta Pizza =-.
Love the placemat. It is a placemat, right?
.-= postcollegecook´s last blog ..Weighing in: Week 63 =-.
Yay for non-picky eaters!! This looks fabulous!!
.-= Deborah´s last blog ..Cookbook of the Month Recipe – Toasted Coconut Ice Cream =-.