From My Kitchen: Super Sloppy Joes

This recipe originally came from Rachael Ray. I've made a few changes to suit our tastes -- most notably eliminating one small chopped red bell pepper for the WBH, who does NOT like peppers.

While this is a 30-minute meal, I found that simmering the sloppy joes a little longer helps them set up a bit and not be so "sloppy."

I often double or triple this recipe so I have some to put in the freezer. I freeze the sloppy joes in my muffin tin then pop them out and put them in a Ziploc freezer bag so it's easy to grab just the right amount to make as many as we want. It also makes it easy for Jeff to grab one to put in his lunch bag, too.

Here's the recipe:

Super Sloppy Joes

1 1/4 pounds ground beef, 80% lean

1/4 C. brown sugar

1-2 tablespoons McCormick's Montreal steak seasoning blend

1 medium onion, chopped

(optional, 1 small red bell pepper, chopped)

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 C. tomato sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

Brown the ground beef. Drain. Return to the pan with brown sugar and steak seasoning. Add onion and red peppers, if using, to the pan. Reduce heat to medium and cook onions, peppers, red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with meat for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and paste to pan. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to simmer and cook sloppy joe mixture at least 5 minutes or until it's as sloppy or unsloppy as you like it. I usually simmer mine for 10-15 minutes.  

Serve on buttered, toasted buns with your favorite toppings.

Perfect for the coming cool fall weather and for tailgating.

Enjoy!

© Trippin' Mama 2010

Who Gave These Kids Permission To Grow Up?

I was only gone a few days, but I swear to you the kids grew like I was gone for a month!

I came home to find Amelia an inch taller and three years older than the four-year-old little girl I left behind.

Amelia - 4 going on 14

And the boys! The boys are 23 months old today. And over the long weekend Isaac quit saying "Aler" instead of "Alex," and Sam starting saying "I-zic" instead of "I-gic." What? Who said that it was OK for them to grow up at all, let alone when my back was turned?

Sam

Isaac

Alex

Of course, there are pluses to them growing up. Being fully potty and sleeping past 6 a.m. come immediately to mind.

Note: These photos were taken at our local JC Penney's studio. Didn't they do a great job?

© Trippin' Mama 2010

I Think I Have The Bends

After five days of being gone, re-entry was a little tough. I quickly got used to nine hours of sleep a night and a hot shower and quiet breakfast every morning.

When I got home from the airport, I was greeted by...no one. Yep. That's right. No one was home. The house was completely quiet. Jeff had all the kids at the children's museum, and I made it home before they did.

While I waited for the troops to return, I dived right back in. I made beds, put away laundry, emptied the dishwasher, swept the kitchen floor and started planning supper.

It was no different than returning to my paying job following a vacation. Someone took care of the critical things (and the kids had a blast with Daddy while I was gone!), but there was still some catching up to do.

After a few days of relaxation, the everyday pace around here just kicked my butt today. Maybe I really do have the bends?

© Trippin' Mama 2010

The Perfect Storm

I'm have a great few days with my mom and my sisters while Jeff keeps the home fires burning.

My niece Elyse, Judy, Mary, Mom & me at the Flamingo. (That's a story for another post!)

But I can't say it's all been relaxing. Take, for example, today's scenic boat tour of the Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri. We had a little weather issue:

The pilot, Captain Kyle, did a great job of trying to minimize the wind damage to the boat and the danger to his passengers. I took the video right after all the wind started. It lasted about five minutes, and we did start to worry a little when the metal frame holding up the "roof" started to pull away from the wooden boat frame and the whole roof was pushed to one side of the boat.

 Captain Kyle said it was one of his "most interesting" tours ever. And he's been doing this for a long time.

If that doesn't call for a margarita, I don't know what does!

© Trippin' Mama 2010

From My Kitchen: Chocolate Trifle

So I got a frantic text the other day from a friend (Hi, Sarah!) who needed "to make something rich, chocolatey and gooey immediately!"

Turns out she was looking for something different to make for a grown-up birthday celebration. I knew I had the perfect recipe for her when I remembered this decadent treat with its layers of Kahlua-soaked brownies, chocolate pudding, toffee bits and whipped cream.

I first had this chocolate trifle at an adults-only Christmas party for our local triplets and more group. It was unbelievable! And beautiful, too. At least until a small horde of us descended on it and devoured it. It was so good it actually drew us away from the drinks table for a few minutes.

Plus, it's fast and easy to make, which is always a bonus for me. If you're really short on time you could purchase brownies instead of making them.

Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Trifle

(1) 19.8 oz. package fudge brownie mix
1/4 C. Kahlua

(3) 3.9 oz. packages instant chocolate pudding mix

12 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
1 bag Heath chocolate covered toffee bits

Prepare brownie mix and bake according to package instructions in a 13" x 9" pan. Prick top of warm brownies using a fork and drizzle with Kahlua. You can substitute 1/4 C. of coffee for the Kahlua if you prefer, or if you're serving for all ages. Let the brownies cool, then crumble.

Prepare pudding mix according to package instructions, but DO NOT chill.

To assemble the trifle, place 1/3 of crumbled brownies in bottom of 3-quart trifle dish or glass bowl. Top with 1/3 of pudding, 1/3 of Cool Whip and sprinkle with Heath bits. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients in this order twice, ending with Heath bits on top.

The original recipe says to chill for 8 hours, but I have found that 2 is sufficient in a pinch. You just need enough time for the pudding to set up. The recipe also says it yields 16-18 servings, but that's only if I'm not around to help you eat it!

Enjoy!

© Trippin' Mama 2010

If You Can't Say Anything Nice

As a mom of triplets you get pretty used to lots of comments. Some nice, some not-so-nice, some far too personal, and some downright rude. I ignore most of the ones that are anything other than nice, but last week I had one I just couldn't ignore.

I was taking the kids to the library and had the boys in the triple stroller. As we wheeled in, some lady looked at me and said, "Oh, thank you, GOD!" As in, "Thank God that's not me."

I looked right at her, smiled and said, "Funny, I say the same thing every day. But in a much nicer tone."

As we walked away, Amelia piped up, "What was she thanking God for Mommy?" I sure hope she heard my precious four-year-old ask that question so earnestly and innocently.

I told Amelia she was thanking God for blessing Mommy with four beautiful children. Because He deserves all the thanks in the world for that, whether that was what our commentor intended or not!

© Trippin' Mama 2010

Wordful Wednesday: Triplets AND Twins

Don't worry, we're not multiplying any further!

Today is Clare and Isabel's second birthday. They are just 5 weeks older than our boys, which meant there were a whole lot of babies when we got together last summer.

Clockwise from top: Isaac, Clare, Isabel, Sam and Alex. Ages 9 and 10 months.

What a cute group of cousins!

It's a baby lineup!

Happy birthday, Clare and Isabel! Hope to see you again soon.

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© Trippin' Mama 2010