Pasta puttanesca is a spicy dish made up of tomatoes, anchovies, capers, red pepper flakes, garlic, olives and any pasta. I enjoy it very much, but my kids won't get within ten feet of an anchovy "hair" and capers are an acquired taste so I don't have it often. Making separate meals is a chore whether I write as Short Order Mom or not, so I came up with this idea for pasta that I think is pretty close to… Read More

This version of a lunchtime sandwich is great for kids since they are more likely to eat something that seems novel to them. The "oohs" and "ahhs" the kids will get in the lunchroom at school, from other kids and teachers alike, makes these little bites even more fun.

Change up spreads and toppings to suit your own tastes. Each single slice of bread provides 3 or 4 rolls, making 6 to 8 rolls a full sandwich-worth. We use white… Read More

Summer is nearly over and my kids go back to school next week. I had to get one last post in about summer flavors. I'm growing a nice crop of tomatoes and cucumbers (along with several other veggies) and I love combining them in a fresh and bright salsa. This is perfect over grilled chicken and uses up our garden bounty in a most delicious way.

Grilled Chicken with Tomato and Cucumber Salsa

Hands-On Time: 15 minutes
Ready In: 30 minutes
… Read More

There is an abundance of zucchini available right now in my neck of the woods. Good thing, too - it's one of my favorite vegetables. The kids enjoy it as well and when it's combined with a few of their other favorites, the result is a dish that everyone eats and everyone loves. What kid doesn't love their veggies smothered in ranch dressing? I know my own will eat almost any vegetable as long as they can dip it in… Read More

Leftovers are boring, blah and take up too much refrigerator space - right? I don't think so. I often make extras just for the sake of having leftovers for other dishes. Rice is one of those leftovers I look forward to morphing into a whole new dish. Leftover rice is a great and frugal filler, delicious with gravy, yummy under chili and perfect in my very favorite leftover rice dish: fried rice.

While there are versions of fried rice made with… Read More

Tabbouleh is one of those dishes that incites passionate views as to its preparation (and views on the spelling are just as well debated). My mother's Syrian friend, Ishy (short for Ishmael) insists his is the best, while Lebanese friends shake their heads and roll their eyes at his preferred ingredients. I'm sort of a middle of the road kind of gal and use what I like and what the kids like. I mean, for a mom the bottom line… Read More