There's No Taste Like Home

Not afraid of butter and cheese? Love carbs? Looking to please a picky toddler?

Do I have the perfect secret family recipe for you!

Aunt Teddie's Macaroni and Cheese

1 pound (450 grams) of pasta (rigatoni, fusilli, penne, etc.), cooked and drained

1 stick (113 grams) of butter, melted

8 tablespoons flour

4 cups (32 ounces) milk, slightly heated

1 pound (450 grams) mild cheese, shredded

breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius.

Slowly mix flour into (melted) butter.

Slowly add in (slightly heated) milk over medium heat, whisking until consistency thickens.

Slowly fold-in (shredded) cheese.

Add this "roux" to (cooked and drained) pasta in an ovenproof dish.

Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top, and cook in oven for 30-40 minutes.

Enjoy!

Postcard from Philadelphia

Where in the world is Dublin, Jr.?

In Philadelphia, USA...that's where!

We've been thoroughly enjoying August in America, and won't be back home to Ireland until early September.

Blogging will be postponed until then, but first we want to share with you a few of our favorite discoveries here on the other side of the pond:

Keen Newport H2 Sandals...these waterproof shoes are especially adorable in orange! HappyMelts Organic Yogurt Snacks...a perfectly nutritious crowd pleaser on the plane or in the car.

Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia...the beautifully restored carousel there was the biggest hit with kids of all ages.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and see you in September!

Fast Food

To say we are busy this week is the understatement of the year.

We need something healthy (I have to fit into this dress on Saturday!) and suitable for guests (my mother-in-law is on her way!) for tonight's dinner. Oh, and super quick and easy.

BBC Good Food to the rescue!

BBC Good Food's Haddock and Spinach Cheese Melt

Kid tested, and mother (in-law) approved. Who could ask for anything more?

Dee-licious

Looking for some inspiration in the kitchen?

Check out Weelicious for fabulous healthy no-fuss meal and snack ideas your whole family will love, especially the kids.

Weelicious

I love Catherine's philosophy, and hope you enjoy her site as much as I do!

Happy Meals

Have you already gone through all of Annabel Karmel's delicious and nutritious recipes for your little one?

If so, check out this comprehensive website for some more ideas:

Wholesome Baby Food

Enjoy!

Incredible Edibles

One of the best gifts I received in the hospital after the birth of my son was a small box of these bad boys:

Laduree Macaroons

Nothing says welcome to motherhood better. Plus, they sure went well with all that tea Mount Carmel insisted on constantly serving us.

You can find Laduree at Brown Thomas.

Bon appetit!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

They say the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

This is certainly true in our household, especially when we make food like Jamie Oliver's Perfect Roast Chicken for Sunday lunch:

Jamie Oliver's Perfect Roast Chicken

This recipe is incredibly easy, and tastes divine...great for treating dad on his special day.

Kids love it, too, so everybody wins.

Happy Father's Day!

What's Cooking, Good Looking?

The Cookery School, Donnybrook Fair

Still searching for the perfect Father's Day gift?

Why not treat dad to a cooking class at Donnybrook Fair's Cookery School on Morehampton Road?

They have several father friendly classes coming up, including a Beer and BBQ Evening on 1 July, and The Perfect Steak and Chips on 7 July, each for 50 eur per person.

This cookery school is fantastic. I took a class there last year (Vegetarian Cooking, with Cafe Paradiso's Denis Cotter) and had a blast (especially considering I am hardly a vegetarian).

They even have a Kid's Cookery Club Summer Camp on throughout the summer for that aspiring chef in your family.

See you in the kitchen!

Best Laid Plans

Did you know the galleries at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) are closed on Mondays?

We didn't, which is why we bounced over there yesterday afternoon with some friends eager for some culture in the form of the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit.

Self Portrait with Monkeys, Frida Kahlo

Good thing Frida and Diego are in town until 26 June so we can try again (not on a Monday)!

Making lemonade out of lemons, we headed to Itsa IMMA, the museum's cafe, for some lunch.

This cafe is very welcoming to children, with a designated play area including mats, toys, books, and art supplies for your budding modern artist.

One of the mats in the play area was this one from Ikea, which I have had my eye on for quite some time:

Ikea's Lekplats Play Mat

At just 14.99 eur, we might have to finally head over to Dublin's branch of the Swedish superstore in Ballymun for one of our own.

Ikea is open on Mondays, right?

Taste of Italy

Gino's Homemade Italian Gelato

Can't make it to Italy this summer with the kids? Take them to Gino's on Grafton Street for delicious gelato instead!

Check it out next time you and the bambinos are out on the town...tiramisu is our personal favorite at this new spot.

Why not hit the playground at Stephen's Green afterwards to run off all that sugar?

Mangia!