Note: I said similar. It becomes your own recipe in little changes that you make to customize it to your own tastes or family preferences. I feel more people are interested in the foods the Gosselins ate "then" and "now" than the "Was This a Recipe Invented from Nothing Ever Previously Similar" issue. If Kate wanted a variation, (or publicity) she could pair with Food Network, use one of their chef’s recipes, and then show how she makes her version.Some of you requested more of Kate’s recipes. Included are two of my favorites. Both recipes are from Kate’s future book Love is in the Mix. Originally planned for release before the divorce, I’d suggest that she change the title. Otherwise, we know what will happen. The “love” in the title will refer not to her kids as was intended, but to accusations with Steve.
Grandma’s No-Bake Chocolate Cookies
2 cups sugar 1/2 cup milk1/2 tsp salt 2 Tbs vanilla
2 heaping teaspoons cocoa (powdered cocoa)
1/2 cup peanut butter 2 and 1/2 cups oatmeal
Bring sugar, milk, salt, and cocoa to a boil and continue for 1 and ½ minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla, peanut butter, and oatmeal. Line countertop with wax paper and use a teaspoon to drop mixture onto paper. Allow cookies to cool and harden. Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies. Kate’s comments are that the cookies are safe for young kids to help make. She mixes ingredients and divides into smaller bowls with a spoon and wax paper for each child to make. She also says they are fun to make together and a good source of fiber.
(Personal variations on this recipe are in using Nutella instead of peanut butter and sometimes adding coconut. How would you change it for your family?)
Memorable Pizza Meatballs2 lbs ground beef
2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
1 cup milk
½ cup onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons pepper
1 bloc (8 oz) mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup oil
50 oz. pizza sauce (Kate’s favorite is Don Pepino)
Combine first 6 ingredients just until mixed and shape into meatballs. Cut mozzarella cheese into cubes and put one into the center of each meatball, covering the cheese completely with meat. Roll lightly in flour. Cook meatballs in oil over medium heat until browned (about 3-4 minutes each side) and then drain. Add pizza sauce and bring to boil. Turn down heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through. Makes approx 32-40 golf-ball size meatballs.
Serve over pasta, rice, in buns, or as an appetizer.Kate’s comments are that she tried these during the first year with six crying babies. She says that while it may seem like an unlikely hit, it has become a favorite making its way to their table many times. She serves them with steamed broccoli and fries but notes they can also be served on rolls and is even like pizza without the crust. Additionally, she suggests it as a great recipe for serving part tonight and freezing half for a future dinner. (Personal variations of this recipe are to add 1 egg and sometimes 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; Sometimes we sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top after cooking is completed. How would you change it for your family?)
If we were voting on the Cook Book Title would you:
1. Change the title to A Mother’s Love is In the Mix
2. Leave it the same
3. Have a subtitle that says, “It’s about loving the kids, and not Jon or any other man.”
Have you tried any of these recipes? If you have, please add your comments or tell us your variation. Or, if you were preparing it for your family, what would you do to make it different to suit your family's tastes.
