Friday, March 12, 2010

Mommy Club...

Besides marrying my hubby, the best thing I ever did was have kids. There are those days when I feel like I might crack but on the most part, my little ones fulfill me like nothing else ever has.

Many of my girlfriends have become moms too. It has been wonderful to see us evolve from young party girls to older (just slightly) and wiser (much) women who now run around after their children. I think it has brought us to a deeper level in our friendship.

We all met up today for lunch at Jamielyn's house. She is the latest to join the "mommy club" and couldn't be more radiant. We oohhed and aahhed over her gorgeous nursery that could easily be featured in a magazine. Lunch was potluck style so all of us gals brought over different dishes and desserts. Together it was the most amazing spread! We stuffed ourselves silly. Jamielyn's lemon bars were the best I've ever tasted and just affirmed that my baking skills are poor.

My contribution was an Israeli coucous salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, pine nuts and goat cheese. I assembled most of the salad before I left the house but brought the pine nuts and goat cheese in a separate bag and added them at her house. I made sure the goat cheese was pasteurized too for our pregnant friend.

It was a lovely, lovely afternoon. Thank you ladies!


Israeli Couscous Salad

Dressing
  • 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (or just 1/4 cup if you prefer it less lemony)
  • 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, whole grain Dijon if you can find it
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Salad
  • 8oz. of dried Israeli couscous; cooked according to package directions; set aside to cool; orzo could work too
  • a handful of fresh basil (about 8 large leaves),chiffonade                                                                
  • 2 cups small organic tomatoes; cherry, grape or small heirloom tomatoes all work; cut the larger ones in half
  • 1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes
  • 3 oz goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup of pine nuts, toasted to a light golden brown (be careful, they go from light brown to burnt in a blink of an eye!)
Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk it all together. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the cooked and cooled couscous, tomatoes, cucumber and basil. Pour the dressing on top and use a large spoon to gently fold everything together. When you are ready to serve, sprinkle the pine nuts and goat cheese on top.



2 comments:

  1. I'm going to make this for parties and wow everyone with it, I want some NOW! so sad i misssed the lemon bars.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erica, you are amazing!!!! I love you so much! And that daughter of yours.... WOW! Why am I secretly planning the Ka/ydens' future wedding!? They are just too cute together!!! Xoxxooxoxo Can't wait to see you again! Xoxoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete