Shaina Olmanson's Blog, page 12

Menu Planning with the Kids

The what, why, and how of getting your kids involved in menu planning and the discussion of daily meals.




I am in the kitchen, bent at the waist with my head tucked inside the refrigerator. Our fridge is always stuffed full with the season’s produce, wrapped in plastic or teetering in bowls. Each week I tell myself I need a better solution for organizing the Tetris-esque contents of my chilled rectangle.


On the shelf below the jars of yogurt and opened jams, amidst the lettuce, Brussels sprouts,...

How to Build a Better BLT

The basics of building a better BLT sandwich from the type of bread to the thickness of the tomato slice to the variety of lettuce you opt for. Yes, there are rules.




A BLT is not a hard sandwich to master, and nearly everyone has the ability to figure out how to slap bacon, lettuce, and slices of tomato on bread. However, there is a bit of finesse when it comes to making a great BLT. The kind that makes your heart sing with joy. The kind that easily becomes a meal.


With most things, it is purpo...

Maple Crunch Apple Puff Pancake Recipe

Whether you refer to these oven-baked pancakes as Dutch babies, pannekoeken or simply puff pancakes, the combination of maple sweetness and tart autumn apples will make it hard to say no to.




My feet dangle beneath the checked tablecloth, swinging back and forth. A water glass sits in front of me, condensation clinging to the slick sides. Conversations happen over my head and the ceiling fan makes near silent whooshes as I fight the urge to wiggle in my seat lest I be reprimanded by my guardian...

Sweet and Spicy Honey Tomato Jam: Ball Canning and Food in Jars Giveaway

A sticky tomato jam recipe, equal parts honey-sweetened and pepper-spiced for a bit of kick.




The word bustling doesn’t accurately describe the state of the farmers markets this time of year. As soon as the blushing apples and ginger-kissed pumpkins start appearing on the tables of the individual stalls the energy level in the already active space seems to be notched up to eleven. The vendors have bushels and boxes for sale, selling off the last of summer’s goodness and the bounty that cooler t...

How to Build a Better Burger

What makes a better burger? Here are Ole’s tips for grilling and building a better burger at home.

Use quality meat with some modicum of fat.

The premise is simple: the lower the percentage of fat, the drier the burger. Sure, lean hamburger is wonderful for taco meat and tomato-based meat sauce. However, doing away with all the fat in your burger will land you with a crumbly patty that doesn’t want to hold together on the grill.


Aim for an 84% lean instead. This will give you just a bit extra fa...

Homemade Hamburger Buns

A recipe for soft, pillowy milk buns just waiting for you to turn them into your hamburger and cheeseburger dreams, topped with patties and all the fixings.




It was my youngest daughter’s birthday. I’m sure she wanted sushi. For her, the sun rises in the morning with the sole purpose of acquiring raw fish and vegetables rolled in sticky rice and seaweed. An instant day brightener on the rainiest of afternoons is the promise of a trip to the sushi counter.


However, on account of our transient di...

Summer Squash Pesto Cheese Rolls: School Lunch Ideas with Sargento

Thin summer squash slices are rolled with pepita basil pesto, provolone, and deli meat for a colorful school lunch treat your kids will love.



This post brought to you by Sargento Foods, Inc.. All opinions are 100% mine.


Last night I rolled into the kitchen around 11:45 p.m. There to greet me were counters sprinkled with chocolate shavings and flour dustings from recipe testing with the kids, who had long gone to bed with their comforters pulled up high to keep away the chilled air.


As I stood wi...

Buckwheat Groat {Kasha} Dumplings with Peach Coulis and Strawberry Sauce

Naturally gluten-free buckwheat groats become kasha dumplings browned in butter or boiled, then served with a honey-sweetened peach coulis and strawberry sauce for an easy breakfast for school mornings.




This post is not about back-to-school lunches. This post is about the back-to-school breakfast.


I’ve mentioned before that while I adore breakfast food, I am not the best at making involved breakfast fare in the wispy morning hours before packing lunches and sending my kids off to school (always...

Individual Baked Apple Crisp Recipe

A recipe for cinnamon-infused apple crisps prepared on whole halved apples for a healthy, simple take on a classic dessert.




It has been a week filled with firsts: the first day of school, the first day of kindergarten, the first school lunches, the first bus ride, the first day walking, the first homework sheets, the first lost shoe, the first missed bus. Hmm.


In an attempt to regroup before next week, the first apple crisp of the season seems apropos. We were rewarded with a few days of cool m...

The Back-to-School Lunch Box Buying Guide

Wondering what lunch box food storage containers are the best for sending to school with your kids? Here are a few of our favorites from PlanetBox, Kids Konserve, LunchSkins, and more.




Deep breath.


Let’s discuss the basics behind school lunch: The storage basics. Everyone always wants to go over the things that go in the containers like the ABCs of School Lunch Ideas and How to Pack Freezer Smoothies, but I’ve found that having a good set of quality containers on hand is sometimes one of the la...