UltimateMama and her kids made the most delicious and simple blueberry pie that was met with much applause this weekend! A store bought crust helped us out but the rest was simply homemade.

To make –

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust or another brand

6 cups fresh blueberries (remove stems, wash)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven according to pie crust instructions (sometimes it is 425 degrees F but double check)

Make the filling – Get a large bowl and fill with the blueberries, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Stir

Put blueberry mixture in the bottom crust

Place top crust over and fold under edges with bottom dough

Score the top pie crust with 4 cuts so steam can move freely out

Bake the pie on middle rack for 20 minutes at 425 degrees F and 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Cool pie, serve, and enjoy!

UltimateMama’s kids enjoy whipping up fresh tomato mozzarella bites in a flash.  These quick, easy to make appetizers are beautiful on any dining table.

What you need:

1 pound container of Campari tomatoes

Small container of pearl or cherry size fresh mozzarella balls

4 clean, washed basil leaves

Drizzle (1 tablespoon) extra virgin olive oil

To assemble:

Cut the tomatoes in half.

Use a melon baller to scoop out the inside of tomatoes and discard.

Place a mozzarella ball inside of each tomato “shell”.

Drizzle with olive oil.

Garnish with basil (or you can thinly slice the basil leaves and place in each one).

Enjoy!

UltimateMama had her kids create a weekend brunch that was healthy and tasty. They opted for bagels and lox with many creative accompaniments.

-Set out your favorite bagels (kids love Tal Bagels in NYC) and slather on some cream cheese

-Place lox on a separate plate

-Dice some cucumbers and tomatoes and place in bowls next to a bowl of carrots to snack on as well

UltimateMama always likes to have on hand the ingredients to make simple summertime small pita sandwiches to coordinate with a healthy yet easy lunch.  This summertime lunch takes only 10 minutes of preparation.  It is not only pleasing to the eye but also to the appetite.

Simple Summertime Small Pita Sandwiches recipe:

-Package of small whole wheat pitas

-Either honey maple turkey or honey maple ham thinly sliced (1 pound)

-Wisconsin cheddar cheese thinly sliced (1/2 pound)

-Mesclun or Boston lettuce

-Hummus and/or honey mustard

Slice all the small pitas open (leave one edge in tact for easy handling or “grab and go”).  Spread hummus or honey mustard on the tops of the pitas. Add the meat, cheese, and lettuce. Serve!

All natural tortilla chips with fresh salsa as well as vegetables with ranch dressing or Greek yogurt dip accompany the sandwiches nicely!

UltimateMama’s two little ones surprised her with a clever breakfast in bed funny face that put a smile on her face! Their secret ingredients:

-turkey bacon hair

-blueberry and strawberry eyes

-corn muffin nose

-scrambled egg mouth

Delicious and nutritious!

UltimateMama’s girls are always excited to make these clever, easy, minimalist, nutritious, and tasty avocado boats.  The best thing about them is that they can be eaten right out of the avocado! Avocados are high in healthy fats and great anytime of day.

Ultimate Avocado Boat recipe (for 8 people):

-4 avocados

-6 plum tomatoes cut into cubes (or use a pint of washed cherry tomatoes which you won’t need to cut)

-1 container of fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or you can cube one larger mozzarella ball

-4 tablespoons diced red onion (scallions work well too)

-2 tablespoons of lime juice

To do:  scoop out the “meat” from each avocado but remember to keep the “shell”.  In a large bowl, gently stir cubed avocado chunks, tomatoes, mozzarella, onions, and lime juice. Carefully, spoon into each of your eight avocado “shells” and serve!

UltimateMama and her girls love to make this refreshing summer salad for lunch guests.  It is quick, easy, delicious, and filled with nutrients.  Best of all, it is colorful as well as easy to eat poolside.

Ultimate Pineapple and Chicken Summer Salad recipe

-Fresh kale

-Pineapple chunks

-Red (or yellow) potatoes cut in chunks

-Grilled chicken cubed (UltimateMama usually uses leftovers from the prior evening)

-Balsamic vinegar

To do:  wash and dry the kale, add the rest of the ingredients, and lightly drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Serve in pretty summer bowls.

Optional:  Add some feta or goat cheese.

UltimateMama’s children get tempted each and every time they walk past a donut shop.  The smell of the sweet, greasy treat just fills their hearts with joy.  Not wanting them to miss out, UltimateMama purchased the Babycakes nonstick coated donut maker and the kids have been creating all sorts of sweet and somewhat healthy, not fried donut varieties.

Many donut recipes can be found online or in cookbooks, however, UltimateMama has cut down on time by using pancake mix, waffle mix, muffin mix, cake mix, and even splurged recently with a mix from Sur La Table.

UltimateMama and her kids enjoy entertaining around the holidays.  From Halloween through New Year’s Day the family kitchen is bustling with excitement.  Each year, new creations are tried and tested. This year’s winner is an easy appetizer turkey that the kids can make a few hours before your party or gathering.  It is a real crowd pleaser as it looks beautiful and tastes great too.  What you need:

– Crackers of your choosing (we used a combination of Ritz and Pretzel Crackers)

– Cheese of your choosing (we used thinly sliced Cheddar and Monterey Jack but any cheese will do–just cut it to fit your platter)

-2 blueberries for the eyes (or olives or peppercorns)

– Thinly sliced salami cut into circles (or pepperoni)

-Two toothpicks for the legs

To make–just let your creative juices run wild and experiment!  You may want to use the meat for the turkey’s face and save a larger slice of cheese for the turkey’s body!

UltimateMama’s children created an incredibly easy and delicious dessert this weekend using 3 ingredients:  marshmallows, one chocolate bar (milk or dark), colored sprinkles!  To do:

Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 10 second intervals

Put sprinkles in a shallow dish

Take a marshmallow and dip it in the melted chocolate then quickly dip it in the sprinkles.

Set on a plate and enjoy!