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Posts tagged ‘Kristen Duca’

UltimateMama has an easy, comfort food style recipe that all will enjoy for dinner tonight. Best of all it takes less than 20 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

4-6 ounces thinly diced prosciutto

4 gloves garlic

1 1/4 cups frozen organic peas (thaw before use)

Dash of crushed red pepper flakes (or more for taste)

1 pound Mafalde pasta

1/2-3/4 cup pasta water

To do:

Cook the pasta as directed. Keep 1/2-3/4 cup of pasta water for “sauce”.

In a big skillet heat the olive oil and add the diced prosciutto until crisp. Remove and place on a place (draining the oil).

Chop the garlic finely, add to the olive oil in the skillet, and cook for a few minutes.

Add the peas to the skillet as well as the crushed red pepper flakes.

Add the pasta to the skillet, using tongs.

Add 1 cup of the cheese to the pasta in the skillet then 1/3 cup of the pasta water and mix to form a sauce.

Finish adding the remainder of the cheese as well as the pasta water until desired consistency and creaminess is achieved.

Place in a large pasta bowl or platter.

Top with crisped prosciutto and a bit of crushed red pepper flakes for color.

Enjoy!

 

UltimateMama made and decorated tennis ball inspired cupcakes for her daughter’s recent team dinner party. The tennis ball cupcakes were easy, cute, and yummy! These cupcakes were made in green wrappers, decorated with vanilla frosting with a few drops of green food coloring, and detailed with Wilton’s white decorative icing.

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 and her kids love making and serving these super easy prosciutto and salami wrapped mozzarella sticks.  Guests can pick them up with no mess, plus they can be made in advance of your gathering.

To make:

8 ounces of whole milk Mozzarella cheese (chunk or “brick” loaf style so it can be easily cut)

4 ounces of sliced prosciutto

4 ounces of sliced salami

Prepare mozzarella cheese by cutting into 4 inch long, 1/2 inch thick pieces

Roll either the prosciutto or salami around the cheese

Repeat until all ingredients are done

Serve and enjoy! (adding pitted olives and stuffed grape leaves is a nice bonus for friends)

UltimateMama and her kids are passionate about food insecurity issues in the community.  A productive way to get kids involved in helping those in need is to contact your local food pantry, soup kitchen, community center, or religious organization and ask them how they can use your assistance.  This morning, UltimateMama and her crew of two made 22 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole wheat bread (wearing gloves during assembly) and put them into individual bags which were dropped off by 9 AM at the New York Common Pantry.  Help reduce hunger in your neighborhood today!

UltimateMama discovered a new kitchen must-have that makes creating mini pancakes or pancake “cereal” incredibly easy.  The pancaker is sold by the Container Store and offers an all in one measure, mixing, and shaking product complete with a spout for an easy to pour experience. Just use your favorite mix and you can whip up creative mini pancakes in minutes! Add chocolate chips if you feel decadent.

UltimateMama is ready for Easter with some clever gift ideas, including:

Amazon.com Bunny Ears $7.99

Lindt chocolate bunny $4.99

Sunnylife See Through Pouch (perfect for beach accessories, make-up, etc.) $16

Shein rings $1.50 each

Peeps 10 pack $3.00

Cadbury Egg $1.00

-Papyrus bunny bags SOLD OUT

 

UltimateMama did early online Valentine’s Day shopping this year and her girls are in for a real treat! Some fantastic treats:

Ghiradelli Sweet Hearts – Premium Chocolate Assortment

Roller Rabbit Hathi pajamas in heather grey

Tennis Warehouse pink love t-shirts

Zara pink ribbed t-shirts

UltimateMama and her family are spending this New Year’s Eve at home.  In order to make it a little extra special she brought out some Welch’s Sparkling Rose (Grape Juice Cocktail) in fancy flutes!  Cheers to all!

UltimateMama enjoys surprising her two little ones with Gingerbread Houses to decorate during the holiday season.  Much to her amazement, Michaels had the perfect Christmas Tree Gingerbread Kit on sale for $4.99 (from $9.99).  The girls loved how easy it was to assemble and frost their trees!  A must buy!