Yummy things

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Yummy things
Random musings on happenings in my kitchen and my life, in Durham, NC


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About me
Hi! I'm Lindsey.

I'm a health educator, like to run at a slow, but steady pace, teach group fitness classes, and do my best to keep up with my family that's spread across the country. In the midst all of that, playing in the kitchen is one of my favorite stress relievers and creative outlets, so this blog chronicles some of my favorite cooking and baking adventures, but in the process it also tells the story of the rest of my life.

Like many people in the Triangle area, I'm a transplant. After spending the first 21 years of my life in the midwest, I've been settled in North Carolina for seven years. One of the things I love most about the area is the diversity of local farms, farmers' markets, and great food, so I follow lots of local food happenings, but I also keep up with my fair share of Midwestern favorites.

If you like what you find here, feel free to drop me a note and email Yummy things. I'd love to hear from all of you out there!
Mon Aug 29

Meal swap!

Another thing that has helped get a home cooked meal onto the table each night, in addition to just generally getting back into the groove of cooking and the fact that Hazel’s schedule is much more predictable now than a few months ago (never mind random naps from 6:30 - 9 PM!), is the fact that I’ve got a lovely group of friends, who all also have little ones, that has joined together for a monthly meal swap. 


Hazel, Kelsey and Collin play on the carpet, as Kara watches, at last month’s swap

Basically, every family that attends makes a meal for each other family that’s in attendance.  It allows you to take advantage of big batch cooking without having to eat the same things for the whole week.  Then we all get together to swap…and to watch all the babies play! 


Ellen, Marisol, Collin, and Kara enjoy August meal swap dinner while Alana gets ready for a couple bites of mushed up banana

It’s been loads of fun watching the little ones get a little bigger each month, and now it’s pretty funny to see the kids get in on eating dinner, as each one progresses through first foods, purees, finger foods, and taking a try at using utensils. 


Hazel and Eleanor check out all the action at this month’s swap, while their parents watch on

Also, it’s been a great way share some of our old favorites and try out new dishes.  Even if you don’t have a group to swap with, here are some of the yummy meals we’ve had over the last six months that I’d definitely recommend. 

Indian spiced potatoes and cauliflower
A lovely way to spice up pretty basic ingredients.  Nice over brown rice.  Even Hazel liked it!

Asian-style meatloaf and sesame mashed potatoes
A really flavorful meatloaf that incorporates peppers, water chestnuts, rice crackers and hoisin sauce.  The mashed potatoes are a nice simple side with a little Asian flare. 

Koshari
A popular Egyptian dish with rice, pasta, lentils and a spicy tomato sauce that’s a great meal to reheat for lunch.  I’d make a big pot of this again, without even having a bunch of people to share it with!  The tomato sauce is also a nice spicy one to throw over pasta. 

Salsa chicken and black bean soup
This is a great crockpot meal (what Angela did for the meal swap), but you can make it work with a Dutch oven (what I’ve determine since then) by just turning it down low and letting the stove work its magic over a slow weekend afternoon.   

Beef daube provencal
A classic French stew of braised beef, red wine and vegetables.  Probably too hearty for right now, but before you know it, the temperatures will start to drop, and this is a delicious way to get your protein and veggies all into one bowl. 

Moroccan hamburgers
Some spices and fresh herbs really perk up these burgers.  Could be a great treat on the grill for Labor Day weekend!  Good with a couscous salad on the side. 

Good eats!