Lazy Perogy Casserole

Kim's been knocking "momming" out of the park these past few weeks that I've been working at inContact. One area that she's been doing amazingly well at has been in the kitchen. Now don't get me wrong, Kim's always been a good cook. However, as of late she's been out doing herself again and again. 


One of the dishes that she has tried a couple of times and has really perfected lately is Lazy Perogy Casserole. If you've never had a perogy, you really need to fix that. Basically they are raviolis that are stuffed with a mashed potato + awesomeness mixture of sorts. This casserole recipe replicates the flavors without all the work of stuffing individual pasta pockets. Tasty and awesome, FTW. 

Lazy Perogy Casserole

Ingredients 

• ~15 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 3-4 cups mashed potatoes (however much it takes to cover the pan)
• 1 tsp onion salt
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (plus extra to sprinkle over the top of the casserole)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 finely chopped onion

Directions

1. Cook noodles (or use awesome shortcut). Drain, rinse, and set aside. 
2. Combine egg, ricotta cheese and 1/2 tsp onion salt. 
3. In separate bowl, combine potatoes cheddar cheese, remaining onion salt, salt, and pepper. Set aside. 
4. In a frying pan, melt butter and sautee onion until soft and yellow. 
5. In a greased 9x13 casserole dish, layer in the following order: 
1. 5 noodles (or however many it takes to cover the pan)
2. Ricotta mixture
3. 5 noodles
4. Potato mixture
5. 5 noodles
6. Onions
7. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over top if desired
6. Cover with foil and bake in oven at 350 F for 30 - 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. 
7. Spoon into bowls or onto plates and top with sour cream and/or green onions. Enjoy!

Eating Solids

We started Makaila on rice cereal at the beginning of the month.  So far, she is not a fan.  I am thinking we might switch to oatmeal soon and see if that suits her tastes better.  Here are pictures of her first time trying cereal:

Every time we've eaten rice cereal since then she makes similar faces.  Kind of funny and sad all at the same time.

A weapon of mass destruction in the making...

Eyeing Dad's XBox after knocking over the garbage can

And oh so happy about it!

What do you do when you are home all day?

It's always funny to me when my friends who don't have children (and obviously haven't babysat in awhile) ask me what I do with all my time since I'm not working anymore...


Seriously?!  What time?  It's not like I am sitting around looking for something to do.  But I never know how to answer that question because when I say "I spend all day playing with and caring for my baby" get I an odd reaction out of these friends.  Almost like they think I am leaving something out or holding back on them.  Sure, there's more to it than simply playing with Kaila.  I do cook, clean, and even squeeze in some "me" time here and there, but they never seem impressed if I elaborate.


It's amazing how busy you get when you are at home with a baby.  I get up with Makaila between 7 and 8am and we are busy, busy, busy all day!  Sure, she naps, but that is my chance to do things that are more difficult when she is awake (like showering!).  We are on a pretty nice schedule, so I get to spend some quality time with Trip after Makaila goes to bed; that is my chance to unwind.  Then it's off to bed for me and we start over the next day.  I love our little life and our new routine, I honestly wouldn't change a thing.  Makaila and I have a lot of fun together and I can't imagine doing anything else but spend time with her right now!  All my personal goals and wants are put on hold for now, and that's okay.  It's a hard feeling to describe but that's how it is for me at least.  Maybe that makes me sound lame or boring, but I don't care.  I think most mom's feel this way to some extent.  So I am going to enjoy being a stay at home mom as long as it lasts :)


Here's to all those mom's who have little bundles of energy that steal time and hearts.  I wouldn't have it any other way.