Massachusetts Conference for Women 2017

What an amazing day I had attending the Massachusetts Conference for Women.  The largest conference for women in the country.  11,000 women gathered to learn, network, shop, and just have a great day.

 Marion Heard told us to be warriors.  She is a founding member of the Massachusetts Conference for Women.

We heard from Adam Grant, and we each received a copy of his book PLAN B.

Diane von Furstenberg told us her history.

Governor Charlie Baker welcomed us all and was proud to be Governor of the State that has the largest Women's Conference.

And frankly the best part of the day we hearing a discussion between Meryl Street and Gloria Steinem.  Gloria led the way for all of us to attend college and be what we want.  She expanded the workplace from teachers and nurses to whatever we wanted to be.  I can't imagine a world without Gloria Steinem.  And I am glad to have been born after the change was started.

Meryl spoke about her new movie THE POST, about Katharine Grahm, who was the first female publisher of a major newspaper in the United States.  

Together they discussed today's world of how men wanted to keep the power.  Equal means equal and we want 50-50 by 2020!

Here is a link of an article from today.

I did attend three breakout sessions, had a short coaching session and walked around the exhibitors.  But the highlight was listening to two powerful women have a conversation about women.

Baked Stuffed Potatoes

Another family favorite.

6 baking potatoes (washed and dried)

1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c unsalted butter (cut into four tablespoons)
salt
pepper
Bacos (fake bacon bits)
Splash of milk

Preheat oven to 350.  Take the tried potatoes and stab them 6-8 times with a fork.  Bake for one hour.

After an hour, take the potatoes out.  Cut each potato in half, and then while holding the potato half in a pot holder scoop out the insides of each potato into a glass bowl.  Stir in cheese, butter, salt, pepper and bacos into the potato in the bowl.  Line a baking sheet with tin foil.  Heat oven to 400.  Take the potato mixture and put some in each potato skin, and place on baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes.

I like to top with some sliced scallions while my husband likes to top with salsa.

Serve with a side of broccoli.

Pepper Pasta (Mario Batali's spaghetti cacio e pepe)

Last night was a night I cooked an old favorite for dinner.  I made my own pasta using my pasta maker.  I made spaghetti.

Ingredients:
1 T coarsely ground black pepper (freshly ground)
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c unsalted butter
1 pound of spaghetti
1/4 c freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (plus a little for serving for the dish)
1/4 c freshly grated pecorino romano
kosher salt

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 T of kosher salt.

In a large wok, over medium heat, add the pepper and toast for 15-20 seconds.  Add oil and butter and stir until melted.  Turn off heat.

Cook pasta (reserve 1/2 c of the pasta water) and drain.

Add 1/4 c of the pasta water to the oil and butter, and turn on heat to medium.  Add pasta and stir until the pasta is well coated.  Toss in the cheese and a splash of the water.  Serve with the Parmigiano cheese.

I serve with a side of asparagus or carrots.  If I can, I also add a side salad.

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017 is in the books!  Another great meal with family.

This years menu:

Homemade challah
Naomi's muffins (corn and cranberry orange)
Persian pepper dip
Pumpkin hummus with vegetables (supplied by my sister in law)
Beef Knishes and spinach knishes from the Butcherie in Brookline

Turkey
My Auntie's gravy
sweet potato with marshmallow
Brussel sprouts by mom
Stuffing with chestnuts by mom
Kugel by Barbara
Barley with mushrooms by mom
Kasha by mom
Homemade cranberry sauce by mom
canned cranberry sauce
honey glazed carrots

Beer from my brother
Wine (red and white)
Mike's lemonade
Sparkling apple cider for the kids
water
seltzer water

Fruit from my in-laws
Pumpkin pie from the Pie and Pastry Bible
Window Cranberry pie from the Pie and Pastry Bible
Candied Cranberry Chocolate Tart
Apple Crisp
Chocolate Pie
Maple Brownies
Tahini Cookies
Halavah Brownies from Sweet
Chocolate Chip Cookies from Naomi
Mandelbrot by mom
Madelines by mom
Salted Chocolate Brownies

Myers + Chang - Cookbook

On Sunday night I had another successful dinner!

I made Adam Kung Pao Chickpeas from the same cookbook which he loved and it made enough for 6 people.  The kids and I had the salmon dish.  I would double the amount of cucumber salad, since that was also a big hit.

I was surprised to find out that both of these recipes were easy to make.  Sometimes when you purchase a restaurant cookbook, not only is the list of ingredients long, but there are too many steps.  These two dishes were amazing to eat and great to prepare.

Small Kitchen Appliance - This year's craze - The Instant Pot

I love a great kitchen gadget/appliance.  My favorite ones are the KitchenAid Stand Mixer, a powerful food processor and of course my beloved bread machine.  I have had these three tools for 20 years.  They get used often in my kitchen.  The bread machine alone is used twice a week!  Homemade challah is a weekly event.  No bakery challah for the Weitzman family.

Last year, a co-worker told me how wonderful Philips Pasta Maker is and I agree.  The pasta is amazing, and as the water is heating up I can make a fresh batch of pasta, which is better than boxed pasta.  And it is super easy to use (not super easy to clean).  Who knew!

The craze this year is the Instant Pot and friends who are not kitchen lovers began to rave about the Instant Pot.  I read many posts from people and I knew I had to try it.

I purchased the 6 quart pot from Amazon and used it the next week.

The first recipe was for Mac and Cheese and while fast and easy (once I figured out how to use the pot) it wasn't the best recipe.  The kids liked it but I know I can make a better recipe.  It is much faster than the oven version and isn't bright orange like Kraft Mac and Cheese.  The only issue was that using the timer was difficult. . . . instead of ten minutes, I think I originally set it for 10 hours - OOPS.  Luckily my son pointed that out to me.

The next recipe was risotto, and while my family loves risotto, it requires me to stand over the pan and stir constantly.  However in less than 30 minutes I had risotto that I did not have to stir constantly and one could not tell the difference.  The next time I am going to make a squash risotto.

And how do I know that it is a craze?  Today's Boston Globe Food section had an article dedicated to the Instant Pot.  It is a great article.

Tonight I am going to try a chicken recipe in the Instant Pot.

I can't imagine cooking in it every night, but I can add it to the rotation of small kitchen appliances to use.  And while I don't eat meat and milk together, I am hoping that the chicken dish tonight comes out delicious.  And I have joined the Facebook Kosher Instant Pot Group (and another relative sent me an article to kosher recipes using the Instant Pot).

Tomorrow night I will use the pasta maker.  I need to make sure all my gadgets are used often.

Newton Politics

Our great city of Newton, MA is in the middle of election time, and on November 7, we will elect a new mayor between Scott Lennon and Ruth Ann Fuller.  I like to educate myself on the candidates and these two candidates have many similar ideas and visions for the city.  Due to Naomi's dance team, I have been to many of the local fairs, and have spoken to both sides in order to make the best decision. 

Fast forward to today, when Scott Lennon has taken out an ad that includes "I am the only candidate who has consistently held a full time job for the last twenty years."

Ouch.

Let

That 

Sit 

For 

A 

Moment

Twenty years ago, who traditionally was the stay at home parent?  (I like to think that is changing and more fathers are choosing that path, but in reality 20 years ago it was the female who stayed home.)

I feel that both of these candidates are well qualified, however I am supposed to cast my vote because he didn't take time off to raise his kids full time?  I do not know anything about Lennon's family, but did his wife take time off, and if she were to return to the work force and interview, would the hiring manager not hire her because she took time off to raise kids?  Did Lennon's wife's career take a back seat to his while their kids were young?  Did she work?  How does she feel about this statement?

And it isn't like his opponent isn't a good opponent.  She has served as Vice Chair of the Newton Citizen Advisory Group, in addition to co-chairing the town of Brookline's Financial Planning Advisory Committee.  She spent 8 years at WGBH.  And if some of this is volunteer work, it is still good experience.  She has experience planning and strategizing.  

And if a stay at home parent (male or female) returns to the work force, and tried to interview for a job with Lennon, would Lennon disregard any stay at home parent just because that person hasn't held a full time job?

President Trump doesn't value women in higher office.  His trusted advisors are mostly white males.  (Mostly - not all).  He has been accused of sexual harassment and views women as inferior.  I don't need another elected official to tell me that women don't have experience or intelligence.  This one sentence smells of Trump.  I know Lennon doesn't mean it that way, but as a female, that is how I am reading the one sentence.

I am uncomfortable using my one vote for Lennon.  He is telling stay at home parents that they don't add value.  They are very valuable.  Everyone has a different view point, and just because he has held a full time job for 20 years doesn't earn my vote.  In fact, he has lost my vote.  I am very aware of the glass ceiling, especially in higher levels (executive boards, C level, venture capital, finance, investments), and I am concerned that he is going to discount future employees because they were not fortunate enough to have the same 20 year experience as he did.

I really wish that someone earned my vote, instead of losing it, but Mr. Lennon, you lost my vote, because that statement hurts stay at home parents.

Sharing a post from another blogger

Working Mothers

http://www.classycareergirl.com/2017/10/working-moms-positive-character-traits-children/

Please read and let me know what you think.

Both of my kids have seen my husband and I work hard over the years, and I hope they see that we coordinate and cooperate in raising them and keeping the house together.  We both do laundry (actually all four of us do, some more than others), and even though I cook, my husband cleans.  We all shovel the snow during the winter.  No one person is responsible for the upkeep.

And we are raising our children together.  With a teenager and a pre-teen, that means driving the kids (and other kids) all over the place.  We both share in the carpool and driving tasks.  We are a family and I hope that is what our kids see in us.

We also have device free meals.  Dinner time is a time for all of us to come together and talk and hear our stories from the day.  In order for the family to run smoothly, we all need to communicate.

I did enjoy the Classy Career Girl's blog post, but I also think the whole family benefits from a family that communicates and eats together.

Rugelach

This weekend I made Chocolate Rugelach!

2 cups flour
2 sticks butter
8 oz cream cheese
1 package of mini chocolate chips
cinnamon and sugar

Combine the flour, butter and cream cheese in food processor.  Wrap ball of dough in plastic wrap.  Put in fridge for overnight.

Cut in half.

Roll out two thin circles.

Spread half of chocolate chips onto each circle press them in with the rolling pin.  Using a sharp knife cut dough with pizza cutter into small slices of pizza.

Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top.

Roll up each wedge from the outside to the center.

On cookie sheet, put tinfoil and Pam and then put the cookies on the pan.

Bake at 350 (preheat the oven) for 20-25 minutes.

AMAZING Coffee Cake

Alex Guarnaschelli's amazing recipe!

I used a deep dish 9 inch pie plate for the coffee cake.

TOPPING

1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c chopped walnuts
2/3 c flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
2 t cinnamon
1 t kosher salt
5 T unsalted butter, melted

CAKE:
4 T unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 cup flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t kosher salt
1 c sour cream
1/2 c whole milk yogurt

1. Make the Topping: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir together the walnuts, pecans, flour, granulated and brown sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the butter. The topping should form sandy clumps. Sprinkle the topping onto the baking sheet to break it up into smaller clumps. Refrigerate.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Use Pam to  grease the bottom and the sides of a 9-inch round baking pan

3. Make the cake batter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together, on medium-high, scraping down the sides from time to time, for 8 minutes. Lower the speed and add the eggs, one by one, taking care that the first egg is thoroughly integrated before adding the second.

4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt, sour cream and yogurt until smooth. Turn the mixer on low and alternate adding some of the flour mixture with some of the sour cream mixture. When all has been mixed in, give the sides and the bottom of the bowl a good scrape and blend to make sure the batter is thoroughly combined. Transfer the batter to the greased baking pan and tap it lightly on the sides so it falls evenly in the pan and to remove any air bubbles. Liberally sprinkle the cake with all of the topping.

5. Bake the cake: Bake until a cake tester or a small knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 55-60 minutes. Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing a serving. Once cool, the cake will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.

Vanilla Sandcastle Cake

Last night we were invited to a pool party, and I was lucky enough to bring dessert.  One of the desserts I made was Vanilla Sandcastle Cake.  If you don't have that shape Bundt pan, feel free to use the shape of your choice, but it needs to hold 10 cups.

Cake:
2 2/3 c cake flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
16 T unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 c sugar
4 large eggs
1 t vanilla
2/3 c milk


Glaze:
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c water
1 T lemon juice
2 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 325.

Spray the sand castle cake pan VERY well with Bakers Joy (Pam with Flour).  Did I say VERY WELL.  Get all the nooks!!!!!

In a mixing bowl, place the flour, baking powder and salt.  Stir.  Set aside.

In a stand mixer (use the flat beater), beat the butter on medium until creamy and smooth - about a minute.  Add the sugar and beat until light and flour (which is approximately five minutes).  Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.  Add the eggs one at time.  Add the vanilla.  Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour.  Beat each additional until nearly smooth.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Put the batter into the pan evenly.  Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (about 55-60 minutes - KNOW YOUR OVEN).  Put the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool upright for 15 minutes.

To make the glaze, in a small pan over medium heat stir the sugar, water and lemon juice and heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Stir in vanilla.

Set the rack over a baking sheet, and invert the cake onto the rack and carefully put the pan in the sink.  Cake is on the rack.  Pain the warm cake using the glaze.

IDEAS:  Put the cake on a large platter and surround with brown sugar (to make it took like sand).  You can also add ice cream scoops into the middle of the cake!

Not the best photo, but you get the idea:

William Sonoma Cake

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas with Yogurt

Another hit from Smitten Kitchen!

Serves 4
4 large sweet potatoes, washed and dried, cut into 4 to 8 wedges.  Sometimes I cut those in half
1 T honey
a dash of red pepper flakes
1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and patted dry
4 T olive oil
1/4 t paprika
kosher salt
pepper
1/2 cup Greek style plain yogurt
2 T lime juice
2 scallions, both green and white parts, thinly sliced.

Heat oven to 425 degrees F.

Line two baking sheets with foil.  In the first sheet, put 1 T of olive oil.

Toss sweet potatoes with honey and 1 T of olive oil and the pepper flakes.  Stir.  Let sit in bowl for 10 minutes.  Spread out yams on foiled sheet.  Season with salt and pepper.  Roast for 30 minutes.  Turn wedges around with spatula and cook for 5 minutes more.

Toss chickpeas with 1 T olive oil, paprika and salt.  Spread on uncoated baking sheet.  Cook for 20 minutes.  Shake once or twice during cooking.

Whisk yogurt, 1 T olive oil and lime juice in a small bowl.  Season with salt and pepper.

Put sweet potatoes on platter. . . . put on chickpeas.  Garnish with scallions.  Serve with yogurt on the side.

Mushroom Ragout with Poached Egg

This recipe was adjusted from Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty.

This serves four people.

.50 oz dried porcini mushrooms
2 ½ cups water
1 ¼ lbs mixed fresh mushrooms 
1/2  lb sourdough bread
6 ½ tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 medium onion, sliced
½ cup white wine
3 thyme sprigs
Salt
4 eggs
Vinegar for poaching
½ cup sour cream
2 tbsp chopped dill
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Black pepper


Soak the dried porcini in one cup of water for 30 minutes.  Clean up mushrooms.  Cut mushrooms into large chunks.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut bread into one inch cubes.  Toss with 2 T olive oil, garlic and salt.  Spread on baking sheet and toast in oven for 15 minutes, or until brown.

Pour 1 T of oil into saute pan and heat over medium high heat.  Add some of the mushrooms.  Cook for about 2 minutes without stirring.  Turn over to cook for another minute.  Remove from the pan and continue with more batches, adding oil as needed.  For me this took four batches.  Once all mushrooms have been cooked, add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and toss in onion and carrot.  Saute for 5 minutes.  Add wine and cook for one minute.

Take out porcini mushrooms and squeeze out liquid.  Pour all liquid into pan and add 1 1/2 c of water to pan along with thyme and salt.  Cook for 20 minutes.  Strain.  Discard onion mixture and return stock (1 cup) to pan.

Start poaching the eggs, with bringing a shallow pan of water with a splash of vinegar to a rapid boil (I used two pans).  Break an egg into a small cup and pour into boiling water.  Turn off heat and put on cover and let sit for 5 minutes.  Once all eggs are done dry.

Heat up stock, and add mushrooms, sour cream most of the fresh herbs and salt and pepper.

Put 1/4 of the croutons into each soup bowl.  Top with mushrooms and sauce.  Add an egg to each bowl.  Top with herbs.

While this makes an amazing winter meal, my kids HATE mushrooms, so we ate this as a summer meal and it was delicious.

Amazing Almond Torte from Chez Penisse

This was another hit in the cake parade!

Ingredients
1 1/4 c sugar
7-8 oz almond paste (can be found in the baking aisle)
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into slices
1 t vanilla extract
6 eggs
1 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt

powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Take 9 inch spring form pan and spray Pam with Flour.

Put the almond paste into the food processor with the steel blade and process well.  Add sugar.  Add butter and vanilla and process until light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time and process in between.

Mix in flour, baking powder and salt, and process until blended - not very long.

Pour into pan and bake for 42-48 minutes, checking often.  Should be a dark golden color and the center feels firmly springy when you push it.

Let it cool for 20 minutes.  Run a knife along the inside and release the sides of the spring form pan.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Corn and Tomato Pizza

This is a great pizza and easy to make:

First step is to make the pizza dough using this recipe.  This recipe makes enough dough for two pizzas that will fit on a traditional sized pizza stone.  I have two stones.  Be sure to place the stones in a cold oven and then preheat the oven and the stones to 400.

Ingredients

28 oz can chopped tomatoes, drained
2 cups corn (frozen corn that is thawed)
1/4 cup freshly sliced basil
salt
pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded Asiago cheese

In a bowl combine the tomatoes, corn, basil, salt and pepper.  Stir.

Put each pizza round on a stone, which is spread with some cornmeal to prevent sticking.

Spread one cup of mozzarella cheese on each pizza dough, followed by 3/4 cup of asiago cheese on each dough circle.

Spread half the corn and tomato mixture on top of each round.

Place in a 400 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Health Care - a few thoughts

Many of my readers know that health insurance is important, and I believe Americans should have the ability to access and afford quality health care.  There are so many things that bother me about the new proposed health care act, including the pre-existing conditions.  So many Americans who exercise and eat healthy, still have pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes and sleep apnea.  Some of us have bad genes but we still eat healthy, don't smoke and exercise.

Let me discuss one point that angers me - mental health issues.  In this country, if you have a cardiac episode you are treated with dignity.  If you go into the same ER with a full blown mental health issue, most likely you will be released because there are not enough in patient beds to treat people who are in crisis for mental health, because we as a country have created that situation.  We have young people who are in crisis.  We have older people with dementia and there is NO safe and healthy place for them to go.

Let me tell you, the first people I notice to blame an active shooter for killing innocent people are pro gun rights.  And they will then tell me that the person had mental health issues.  I can tell you that the person who has been struggling with mental health issues might have tried to see a therapist, however the therapist might not accept their health insurance or have any space.  It is time for our country to come together and treat patients with mental health issues with the same care, compassion and medicine as heart attack patients.  They are all patients and they all need medical care.  The person with the mental health issues needs help, but our country is on the road to now label that as a "pre existing condition" and many health insurance companies will not cover treatment.  Unless you have the wealth similar to the Trump Family or the Gates Family, the ability for you to help a family member receive mental health care will disappear.

Please help American's save their own access to health care.  Please make sure mental health is included in all health plans.  Please make sure every American can access good care and affordable care.

Pasta Maker

As loyal readers know, I love my food appliances.  I love my food processor.  If you follow my Facebook page, you will know that I was OUT of the food processor business from December to the beginning of April, which really put a crimp in my food prep.  I was unable to use it due to the recall of the blade, but I am back in business.

One of my co-workers raved about a pasta maker, so we purchased one and we love it:

Pasta Maker

We really love it, and I plan on using it tonight for dinner!

International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day, and women wore red and many did not attend work (similar to a day without immigrants in February, 2017).  I decided to work today, as did many other women in my company.

Here is one article from CNN.

Here is one article from MarketWatch.

Another interesting article from Kveller.

January 20, 2017

The day that I vowed to be a more active participant in this country.

Post election, I have gotten more active in my country and learning how I can help Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and other organizations that help this country.

Since January 20, I have learned that President Trump is STILL complaining about the election.  He has offered no proof of voter fraud, but harps on the topic.  I am willing to open my mind to the dialog, if I had some proof.  But right now, I have no proof.

He built his campaign on building a wall on our southern border, and he repeated that Mexico would foot the bill.  Guess what.  I am footing the bill.  If you pay Federal taxes you are paying the bill.  He claims that Mexico will pay us back, but I am not holding my breathe.  Because if Mexico was going to pay for it, they should pay for it now.  I don't want my tax dollars used for that wall.

His pick for top teacher in the country is a joke!  She wants guns in schools to defend against bears.  I will admit that I don't have to worry about bears attacking my kids in school, and there are a few schools that have that concern.  My concerns are about class size, kids having the best education and the best teachers, class size and funding special educations.  Keep guns out of the schools.

The free press is part of what makes our country amazing.  We the American people pay for great reporters to dig and find the news - the real news.  The Globe Spotlight team uncovered sexual abuse within the Boston Catholic Church - and the light that was shed on this turned out to be worldwide.  We need reporters to dig deep and find the truth.  We do not need the President declaring war on the media.  We do not need "alternative facts."  We need the truth.  I will continue to pay for news so I can make my own decisions.

I am a more active participant in this country.  I want to learn more and learn how to support the organizations and the people that I want to succeed in this country.  And I am allowed to do this because I am an American citizen living in America.  I have the right and the ability to support Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.  Use your rights and your abilities to support what you believe is important.

Vote in every election - local, state and Federal.  Make your voice heard.

Why am I marching

Why am I marching?

I am marching because I am equal to a man and I should get paid equally.

I am marching because women didn't always have the right to vote in the US and some women in this world still can't vote.

I am marching because I support women's right to choice for their bodies.

I am marching to support Planned Parenthood.

I am marching to support diversity. We are all equal. Diversity is skin color, religion, sexual orientation and gender.

I am marching to have affordable health care for all. We should all be able to obtain good health care and we should be able to have good and affordable health care. Not just the wealthy.

I am marching to keep all public schools great and without guns.

I am marching because there are countries in this world that people can not gather as a group and support an opinion that is different from the leaders of that country.

I am marching for all those who can't.

I am marching because my son wants to.

We are all human. We all deserve safety, health, clean water, safe housing, jobs and clean air. We are all human.

I am marching because I can!