"Greek" Meatballs

Baby LOVES his meatballs, and I've acquired a mini-United Nations of recipes. This one was one of the first I found, and is a streamlined and adapted version of this recipe from the epicurious website.

Meatballs:

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped

4 green onions, finely chopped

1/2 cup bulgur

1 egg

1 T olive oil (more if your beef is extremely lean)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp ground coriander

Combine all ingredients and let rest while you make the sauce.

Sauce:

2 medium onions, sliced in "half-moons"

2 cloves garlic, sliced

2 T olive oil

1 large can crushed tomatoes (or 1 large can whole or diced tomatoes, run through the blender -- I tend to use what I have in the house)

3/4 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp allspice

black pepper

Saute onions in olive oil until they are golden. Add garlic, cinnamon and allspice and stir for about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. Add pepper to taste.

Roll meatball mixture into small balls (approximately 1 inch in diameter). Carefully add the meatballs to the hot tomato sauce and simmer for 20 minutes, or until meatballs are done.

I like to serve this with steamed rice and a simple salad of thinly sliced cucumbers and yogurt.

Chewy Pecan Diamonds

These bars are evil. And far too simple to make.

(I substituted half-and-half for the whipping cream and golden syrup for the corn syrup and they turned out wonderful).

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

These are one of baby's favourite breakfasts. He prefers them with a side of grapes. I like them, too, as they're full of protein and very tender.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together:

4 eggs

1 cup cottage cheese

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 T oil (I use peanut or avocado)

Add:

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 T sugar

Oil a frying pan and cook over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

Based on a recipe on the Whole Foods website.