Food

Mom’s Deli

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It was one of those kind of days when that special craving came on. In fact, it was Mother’s Day and I knew I wanted a Mom’s Special from Mom’s Deli for lunch. Many of you know exactly what I’m talking about. Little did I know the line would be out the door and down the street. Every time I go on the weekends there is a line (which is always a good sign), but never has it been so long. I guess the craving on Mother’s Day wasn’t well thought out, but I waited. As always, it was so good and satisfying. It’s one of those places that brings me back in time since I grew up in the neighborhood. As a native south city girl, this place is a favorite.

Mom’s Deli is a staple in the city. I grew up right down the street from the owners, the Vago family. In fact, I went to grade school and high school with Denise Vago who is now the current owner and sole proprietor who took it over after her Mom passed. Founded back in 1977 by Denise’s parents, Mom’s Deli is your traditional deli with good ole fashioned sandwiches made to order with fresh bread from The Hill. There’s also pasta, sides, and chips available. You can even pick up some beer or drinks to go as well. And, they’re always slammed with catering orders for all your party needs. All of the sandwiches at Mom’s are great, but they are famous for their Mom’s Special. You can get it hot or cold, but I highly recommend hot with gravy. What makes the Mom’s Special famous and different is the home made 1000 Island dressing and the munchee cheese. Let me warn you it’s messy so you will need a lot of napkins, but it’s so worth it. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Although, I don’t live in the city anymore I’m not far so when that craving hits, it’s a quick and easy drive. No matter where you are in St. Louis, it’s worth the drive to get a famous Mom’s Special or any one of their sandwiches.

Mom’s Special

Mom’s Deli – 4412 Jamieson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109

314-644-1198

Food

Uncle Leo’s

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Mariann’s Margherita

Most Fridays we order out for dinner. 85% of the time we order pizza. Uncle Leo’s in South County has quickly become our favorite take out pizza. They’re located right in the heart of South County on Lin Ferry Road in between Tesson Ferry and Lindbergh Blvd. I knew the pizza had to be good when I found out the pizza recipe came from Failoni’s located in Dogtown. I spent many Thursday and Fridays at Failoni’s, but I don’t think I ever had the pizza. Wow, it’s so good. No, it’s great!

How awesome is it that they decided to bring their famous pizza recipe to South County. You can tell this pizza dough is made from scratch and the specialty pizzas that are offered are some of the best. Our top two favorites that we order are Mariann’s Margherita pizza and Joey’s Fav. Hand’s down, the Margherita pizza is the best I’ve had anywhere. Heck, even my kids love the Margherita pizza and they are meat lovers. If you like it a little spicy, you will love Joey’s Fav with jalapeno’s on it. Last time we ordered from Uncle Leo’s. we decided to try something new. We tried their Chicken Delight. It’s officially my new favorite. I will warn you on Fridays that the phone lines can get tied up and busy. Yes, that’s always a good sign. Keep calling back and you’ll get through. You might have a longer wait time for pick up on Friday along with a line out the door, but it’s well worth the wait. For those of you who have tried Uncle Leo’s you know what I’m talking about. For those who haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.

Chicken Delight
Joey’s Fav

Uncle Leo’s Pizza – 9975 Lin Ferry Drive, St. Louis MO 63123

314-842-7155

Food

Chicken Spinach Tomato Bake

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This Chicken Spinach Tomato Bake has become a favorite in this house and it’s healthy. Everyone’s looking for that quick and healthy chicken dish. This is it! I’ve done a few different variations with the tomatoes. Originally I was using Rotel tomatoes, but recently I tried sundried tomatoes. Both give it a little different flavor. One reason I love this Chicken Spinach Tomato Bake is because you can change it up each time to meet the needs of what you have at home. You don’t have to use mozzarella cheese each time. I’ve used shredded Mexican style cheese because I always have that in bulk in my fridge. This is a great recipe with a lot of flexibility and it tastes so good.

Chicken Spinach Tomato Bake

  • Servings: 5-6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

  • 5-6 Large Chicken Breasts
  • 16-24 ounces of Fresh Spinach
  • 1 and 1/4th cup of Chicken Broth
  • 1 can of Rotel or a jar of Sundried Tomatoes
  • Creole or Spicy seasoning
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Shredded Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese to your liking
  • 4-5 Green Onions chopped (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 9 by 13 dish and any other dishes being used. For 5-6 large chicken breasts I use two a 9 by 13 and 11 by 14 dish.
  2. Next, place the chicken breasts on a cutting board between sheets of plastic wrap and pound the chicken with a flat mullet until all meat is even. This is a key step.
  3. Sprinkle the chicken with Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  4. Put the fresh spinach is prepared dishes. Salt and pepper the spinach.
  5. Add the chicken broth evenly to each dish.
  6. Arrange the chicken over the spinach and add tomatoes on top along with green onions.
  7. Cover the baking dishes with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Uncover and continue baking for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165.
  9. Top the chicken with cheese and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with your favorite sides.
Family, Food

Green Beans with Bacon

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Green Beans with Bacon

After years of not eating green beans, I decided to try something new to get my family to enjoy them.  We love bacon in the house so I thought, why not try some green beans with bacon.  It was a huge success so much so that we eat green beans with bacon at least once a week as a side dish.  Not only was the bacon the secret to success, but the Alpine Fresh french green beans from Costco also make this dish.  The french green beans are thinner, cook faster, and are more flavorful then regular green beans.  Of course, this is all my opinion, but I believe if you try these green beans with bacon you will agree.

You can make this dish with real bacon or even use bacon crumbles, but there is only one brand of bacon crumbles that is good.  Yes, it is the Costco brand of Kirkland bacon crumbles.  They are high quality, big chunks of bacon crumbles.  The best we have found.  These green beans with bacon not only taste great, but they are super easy to make especially if you choose to use bacon crumbles.

Green Beans with Bacon

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: Super Easy
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Ingredients:

  • 1 2 Pound Bag of Alpine Fresh Tender Green Beans (we use 1 pound and save the other pound for another meal)
  • 2-3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
  • 2-3 Cloves of minced Garlic
  • 1 1/2 Cups of Bacon Crumbles by Kirkland
  • Jalapeno Salt & Pepper to taste (not much salt needed due to bacon)

Directions:

  1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a wok over medium high heat.  Add green beans and garlic, toss in the olive oil, and cover for 8-10 minutes to cook/steam.  Continue to stir green beans.
  2. Once the green beans are getting softer and brighter in color, you can add the bacon crumbles and seasonings.  Continue stirring the green beans and bacon.  At this point, you will have to judge when your green beans are ready.  It all depends on how you like them.  Taste them to see if they are ready.  Some like them a little crispier while others like them more done.  We’ve cooked them both ways, and the family consensus is they do not like them crispier.  I like them both ways.

*Note – If you decide to use real bacon, consider not cooking the green beans in the bacon grease so to help keep calories in check.  If you don’t care, then go for it!  However, I think the bacon adds a ton of flavor even without the grease.

Enjoy!

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Family, Food, Kids, Snacks

Festive Oreos

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Festive Oreos 2

Independence Day always gets me in the mood for patriotic foods. Some festive Oreos were on my mind since I saw this idea on Pinterest. We make a lot of red, white, and blue snacks at this house. This weekend was no different.  I had plenty of white chocolate on hand so I decided to try these festive Oreos out. Well, there is nothing easier to make except for a few broken ones from time to time.

These festive Oreos are a great snack to make with the kids too. Get in the kitchen, get a little messy, and have some fun!  Festive Oreos are sure to be a hit with the family or at any holiday get together.

Festive Oreos

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

  • 1 Package of Nestles Toll house white chocolate morsels (12 oz.)
  • 1 Package of Oreos
  • Sprinkles (red, white, and blue)

Directions:

  1. Pour the whole package of Nestles Tollhouse white chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl. I use the microwave to melt my chocolate.  The key is to do it in 30 second intervals and stir after each 30 seconds in the microwave.  For a 12 oz package of chocolate, it usually takes 60-90 seconds.
  2. After the chocolate has melted, you are ready to start dipping Oreos.  Dip each Oreo half way on each side and place on a baking sheet covered with wax paper.
  3. Next cover the white chocolate Oreos with sprinkles.  It’s best to do this step right away before the white chocolate begins to set.
  4. Place Oreos in the refrigerator so the white chocolate will cool and set.  

Enjoy!

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