As a family we try to eat a variety of food each week, straying from the meat and potatoes that Ole grew up on or the spaghetti with meat sauce that could be found on my childhood dinner table on a weekly basis. We strive to make our food life interesting, nutritious and diverse. However, it can be hard when you are a family of six balancing work, volunteering, homework, music lessons, sporting events and everything else that comes with daily life with young children to branch out and experiment,... more

It’s here. The last week of the summer is in full swing, and I am over my head in work and events and activities and last-minute to-do lists that just may very well not get done. Throw in a couple phone calls about the school book fair (remind me again why I am the chairperson for that) and three open houses for the kids, I’m starting to feel like summer is already gone. Still, determined to stretch those warm summer nights and days as long as possible, this pasta’s fresh taste... more

I would imagine that for most people the word tuna conjures up images of soggy tuna salad sandwiches made with too much mayo and pickle juice.  Or better yet, a classic Midwestern tuna hot dish (read casserole for the rest of the country) with egg noodles and potato chips on top.  And these aren’t necessarily bad images.  I’m quite fond of a properly prepared tuna melt, but one thing is for sure: tuna is a polarizing protein.  At least the canned variety is, people either like it... more

Followers of this blog know that when it comes to fish, salmon is the family favorite.  It is readily available, affordable when purchased in bulk, and quite versatile as evidenced here, here and here.  We do salmon many different ways and they’re all quite tasty, but in my opinion, this method takes the cake. Smoked salmon.  The words get the kids running towards the table no matter what time it is.  We like it with bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, mixed with mayo for a lunchtime... more

When it comes to grilling, some things are obvious.  Burgers, hot dogs, steaks, chicken.  But others are less obvious.  Pizza, pineapple, asparagus, crab.  Crab?  Yes, crab.  Why not crab?  That’s what I thought to myself a few years ago when we found ourselves with two pounds of crab legs and the desire to cook them somewhere other than in a big pot of boiling water in the middle of the summer. You see, around the O6 residence, we shy away from air conditioning unless it is unbearable... more

Minnesotans take great pride in telling people where their ancestors came from and for the most part there are only three places of origin.  Norway, Sweden or Germany.  If you have relatives who came from anywhere else, say, Poland, you are considered “exotic.”  I’m a 50/50 Norwegian/German; Shaina is less pure, much less pure, which makes her “exotic” by some standards.  I guess that makes our kids mostly nothing, but we like to think of them as little Vikings;... more

Mention the word salmon to most people and they will most likely have a polarized reaction.  Either they hate it or they love it.  I have been in the lover’s camp for as long as I can remember.  The same holds true for the rest of The O6 (that’s what I call my family). Usually, once someone sides with the haters it’s a lifelong commitment, but I’m here to tell you that there is hope.  Case in point: a former roommate of mine, who also ranked in the top five “pickiest... more