And the winner is ...

So the good news is I don’t have those ranty days too often, at least not in blog world. (My family might tell you otherwise. For instance, I’ve had to stop reading the newspaper while other people are home. LOL!) But last night was Bertolli night … and it was worth the money.

The shrimp weren’t fishy or rubbery. The pasta was al dente. The asparagus was even crisp and the bell peppers must have had some kind of magic dust on them because I didn’t get the burps. (Sorry if this is too much detail, but bell peppers that don’t make me burp are unheard of! We all have our foods, I suppose.) We all threw on some Parmesan cheese, but for the most part were satisfied with the sauce and flavor. So I will buy it again … on sale. But I will need more with it as two bags didn’t go very far.

The most interesting part of the evening, however, was the way every single person in the house came to check the pan while it was cooking. The six suspicious hazel/brown eyes that leave on the bus every day couldn’t stand the suspense. What WILL she be feeding us? What are those green things?

“I promise it’s nothing poisonous,” I said.

Whoa … I see shrimp! I’m totally trying that!

“OK,” I said.

What are those pink chips?

“They’ll melt and be sauce.”

A furrowed brow. OK.

Mr. Second Grade had about four helpings (smaller helpings than usual because there wasn’t enough). Capt. Kindergarten even ate the vegetables (because he wanted seconds on shrimp and pasta). Little Lady Third Grade had seconds (normally she cleans her plate once and calls it a game, unless we have one of her favorite favorites). So Hubby and I scrounged a bit to fill out a complete meal for us, but that was OK. Seeing them involved in preparing the meal was great. Seeing them be so adventurous with food was just plain exciting.

And so, as I said before, we often come to a fork in the road where we must choose between time and money. In this case time was the winner. I won’t buy it often, but when I truly need something tasty and quick the Bertolli will come to mind, as will the payoff of having these regular family meals.

The kids were willing to help set the table, get drinks and put out napkins as they got to check the pan between steps. And they were willing to try something new, no fits were pitched. I wonder what new thing I’ll throw their way next.