Once in a Blue Moon

Day 136.

Normal dinner table talk at our house:

Picky Eater: Are there onions in this?

Me: Yes, but they're small. You won't even be able to see them.

Picky Eater: I don't think I like this.

Me: Just try it. You won't know unless you try it.

Picky Eater: How many bites do I have to take?

Me: Take as many bites as you'd like. Just give it a fair shot.

Picky Eater: (pushes food around plate. takes a lick. pushes some more.) I don't like this.

Me: Okay, but that's what we're eating this evening. I'm sorry you don't like it.

Picky Eater: But how many bites do I have to take?

Me: As many as you'd like.

Picky Eater: But how many? How many, Mommy?

Me: Five. Take five bites. How's that?

Picky Eater: (quickly shovels five small bites in her mouth.)

That's an average day. But every once in a great while...every blue moon...dinner goes like this:

Picky Eater: Are there any onions in this?

Me: Yes, but only a tiny bit.

Picky Eater: How much?

Me: One-fourth of an onion.

Picky Eater: Okay.

Me: (okay? Did she just say, "okay?")

Picky Eater: (happily chowing down) If I'm still hungry when this is gone can I have more?

Me: (Is this really happening?) Sure, honey, there's extra.

Picky Eater: Good, 'cuz this is delicious, Mommy.

Me: (sighing happily)

Picky Eater-Approved Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Serves 4 to 6

What You Need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 of a large onion, diced
• 1/2 lb pasta, cooked and drained (I used ziti)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• salt and pepper to taste (1 tsp of each was just right for us)
• 2 cups milk
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup ketchup or barbecue sauce
• 4 strips of bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled

How it's Done:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground beef with onion. Sprinkle with flour. Cook and stir until all the flour is absorbed.
2. Slowly stir in the milk, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir until thickened like gravy. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups of cheese and ketchup or BBQ sauce.
3. Toss pasta and sauce together. Pour into a 2 quart baking dish.
4. Top with the remainder of the cheese and the crumbled bacon.
5. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is melted.