It's official. I have become the mom I once said I never would turn into….

The mom that makes different meals for each of her kids, and sometimes even a third meal for myself. I remember as a thirty-something soon-to-be mom I made many “claims” on things I would never do as a mom. Well, about half of that list is out the window already and my boys haven’t event hit middle school yet. It’s ironic that I cook for a living and teach cooking classes to both adults and children and my kids really would prefer delivery pizza and drive through chicken nuggets over my Bolognese lasagna. Be that as it may, I feel some days, as I am sure most of you do, I am in survival mode. Work, sports, doctor appointments, many of us- kids therapy appointments, and hopefully somewhere in there a quick workout to keep me sane. How do we juggle all of that and still feed our kids a healthy meal (that they will actually eat) so we don't feel like “terrible" parents?

One item that excites my household is skewers. I don’t know what it is about a sharp wooden stick but I can put anything on it and the boys will eat it. It is probably because to them it is a weapon (another “claim” of mine that didn’t last). Since I am constantly fighting the “toy gun” battle in the house and in the video game arena, they are happy to see I relented to the archaic wooden weapon that I let them put in their mouth. I don’t know what it is about the sharp “tool” but fruit, veggies, meat and even dessert all seem to be a hit with my boys, which helps in the Survival of Everyday Life as A Mom.

So, for all you other moms with skewer-loving offspring, here is one of my favorite recipes that both you and your children will enjoy:

Beef Tenderloin, Red Onion and Sweet Potato Brochettes

Ingredients

1 Jar of Bellisari’s Saigon Street Sauce

1 lb Sweet potatoes (2medium sweet potato, peeled and cut crosswise in 1/2-inch slices) Heat in microwave for 2 minutes.  

1.5 lbs Beef tenderloin ( trimmed and cut in 3/4-inch, cubes)  

1 Small Red onion ( cut in 1-inch, chunks)

1 package of 6 inch soaked wooden skewers or metal skewers

Directions

In bowl, toss beef, potatoes and red onion with 2 tbsp of the Bellisari’s Saigon Street Sauce. Alternating beef, potatoes and red onion, thread onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. Place skewer on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning once and brushing skewers with remaining Saigon, until potatoes are tender and juices run clear when beef is pierced, about 10 minutes. Serve with a side of remaining Bellisari’s Saigon Street Sauce