Port and Fin officially has a new team member! She’s very small, and she doesn’t cook yet, but she certainly likes to eat a lot… she must get that from me.
Last Tuesday, I gave birth to a wide-eyed, curious, beautiful little girl named Evangeline- Evie, to her friends and family. It’s true what they say, being a parent is 100 times more exciting, overwhelming, scary, wonderful, exhausting and rewarding than anyone can prepare you for- and I’ve only been at this a week!
Every day I fall in love with her more and more.
The first few days of parenthood are a rollercoaster. While your aching body is recovering- no small task in and of itself- you’re also tasked with taking care of this tiny stranger who eats every hour or two, only sleeps for an hour or two at a time, cannot communicate with you save for wailing cries aaaand cannot support their own head.
It’s a lot to handle.
In this one week I have learned so much, and grown leaps and bounds in caring for this little creature. I am rewarded both with a sense of mastery and by Evie’s pleased face and happy coos that crush my heart with happiness, but I know I have only begun to scratch the very surface of parenting.
Needless to say, I have not been cooking much. Aside from the fact that I am still hobbling, recovering from an arduous delivery, 90% of my time, I have a baby in my arms. It kind of limits fun-kitchen-time, for now.
Having a baby attached to you also means that foods you can eat with one hand become, well, the best (and only) foods. I’m just happy I have mastered the one-handed baby-football-grip so that I do have that one hand to spare.
Chewy bagel, creamy cheese, fresh basil, fragrant garlic, juicy lemon. I call these ‘deconstructed pesto bagels’ since they contain so many pesto elements, but don’t actually involve a food processor (or, in the case of store-bought, a trip to the store- another first we’ve yet to attempt). I’m sure I could sprinkle some pine nuts on top as well, but at this point, I’m happy not to guild this lily.
In less than 5 minutes (ie. the time it takes for Evie to realize I have put her down in her rocker and becomes very unimpressed), I have a delicious, summery meal that I can eat with one hand!
Can I get a ‘yas, queen!’
| Deconstructed Pesto Bagels | | Print |
- 1 bagel, halved and lightly toasted
- 2-3 Tbsp cream cheese
- 1 clove garlic, halved
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves
- 1 slice lemon
- Have bagel and toast it lightly. As soon as it is out of the toaster, rub the hot interior surfaces with the garlic clove. With fresh garlic, a little goes a long way- it won't look like much, but you will get a beautiful aroma as the oils sink into the hot, crusty surface.
- Spread a generous amount of cream cheese on to the garlic rubbed surfaces of the bagel. Top with basil leaves and a squeeze of lemon.
Congratulations!!!!!
😀 we’re pretty happy with her
So happy for you guys!! ❤
(Love the ease of this recipe, too!)
Make with one hand, eat with one hand. It works 🙂