Friday, January 29, 2010

Cookbook: The Silver Spoon for Children



Note:   My baby sister gave Little Guy this book for Christmas.      I realize that this book is an adaptation from the adult version of the book, but I think we will stick with this one because we love it!    Thanks, Aunt K!

Look at these illustrations.   Aren't they divine?    So wonderful and appealing for children (of all ages).




The recipes range from amazingly simple to somewhat more complex, but all amazingly delicious!


Fruits of the Forest Ice Cream



Ingredients
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
3 1/4 cups frozen berries, such as blackberries, raspberries, redcurrants or blackcurrants
1/2 lemon

scant 1 cup superfine sugar



Directions

1. Pour the cream into a big bowl and using a hand whisk or electric whisk, whisk it until it holds in soft peaks--when you lift the whisk out of the cream, it should look like the picture of snowy mountains on the opposite page! If you whisk the cream for too long, it will become too firm and stiff.
2. Put the frozen berries into a food processor. Squeeze the lemon juice over the fruit, add the sugar, and whiz until the berries are mashed up. Ask an adult to help with the food processor...
3. Spoon the mashed fruit into the whipped cream and carefully fold everything together. Spoon into a freezeproof container (a clean used ice cream container or plastic tub is ideal) cover with a tight-fitting lid, and freeze for 3 hours or until frozen.

"The Silver Spoon" for Children
Phaidon, $19.95
This nice-looking picture book is especially adapted from "The Silver Spoon," the best-selling bible of Italian cooking. Simple, authentic and delicious recipes for children to cook with charming illustrations. 

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Blueberry Pancakes

Note:   Did you know today is National Blueberry Pancake day?   Me either until I got a tweet for Domino sugar!  (You can follow Domino on twitter here.)    Here is their recipe for delicious pancakes you can make to celebrate!      Lucky me.    I just bought a bottle of blueberry syrup yesterday!!

Blueberry Pancakes

Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour
2 Tbsp Domino granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg lightly beaten
1 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp butter melted
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Your choice of toppings :  more blueberries, your choice of syrup (ours is blueberry), powdered sugar, butter, whipped cream

Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

In another medium mixing bowl, combine egg, buttermilk and butter. Add egg mixture all at once to the dry mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).

To make 4-inch pancakes, pour about 1/4 cup batter onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. Cook until the bottoms are golden and bubbles are popping on the surface, about 1 minute. Turn, and cook 1 minute on the other side. Serve warm.



Make 8-10 pancakes. (So I would seriously double this recipe from the start if you have hungry guys like mine!)


Toppings :  more blueberries, your choice of syrup (ours is blueberry), powdered sugar, butter, whipped cream

Bean Dip

Note:   Are you getting ready for the SuperBowl?    If you live around here you are.    It is SuperBowl madness, I tell you.     People are walking around wearing black and gold and if you dare utter that you might be pulling for that "other" team you better run for your life.      I think I may be one of the only people in this entire state who isn't a lifelong Saint fan (did I just publically admit that), but I still love a good football game.     

Bean Dip

Ingredients
1 can (9 oz) Fritos Bean Dip
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 package taco seasoning mix
8 to 10 drops Tabasco




Directions
Beat above ingredients. Fold in 1/4 cup green onions. Layer half of the mixture in pie plate. Spread 1 cup of jack/cheddar cheese over mixture. Repeat layer and add 1 cup of jack/cheddar cheese to top.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.      Eat with tostitos.     Share with friends.... if they promise not to torture you because you aren't a lifelong Saints fan.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Have you discovered OROWEAT Sandwich Thins?



I LOVE this bread!
100 calories
5 grams of fiber
1 gram of fat
choices of multi-grain, whole-wheat or honey-wheat (YUMM-O!)
but most of all.....

DELICIOUS!!!

I grabbed a package of these sandwich thins at the store on a whim because they just looked delicious.   I thought they would be perfect for tuna or egg salad sandwiches.     I was right AND wrong.    They are not only delicious for those things, but so much more!    

Hubs toasted these and put ham and cheese on them.    Oh my heavens!!

Put these bad boys in a panini machine and you will think you have found sandwich perfection!

Have I mentioned that I am not being endorsed by the OROWEAT company to tell you about these sandwich thins?     However, if they wanted to send me a coupon for a FREE package I would NOT turn them down.     

You HAVE. TO. TRY. THESE!!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Mini Ham and Cheese

Note:    Don't you love make-ahead things?     Wednesday nights are so busy for us that I need things that I can grab out of the refrigerator and throw in the oven.     These sandwiches are delicious with a bowl of soup or even some fresh potato salad.       I am thinking these will be a nice addition to our Super Bowl celebration.


Mini Ham and Cheese


Ingredients
1 12 count package Kings Hawaiian Rolls
12 slices swiss cheese
12-16oz thin sliced ham
1/2 cup butter melted
1 tsp ground mustard
2 tsp onion flakes (or 1 tsp onion powder)
2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce

Directions
Place ham and cheese on the bottom of the sliced rolls.  Cover with the top half of rolls.  Mix together the remaining five ingredients in a small bowl and spoon over the tops of the sandwiches.   You will hesitate because you will think there is too much "stuff" but trust me!     Go ahead and use all of it.    After you have finished basting, let sit overnight or at least a couple of hours in the refrigerator.   Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until cheese is thoroughly melted.   Enjoy!

Monday, January 25, 2010

TMTT: Valentine Chex Mix




Note: My boys love Chex Mix so I know they will love this Valentine version!
 
Valentine Chex Mix

Ingredients:
9 cups Rice Chex® cereal
1 cup white vanilla baking chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup red, white and pink candy-coated chocolate candies
1/4 cup red or pink jimmies sprinkles

Directions:
In large bowl, place cereal. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

Place 1/2 of the cereal mixture in 1-gallon food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir candies and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.

In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures. Store in airtight container.

Recipe Source: Betty Crocker


Join me over at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday for more great recipes!

This Week's Menu

Monday:   Crockpot Chicken Nachos

Tuesday:   Skillet Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread

Wednesday:    Grilled Ham and Cheese, Parmesan Potato Wedges

Thursday: Meatloaf, Rice, Corn,Green Beans

Friday:   Leftovers

Saturday:  Jambalaya with sausage

Sunday:    Loaded Baked Potatoes