cooking with kids

Creamy Tropical Oatmeal w/ Toasted Coconut

by Stacy on March 1, 2012

Eat with me Wednesday #2

How many foods have you found that everyone in your family enjoys? Pizza, Spaghetti, Macaroni and Cheese – maybe. How about Oatmeal? My family loves Oatmeal. We love to make big batches of it together on the weekends, taking turns measuring, stirring the pot, letting the kids choose which fruits and flavor combinations they’ll add to make it uniquely theirs.

It has become such an easy, comfort food for us that some nights when Daddy is away and we’re feeling a bit nostalgic or in need of something warm & comforting, we’ll even whip up a batch and eat it for dinner. We just love it that much.

This Creamy Tropical version comes to you from the creative mind of my 6 year old. He loves to experiment with new tastes and flavors in the kitchen and this recipe does just that.

Creamy Tropical Oatmeal w/ Toasted Coconut

We started out with Almond Breeze Coconut Almond Milk (he really loves this stuff), we used it for half of the liquid in the recipe to give it the extra creamy texture. We cooked the oats as directed and added a bit of maple syrup for flavor and sweetness, sprinkled some (Ok, a lot of) cinnamon like we always do, added a splash of good vanilla and swirled it all around and inhaled the goodness. Next, we toasted some shredded coconut in the oven until it was just turning golden brown. Then we dished up the oatmeal, tossed in a handful of diced dried pineapple and mango and dusted the top with the toasted coconut.

We really enjoyed this version, we hope you try it and love it too.

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Cranberry Apple Fruit Salad

by Stacy on January 12, 2011

I mentioned I was working on a lot of new things for myself this year. Balance, being one of them. I hate to admit that after a year of doing fairly well, I threw it all to the wind after our family vacation in September. After that, our meals just became horribly unbalanced. You know the ones – too many carbs, not enough veggies.

I’m out to change all that and get us back to a happy medium of protein, carbs, fruits and veggies and I would just love to share this process with you. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see me start to feature recipes we’ve tried, meal plans we’re actually using and some fun stuff that you will hopefully find well, … helpful.

I would love to hear about what your family is doing right in these regards and even areas where you still have room for improvement. I’m a helper by nature, so if I can help you out at the same time I’m helping myself, my chances for success will increase ten fold. Seriously, hit me with you best shot. Kids not eating meat or veggies, husband who is diabetic or gluten intolerant. Don’t worry, I can take it.

Ok, skipping ahead here. Another word I’m focusing on this year is, Courage. I’m hoping to gather up as much of that as possible and maybe even publish a few of my own personal recipes too. Seems I am a bit shy about some things, food photography being one of them. Still, I have a great arsenal of tried and trues and figure I should help but them in your arsenal too.

Until then though … here’s a fun recipe I made with the kiddos. Baby steps folks, baby steps.

I saw the recipe just before Christmas, Cranberry Apple Fruit Salad and knew I had to try it. I had never even eaten a real cranberry, but the colors were so gorgeous and that little fella of mine loves to whip up just about anything in the kitchen so this seemed like a winner.

I was right. It was devine.

Just look at all that color. And as if Apples & Cranberries weren’t enticing enough …

There were Marshmallows!!! plus Pecans & Vanilla Yogurt. Yes, I realize I punctuated early, but I said marshmallows people, marshmallows!!! (There I did it again just for good measure)

Sure, it was great as is. But we like to “Parfait” around these parts (I bought the .99 cent glasses and everything), so I layered in some Multigrain Cheerios added a dollop of whip cream and called it breakfast – complete with a side of Cranberry Pomegranate juice.

[Insert Obligatory Kid Smiling Photo]

Balanced? Maybe? … I see dairy, fruit, nuts & other – oh, and I added whole grains! Maybe not? Depends on your definition of the word balanced .. but it was delish and fun for everyone. and that’s all that really counts right?

Check out the full recipe here

Psst, dont forget to tell me about your personal struggles or achievements with feeding your family a balanced diet.

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Almost Homemade …

by Stacy on February 17, 2010

I’ve been making an effort this year to feed my family less packaged and processed foods [fun new recipes and how-tos coming soon], BUT in an effort to transition our lifestyle in the most frugal way possible, I have been slowly phasing out our existing stock of pantry items.

I made this version of Blueberry Muffins with a Semi-Streusel with the kids this morning and they were such a hit, I just had to share them with you. When I finally perfect my healthy, homemade version, I’ll post an update for everyone. In the meantime, enjoy this super simple version you can have on the table in just 20 minutes.

You’ll Need:

x2 (makes 12)

+

X1

- Follow Muffin Mix Directions on package, add in a carton of YoPlus+ [We LOVE the strawberry kind too] Blueberry Acai yogurt

- Pour batter into Muffin Tin

To make the Streusel Topping: Mix 1/3 cup of oats, with 2-3 spoonfuls of brown sugar, sprinkle in some cinnamon sugar to taste. Then sprinkle this topping on each of the muffins

Bake for 17-21 minutes (whatever the package dictates), mine were perfect after 18 minutes.

And enjoy!! These babies are tasty enough to fool guests and in-laws and hit the spot on a weekend morning when you want to surprise the family with something a little special.

If you try these, stop back by and let me know what you think. If you’d like me to feature more recipes in the future, take a moment and tell me that too. I thrive on feedback

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A Gobble Gobble Good Time

by Stacy on November 25, 2009

~ Sugar Cookies
~ Chocolate Icing
~ Candy Corn
~ White Chocolate Chips
~ Orange Decorating Gel

These incredibly easy-to-make cookies are the perfect activity to get kids excited about Turkey Day. There’s no need for perfection, so let your kids have a ball creating wonky turkeys and cross-eyed fowl. There’s even time for a quick lesson in Giving and more than likely, you won’t even need to play Teacher. When I made these cookies with my toddlers this afternoon, they asked if we could make some extras to take to their soccer coach, Nana & Papa, Aunt Mel and Uncle Birdie {they like to get creative when naming their relatives}. Be still my heart, I’ve raised a pair of Good Samaritans.

To make your own sweet treats: Bake sugar cookies from your grocery store (less fuss), spread a layer of chocolate frosting along the top of the cookie, smoosh candy corn into the icing, use decorating gel as glue to attach white chocolate chips as eyes, then use the gel to draw a V-shaped beak and pupils. Voila, instant whimsy and loads of fun. I apologize in advance for the sugar rush that follows …

Idea Adapted from Pilsbury

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Autumn Almond Bark

by Stacy on October 6, 2009

Autumn Bark

Autumn Almond Bark

Nothing says Hello to Fall quite like a decadent, autumn inspired almond bark. Take this one for instance, it’s chock full of dried cranberries, cherries, apricots, honey roasted almonds, and white raisins.

Cranberry Apricot Almond Bark

You’ll never believe how simple this indulgent treat was to make! My 3 year old actually helped me create this fun snack for a Mommy & Me playdate. First, we microwaved a block of Almond Bark in 30 second intervals until it was nice & smooth. Then, we poured the bark onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Next, we took turns drizzling all of our toppings onto the treat. {Use whatever you have lying around the pantry, anything goes here} Voila, that’s it!! That’s all we did. Finally, we let it cool in the fridge and then I broke the bark into fun, disheveled pieces.

Note: Be sure to press your toppings into the bark to keep them from falling off easily after the bark cools

Wrap a few pieces in some fancy tissue paper, wrap with a colored ribbon and bring it along to your next potluck dinner, baby shower, or brunch. You’ll be sure to turn a few heads, but no one has to know the final product took less than 5 minutes to make … Easy, Peasy. And our little secret

If you like this idea and would like to see more fun & easy recipes you can Wow your friends with and create with your kids. Leave a comment and let me know, I have tons more ideas like these just waiting to be published.

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