Kids in the Kitchen Archives - Page 5 of 10

Do You Want To Build A Snowman from Marshmallows #kidsinthekitchen

March 27, 2014 by Melissa

I’ve said it before. I am not creative when it comes to making food into art. There are sites out there that transform everyday food into mini masterpieces like these Lego Movie pancakes from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons or these Animal Pretzel shapes from Stop Looking Get Cookin. That didn’t stop Shae from making these Marshmallow Snowman based on her new obsession with Frozen. Do You Want To Build a Snowman is my favorite song from the movie so there was no way I could say no.

The ingredient list is easy

Marshmallows, big and small
Pretzel Sticks or black licorice if you’re going for authentic Olaf
Orange Tootsie Roll
Chocolate chips
White Chocolate or Candy Melts
Ipod playing Do You Want To Build A Snowman on repeat for inspiration

Using a large bowl of VERY HOT water melt your chocolate chips or candy melts in a baggie or piping bag. I just placed the bottom of the bag in the water and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Shae arranged and picked out what she wanted to use to build her snowman.

Microwave the tootsie roll (or starburst) for 8 seconds to soften. Shape a nose. I think Shae’s came out perfect.

Using the melted white chocolate as glue start building your snowman. It dries quick and hard.

Adding spots of white chocolate works as glue to hold the carrot shaped nose & chocolate chip eyes in place.

Stab the pretzel into the body and add feet with a couple more dabs of “glue”.

With the dark or milk chocolate make the buttons down your snowman’s body.

When he’s just the way you like him BITE OFF HIS HEAD and enjoy.

That’s what Shae did. It may not have looked just like Olaf but that didn’t matter.

Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Mom’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies #kidsinthekitchen #recipe

March 21, 2014 by Melissa

Baking cookies with your kids is probably the most fun you can have in the kitchen besides eating them. This week for #kidsinthekitchen we made MY favorite chocolate chip cookies. The recipe is simple, but you’ll notice a little twist in them. I’m not sure it that’s what makes them my favorite but I’ll keep making them this way.

Mom’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup softened butter (2 sticks)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts of choice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream butter and sugars together until smooth and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time till combined then add vanilla.

In a small cup dissolve baking soda in 2 tsps of HOT water.

Add baking soda mixture and salt to batter, mix lightly.

Beat in Flour, chocolate chips and nuts till combined.

Drop rounded spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 9-12 minutes till edges are just crisp. This should leave you with a soft gooey center and lightly crisp bottom.

Set aside to cool for 5 minutes and enjoy.

Cookie recipes like these are so easy for kids to help with. Ingredients are easy to measure or require little assistance depending on the child’s age. Give your child a spoon and let them scoop up dough to bake. Keep it fun.
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Fruit and Cream Filled Pastry Cups #kidsinthekitchen

March 13, 2014 by Melissa

I have a love hate relationship with baking but it’s one of the few things that the kids can always help with. That is until I came across profiteroles. These are not a kid friendly recipe.

The finished product though are a perfect kid friendly food. These bite size, dainty pastries are the just right vessel for anything you can imagine. Of course my family goes towards the sweet side and filled them with whipped cream and fruit but I’d like to serve these stuffed with chicken salad or fried chicken pieces with cole slaw.

Making the profiterole dough isn’t hard per say but it takes planning and organization. I’m sure Sabreena could handle making this but I wouldn’t let the other two mess with it. I used this video from Martha Stewart as my guide.

Shaun and Shae decided to fill them with fruit and whipped cream. Shaun went to work on slicing the strawberries while Shae munch on the tops. They each decided what to put in their own profiteroles and had a light and delicious snack.

They loved them and the recipe made plenty so we’ll be filling them with ice cream and chocolate sauce over the weekend for dessert.

The kids might not be involved in every step of a recipe but getting their participation on some of the process is just as good. Keeping them in the loop keeps them interested and that’s the whole point of #kidsinthekitchen.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Sweet Irish Soda Bread #Recipe #KidsintheKitchen

March 7, 2014 by Melissa

While my Irish heritage is by maiden name only I still like to partake in some of the traditions. Irish Soda Bread is something we’ve never made though. I never really what it exactly what it was but after some research, recommendations and modifications we came up version that is truly tasty. Is it authentic, probably not but I’m ok with that.

Shae has been more involved in baking these days. I can hand her measuring cups and all the ingredients and she’ll dole out all of the ingredients for me. She even pours out the liquids to precise quantities.

This particular recipe called for a HUGE loaf of bread. Next time I’ll split it into 2 loaves so it is easier to handle. I also think I’ll make it in a bread loaf for a more uniform product. We’re eating this for snack, dessert and breakfast just as it is.

Sweet Irish Soda Bread

4 1/2 cups flour
1/14 cups sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter softened, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 egg
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a large dutch oven pot or 2 bread pans or 2 round cake pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, salt & baking soda.

Blend in butter, raisins and almonds till butter is pea size crumbs.

Add egg, buttermilk & milk and mix till just combined.

Pour this batter into your prepared pan(s) and bake for 45-70 minutes depending on size of loaf. An inserted toothpick should come out clean and the top of your bread should be a beautiful golden brown.

If you’re lucky you’ll have some to enjoy for 2 days.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Brown Paper Bag Microwave Popcorn #kidsinthekitchen

February 27, 2014 by Melissa

I’ve said it on numerous occasion, My Kids Love To Snack? We definitely encourage healthy snacking by providing plenty of fruits and veggies but there is not denying those cravings for a a salty crunchy eat from a bag kinda snack. How about Brown Bag Microwave Popcorn.

We love love love popcorn. The kids know to bring home a fresh full tub when they leave the movies. I buy the big wholesale club container of kernels so we can make my own in the air popper and sometimes we have a few microwave bags in the pantry. BUT this is definitely a better to enjoy popcorn fresher, healthier and easier then all those other choices above.

You’ll need 2 things

brown paper bag
popcorn kernels

Directions

Simply add 1/4 of popcorn kernels to a brown bag and close with a couple folds tightly creased.

Place in your microwave and cook for 2 – 2 1/2 minutes, laying down or standing up is fine. Our first bag was bit burnt at 2 1/2 minutes. Our second bag was better but still had a burnt aroma at 2:20. The magic number for us is 2:10.

Now it’s time to remove your bag from the microwave, add toppings, shake and enjoy.

The kids have been using a cheddar cheese popcorn topping but I like mine a little more simple. I like to add a big pinch of kosher salt and a few sprays of “fake butter”.

This is something the kids (depending on their age) can do pretty much on their own or with just a little help.

The bag doesn’t get hot to the touch.
There isn’t a huge scalding burst of steam coming out of the bag.
The measurements and ingredient list is so easy.
Clean up is done in a snap.
Serving size is perfect for one.

I’m loving this version of popcorn so much. I find it to be slightly crunchier than traditional air popped and the bag isn’t gross and greasy so eating right from it is convenient and clean. Try it and let me know how it turns out for you.
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Picky Eaters who won’t eat vegetables #kidsinthekitchen

February 21, 2014 by Melissa

We all know that food is the fuel to keep our bodies moving but for children food is key for developing bodies and minds. Vegetables are known for their high nutrient count of vitamins and minerals; everything from vitamins A & C and folate to potassium and iron. But what happens when your little one won’t eat their veggies?

The next healthy step is fruit. Fruit tends to be a favorite with most kids, its sweet and colorful not leafy and green. Here are some alternative choices when your child won’t put a bite of broccoli or kale in their mouth.

Vitamin A helps with cell reproduction, boosts immunity, promotes bone growth and helps maintain healthy skin and hair.
Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Tomato and Mango

Niacin assists in a a properly functioning digestive and nerve system and healthy skin.
Avocado, Peaches, Tomatoes, Bananas

Vitamin C plays an important role as antioxidant, which protect the body’s tissues from damage of oxidation.
Orange, Kiwi, Strawberry, Blackberry

Folate is important for red blood cell production.
Kiwi, Banana, Mango, Orange

Calcium we all know is needed for bone growth and strength.
Orange, Blackberry, Kiwi

Iron deficiency can adversely affect the immune system and result in impaired learning ability and behavioral problems in children.
Raisins, Prunes, Dried Apricots, Watermelon

Magnesium is used for building bones, manufacturing proteins, releasing energy from muscle storage and regulating body temperature.
Watermelon, Tomato, Avocado

Potassium is essential for the body’s water balance and proper heart function.
Banana, Mango, Kiwi

I am NOT a medical professional just a parent that has gone through many picky eating stages with many kids. I by no means expect parents to stop offering nutrient rich vegetables but sometimes we have to wave the white flag and just get food into our precious children’s bellies.
broccoli on fork image provided via FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Painted Bow Tie Pasta Art #kidsinthekitchen

February 14, 2014 by Melissa

Going to the grocery store can be really inspiring for art and creativity. Our last trip motivated this new art piece in the kitchen. Bow Tie Pasta is not only a tasty addition to salads and soups its utterly adorable in shape. Shae and I created this Painted Bow Tie Pasta Art for the kitchen.

Using mine and Sabreena’s wide array of nail polish choices gave us an endless rainbow of colors to paint the bow ties. The drying time took the longest time and the fumes sometimes were a bit much as both Shae and I had multiple bottles open at once. I encourage this be done in a well ventilated room and with adult supervision.

Materials Needed

Bow Tie Pasta
nail polish in multiple colors
school glue
paper
Canvas Board or Frame with glass missing
Permanent Craft Adhesive like Beacon Quick Grip or hot glue
Lettering of choice

Directions

Start with choosing your bow ties. I went with a uniform look because I knew they would be displayed. Check for broken edges or curled edges.

Using just a tiny dab of school glue, attach each bow tie to a piece of scrap paper. Doing this gives a stable foundation to let you paint.

Choose your paint colors and give each pasta shape 2-3 coats. Top come off with glittery or shiny topcoats for added dimension.

Once they’ve completely dried and your happy with the coverage carefully peel them off the scrap paper. Remove as much residual paper as possible but this side won’t be seen.

Arrange your painted bows on your final canvas or frame and then adhere them. Let this set till the glue is completely dried.

Add lettering or stickers of your choice. I added Let’s Eat but Play With Your Food was another phrase I liked.

I cut my letters out on my Silhouette then mod podged them onto the board. Just 2 coats was all that was needed. This was ready to hang then next day. This is a great rainy or snow day activity for even little hands working on fine motor skills.

After painting we tried adding polka dots and stripes with markers. They didn’t stick. I think toothpicks or super small paint brushes dipped in nail color would work very well to get those details.

Skip the nail polish and fumes and go for acrylics or poster paints. We used nail polish for the bright intense hues and shiny finish.
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Pink Buttercream #kidsinthekitchen

February 6, 2014 by Melissa

The kid’s and I have been chatting Valentine’s Day desserts this week. They have off of school on the 14th so I said we could make something special.

We made a test batch of these Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Pink Buttercream and Arrow decorations. They are adorbs! The icing was done with a butter knife by Shae so it isn’t fancy but it’s handmade.

Here is the recipe for cupcakes & icing.

Double Chocolate Cupcakes

2 ounces bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk

Preheat your oven to 350° and prep a 12 muffin cups with liners.

Gather all of your ingredients, measured and ready to use. If you don’t have buttermilk now if the time to make some. In a measuring cup add 2 tsp of lemon juice or white vinegar and fill to the 1/2 cup line with milk. Let this sit for 5 minutes till thick and curdled.

In a microwave proof bowl melt the butter and chocolate in 30 second increments till smooth and shiny. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt till thoroughly combined. Set aside.

In the bowl of your mixer with the whisk attachment combine sugars, eggs and vanilla till silky smooth. Slowly add in the butter/chocolate mixture till combined.
Add the remaining ingredients, flour mixture & buttermilk half at a time and mix just till combined. Doing the final mixing by hand ensures you won’t over mix the batter. You’ll have a very thick batter, one that resembles brownie mix more than cake batter.

Evenly scoop into muffin cups and bake for 17-19 minutes. A toothpick should come out with specks of crumbs.

Remove from oven, set aside to cool for 5 minutes then transfer cupcakes to cooling rack.

Let come to room temperature before icing.

Simple Buttercream Icing (easily doubles or triples)

2 sticks softened NOT MELTED butter
4-5 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
2-3 drops pink food coloring
1-2 tbls heavy cream

Mix all of your ingredients except for heavy cream with a paddle attachment on your mixer until you achieve smooth consistency. Slowly add cream 1 tbls at a time for a soft frosting. Your icing should not be stiff but not runny. If you add too much cream add in more sugar a couple tablespoons at a time.

Ice you cupcakes with a piping bag and tip or keep it rustic and family style with just a warm butter knife.

Decorate as you wish and share with your loved ones.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Making Fortune Cookies, Chinese New Year #kidsinthekitchen

January 31, 2014 by Melissa

Today is Chinese New Year. It’s the Chinese culture’s most important celebration as it is a time for family reunion. Our plan was to celebrate with a fun food activity, making Fortune Cookies.
What I thought was going to be a fun group activity was way wrong. There was nothing kid friendly about it. In fact I should’ve just left the kids out of the kitchen. Things weren’t as “easy-going” as YouTube made it out to be. The kids did help with the fortunes and cutting them and folding them and adding them to the scorching cookie as I tried to fold them.

We started off with a very simple cookie batter recipe then I had to spread 2 circles of batter on a cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes. That turned out to be the longest 12 minutes ever. As soon as they came out of the oven they had to be handled, bent, shaped and stuffed with a fortune. These babies were HOT. Sabreena was using her sweatshirt sleeves so she didn’t burn her fingers. I was using silicon oven mitts. I always hear about chefs having “asbestos fingers”, I guess I’m nowhere near that level.

Sabreena and I thought we had it under control and put 4 circles of batter in at once to speed up the process. We had 2 casualties that time. One cookie that didn’t take on a very good shaped and one that never made it off the baking sheet.

Was it fun? YES. Will I ever attempt it again? Probably Not. Best part though is they tasted really good.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

Homemade Baked Soft Pretzels #kidsinthekitchen

January 23, 2014 by Melissa

With all the snow we had this week i vowed it would be a a baking week. Shae said “YAY” and Rob said “Nope, not for you”. Her poor little spirit was crushed. Ok, it really wasn’t, she knew he was kidding. I decided on a couple of things but this is what turn out successful. Baked Soft Pretzels.

Soft Baked Pretzels were made and they will be made again and again and again. They were THAT good. The whole process wasn’t hard. As with just about any recipe where dough is used it’s a long process but so worth it. Next time we are doubling.

We followed Alton Brown’s Homemade Soft Pretzel recipe from 2007 to a tee, no adjustments, no modifications, just as he posts it here. Watch Shae roll out and shape the pretzels all on her own. We ate them while they were still hot with spicy brown mustard and honey mustard.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.
Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

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