Get the Layered Look

06/01/2011

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I was trying to get really creative with dinner recently. I had made a large pot of chicken soup with orzo go with it. Since we have all enjoyed yogurt parfaits in the past, I thought I would try making one with orzo. I layered sauteed balsamic radicchio, orzo, pesto and parmesan cheese. And topped it all off with a decorative sprig of rosemary. Well it looked fun, and Tiny couldn't wait to try it, but the radicchio and parmesan was too much even for her gourmet palate. She requested a parfait with just orzo and pesto, and that is what she got. And she enjoyed it too! ~ What fancy foods do your kids like? ~
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Salad

05/30/2011

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When my friend Melissa was planning her The Very Hungry Caterpillar party for her daughter, she asked me for some food ideas. I created this pasta salad based on the book just for the occasion. The fusillis became the caterpillars, the peas the heads, and the cheese shreds the little antennae. I have made it twice now, and the caterpillar party goers loved it as well. Here is the recipe:

Boil one pound of fusilli pasta. Toss in some frozen peas when the noodles are almost done. Drain and mix in your favorite prepared pesto, one can of drained garbanzo beans, one small box pear tomatoes and one chopped red pepper. Cool in the refrigerator, and then toss with shredded parmesan cheese and optional black pepper. Enjoy, but don't get a stomach ache like that hungry caterpillar!
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Dill-icious!

03/04/2011

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Whenever I ask Tiny what we should buy at the store for dinner, she answers "fish!" While that may not be the typical tot answer, who wouldn't want to try cupcakes for dinner? When we found out about this salmon cupcake recipe by Bob Blumer, from our friends Lilly and Audrey at Twin Chefs, we had to try it out.  It was such a unique process making a salmon batter and spooning it into cupcake liners! They were so delicious, like mini meatloaves topped with dill mashed potato frosting. The whipping cream in the mashed potatoes made the topping extra creamy. When the twins ate these made by Chef Blumer, he colored the frosting pink with beet juice. We'll have to try that next time! ~ What fun forms have you cooked food in to make it appeal to your little ones? ~
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To Top It All Off

12/18/2009

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When you think of latke (potato pancake) toppers, you think of applesauce and sour cream. Maybe there is cinnamon in the applesauce, or sugar in the sour cream, but those are the two widely accepted latke toppings.  We decided to literally "mix it up" a little this year, and at both of our Chanukah parties, we set out a variety of nouveau toppers, alongside the more traditional.  All thanks to a page right out of "Better Homes and Gardens."  We tried three of their ideas.  My favorite was the cucumber slices topped with ranch dressing and a fresh dill sprig. Ranch really does go with everything.  The cardamom apples (I used cinnamon) with yogurt were more reminiscent of the applesauce and sour cream, but were still good.  The most gourmet of the three we tried were smoked salmon, with watercress, a squeeze of lemon and ground sea salt. Tiny and her three-year-old cousin loved eating the watercress all on its own. Seriously.  ~ Parents: What innovative party foods have your tots enjoyed? ~
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