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? ~

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!