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!

What could be better than having someone in your family own a frozen yogurt shop? Having them live closer! Until our cousin Tanya in Florida decides to open up a FroYo Fresh shop in California, we'll just to have settle for hearing about the cool, rather warm, toppings she offers, like walnut sauce and Nutella. And she loves hearing about the frozen yogurt that Tiny and I enjoy on a rather regular basis. She always chooses mint chip and strawberry yogurt. She varies her topping choices, but always gets one pink wafer cookie. I don't judge, but I don't understand the parents who only allow one topping choice. I don't know that the topping bar is the place to teach restraint. Yet again, maybe it is. ~ What frozen yogurt or ice cream toppings do your kids like? ~

Tiny had a a great plan: purple pancakes! We bought a packet of Bisquick mix which makes ten pancakes. We added one cup of water and many drops of red and blue food coloring to arrive at what were really lavender pancakes. Then she wanted to add sprinkles too, so I shook some rainbow jimmies on each pancake once I had spooned them on to the griddle. The sprinkles melted into each pancake, and melted really nicely as you can see. Somehow the pancake being a pretty color made them taste better too. Tiny wanted peanut butter in them too, but I suggested we just put it on them after, which we did. ~ What adventure have you had with food coloring? ~

My friend Alicia, mother to a picky eater, an elementary school teacher and a very creative home cook, came up with her most ingenious idea yet. She has proven first, that if she puts sprinkles and white chocolate chips on anything, her daughter will eat it. And also that you can camouflage a lot of nutrition within a bowl of chocolate pudding. Her recipe is below, and it really is good. Tiny and I had to try it to believe it.

Sneaky Chocolate Pudding
Heat 2 cups unsweetened chocolate almond milk. Add 1 scoop 365 Whey Protein Powder, 1 scoop Amazing Grass Kidz Superfood Chocolate Flavor, 1 jar of baby food prunes and 1 small box of Cook and Serve Chocolate Jello Pudding. Keep stirring with a whisk until smooth. Pour into small bowls or cups and top with sprinkles and white chocolate chips. Refrigerate for at least one hour.~ Have you tried any sneaky recipes? ~

During past Passovers, I've made charoset on cruise ships and hotels, cutting with plastic knives and mixing it up in water glasses. Of course I've made it at home in the food processor as well. This year, probably influenced by "Top Chef," I thought a deconstructed charoset would make a fun tot snack. Traditionally charoset contains apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon. I cut apple slices and set out bowls of peanut butter, raisins and cinnamon to dip the apples in. It was fun for Tiny and I to prepare and eat, dipping the apples in the peanut butter first, then the raisins and cinnamon which stuck on well. It really did have the taste of charoset. You could use any nut butter or chopped dried fruits. What a nutty idea. ~ What deconstructed snacks do you prepare? ~

When you host a Valentine's Day tea party for two almost-four-year-olds, what do you serve? Heart-shaped cucumber and olive sandwiches of course! Cream cheese holds the veggies in place, and the wheat bread seen here adds to the health content of the dish. The use of the heart-shaped cookie cutter automatically cuts off the crusts. What's not to love? ~ What fancy foods do you serve to your little ones? ~

Well snack anyway. When helping host a trunk show for PeeWee Patch Kids, I needed one more treat to serve our shopping guests. Tiny had just picked out these cute butter pretzels at the store. I looked to see what else I had on hand, and found three dessert staples: chocolate chips, peanut butter and various sprinkles. I melted the chocolate chips with some peanut butter and a little milk in the microwave. I stirred it all up, dipped the pretzels squares halfway, and topped them with sprinkles. Tiny made some of her own too. The treats were a hit, almost as sweet as the outfits we were offering. ~ What last minute treats have you created? ~