I have to admit that the thought of planning kid's parties really doesn't thrill me. So far for Sparky and Scout I haven't really planned a proper one at home. For Sparky last year we went with what in our house is called the Scottish Place (because of Sparky's ability to spell - can you guess which fast food chain?).
But this year I feel it is about time I made an effort. Sparky's 5th birthday is in about 2 months. I'm thinking a cooking party - making mini pizzas and cookies. Any ideas or suggestions on where to get supplies will be welcome!
Showing posts with label kid's cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kid's cooking. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
mincing around
I've been having some adventures with mince this weekend (kinda ironic I'm blogging this so soon after veggie post), cooking some new kid friendly, veggie full, easy and cheap mince meals. The food mags seem to have responded to the recession with mince meals, so I adapted a couple of them.
First up Saturday night was homemade sausage rolls (I made mine with veggie mince, but everyone elses' with veal mince). The difference with this homemade variety was lots of added veggies - grated carrot and zucchini, chopped onion, garlic and shallots, lemon zest and also some low fat cheese. Sparky ate it all up, Scout not so keen - I think I might use the zest more sparingly next time as I think that was his issue. Still ate a good amount. Tomato sauce had by all.
Tonight, we had savoury mince, an old favourite from childhood (I had something else this time, but will have to try a veggie version I think, after tasting the sauce for this one). Bhaer had never had savoury mince!!!! Bhaer and Sparky loved it, and Scout went pretty well. Lots of finely chopped veggies and onions thrown in, with lean beef mince, and a sauce made from soy sauce, flour, beef stock, and a french onion soup packet. I served it up on toast- Sparky had his first go of using a knife and fork properly. Scout was given the toast as finger food and the mince as spoon food. He enjoyed that! And Bhaer was so enamoured of his first taste of good ol savoury mince, he went back for seconds.
First up Saturday night was homemade sausage rolls (I made mine with veggie mince, but everyone elses' with veal mince). The difference with this homemade variety was lots of added veggies - grated carrot and zucchini, chopped onion, garlic and shallots, lemon zest and also some low fat cheese. Sparky ate it all up, Scout not so keen - I think I might use the zest more sparingly next time as I think that was his issue. Still ate a good amount. Tomato sauce had by all.
Tonight, we had savoury mince, an old favourite from childhood (I had something else this time, but will have to try a veggie version I think, after tasting the sauce for this one). Bhaer had never had savoury mince!!!! Bhaer and Sparky loved it, and Scout went pretty well. Lots of finely chopped veggies and onions thrown in, with lean beef mince, and a sauce made from soy sauce, flour, beef stock, and a french onion soup packet. I served it up on toast- Sparky had his first go of using a knife and fork properly. Scout was given the toast as finger food and the mince as spoon food. He enjoyed that! And Bhaer was so enamoured of his first taste of good ol savoury mince, he went back for seconds.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
a thrifty kid friendly veggie-full bolognaise
Well, here is another post in my irregular cooking series. A meal that I quite often make for the kids. I just made it last night and totted up the total cost - it is around AU$2.00 per adult serve (or AU$1.00 per little kid serve).
It packs in a lot of sneaky veggies too, and adjusts itself to whatever veggies you have hanging around.
Ingredients:
400-500g mince beef( I just put in the whole amount of the packet I buy, you can also use for a more authentic taste pork/veal mince combo.)
a large pasta sauce jar the bigger the better 500-750g (Or make from scratch if less time stretched, to make up for that then will need a can of tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic and 1 onion at most basic)
About 4 cups (or more) of veggies, comprising:
grated veggies - I will often use a carrot and a zucchini, but anything really that is firm - give eggplant a go as well.
AND/OR
finely chopped veggies (can use frozen - try celery, carrot, peas, corn, cauliflower)
AND/OR
can of legumes such as lentils/beans/chickpeas
500g pasta
Taste enhancers: you can add any of the following to give it more flavour - tomato paste(or sauce at a pinch!), fresh or dried Italian herbs such as oregano, marjoram, parsley, basil, salt and pepper, extra fresh onion and garlic, bacon.
Optional- sprinkle cheese on top.
Cook pasta per directions, and really there is no special way to cook the sauce, except that if you have really young kids throw veggies in earlier even at start to get them more tender, and add softer veggies later. I use olive oil spray when I brown the meat to reduce the fat content.
This makes up to 6 adult serves and up to 12 little kid serves.
It packs in a lot of sneaky veggies too, and adjusts itself to whatever veggies you have hanging around.
Ingredients:
400-500g mince beef( I just put in the whole amount of the packet I buy, you can also use for a more authentic taste pork/veal mince combo.)
a large pasta sauce jar the bigger the better 500-750g (Or make from scratch if less time stretched, to make up for that then will need a can of tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic and 1 onion at most basic)
About 4 cups (or more) of veggies, comprising:
grated veggies - I will often use a carrot and a zucchini, but anything really that is firm - give eggplant a go as well.
AND/OR
finely chopped veggies (can use frozen - try celery, carrot, peas, corn, cauliflower)
AND/OR
can of legumes such as lentils/beans/chickpeas
500g pasta
Taste enhancers: you can add any of the following to give it more flavour - tomato paste(or sauce at a pinch!), fresh or dried Italian herbs such as oregano, marjoram, parsley, basil, salt and pepper, extra fresh onion and garlic, bacon.
Optional- sprinkle cheese on top.
Cook pasta per directions, and really there is no special way to cook the sauce, except that if you have really young kids throw veggies in earlier even at start to get them more tender, and add softer veggies later. I use olive oil spray when I brown the meat to reduce the fat content.
This makes up to 6 adult serves and up to 12 little kid serves.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I think I'll be a cook when I grow up...
This is Sparky's latest ambition (we have had doctor, fireman, artist, super hero, teacher...).
He said this after we cooked dinner together today. We have baked before, and made simple dinners such as pizza and burgers together before, but this was the first time we chose a main meal together and cooked to a recipe. This was prompted by Sparky looking at my latest foodie mag (see above) and finding a Junior Cooks section and a recipe he wanted to try. The recipe, for the record, was a savoury version of a bread and butter pudding, and he ate his portion almost all up! Sorry, no pic, I didn't think of taking one until it was all eaten up.
I hadn't done this before as I thought he was too young, but now I am motivated to include him in cooking a lot more. Why?
1. He enjoyed it
2. What's more, I enjoyed sharing this with him.
3. He was motivated to eat what he made
4. He learnt cooking skills
5. Maybe he will cook for me sooner rather than later
6. Maybe he might cook for his own family when he grows up and my daughter in law will thank me.
7. Enjoyment of cooking is now not just linked to sweet things and treats.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
easy peasy tasty hasty kid's cooking
Well I had an idea.... I've just been making some Sparky meals and freezing them today, and thought - why don't we share our easy peasy tasty hasty tried, tested and true kid's meals? oh they can be for the whole family too! and if you have some allergies or what have you you have to deal with, then please contribute one of your recipes so we know what to make when a kid with that allergy or so on comes round for tea.
So, from me - this is the help i'm running out of things to feed him and haven't been to the super market in a while and I've only got a spare 10 mins to cook for him...and can I keep costs down too??
2Min noodles gourmet
2 packs 2 min chicken noodles any brand - aldi if being cheap works well - of course if you want something more upmarket any noodles work.
some chopped vegies - can be frozen! or whatever is knocking round the fridge and needs eating up - one combo i use is peas, mushrooms and ham.
some meat - chopped up ham, or mince of any meat type works well.
some oil, oil spray or butter to grease the pan.
Then if you want a creamy sauce (this works nice with ham) 300ml or more of cream (don't worry, pouring or thickened seems to work well - I use leftover cream of any description).
If you want a chinese style sauce (goes well with pork mince), use soy sauce and any other ones similar hanging out in your fridge door (hoisin, maggi seasoning sauce go well).
Squash noodles while in packet - now they are easy to eat for littlies. prepare as per instructions,. meanwhile, brown meat in saucepan. add vegies, add your combo of sauces/cream to taste - simmer til vegies soft. Add flavour packets (or only part of them if want to reduce sodium intake) to noodles, then drain noodles, but reserve half liquid and add to pan with noodles. stir and warm together - then voila! some meals (number depending on appetite).
So, from me - this is the help i'm running out of things to feed him and haven't been to the super market in a while and I've only got a spare 10 mins to cook for him...and can I keep costs down too??
2Min noodles gourmet
2 packs 2 min chicken noodles any brand - aldi if being cheap works well - of course if you want something more upmarket any noodles work.
some chopped vegies - can be frozen! or whatever is knocking round the fridge and needs eating up - one combo i use is peas, mushrooms and ham.
some meat - chopped up ham, or mince of any meat type works well.
some oil, oil spray or butter to grease the pan.
Then if you want a creamy sauce (this works nice with ham) 300ml or more of cream (don't worry, pouring or thickened seems to work well - I use leftover cream of any description).
If you want a chinese style sauce (goes well with pork mince), use soy sauce and any other ones similar hanging out in your fridge door (hoisin, maggi seasoning sauce go well).
Squash noodles while in packet - now they are easy to eat for littlies. prepare as per instructions,. meanwhile, brown meat in saucepan. add vegies, add your combo of sauces/cream to taste - simmer til vegies soft. Add flavour packets (or only part of them if want to reduce sodium intake) to noodles, then drain noodles, but reserve half liquid and add to pan with noodles. stir and warm together - then voila! some meals (number depending on appetite).
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