Kid Party Food - Without The Stress!. . . .

Are you planning to give your child a birthday party where there are wonderful, fun and healthy food yet it doesn’t take up too much of your time, effort or money (that is, not calling the big guns like caterers)? Well, here’s an article I came across regarding Kids Party Food. The ideas and tips are great and I plan to use them the next time I celebrate my children’s birthday or have a party.

Kid party food doesn’t have to take hours to prepare or completely blow your budget. When it comes to kids and party food, variety and presentation are the answer.

Rather than cooking a few specialty dishes, aim for serving lots of small dishes of fun and kid-friendly finger foods.

Try to serve mainly savory foods and only a few sweet treats. This will help avoid the dreaded sugar highs. Here are a few time-tested party food tips.

Presenting Kid Party Food - Make it fun, fun, fun!

Honestly, it really doesn’t matter what you serve as long as you wow them with the presentation. You want the kids to see the table, light up and rush to their seats. Okay? so how do you do that?

1. Plenty of color - Use colorful kid tableware, balloons, serving bowls, etc.

2. Plenty of variety - Serve lots of small bowls or plates containing a selection of different finger foods such as cut fruit, bread sticks, mini muffins, mini wraps, crackers, cheese, etc.

3. Serve Fun Foods - You can easily turn the most normal foods into fun kid foods. Cut sandwiches with fun cookie cutter shapes to make them more interesting or roll them into pinwheels, cup up a selection of veggies and fruit and serve with a colorful dip. Also make all foods kid size. Cut everything from pizzas to hotdogs into small bite size pieces. This will make it easier to eat and be more fun.

4. Personalize - I’ve found that using table setting tags with individual names doesn’t work as kids will just rush to find the first seat available. Instead tie a plain balloon to each chair and using a black marker write each child’s name on a balloon in large letters. Make a game out of each child finding their seat.
5. Keep it interesting - Play a calm game at the table. For older kids have each one take turns in telling their favorite foods or a funny joke. Sing or play songs for younger kids.

So what do you serve?

Here are some top favorite kid party food ideas:

Fun mini sandwiches and wraps.

Cut up fruit and veggies with dip.

Breadsticks and chocolate sprinkle dip.

Pizza fingers, chicken finger, fish fingers? anything fingers!

Potato wedges or mini baked potatoes.

A selection of small savory crackers, dried fruit, and a few chocolate chips will make a fun trail mix.

Mini muffins.

Classic cheese and crackers with baby tomatoes in the center of plate .

Small meatballs (chicken, pork or beef all work well).

With a little imagination you can turn most foods in your kitchen cupboards into kid party food. Also, don’t go overboard in the amount of food you provide. Most kids are so excited by the actual party they will only lightly pick at their party food? no matter how yummy it is.

So take it easy, prepare lots of quick finger foods, present it nicely and most of all enjoy the day!

Mila Sidman is a mom of three and the creator of http://www.easy-kid-eating healthy eating healthy recipes.com - A leading website providing simple, kid-friendly eating healthy eating healthy recipes, nutritional information, meal planning tips, fun kid cooking projects and much more.

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Handy Home-Prepared Mixes. . . .

The other day, my niece made some Chocalate Chip Cookies and brought them over to a gathering in my in-laws place. She had made it from a Ready Made Mix. I found the cookies too sweet with very few chocolate chips in them.

Although Ready Mix packages are convinient, they are generally more expensive compared to preparing your own. Furthermore, you have no control over the additives and preservatives they contain. On the other hand, Made From Scratch Mixes are healthy, cost beneficial, store well and taste great. When we make our own mixes we are able to tailor the ingredients to our taste and needs and thus have a control over the quality and quantity.

Making your own bulk mixes is a great way to stock your pantry. Creative containers make homemade mixes a terrific gift idea too. There’s something deeply satisfying when cooking from scratch. It takes some minimal preparation, but many of the ingredients are already a staple in your pantry. It’s not as time consuming as you may think.

Supplies

Plastic baggies
Glass containers with tight fitted lids
Prep area
Labels
Appropriate ingredients
Storage area
Basic kitchen tools
Plastic containers
Decorative items for gifts. (ribbons, printable eating healthy recipe cards, labels)

Master Baking Mix
9 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking powder
1 Tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk solids
2 cups shortening (which does not require refrigeration)

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and sugar three times. Add dry milk. Mix well. Cut in shortening until mixture looks like cornmeal. Store in covered container at room temperature.

Biscuits
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Combine 1 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix and 1/3 cup milk in a bowl. Add milk and stir. Knead lightly on floured board. Roll 1/2-inch thick; cut and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Makes 8.
Options: Add grated cheese and chopped herbs. Increase milk to 1/2 cup for drop biscuits.

Muffins
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Beat together in a bowl 1 egg, 1 cup milk and 2 tablespoons sugar. Add 3 cups Master Baking Mix. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into greased muffin pans or into paper muffin cups and bake 20 minutes.
Options: Add drained fruit, chopped nuts or dried fruit. Replace 1/3 cup of Master Baking Mix called for with quick-cooking oatmeal or All-Bran® cereal. Add chopped dried fruit and nuts to food healthy recipe and bake as a fruit bread in a greased 8 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Pancakes or Waffles
Beat together 1 cup milk and 1 egg. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix. Bake on griddle or waffle iron.

Dumplings
Mix 1/3 cup water to 1 cup Master Baking Mix. Drop into hot stock and cook 10 minutes, uncovered, and 10 minutes, covered.

Yellow Cake
Sift together in a large bowl 3 cups Master Baking Mix and 1 1/4 cups sugar. Mix together in a small bowl 2 beaten eggs, 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add this to dry ingredients. Beat at high speed for 4 minutes. Grease a 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Frost or sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over the top. Options: For chocolate cake increase the sugar to 1 1/2 and add 1/2 cup of cococa powder.

Coffee Cake
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Beat together in a bowl 1/3 cup milk and 1 egg. Add 1/4 cup sugar and 2 1/4 cups Master Baking Mix. Stir until well blended, about one minute. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons margarine and 1/4 cup chopped nuts and sprinkle over the top. Bake 25 minutes.

Oatmeal Cookies
Place 2 1/4 cups Master Baking Mix in a bowl. Stir in 1 3/4 cups brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Combine 1/3 cup milk, 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 cup melted shortening. Stir into mix and blend well. Add 3 cups oatmeal and mix. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 12 minutes.

Banana Bread
Beat 2 eggs and 1/4 cup sugar together in a bowl until well blended. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1 1/4 cups (about 3) mashed bananas. Stir in 2 1/2 cups Master Baking Mix. Pour into a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 55 minutes or until brown.

Pizza Crust
Add 1/2 cup water to 2 cups Master Baking Mix and form into a ball. Knead and roll out 1/2-inch thick. Place in a 10-inch pan, leaving a rim around the edge. Brush the dough with oil, then spread with favorite toppings.

Basic Mixes
Chicken Coating Mix
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons onion powder or dried minced onion
2 teaspoons dried minced celery
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
To use: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Gently beat 1/2 cup milk and 1 egg together in a bowl. Wash and pat dry chicken. Fill a bag with 1 cup of the coating mix. Dip each piece of chicken into the milk-egg mixture and then drop a piece of chicken into the bag and shake. Let pieces dry thoroughly before baking. Place chicken on a shallow, lightly greased baking dish and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.

Stuffing Mix
6 cups large bread cubes
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon leaf thyme, crumbled
1/2 cup dried minced celery
1/2 teaspoon leaf sage, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cubes chicken bouillon, crumbled, or 3 Tablespoons chicken bouillon powder

Bake bread cubes on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, turning a few times to brown evenly. Toss bread cubes with remaining ingredients until the cubes are evenly coated. Store in a tightly closed container on the shelf for 1 to 4 months, or freeze for 1 year. To use: Melt 3 tablespoons butter; stir into 2 cups Stuffing Mix in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup chicken broth or water, stirring gently. Warm in a pan on top of the stove, in the oven, or in a microwave.

Condiments

Ranch Dressing Mix
15 saltine crackers
1 cup dry parsley
1/2 cup dry onions
2 Tablespoons thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Whirl in blender until crumbs are very small. Store in an airtight container. It will keep for 1 year.
To use: Whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup buttermilk and 1 Tablespoon Ranch Dressing Mix.

Italian Dressing Mix
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons basil
2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
2 Tablespoons garlic powder
6 Tablespoons granulated sugar

Mix and store in an airtight container.
To make dressing: Use 3 Tablespoon mix with 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil and 1/2 cup wine vinegar.

Beverages

Cocoa Mix
8 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 1/2 cups non-dairy coffee creamer
3 cups instant chocolate drink mix for milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

In a large bowl, combine all and blend well. Store in an airtight container.
To serve: Combine 1/2 cup of mix with 9 ounces of boiling water. Stir well. Makes 16 cups of mix.

Cappuccino Mix
1 cup instant coffee creamer
1 cup instant chocolate drink mix
2/3 cup instant coffee crystals, regular or decaffeinated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine creamer, drink mix, coffee crystals, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and mix well. Store in airtight container. Makes 3 cups dry mix, 15 servings.
To prepare: Add 3 Tablespoons mix to 6 ounces of hot water and stir well.

Spice Blends

All Purpose Spice Mix
1/3 cup Grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Sesame seeds
2 Tablespoon Paprika
1 Tablespoon Poppy seeds
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 teaspoon Dried parsley
1 teaspoon Onion flakes
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Celery seed
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper

Crush bouillon cube into fine powder, put in screw-top jar. Add remaining ingredients and shake until well mixed. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 months. May be used on fish, meat, stews, casseroles, salads, vegetables.

Onion Soup Mix
2 cups powdered milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup beef bouillon crystals
2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crushed
Mix and store in an airtight container in refrigerator.
To prepare: Mix 1/3 cup dry Onion Soup Mix with 1 1/2 cups water.
cook and stir until thickened.

Gift Ideas (Gifts In a Jar)
Dreamsicle Cookies
1/2 cup orange-flavored drink mix (Tang)
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups vanilla baking chips
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Combine the flour with baking soda and baking powder. Starting with the Tang, then sugar, chips and flour mix, layer the ingredients in a glass jar.

Attach Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F Empty contents into a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 egg and teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.

Colorful Soup Mix in a Jar
1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried split peas
1/2 cup uncooked twist macaroni
1/4 cup barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/3 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup uncooked tri-color spiral pasta

Use a funnel. Layer ingredients in the following order: bouillon, onion flakes, split peas, small shape pasta, barley, lentils, rice, and enough tricolor spiral pasta to fill jar.
Attach Instructions: Brown 1 pound ground beef or stew beef in a little olive oil. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve. Add the rest of the jar contents to the pan and add 12 cups water. Boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more.

Tips
Be sure to store your mixes in a cool, dark place. They hold a shelf life of approximately six months. You can also freeze flour for 24 hours prior to using in your mixes to prevent the possibility of bugs.

Gifts In a Jar Tips
When assembling gifts in a jar, you should use one quart, wide mouth canning jars;however, many containers will work such as mugs, baskets, gift bags, flower pots, bowls, and teapots. Press each layer firmly in place before adding the next ingredient. You can decorate with fabric, floral and ribbon embellishments, or by drawing on jars with glass paint markers. You can consider attaching small gifts to the container such as ornaments, cookie cutters, measuring spoons, or a wooden spoon. Don’t forget to attach the cooking healthy recipe to your homemade gift.

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Lamb Cutlets And New Potatoes. . . .

Lamb has to rate as one of my favourite meats, if not actually my absolute favourite. If cooked properly, it is so tender and juicy that it literally just melts in the mouth. This simple eating healthy recipe is designed for two people and should be served with a vegetable or vegetables of your choosing.

Ingredients

4 lamb cutlets/chops

2 cloves of garlic (crushed)

1 tsp of fresh rosemary leaves or 1/2 tsp of dried (crushed in a pestle and mortar)

1 tbsp of olive oil

12 baby new potatoes

Small knob of butter

Pinch of fresh or dried dill (finely chopped if fresh)

Method

Put your oven on to pre-heat to 180 degrees centigrade or equivalent. In a casserole dish, mix the olive oil, garlic and rosemary. Add the lamb and stir it around well to ensure all the surfaces are coated. Cook for 30 minutes then remove it from the oven and sit it aside, still covered, to rest.

The potatoes should be added to boiling, lightly salted water 15 minutes after the lamb goes in to the oven. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, drain and return to the pot with the butter and dill. Swirl them around carefully for a minute and you are ready to plate up and serve.

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Garlic Mushrooms. . . .

We may often find ourselves having to come up with a very quick yet tasty starter, especially if we are spending a lot of time in the preparation of a main course. This easy healthy recipe meets both such requirements and is also a very healthy option. This quantity is designed for two people.

Ingredients

2 slices of wholemeal bread

8 small, closed cup mushrooms (halved downwards through the stalk)

2 large garlic cloves (crushed)

Small handful of fresh rocket leaves

1 tbsp of olive oil

Salt/freshly ground black pepper

Method

In a small saucepan, bring the olive oil gently up to a moderate heat then add the garlic to sweat off for a minute, stirring well with a wooden spoon. Add the mushrooms, a pinch of salt and 10 to 12 twists of pepper to taste. Put the bread on to toast, still stirring the mushrooms frequently. When the toast is ready, use a 3 or 4 inch cutter (even a large drinking glass, if necessary) to cut the largest circle possible from each slice. Put the toasted circles on to a plate, arrange a few rocket leaves on top then carefully spoon on the mushrooms.

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Pork And Apple Casserole. . . .

A simple dish in the extreme, this cooking healthy recipe actually provides a healthy and tasty meal for two people in its own right, without the need to serve accompaniments. I suppose that does depend, however, upon just how hungry you may be!!

Ingredients

4 pork fillets or lean chops

2 Granny Smith apples (unpeeled, cored and sliced to 1/4 inch)

1 large Maris Piper potato (unpeeled and sliced to 1/4 inch)

2 garlic cloves (crushed)

1/2 tsp of dried sage

1 tbsp of olive oil

Method

Preheat your oven to 150 degrees centigrade. Mix the crushed garlic and sage with the olive oil in a large bowl then add the potato and apple slices, stirring them around gently (ideally with your hand) to ensure they become well coated but do not break apart. In a large casserole dish, arrange the pork, potato and apple alternately in a circle. Pour over any oil residue that remains in the bowl. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Leave to rest, out of the oven but still covered, for 15 minutes then season with salt and serve.

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