Celebrate with S'More Sandwiches!

I don't think I know anyone that doesn't love S'Mores! I know my fond memories of the simple, yet delightfully luscious treats go back to my Brownie and Girl Scout camping days.

Here's an interesting twist on S'Mores that will quickly become a traditional favorite... it's just one of them thangs... while you're having a 4th of July barbecue or if you're off to the park or the beach for a picnic... take the supplies along for these new S'Mores... I'd really like to hear from any of you that try this great recipe...

S'More Dessert Sandwiches

Small store-bought angel food cake loaf
2 milk chocolate candy bars
Marshmallow creme

Note: If you want to substitute toasted marshmallows for the marshmallow creme, just do it!

This recipe will make 4 S'More sandwiches so adjust according to either the number each person wants to devour or to your number of guests!

While the grill is hot, slice the loaf angel food cake in 1/2-inch slices. Place the cake slices on hot grill. Toast until lightly browned (a quick 2 minutes).

If you opt to use the marshmallow creme, spread a tablespoonful on the cake after toasting on one side and place back on grill to toast the other side. Be sure to not walk away from the cake while it's toasting!

Remove cake slices from grill and place half of the chocolate bar on each of 4 of the cake slices. Press cake slice with warm marshmallow creme together with cake slice with chocolate.If opting for using toasted marshmallows, roast the marshmallows until golden brown and squishy inside. Place the chocolate bar on a toasted cake slice and slide 2 toasted marshmallow per S'More sandwich onto chocolate and press together gently.

Either way you choose... everyone will be asking for "S'More!"

Have a wonderful celebration of our Independence!
Jan McCracken
Culinary Coach for Kids

Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad

One of the things that we are thankful for every day is this great country of ours! Becoming aware of the freedoms that we enjoy are important for us all and I’ve found that there are lots of kids that really love the American flag!

If the kids would like to add a dash of patriotism to your 4th of July celebration, here’s a really easy, yet very symbolic fruit salad that the kids can quickly whip up! And, it’s a healthy addition too :-)

Ingredients:

Strawberries

Bananas

Blueberries

Whipped cream (optional)

Utensils:

Colander

Plastic knife

Cutting board

Clear glass salad bowl or individual glass serving bowls

Just put on your Culinary Coaching hat and let the kids do this one! Just guide them through… it might be fun to sing some patriotic songs while the kids are stirring the red, white and blue!

Let the kids wash the strawberries and blueberries in the sink using a colander. Then turn them out on a paper towel. Gently pat dry. Keyword: Gently!

Cut the green stems off the strawberries (yes, this can be accomplished with a plastic knife that the kids won’t get cut on). Peel the bananas.

Slice the strawberries and bananas with the plastic knife on a cutting board. Combine all of the ingredients in a clear glass (or plastic) bowl so the red, white and blue shines through.

Chill and serve! It might also be fun to serve in individual bowls, add a dollop of whipped cream and stick tiny American flags in each bowl as an added small tribute to our flag!

Here's to 4th of July fun in the kitchen cooking with the kids!

Happy Cooking,

Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach

Flyin' 4th of July!

A recipe for great fun on the 4th!

Stop by one of the big drug stores or a dollar store and pick up some frisbee flying discs for your 4th of July picnic. Turn them upside down and use them first as your paper plate holders. It will add a splash of great color to your picnic table and when the meal is over the kids will have a blast sailing them all over the place!

Fold in some jump ropes and water pistols and you'll create some great memories for the kids and a lot of laughs...

It's a flyin' 4th of July!
Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach for Kids

Great Stars!

Stars and Stripes forever and Rice Krispie treats too! 

We all love Rice Krispie treats and here's a really fun and yummy 4th of July version... These treats are simple and quick and the kids will love decorating them with red, white and blue spangles and sugar glitter!

Let's get started...

Here's what you'll need:

3 tablespoons butter

4 cups miniature marshmallows (make sure they are fresh, fresh!)

6 cups Rice Krispies®

Canned frosting or decorating gel

Assorted candies and red, white and blue sprinkles

White glitter sugar

Let the kids measure out the marshmallows and the Rice Krispies. Have them dump them in separate bowls. Have them prepare a 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan with cooking spray.

Let the kids measure the butter and plop it in the pan. The adult helper can then melt the butter over low heat.

The adult helper will do the actual "cooking" and stirring as this stuff gets really hot and if the kids get it on their skin it can burn very badly... This is a perfect opportunity to make the kids aware of how important "stove safety" is... how important it is to "pay attention" when you're stirring something very hot... let them get up on their stools as you stir but make sure they are a bit of a distance from the stove and burners... it's truly safety first in the kitchen at the stove!

All righty then... after the butter is melted, add the marshmallows stirring constantly until the marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat and add the Rice Krispies. Stir until the cereal is well coated. Turn mixture into prepared pan and spread with a buttered spatula. Lay waxed paper on top and let the kids pat down the mixture until even and smooth.

Cool slightly. Use star cookie cutter s coated with cooking spray and cut into star shapes. Now for the fun! Decorate with frosting of choice and sprinkle on the red, white and blue!

What a yummy and patriotic 4th of July treat!

Happy Red, White and Blue,

Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach for Kids

Having a Red, White & Blue Time!

The 4th of July is quickly approaching. It's a time for history sharing, picnics, fireworks and fun food...

Let's make that food red, white and blue!

Let's kick it off with a celebration of red, white and blue frozen yogurt on a stick. These frosty delights are healthy and patriotic!

If you already have molds, that's great... I've discovered that they make all kinds from the popular "rocket mold" to 3-tiered "sand castle-style"... and of course, there's the old standby of the old-fashioned flat molds. If you need help in finding some of these more elaborate molds, just leave me a post and I'll be glad to share some resources with you.

What no molds in your cupboards? You can still make this recipe! All you need is paper cups and Popsicle sticks! Let's get the kids in the kitchen and get these yummies in the freezer... the kids will love making them as it's kinda like coloring Easter eggs! Here we go...

Patriotic Pops!

3 cups vanilla yogurt
Red food coloring
Blue food coloring
6 wooden sticks

Note: This recipe will make 6 Patriotic Pops... if you want or need to make more, simply double the recipe.

Divide yogurt into three small bowls and tint as follows:
Tint 1/2 cup of the yogurt with red food coloring
Tint 1 1/2 cups with blue food coloring
Leave the remaining 1 cup of yogurt plain.

Fill each cup with 1 tablespoon red yogurt, followed by 2 tablespoons white yogurt, then 3 tablespoons blue yogurt. Insert a wooden stick and freeze the pops until firm.Note: Let the pops freeze at least 4 hours before devouring! Have a "cool" red, white and blue!

Getting kids in the kitchen,
Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach for Kids