From Denny: It's still April so I suppose I can sneak in this cute photo of fudge in an Easter basket. :) I've been wondering what to do with this "orphan" recipe until I came across another delightfully simple recipe that is also kid friendly for when you want to work in the kitchen teaching your kids how to bake.
What's also fun is the second recipe is from a local Louisiana nine year old boy who is trying his hand at blogging. He catalogs his new food experiences and talks about his food choices at the restaurants he thinks are kid friendly. A food critic is born! And since I like to encourage budding writers, well, here I am promoting the kid. I do enjoy precocious kids! :)
Very Best Fudge
From: Family Features - Nestlé Test Kitchens
Makes: about 4 pounds
Ingredients:
3 cups granulated sugar 1 can (12 fluid ozs.) evaporated milk 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 1/2 tsp. salt 4 cups miniature marshmallows 4 cups (24 ozs.) or 2 (12-oz.) pkgs. Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional 2 tsps. vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Line 13x9-inch or two 8-inch-square baking pan(s) with foil.
2. Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in 4- to 5-quart, heavy-duty saucepan.
3. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted.
5. Pour into prepared baking pan(s). Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.
Chocolate Quesadillas
From: Catherine Prados. Her 9 year old son, Michael, writes Junior Food Critic, a blog where he writes of his food discoveries and kid friendly restaurants.
1. Place one flour tortilla in a quesadilla maker or skillet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Spread melted chocolate over the tortilla.
3. Place the second flour tortilla on top and close the quesadilla maker or put a top on the skillet. If you are using the quesadilla appliance, cook for 1 minute or until desired crispness and slight browning are achieved. If using a conventional skillet, cook for 1 minute and then carefully flip the quesadilla to brown and crisp the second side.
4. Remove from quesadilla appliance or skillet and place on large cutting board. Cut into six pizzalike triangles and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm.
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From Denny: This is a dilemma many mothers, wives, girlfriends and cooks face - how to feed men and boys when suddenly the Hungries strike and they growl and demand to be fed immediately. And they do not have a sense of humor if you tell them to wait a few minutes or don't snack before dinner. My guess is their blood sugar is about to drop dramatically and that's why they are so grumpy and ravenous all at once.
Lucinda Scala Quinn was featured on CBS The Early Show food segment recently. She wrote a book to help the men and boys in your life with The Hungries. Quinn notes, "Every guy loves to eat, but not every guy loves to cook."
She is an expert at feeding men and boys, including her four brothers, husband and three sons. So, naturally she wrote the funny title: "Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys." In this food video she demonstrates how to teach your men and boys to make hearty satisfying meals quickly.
The TV show host, Harry Smith, is having fun and misbehaving throughout the entire segment instead of the two boys who turn out to be quite teachable. Quinn was unflappable, in good humor and taking it all in stride to not miss a beat to teach the boys and demonstrate the recipes.
Recipes Featured:
Vinegar Glossed Chicken Rose's Vinaigrette Banana Cream Pie Basic pie dough
From Denny: This is a fun video of kid chefs in competition for the best peanut butter recipe. Let me tell you this video clip is worth watching as they are quite creative and these recipes adults will enjoy too. They use peanut butter much like Mexican recipes use cheese, as a binder in a quesadilla, pita bread, lettuce wrap or grilled sandwich. Several of these recipes are tasty ideas to use for leftover chicken breast and bits of fresh fruit. Take a look:
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter • 1 tablespoon reduced fat cream cheese • 2 teaspoons preserves • 1/2 small to medium Macintosh apple, core removed and sliced into 6 slices • 2 slices whole wheat bread • 1/4 cup skim milk • 1/4 cup egg substitute • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 teaspoon sugar • 1/2 tablespoon butter • 1/4 cup maple syrup • Sprinkle of confectioners
DIRECTIONS
Take 1 tablespoon peanut butter and spread on one slice of whole wheat bread. Then spread 2 teaspoons of preserves on top of the peanut butter. Take the other slice of whole wheat bread and spread the second tablespoon of peanut butter on it. Spread 1 tablespoon reduced fat cream cheese on top of the peanut butter. Place the 6 apple slices in a single layer on top of the cream cheese. Place the first slice of bread on top of the slice with the apples.
Mix the skim milk, egg substitute, vanilla and sugar in a shallow bowl. On medium heat melt butter in a small fry pan until the pan has a coating of butter. Remove the extra butter and put aside and use if needed. Take the sandwich and carefully coat both sides of the sandwich with the egg substitute mixture by placing in a shallow bowl for a few seconds on each side. Place in the fry pan and cook until one side is lightly browned, then carefully flip the sandwich. Then cook until lightly browned. Remove from heat and cool for a few minutes before slicing into four quarters.
Place the sandwich on a plate with extra apple slices, maple syrup in a small cup for dipping, and a sprinkle of confectioners' sugar.
PB & Fruity says 'Let us Rap'
From: Rachel Granillo, Clovis, Calif.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast • 2 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter • 3 tablespoons chopped Fuji apple • 2 tablespoons chopped black or red grapes • 1 tablespoons light mayonnaise • 2 teaspoons honey • Iceberg lettuce
DIRECTIONS
Chop chicken meat and fruit, mix in bowl. Mix in peanut butter, mayonnaise and honey. Spoon into open lettuce leaf, roll and serve.
More Rockin' Moroccan Peanutty Pitas
From: West Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus more for garnish • 1 cup prepared hummus • 1/2 cup Jif Creamy Peanut Butter • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1/2 cup chopped green onion • 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken • 1 large tomato, seeded and diced • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro • 2 large pita pockets
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, combine paprika, hummus, peanut butter and lemon juice. Transfer half of peanut butter mixture to medium bowl and combine with green onion, chicken, tomato and cilantro. Fill pitas with chicken mixture.
Cut into 8 triangles and serve with remaining peanut hummus. Garnish sandwiches and hummus with a sprinkle of smoked paprika, if desired.
Peanut butter and banana quesadilla with fresh fruit salsa and vanilla yogurt
From: Lauren Wright, Waukesha, Wis.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter • 2 large flour burrito size tortilla • 1 banana • 1 kiwi • 1 golden delicious apple • 5 large strawberries • 18 raspberries • 1 teaspoon strawberry preserves • 6 oz. low fat vanilla yogurt
DIRECTIONS
Note: Fruit salsa and yogurt should be prepared just before preparing quesadilla.
Directions for quesadilla: Take 1 large flour tortilla and add 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter to the center of the tortilla and then spread the peanut butter out evenly, leaving about 1 inch of tortilla around the entire outside of the tortilla. Next take the banana and slice thin slices (making circular pieces). Place bananas evenly on top of peanut butter. Place last flour tortilla on top then place quesadilla in pre-heated quesadilla maker for 5-7 minutes or in 10-inch non-stick frying pan for 5-7 minutes, turning once. Cut into 6 triangular pieces and serve with vanilla yogurt and fruit salsa.
Directions for fruit salsa: Take the skin off 1 kiwi and then finely chop kiwi, then put into a small mixing bowl. Take half of the apple, less seeds and core, finely chop and add to small mixing bowl. Cut stem tops off strawberries, then finely chop raspberries and add to small mixing bowl. Then stir in 1 teaspoon strawberry preserves then place part of the fruit salsa into a small serving dish.
Directions for vanilla yogurt: Open the 6 oz. container of low fat vanilla yogurt and pour into a small serving dish.
Chickenchita
From: Stephanie Hosko, Plymouth, Mich.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter • 1 small can crushed pineapple in juice • 2 teaspoons of soy sauce • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 large flour tortilla • 1 chicken breast • 1/2 cup red pepper strips • 2 large lettuce leaves (such as romaine) • 2 rosemary sprigs • Parsley or chives for garnish (optional) • Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS
Mix together peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of the pineapple juice and 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Set aside. Rub the chicken breast with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and season with the rosemary, salt and pepper. Heat another tablespoon of the olive oil in a large frying pan, and grill the chicken until cooked through, then set aside.
Next, add the red pepper strips and sauté until soft. Spread the peanut butter mixture onto the tortilla, leaving about a half inch border. Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. Layer the diced chicken, red pepper strips, 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple and the 2 lettuce leaves on top of the tortilla.
Roll the tortilla up envelope-style, and tuck in the sides. Heat the last tablespoon of olive oil on a grill pan, over medium heat. Slowly grill the tortilla, turning once, until crisp. Garnish with a dollop of peanut butter, and a sprig of parsley or a few chives.
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
From Denny: How many times have we all wished for a wonderful meal in just minutes from ingredients already in the house? I've made this same recipe many times and loved it both for its simplicity, ease of making and speed to the table.
Note from Jeanne Besser: Crystal Ellis of Marietta writes, "Here's a great-tasting easy main dish created from my refrigerator. Kids love it!" This is truly a meal most of us can cull from our reserves, but that still makes a substantial dinner. I added the step of crisping the bacon under the broiler, but if you like softer bacon, you could skip this.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil. Sprinkle chicken breasts with pepper to taste. Place 2 bacon strip halves horizontally to cover chicken breasts. Top with barbecue sauce and fold foil over to make a packet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until chicken is just done. Increase heat to broil. Open foil and broil until bacon crisps, 1 to 2 minutes. Top with cheese. Put back in oven and cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until cheese melts.
Nutrition:
Per serving: 420 calories (percent of calories from fat, 34), 43 grams protein, 26 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, 16 grams fat, 128 milligrams cholesterol, 952 milligrams sodium.
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