Comments please

Hi there
I hope you are enjoying my blog and use my recipes when you find the time!
I would love to get as much feedback from you as regards to the recipes and advice I put up on here. Your feedback is really valuable to me as I am then able to change, add, amend where necessary and really provide you with practical solutions to all your needs when cooking for you and your family.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
Happy cooking
Natasha

Healthy kids recipes - easy cabbage pesto

Easy cabbage pesto

This is a great alternative to basil pesto and very healthy. Cabbage contains so many nutrients (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_nutrients_are_there_in_cabbage) and mixed with the below ingredients is very yummy added to freshly cooked pasta. A sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan on top will be a winner with little people's taste buds and they won't even be aware of the goodness they are getting.

Ingredients:

8 leaves of cabbage, cooked in boiling water for 4 minutes until tender
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
A handful of pine nuts
Olive oil to loosen

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients into a food processor apart from the oil
2. Turn the processor on and add the oil slowly until you have reached the right consistency
3. Warm it up just before serving and add it to freshly cooked pasta

Top tip:

If you don't have a food processor, a hand-blender does the job just as well.

Healthy kids recipes - easy garlic bread

Garlic sliced bread

This is are really quick alternative to shop bought garlic bread which is costly and full of preservatives. You can use fresh bread, pitta bread or packaged sliced bread - whatever you have at home. Children love to mix the ingredients together and spread on the bread and it is a perfect accompaniment to pasta, pizza or just as a snack. Garlic is also so good for you too! For the older taste buds a little salt and pepper can also be added.

Ingredients: (makes 4-6 slices)

4 tsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 clove garlic (add more if you like it really garlicy)
Leaves from 1 thyme stalk
Wholemeal sliced bread

Method:

1. Add the butter, garlic and thyme to a bowl and mix thoroughly
2. Using a knife, spread the butter onto the sliced bread
3. Place the bread under a medium grill until golden brown

Healthy kids recipes - easy and nutritious vegetable fingers

Easy and nutritious vegetable fingers



The hardest things about these, is the peeling of the potatoes and clearing up the mess afterwards. But please don't let that put you off. You could put any vegetable in with the mashed potatoes. My two children love these. My little boy who has more often than not refused to eat anything green just eats the broccoli and peas without thinking about it. I often cook these in my cookery classes and 99 out of 100 children devour them. Adding a dollop of Ketchup on the side helps them go down a treat!



Vegetable fingers & balls crisping up nicely

Ingredients:
For the filling
4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
½ mug tinned or fresh sweetcorn
½ mug of peas
4 or 5 broccoli florets

For the coating
1 egg, beaten lightly (or milk for those who can't eat eggs)
½ mug of breadcrumbs
Pepper to taste

Method:

1. Boil the potatoes for 15 minutes until soft. Allow to cool in the fridge. The cooler the potatoes the easier the fingers are to form
2. Cook the peas, sweetcorn and broccoli (chopping the broccoli up in small pieces once cooked)
3. In a bowl, pass the potatoes through a ricer or mash with a potato masher and add all the other ingredients
4. With your hands, mix all the ingredients together and then shape into small patties, balls or fingers, coat in the egg or milk and then breadcrumbs
5. Fry in a little oil until the outer edges are crisp, allow to cool and serve

Serving suggestions:

To add a little more crunch and nutrition, you could sprinkle some sesame seeds into the breadcrumbs.

Kinder Kitchen Biscuit Decorating Classes

Biscuit Decorating classes (from age 2)

Arts Depot, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley

Mondays @ 11am

£7.50 per session

Come and join me with your children at the Arts Dept on Monday’s to decorate homemade biscuits. Next week’s theme is ‘animals’. My classes are creative and fun and allow your children to develop their artistic side. You get to take home the biscuits you have decorated to share with your family.

Please call Natasha at Kinder Kitchen on 07734 054 649 to book your child’s place 

Healthy kids recipes - easy yummy beef stew

Healthy kids recipes - easy yummy beef stew

With the weather taking a turn, it is now time to start thinking about hearty stews for the family to tuck into during the cold autumn and winter months. A mum friend asked me for a recipe for her slow cooker. This recipe can also be cooked in a casserole/oven proof dish too. It is easy, delicious and nutritious and hardly takes any preparation at all. You can make double the amount and freeze the amount left over for another cold day.

Ingredients:

1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 parsnips, chopped into bite size pieces
2 carrots, chopped into bite size pieces
500g braising steak, cut  into bite size cubes
1 tin of tomatoes
400ml stock (vegetable or beef)
1 tbsp plain flour
Pepper to taste

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160 C

1. In a casserole/oven proof dish fry the onion in a little oil for around 5 mins. Then add the beef and fry until it is brown all over. Now add the garlic and after a minute the flour (this will thicken the sauce)
2. Next add the tinned tomatoes, carrots, parsnips and lastly the stock and simmer for a couple of minutes not forgetting to stir ensuring all the ingredients are well mixed together. Add pepper to taste.
3. If placing in the oven, place the lid on the dish and cook for around 2 1/2 hours
4. If using a slow cooker, place all the ingredients into the cooker and set it on the desired setting. I usually go for the slowest and longest as the meat comes out wonderfully tender.

Serve with mash, couscous or rice. You won't feel the cold after eating this, I promise you!

Kinder Kitchen Cooking Classes - Biscuit and cake decorating

Cooking with your children

Biscuit and cake decorating classes (2yrs +)

In a relaxed and fun environment my biscuit and cake decorating sessions allow children:

·        to develop their artistic and creative sides

·        to develop a sense of accomplishment

·        to learn about the basics of cooking and different ingredients

Each class is structured and:

·        there is a different theme each week

·        all cakes and biscuits are homemade

·        all equipment and ingredients are included

·        along with a recipe card, each child gets to take what they make home with them to share with their mummy and daddy

Sessions are held in the Café @ The Arts Depot, North Finchley

Biscuit and cake decorating

Monday, November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th at 11am-12 noon (£7.50)

Edible Christmas tree decorations (great Christmas presents!)

Monday, December 5th, 12th and 19^th at 11am-12 noon (£8)

please contact Natasha on 07734 054 649 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            07734 054 649      end_of_the_skype_highlighting to book your child’s place www.kinderkitchenrecipes.blogspot.com

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