The kitchen
With so many of us having very hectic and demanding lives it is no wonder that the fast food industries have been cashing in on our quick fix solutions to eating. Unfortunately with increasing media attention as to how this life style is affecting all our lives including that of our children, people are finding it a struggle to cope. With more cases of childhood obesity than ever, the problem seems to be at an all time high. The food that is consumed however does not only contribute to our children's ever increasing waist size but also plays an important part in their energy, concentration levels and behaviour. With this in mind, it is important that not only should we be concentrating on feeding our children's brains with the right stuff but also their stomachs.
In this section of the magazine, we will be turning our attention to the right food for learning with some delicious, easy, healthy meals and snacks, to keep your children alert all day. If you have any recipies that you would like us to add to the magazine email the Kitchen.
Before we give you this month's recipes we first want to mention Jamie Oliver's new campain!
Jamie's Ministry of Food
As an ambassador for putting our children's health on the right track at school Jamie Oliver is now turning his attentions to home cooking and helping to create a whole new health conscious cooking nation.
He has embarked on a whole new channel 4 TV show which accompanies the release of his new book. There is a great website where you can find simple, inexpensive recipes and cooking tips for all and can have the opportunity to join in the new 'Pass it on' campain.
So if you are interested in helping Jamie in his new quest or would just like to get your hands on some great free printable recipes then visit Jamie's Ministry of Food and help change our children's future!
Also if you are interested in creating a healthy, green environment for your children then take a look at this great website full of wonderful resources for the family.
Healthy kids go green Kids and parents can have fun, learn about going green and explore together. Kids can join the Kid's Club and share pictures and ideas with other kids. Parents can find important resources for creating a healthy home environment.
This month's recipes are:
Chicken & lentil hot pot
This is great inexpensive wholesome meal for all the family!
Ingredients: serves 4
500g chicken breast
2 Carrots
2 Parsnips
1 onion
1 Swede
500g Tomato and herb sauce
500g green lentils
Garlic
Olive oil
Chicken stock cube
To Make
Skin 500g chicken breast and fry with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until browned, then remove from heat and set aside
Peel and crush 1 garlic clove and fry lightly. Peel the vegetables and chop into small chunks then add them to the garlic and fry for a further 5 minutes.
Add 320g green lentils to a casserole dish along with 500g of tomato and herb sauce. Stir in 750ml of chicken stock from the stock cube and then add the vegetable, garlic and cooked chicken breast.
Cover the dish and place in the oven on a low heat for 30 minutes or until tender and cooked through, serve in bowls with crusty bread for a delicious hearty meal.
Fresh Fruit in Jelly
This is a nice easy pudding that is guaranteed to get your little ones closer to eating their 5 a day!
Ingredients:
1 Jelly any flavour
1 Apple
1 Orange
50g (2oz) Grapes
1 Banana
To make
Place jelly in a small pan, add 125ml (¼ pint) water, heat gently stirring until jelly has dissolved.
Pour into a measuring jug and make up to ¾ pint with iced water and then place in a cold place to begin to set.
Peel and cut the fruit into small segments and place into a jelly mould or desert bowl.
Pour over the jelly mixture and place in the fridge to set completely. Once set either turn out onto a chilled plate or scoop into serving bowls.
For jelly alternatives replace the above fruits with others such as strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, peach and pineapple to make your own unique fruit jellies!
Last month's recipes were:
Chicken Wraps
These are great sources of protein and a good way of livening up lunch time sandwiches
Ingredients: makes 8 wraps
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
1 small yellow pepper
1 small red pepper
125g (4oz) mange tout
8 flour tortillas
Juice of ½ lime
2.5cm (1 inch) fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
2 tbsp of clear runny honey
1 pinch of salt
1 tbsp of sunflower oil
3-4 dashes of pepper sauce
To make:
Preheat the oven to gas mark6 (200C/400F) and deseed the peppers and slice them and the chicken into strips. Mix the oils, honey, ginger, pepper sauce and salt into a bowl. Add the chicken strips and stir until they are completely coated with the mixture.
Heat the frying pan and add the coated chicken and fry for 4-5 minutes until the chicken begins to caramelise and turn golden. Place the tortillas on an ovenproof plate, cover with foil and cook for 6-7 minutes until they are warmed through. Add the peppers, mange tout and lime juice to the chicken and cook for a further 4-5 minutes on a medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Lay out the warmed tortillas and fill along the centre with the chicken mixture, leaving the bottom and the two edges empty. Be careful not to over-fill the tortillas or you will find it hard to wrap. Now fold up the bottom of the tortilla and then fold both the sides in.
Tip:
If you or members of your family are vegetarian these wraps can be easily adapted by substituting the chicken for tofu or corn chunks!
Fruity Trifle
This is a great pudding for a party or special occasion and an ideal way of getting children to eat lots of fruit and nuts.
Ingredients: serves 6-8
Slices of sponge cake or trifle fingers Apricot or raspberry jam
5 tbsp fruit juice
2 firm, ripe bananas 400g (14oz) tin slice peaches
For the custard:
300ml (½ pint) double cream
1 teaspoon corn flour
3 egg yolks
Few drops of vanilla essence
30g (1oz) caster sugar
For the topping:
300ml (½ pint) double cream 30g (1oz) toasted almonds
Fresh raspberries
To make:
Break the sponge or fingers and lay them on the bottom of a large bowl. Spread a thin layer of jam over the top and spoon enough juice to soak the sponge. Put the cream for the custard in a saucepan and heat gently until it boils. Whisk the corn flour, eggs, vanilla and sugar in a bowl.
As soon as the cream boils, stir into the egg mixture a little at a time; keep stirring the mixture to stop it from curdling. Return the mixture to the pan and heat over a low heat until it thickens. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Peel and slice the bananas and arrange them on top of the jam, then drain the peaches and lay them on top of the bananas.
When the custard has cooled completely, carefully spoon it over the layer of peaches, making sure it is spread evenly. Whip the double cream for the topping with a whisk or electric mixer until it is thick but not completely stiff. Spread the whipped cream over the custard and decorate with the flaked almonds and fresh reasberries.
Tips:
If you are struggling with time you can use a shop bought ready custard as this will work just as well.
Have a go at creating your own unique flavours by including different fruit alternatives.
Here is a list of websites that we feel give great nutritional advice with good family recipes and great cooking ideas.
Cooks cozy kitchen Great Food Recipes always Start in a Cooks Cozy Kitchen, where Great Cooking Recipes begin, laughter and make-your-tummy-happy food with fantastic Easy Recipes. Dessert Recipes and Appetizer Recipes.
Snappy recipes Easy recipes, ready from start to finish in 20 minutes or less. From salad to dessert, your sure to find something you'll enjoy.
Italian cooking made easy Easy Italian Recipes. This site has quick recipes and time saving cooking tips for busy moms and anyone who likes to cook.
The Children's Guide A great website sharing parenting information, tips, and suggestions. With nutritional advice, reviews, work at home opportunities, sales and more.
Family Treasured Recipes
Home cooking family recipes. You will find Easy Desert Recipes, Appetizers, Main Coarse Meals, Baking Recipes and cooking tips.
Healthy recipes for kids and the whole family!
Want to see your kids eating healthier and excited about it? Our healthy recipes for kids (and the whole family) and ideas to get kids excited about cooking and eating healthy can help.
Easy Baking Recipes Easy Baking recipes , anybody can bake.
This website is designed to help people that are not really experienced in baking and would like to give it a try.
Busy Bee Kids Crafts Free instructions to make unique kids crafts for all occasions. All of our crafts for kids are inexpensive (often free) and are clearly explained with easy to follow directions and pictures. Most importantly they are fun crafts to make!
If you have any good recipes for keeping our children healthy and happy to learnthen email our Kitchen and we will be glad to print them in our next issue or alternatively post them onto our Guestbook.