EDIBLES

Pop up cooking creativity

Published

2 years ago

07/13/2022

(Family Features) As an important life skill, learning to cook and becoming familiar with kitchen basics can be an exciting adventure for kids from toddlers to teens. Using a delicious childhood favorite like popcorn as the key ingredient at the center of your lessons can spur interest and enthusiasm.

Along with understanding measurements and safety, teaching your children how to make simple recipes also offers opportunities to bond and make memories that can last a lifetime. Popcorn is a snack food associated with good times and it’s versatile enough to encourage creativity.

While it’s important to start with easy techniques that introduce future chefs to the culinary world, it’s also helpful to ensure they’ll enjoy eating their first creations so they’ll be eager for more time in the kitchen.

As a whole grain that’s 100% unprocessed with no additional additives, hidden ingredients or GMOs, air-popped popcorn has only 30 calories per cup and offers a whole grain that provides energy-producing complex carbohydrates. Because whole grains are important sources of nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, B vitamins and fiber, you can instill the values of nutritious snacking all while having some fun.

These simple yet delicious recipes and tips can help you get your kids involved in the kitchen.

Encourage Creativity
Making learning fun is an important introduction to the world of cooking. Starting with a versatile base ingredient like popcorn that’s naturally low in fat and calories, encourage your child to get creative with a recipe like Pop-a-rific Popcorn Balls. With simple variations like adding food coloring or mixing in candies, nuts or dried fruit, it’s a colorful way for little ones to build confidence in their skills.

Measure Ingredients
A key component to recipes of all difficulty levels, teaching measurements from teaspoons and tablespoons to cups, ounces and more is valuable knowledge. Start with the basics like these Simple Popcorn S’mores that call for popcorn and graham crackers to be measured out in cups so your child can focus on one unit of measurement. Then, if little ones are helping, have an adult melt the chocolate and drizzle for a family-favorite snack.

Get Messy
Learning how to create and explore is often productive (and fun) when children can get their hands dirty. Sweet ’n’ Salty Popcorn Pretzel Sticks are a perfect canvas for letting kiddos work directly with the ingredients as they can roll pretzels in peanut butter, add sprinkles to their heart’s content and press popcorn into their newfound favorite treat.

Find more kid-friendly recipes to get the whole family involved in the kitchen at popcorn.org.

DIY Popcorn Bar

Whether you’re entertaining guests, hosting a houseful of kids or simply enjoying a weekend at home, a DIY popcorn bar provides a tasty and joyful way for children and adults alike to create their own version of an afternoon snack. Just set out a few ingredients and watch the fun unfold.

Small popcorn bags, bowls or cups
Scoops or spoons
Popped popcorn
Peanuts (remember to ask fellow parents if their children may have an allergy)
Candies
Raisins
Chocolate chips
Seasonings
Shredded cheese
Shredded coconut
Melted butter

Sweet ‘n’ Salty Popcorn Pretzel Sticks

Servings: 6

6 tablespoons peanut butter
6 large pretzel rods
3 cups popped popcorn
sugar sprinkles
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Spread 1 tablespoon peanut butter over one pretzel, leaving 2-inch “handle” without peanut butter. Repeat with remaining peanut butter and pretzels.
Press and roll popcorn onto peanut butter to coat each pretzel. Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.
To make optional chocolate drizzle: Place chocolate chips in small resealable plastic bag and seal bag. Microwave 30 seconds, or until chocolate is melted.
Clip small corner from bag and squeeze to drizzle chocolate over popcorn.
Sprinkle with additional sugar sprinkles. Allow chocolate to harden before serving.

Pop-a-rific Popcorn Balls

Yield: 14 balls

3 quarts popped popcorn, unsalted
1 package (1 pound) marshmallows
1/4 cup butter or margarine

Place popped popcorn in large bowl.
In large saucepan over low heat, cook marshmallows and butter or margarine until melted and smooth. Pour over popcorn, tossing gently to mix well. Cool 5 minutes.
Butter hands well and form into 2 1/2-inch balls.
Variations: To color popcorn balls, add 3-4 drops of food coloring to smooth marshmallow mixture. Mix well to distribute color evenly then pour over popcorn as instructed.
Mix in candies, nuts or dried fruit after mixing popcorn and melted marshmallows. Stir to distribute then form into balls.
Place nonpareils in shallow bowl or plate. Roll popcorn balls in nonpareils after forming.

Simple Popcorn S’mores

Yield: 10 cups

10 cups freshly popped popcorn
1 package (10 1/2 ounces) miniature marshmallows
2 cups graham crackers, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup milk chocolate, melted

On baking sheet, combine popcorn, marshmallows and graham crackers.
Drizzle with melted chocolate and cool.

SOURCE:
Popcorn Board

EDIBLES

A sweet, savory, simple holiday side dish

Published

4 days ago

12/18/2024

bowienews

(Culinary.net) No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape. Find more easy holiday recipes at Culinary.net.

Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6

1/2 pound bacon
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon garlic powder
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 bunch fresh asparagus
1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
In same skillet, add butter and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Saute asparagus then add bacon back to pan.
In saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberry sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
Place asparagus on platter and pour sauce on top.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

EDIBLES

Cozy, comforting recipes to take on the cold

Published

2 weeks ago

12/11/2024

bowienews

(Family Features) If blustery conditions are giving you the blues, come inside from the cold for a winter warmup in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cold-weather favorites that are baked, roasted or slow cooked are usually equal parts easy, delicious and filling, making them perfect solutions for chilly, snowy days.

Add a bit of comfort to your weeknight menu with this Loaded Chicken Bake that’s ready in about half an hour. A short list of ingredients and allowing your oven to do most of the work for you mean it’s ideal for saving time (and money at the grocery store) while still satisfying winter appetites.

Serving as the hearty base is READ German Potato Salad, made with thinly sliced potatoes and bacon in a traditional sweet-piquant dressing. While it’s delicious when served chilled, heated or at room temperature on its own, it can also be the star of the show in family meals.

For another true cent saver, try Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets. This savory side dish highlights the flavors of the season in a recipe that’s as easy to assemble as it is to enjoy with loved ones.

Picked and packed at peak ripeness, antioxidant-rich Aunt Nellie’s beets are pickled with a delicate balance of sweetness and vinegar for a homemade flavor that’s perfect in this roasted side that can accompany winter meals of all sorts. Versatile jarred whole pickled beets are always in season, meaning you can enjoy them chilled, warmed or worked into recipes.

Find more favorite wintertime recipes by visiting READSalads.com and AuntNellies.com.

Loaded Chicken Bake

Recipe courtesy of Hungry In LA
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Nonstick cooking spray
2 cans (15 ounces each) READ German Potato Salad
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cups crumbled, cooked bacon
French fried onions (optional), plus additional for serving (optional), divided

Preheat oven to 375 F.
Lightly coat 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread German potato salad evenly in dish. Top evenly with chicken.
In small bowl, stir heavy cream, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over chicken.
Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and onions, if desired.
Bake 15 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with additional onions, if desired.

Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets

Servings: 4

1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Whole Pickled Beets
2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 pound) peeled and cubed (1/2-3/4-inch cubes)
2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 red onion, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
2 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus additional for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 F. Drain beets. Discard liquid or save for another use.
In large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and onion until coated.
Place silicone mat on baking sheet or line with aluminum foil.
Pour contents of bowl onto baking sheet in single layer. Remove rosemary from stems; sprinkle over vegetables. Bake 30 minutes until potatoes are almost tender.
Add beets to baking sheet. Return to oven 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and beginning to brown. Garnish with additional rosemary, if desired.

SOURCE:
Seneca Foods

Seneca Foods

EDIBLES

Please pumpkin lovers with a twist on a fall favorite

Published

3 weeks ago

12/04/2024

bowienews

(Family Features) Apple, cherry and blueberry crumbles may get all the adoration, but when fall comes around, you may as well lean into the flavor of the season: pumpkin. This simple dessert satisfies the sweet tooth with some fiber to boot.

Discover more desserts designed for pumpkin lovers at Culinary.net.

Pumpkin Crumble

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-12

1 can pumpkin
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 box cake mix (yellow, white or spice)
3/4 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup chopped white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups melted butter

Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar

Heat oven to 350 F.
In bowl, mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Pour into greased 9-by-11-inch baking dish.
In separate bowl, mix cake mix, pecans and white chocolate chips. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Pour butter evenly over top. Do not mix or stir. Bake 1 hour.
To make whipped cream: Using hand mixer, whip heavy whipping cream and sugar until thick.
Serve crumble with whipped cream.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net