Friday, September 21, 2012

♥ my top meals for babies and toddlers ♥

our little girl just turned 1 in september and pretty much from the moment she had her first little toothie, i jumped up to start browsing for recipes and breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack ideas for the little monkey!

it wasn't very long until i realised that unless you have hoooooouuuurs available every day or are as creative as martha or nigella, you're going to need some help finding meal ideas for your little one.

it took me months to figure out how to make sure that she gets a large enough variety of foods. so if you have a little person, i know that you will appreciate not just this blog post, but also the ones to follow.

i won't keep you any longer - herewith, are my fav toddler recipes!

enjoy! nom nom!

1. bacon, onion and cheddar biscuits
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-1-bacon-onion-and.html


2. toddler french toast
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-2-toddler-french.html


3. easy chicken nuggets
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-3-easy-chicken.html

4. no work chicken
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-4-no-work-chicken.html

5. pizza balls
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-6-pizza-balls.html

6. mini hot dog muffins
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-6-mini-hot-dog.html

7. fish fingers
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-7-fish-fingers.html

8. broccoli and carrot biscuits
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-8-broccoli-and.html

9. scrumptious sweet potato croissant rolls
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/sweet-potato-crescent-rolls-full-recipe.html

10. bambino bread salad
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-toddler-recipe-10-bambino-bread.html

11. spaghetti and sausage sticks
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/spaghetti-and-sausage-sticks.html

12. bread sticks
recipe link:
http://crave-capetown.blogspot.com/2012/09/bread-sticks.html

♥ top toddler recipe #1: bacon, onion and cheddar biscuits ♥




2 cups All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
3/4 teaspoons Salt
1/4 cup Vegetable Shortening (crisco, Etc)
10 Tablespoons Milk (whole Milk Is Best)
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 whole Egg
10 slices Thick Cut Bacon, Fried And Crumbled
1 cup Finely Diced Onion
1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Preparation Instructions
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry cutter, cut in shortening until all combined.
Combine milk, oil, and egg in a separate bowl. Whisk together.
Combine flour mixture, milk mixture, bacon, onions, and cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Stir gently until all combined.
Spoon batter into greased muffin tins. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes on 375 degrees until golden Remove from pan and serve warm.
PREP TIME 30 MINS, COOK TIME 20 MINS, SERVES 12

♥ top toddler recipe #2: toddler french toast ♥




1/2 cup egg whites
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup wholegrain bread

whisk your egg whites, milk, cinnamon and vanilla together in a bowl. whisk until well blended.
soak your bread in the mixture until it’s partially saturated
“fry” on a non-stick pan without any oil (keep the heat low to medium low so it doesn't burn)
cook a bit longer than you would regular french toast to be sure the egg gets cooked at the lower temperature.
plate your food and top with your favorite french toast toppings!
frozen berries, maple syrup = YUMMY for toddlers and families!

♥ top toddler recipe #3: easy chicken nuggets ♥




1 pound chicken breasts, boneless & skinless cut into chunks
1/4 cup old fashioned oats (also known as 5 minute oats)
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor until chicken is finely chopped and ingredients are combined.
3. Place the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl or on a plate and stir to combine.
4. With moistened hands, roll 1 tablespoon of chicken mixture between your palms and flatten it into a “nugget” shape.
5. Gently press nuggets into bread crumbs to evenly coat them.*
6. Place nuggets on a cooling rack. Place cooling rack over a foil-lined baking sheet.
7. Lightly spray nuggets with cooking spray.
8. Bake for 15 minutes and serve.**
* To freeze, place nuggets on a sheet tray after this step and freeze for one hour. Place nuggets in labeled freezer bags for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, follow the directions starting with step #6.
** If you want your nuggets to be golden brown, place under the broiler for 2 minutes after cooking.

♥ top toddler recipe #4: no work chicken ♥



1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons dijon mustard (mild)
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 cup chopped scallions
4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2.. In a 9 x 13 baking dish, whisk the honey, soy sauce, dijon mustard, curry powder and scallions.
3. Place chicken on top of sauce and turn to coat.
4. Cover and marinate 30 minutes to overnight, flipping halfway through to coat with sauce.
5. Cover with foil and bake chicken 30-40 minutes, depending on size of chicken breasts. Baste chicken with the sauce half way through cooking.
6. Serve over rice or pasta.

♥ top toddler recipe #5: pizza balls ♥



1 16 oz pkg white or whole wheat pizza dough
3/4 cup broccoli florets, cooked & chopped*
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup pizza sauce
olive oil
parmesan cheese, grated
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Bring pizza dough to room temperature and divide into 16 even pieces.
3. In a separate bowl combine the broccoli (or whatever addition you choose), mozzarella and pizza sauce.
4. Roll out each piece of dough into a round, about 3 inches wide, and place 1 tbsp of the cheese mixture in the center.
5. Take the edges of the dough and bring them to the center, pinching along the edges to make sure they stick together, then roll into a ball.
6. Place the ball, sealed side down, in a greased pie plate and repeat these steps making the rest of the balls.
7. Brush each ball with olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
8. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden.
9. Serve.
* You can substitute the broccoli for any additions you desire.

♥ top toddler recipe #6: mini hot dog miffins ♥







Makes 48 mini muffins

Corn bread recipe adapted from AllRecipes.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup melted butter (or 1/4 cup butter + 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce)

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

8-10 all-beef hot dogs, cut into 1″ bites

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in a bowl, and whisk to combine. Add eggs and whisk to incorporate. Add buttermilk and whisk to incorporate.

2. In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, cornmeal, flour, and salt, and stir to combine. Whisk into wet ingredients in two batches.

3. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray, and spoon 1 Tablespoon of batter into each mini muffin cup. Place one hot dog bite into the middle of each cup.

4. Bake for 8-12 minutes (oven temperatures vary), or until cornbread is golden brown. Cool in mini muffin tin for 5 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator, and re-heat for 20-30 seconds before serving.

♥ top toddler recipe #7: fish fingers ♥


always a favourite! no need to elaborate! nom nom :)

♥ top toddler recipe #8: broccoli and carrot biscuits ♥



I don’t want to mis-lead children of the world!  This is not a “hidden veggie” recipe.  In fact, these biscuits do in every way taste like broccoli! Which is good for those kids that like broccoli.  And it may even be good for those kids who CLAIM they don’t like broccoli, but have never really given it a chance. 

Either way- All I did was incorporate the processed and chopped carrots and vegetables, into a standard biscuit mix. here's a link for easy biscuit mix if you don't have one: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,2363,154180-239200,00.html

cut a handful of carrots and veggies to fit in a food processor

chop veggies in a food processor until they're all blended

incorporate veggies into biscuit mix

roll out biscuits and cut into shapes or circles

step 5: arrange biscuit dough onto a pan and sprinkle with parmesan (optional)

bake at the recommended temperature for your biscuits and ENJOY!  ♥


♥ scrumptious sweet potato croissant rolls ♥

I am TOTALLY on board with ADDING healthy ingredients to boost a foods vitamin and mineral profile!  And that is exactly what this recipes allows you to do!

add all ingredient with a bread mixer, or by hand


let rise till double in size


punch down
roll into a ball
roll into a circle with a rolling pin


slice into wedges


roll into crescent shapes


bake and eat!





♥ top toddler recipe #9: sweet potato croissant rolls - full recipe ♥

combine the following in a large bowl:
1.5 cups whole wheat bread flour
1/4cups sugar
1 teaspoon dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

in a large sauce pan combine:
1 cup sweet potato - cooked and mashed
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter

cook over medium heat, stirring until butter is melted and mixture is warm. add to flour mixture. beat with mixer set on low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is all moistened - about 1 to 2 minutes.

add 1 beaten egg and mix at medium speed for 3 minutes

add 2 to 2.5 cups bread flour

stir in enough flour by hand to make dough easy to handle. turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 7-9 minutes. place in greased bowl, turn to grease both sides, cove with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in bulk. punch down dough and divide it in half. roll each half of dough on lightly floured surface into a circle - about 20-22cm wide

brush each circle with 1 teaspoon melted butter. but into 12 wedges and tightly roll up each wedge from the wide end to point. place rolls, point side down, on a greased baking sheet. cover and let rise until doubled. bake in a preheated oven until golden brown - about 12-15 minutes.

♥ top toddler recipe #10: bambino bread salad ♥


1.5 cups of cubed italian bread - crusts remove and cut into age appropriate bites
3/4 cups tomatoes, cut into bite sized pieces
1/4 cups perlini mozarella - cut each ball in half or quarters for safety
3 basil leaves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
pinch of salt



preheat oven to 180 degrees. scatter cubed bread on a baking sheet and place in oven until lightly toasted, about 5-8 minutes. set aside. put tomatoes, mozarella and basil in a mixing bowl. add lemon juice, olive oil and salt and stir. let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes.

about 15 minutes before serving, add the bread. this recipe can be made in advance, but keep the bread separate until the end to make sure it doesn't get soggy.

* perlini mozzarella is pearl-sized mozzarella. if you can't find it, substitude regular fresh mozzarella and cut into bite sized pieces.

** perlini mozzarella are round and a little slippery, making them a potential choking hazard unless cut into smaller bites.  I cut them in half for my son, but use your judgment with your baby and consider quartering them if you are really concerned.

*** our children's diet is based on the advice of our paediatrician.  i suggest that you follow the advice of your own doctor.

♥ top toddler recipe #11: spaghetti and sausage sticks ♥

i just saw this recipe while browsing the internet earlier today and i think that it's just so, so, so clever! our little morgan LOVES sausages and pasta, but because she's only 1 year old still, she'll normally munch so much sausage that by the time she gets to the pasta, it either goes flying, sticking to basically everything around her...

this is the perfect way to combine the two! i can not wait to get home to make supper tonight, i'm sure that mixing the spaghetti-sausage-sticks with a nice sauce will defs make this recipe a keeper!



this is as easy as pie - simply chop up the sausage and before cooking the pasta - stick the spaghetti through the sausage. Boil until done and add a little sauce to it!

♥ top toddler recipe #12: bread sticks ♥


between morgan and i, i'm not too sure who the biggest fan of bread sticks are! these are great with any dip - morgy prefer hummus! luckily you don't have to make these yourself, most shops sell them. i'm a very big fan of the cheddar cheese sticks at woolies - amazeballs!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

♥ Beautiful Morgan's First Birthday Party ♥

So last weekend we finally got to celebrate our little girls First Birthday party. Loads of family and friends came to celebrate this big milestone in our little girls life. I browsed the internet and read up on millions of ideas to make it as special as I possibly could.

the night before we were still wondering how to make some of the ideas i had in mind happen. as it goes, i had to give up on some of them but i could happily replace them with other ideas. a massive thanks to my amazing sister in law for helping me get everything done in time.

so here we go, just a few of my fav pics from the day :) hope you'll enjoy looking at them as much as i still do!



the invitations

the food tags

breakfast for the birthday girl

i love these - the birthday cookies

frame on the gift table, asking everyone to write a birthday wish in her story book

some of the kind birthday wishes

we had 2 pieces of ribbon with photos of the birthday girl, taken every month 

some of the snackies

juice for the little people

yummy juice for the grown ups :)

crowns for the girls

stick on moustaches for the boys

opening some of my gifts

she was loving every second 

can i please open this one next mommy

sharing my birthday cake with my beautiful cousin, nina



nom nom!

special birthday hugs from mommy

passed out in dada's arms after a very long celebration weekend!

thank you fridge magnet mailed to all my family and friends the following week!