Edamame – Fun to Eat!

Want to make a snack, appetizer or side that not only packs a powerful nutritional punch, but is fun to eat too?

Then Edamame is right for you! 

Edamame comes from the Japanese words for twig and beans.  What are they?  They are actually edible, immature soy beans.  You can purchase them in the pod, shelled or dried in a crunchy snack form.  You only eat the insides – the outside pod is very hard to chew.

These little gems are just packed with nutrients like Calcium, zinc, vitamin A, phosporus, iron and multiple B vitamins.  They are high in fiber and a great source of Omega 3 fat.

You can use them in multiple ways like as a substitute for peas or in rice or pasta dishes.  We like them best served simple and in the pods – they are super fun to eat!

My daughter opens the pods and makes faces with the beans…then once satisfied with her creation, she then gobbles them up.  My son and husband are like me and love to pick them up one by one, use our teeth and pull the beans out….the salt from the outside mingles with the beans and the taste is absolutely addictive…toss the pod and quickly move on to the next one!  Yum, Yum and Yum!!

Edamame Pods

Whole Edamame (organic is preferable)

1 tsp light olive oil

1 tsp Kosher salt

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, (kids you will need your parents help with this part) gently add in the edamame.  Boil for 3 minutes then drain in a colander.  Immediately toss with the olive oil and Kosher salt and serve.  Have an extra bowl on the table for the discarded pods!  Who in your family will have the most discardrd pods??   The race is on!!

Happy Cooking (and fun eating)!

Colleen

Posted November 6th, 2010 by Colleen in Appetizers, Colleen, Snacks, Veggies | No Comments »

Ribs for the Kids!

Have your kids been introduced to ribs yet? 

Here is a perfect way to make eating ribs easy for small hands…plus you know what?  It’s fun too!  These little guys are great for parties…they make the ribs go further and are much less messy to pick up and eat.  Your kids can help you prep these too…easy peasy!

1 slab of ribs (get your grocer or butcher to cut them right down the middle, they will re-wrap them after)
Your kids favorite BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Cut the ribs apart and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 1 hour.  Remove from the oven,  pour off any grease, brush with some of your sauce and cook for another hour to and hour and a half. It really depends on the ribs you end up with…how big, how fatty etc. Just check them after 2  hours…are they cooked to your liking?

Remove from the oven, brush with more BBQ sauce and tent with foil, let them sit an hour or overnight in your fridge.

Prior to serving, fire up the grill. You just want to warm them up and give them some nice grill marks. Brush with sauce along the way, then once more prior to plating.

You can throw a few of these in your kids lunchboxes as well, just be sure to toss in a couple of towelettes!

Serve with raw veggies and dip and you have a “Finger Dinner”…just pick up what you want…no utensils required!

Happy Cooking!

Colleen

Posted October 25th, 2010 by Colleen in Appetizers, Dinner, Entrees, Kid Fun, Lunch Box | No Comments »

Salad Cups


Here is one recipe from the book!

Could your children have any more fun eating their salad?

This is easy to make and makes such a pretty side dish or appetizer. Your children could also take them in their lunchbox. Place the greens in a baggie, a bit of dressing in a baggie and the cups in a sandwich container. He or she can assemble and enjoy right in the cafeteria.

Your child will puff up with pride when he or she presents these little Salad Cups to family and friends to enjoy.

Salad Cups
from the kids cookbook Picture Me Cooking

12 slices white or wheat bread
3 TBS melted butter
Fixins for your favorite salad or just keep it simple with lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and some dressing or a Caesar Salad.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Use a rolling pin to slightly roll out each slice of bread (kids love that part).
A few rolls should do it. Cut out 2-3 inch rounds from each slice using a biscuit cutter or a circle cookie cutter (in a pinch use a glass).
Insert one bread round into each section of your cupcake pan, pressing down slightly, forming a cup shape. Lightly brush each one with the butter.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly brown and crispy. Cool.

When ready to serve, fill cups with the chopped salad tossed with dressing of your choice.

You can fill the cups with Caesar salad sprinkled with some fresh shaved Parmesan or some chopped up raw veggies of your choice tossed with a bit of dressing. Whatever you or the kids may enjoy!

Happy Cooking!!

Posted July 10th, 2010 by Colleen in Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch, Salads | 1 Comment »