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 I don’t know about you but I am always looking for fun food for my kids. I love to surprise them with new foods, fun foods or food they can help whip up.

I have seen these Apple Nachos all over the internet lately, so we had fun making (and eating them).  I think food that is a “project” first is extra fun for the kids…it’s a craft AND a treat! Have fun with these!!

No real recipe here…just grab a couple of apples and raid your pantry for add-ins such as caramel, hot fudge, mini chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, granola or anything else your kids might get a kick out of. Maybe even slightly melt a little peanut butter and/or fluff throw it in a little sandwich bag, snip off the end and let the squeeze away (just though of that now…sounds fun)and then why not add a few rounds of banana. Let me know what your kids come up with

 Its funny how one day you become a parent and the next day your baby is a “little person” whom you adore and would give the sun and the stars to if you could.  I never knew how my becoming a Mother would change me and you know what?  I kinda like the changes!

One example is how I have no fear of trying something if at the end of the day it will better my children, put a smile on their face or help them in some way.  Case in point.  Last year for my son’s birthday…knowing that he is not a big fan of cake, I made him some very special cookies instead.  It was my first attempt at outlining and flooding cookies to make decorative ones.  I enlisted the help of my husband and we created cookies from our sons favorite video game…we were up until 2am doing it but you know what?  He went bananas!  So it was worth it!

This year my son turned 10 (I know, I know…sniff) and I decided to surprise him with a HUGE XBOX cake made to look like a controller.  I contacted a friend of mine who happens to make cakes and asked her if she thought she could make on like that – she said yes.  However as it turned out she was already making a Thomas the Train cake for the same day – so it was a no go.  So then I thought…I am not artistic but you know what…I am going to try it!

And I did…I once again enlisted the help of my husband and as a team we did it again!

My son and his 22 friends went nuts!  You see, we had the cake covered, only my 7 year old daughter know what it was.  We looked silly walking into the lazer tag facility we had his party at carrying a huge box covered with a towel…but so what!  It was a great moment.  Once again my being a mother pushed me…and my son now has a moment I do not think he will ever forget.

So my message is “go for it”!!  They are only young for awhile and the little things we do to surprise them are exciting for us and memorable for them!  I had never even touched fondant before let alone worked with it and we pulled it off…wonder what’s next?

My daughter loves to cook.  Since she was 3 we have had our own “cooking show” in our kitchen.  She actually thought (and still may think) that their were TV cameras in the oven…and would always focus her talking to it…lol!

Cooking with her or my son is a huge joy for me.  Recently, I was making a batch of this soup (a favorite of mine) when my daughter skipped in the kitchen and said “oooooh…whatcha makin?”  I said “soup…want to help?”  She said “SURE!”  So we began “filming” our latest show…it always starts out with “Welcome to Charlies’ Kitchen…I’m Charlie and this is my mom!”  “Today we are making XXX”  We have a blast!!

My husband happened to be watching us from the other room and was cracking up at our “show”.  Charlie was on my back – piggy style so I could safely bring her to the stove and allow her to both hear and see how to saute garlic appropriately.  When it came time to add the tortellini..she said “can we throw them in?”  I said SURE, why not?   And we proceeded to throw some across the kitchen into the pot…we really had fun…and then we sat down and enjoyed the soup.

The fun, the teaching, the memories and the delicious dished we cook up – to me are PRICELESS! 

Tortellini Soup

-adapted from Not Your Mothers Weeknight Cooking

2 TBS olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, chopped (down to 1 for kids who are not a fan and up to 6 for those that are)
48 ounces of chicken broth
A few dashes of red pepper flakes (if you/they like spice)
1 package of fresh cheese tortellini
14 1/2 ounces of crushed tomatoes (the whole can)
6-12 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves…depending on your taste
Freshly shaved Parmesan Cheese for garnish (optional)

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add in the garlic and saute for no more than 45 seconds (do not brown). Add in the chicken broth and red pepper flakes.
Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Add in the tortellini and cook for half the cooking time on the package. Add in the tomatoes, reduce heat to medium low and continue cooking until the tortellini is tender. Stir in the spinach and cook until it wilts (about a minute). Season if necessary with salt and pepper.

The flavors of this soup are good immediately – something I don’t usually find with soup – normally I like to let it sit a bit. The soup was just as good the following day!

Happy Cooking!!

Do you have any ice cream dishes laying around?  If so why get a little more use out of them – how about serving dinner in them one night?

Kids are easily thrilled…right?  So why not surprise them with a fun Spaghetti Sundae for dinner one night – or let them take the lead in creating one for each family member?

My kids like their pasta either plain or with just a touch of sauce…add in some mini meatballs and you are all set for some dinnertime fun!

Have fun creating your Sundae Dinner and  don’t be surprised when your kids ask for their next one!!

Happy Cooking!