Rachael ray says “kids rock!” and it seems the feeling is mutual. Young people number among her biggest fans. For them she has created a fabulous collection of age-specific recipes with a high cool factor.

Customer review:
“This book provides a good foundation in cooking and healthy eating in the future. It teaches the basic methods in cooking, and introduces your child to different fresh herbs and healthy veggies, such as cilantro and arugula. In a world where many young adults don’t know how to cook, Rachael does our kids a big service by teaching them how to cook restaurant-quality meals at home”. (more…)

Ingredients needed:
One half cup of honey
(alternative sweeteners *not* recommended as the taste would vary too much)
One cup of dry milk – nonfat
One half cup of graham crackers
One half cup of peanut butter (with nuts, or without)

Cold snack preparation:
Take the assorted ingredients and stir them up in a bowl. You can use a spoon, or even a fork for this. Just make sure that everything is stirred up until it has a smooth texture. Roll them into round shapes, the size of your choosing. Then put them in the refrigerator.

Hot snack preparation:
After they have been chilling in the refrigerator for a time, take the assortment of balls and heat them at 350 degrees in the oven for no more than 5 minutes, or heat them in the microwave for no more than 1 minute. Then, enjoy!

Optinal Toppings:
You can add these in either during the stirring process or to top them.
Nuts
Assorted sprinkles
Dried chocolate milk (e.g. Nestlé’s Quick)
Sugar sprinkles
powdered sugar Raisins

The first one is scrambled eggs. To start, you will need an oven, flat pan, a bowl, a spatula, a fork, a slice of butter, two eggs, a half cup of milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper. First crack two eggs into the bowl. Next, add the salt and pepper and milk into the bowl and mix with a fork until the mixture turns into a yellow liquid. Next, heat up the pan on the oven to the middle-high setting. After a couple minutes of heating, put the slice of butter in the pan and spread it around with the spatula. After you do that, pour the egg mixture into the pan. Begin to move the spatula around the pan until the mixture becomes solid. You can add ketchup for flavor. Serves two average kids or one really hungry one.

The next one is a very simple recipe that has been made for many years; The grilled cheese. All you need is an oven, a pan, two pieces, and a piece of cheese. first, heat the pan to medium. Then make a sandwich out of the cheese and the slices of bread and put it on the pan. Keep checking to see whether the bread has turned a different color. When it does, flip it over. Continue to do this until the cheese has melted. Serves one kid and a smile.

Last but not least, the Popsicle is one kids will like especially during the summer, but enjoyable all year. All you will need is a freezer, a small cup, a Popsicle stick, and the juice of any fruit of your choice (ex: orange, apple, cranberry, etc.). First put your chosen fruit juice into the cup and put the Popsicle stick into it so that one end of the stick is out of the cup. Then put it in the freezer until frozen. After it is done freezing, simply pull on the Popsicle stick so that the whole thing comes out and you have a Popsicle. Serves one kid.

One recipe that kids really enjoy to make and eat is Ants on a Log. Not only is this a very healthy treat with protein and vitamins, but there’s no cooking involved! A two year old could make Ants on a Log nearly as easily as you! All you need are the following ingredients and tools: peanut butter, clean celery ribs, raisins and a spoon. Simply scoop out a spoonful of peanut butter and smear it all along into the hollow of the celery stick. Now drop raisins on top of the celery like a trail of ants and Voila! You have Ants on a Log! Kids really get a kick out of these, and there’s absolutely no way to make them wrong.

Ice Cream Sandwiches are as much fun to make as they are to eat. You will need: vanilla (or your favorite flavor) ice cream, chocolate chip (or any other you like) cookies and an ice cream scoop. Now take two cookies and lay them flat. Place a scoop of ice cream on one cookie. Then put the other cookie on top of it. These Ice Cream Sandwiches can be enjoyed right away. To save some for later, wrap the individual sandwiches in plastic wrap. You can put these in a plastic container or freezer bag and keep them in the freezer, but I guarantee they won’t be there for long!

Cooking with kids is fun for them as well as for us. There’s nothing quite like the look on a child’s face when they’ve accomplished something they can be proud of. With the above recipes, no matter how much of it ends up on them- the results will be delicious!

Waffle Sandwich

1/4 cup low fat salad dressing
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
4 thin slices cheddar, Colby, Swiss or mozzarella cheese
4 slices (about 1/4 pound) deli turkey, ham or roast beef
8 toasted waffles

Combine salad dressing, mustard and honey in a small bowl. Spread dressing on one side of each slice of bread. Divide meat and cheese and place on dressing side of bread to make 4 sandwiches. Place 1 sandwich in the middle of heated waffle iron. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes or until sandwich is golden brown and cheese is melted. Repeat with other sandwiches.

Cut your waffle sandwich into strips for easy dipping in ketchup or sauce. Try different combinations of meat, cheese, sauces and bread. It’s a great way to use left-overs!

Tuna Twist

1 (6-ounce) can water-packed light tuna
1/2 cup diced apple
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup light or fat-free salad dressing
1/3 cup diced celery
1/4 cup chopped pecans
4 lettuce leaves
4 taco-size (8 1/2-inch) whole wheat tortillas

Drain water from canned tuna and place in mixing bowl. Combine apple and lemon juice in small bowl. Add salad dressing, celery, pecans and apples to tuna and combine. Place lettuce leaf on each tortilla, spread with 1/4 of the tuna mixture and roll up. Slice into 3 pieces if desired. Wrap and keep in refrigerator until serving time.

Put the can of tuna in the refrigerator the night before making the sandwiches so ingredients are cold. The lemon juice keeps the diced apple from turning brown and adds a nice tart flavor. To save time, dice the celery, chop the nuts and wash the lettuce the night before.

Tropical Fruit Dip

2 cups fat-free sour cream
1 cup fruit-flavored yogurt
4 tablespoons (about 1/2 of 3.5 ounce package) vanilla instant pudding

Combine sour cream, yogurt and dry pudding in medium mixing bowl.
Mix well and chill.

Serve this dip with a variety of fresh or canned fruit. Kids can use a thin pretzel stick to “spear” their favorite fruit before dipping! Pretzels are much safer than toothpicks, which could cause choking in younger children.Fruit dip might encourage children to try a variety of available
fruit – some seasonal, some unusual, some favorites. Fruit is packed
with good-for-you nutrients and fiber, so it’s important to eat two to four servings every day. Try slices of kiwi, grapes cut in half and whole strawberries for variety and color. To keep bananas and apples from turning brown after cutting, try dipping cut pieces in pineapple or orange juice before serving. If your favorite fresh fruit is not in season, buy canned fruit, which is less expensive. Enjoy fruit and dip as a snack or dessert often. By varying flavors of ingredients, you’ll discover new favorites.

With the holidays right around the corner, candy making is a great idea for an activity your kids may enjoy! They can share it with friends or even give it as gifts. Here’s a few fun easy recipes for kids who want to try making some candy this holiday season.

Mix and Match:
Melt whatever kind of almond bark you want (butterscotch, white chocolate, chocolate) in your microwave. Dip pretzel rods, dried fruit, etc. in it. You can even stir in rice krispies, raisins, coconut, etc. Either lay it out on waxed paper or drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper to cool.

Easy Fudge:
8 oz. semi sweet chocolate
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup nuts, (optional)

Grease 8 X4 or 9 X 5 loaf pan. Microwave the chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in uncovered
bowl on high for about 1 minute and stir. If the chocolate has not completely melted then microwave at additional 10 – 15 second intervals until you are able to stir it smooth. Stir in vanilla, and nuts, (if adding). If you want “rocky road” fudge, you may also add mini marshmallows at this time. Spread in a pan and refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares.

Peanut Butterscotch Krispies:

12 oz. butterscotch morsels
3 cups Corn Flakes
1/4 cup peanut butter

Melt the butterscotch morsels and peanut butter together, stirring until smooth. Add the corn flakes and mix well. Drop by tablespoons onto waxed paper.

Coconut Fudge Balls Candy Recipe

2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 1/2 cup powdered sugar
12 ounce semi sweet chocolate bits
1 cup chopped nuts
7 ounce or more coconut

Mix chocolate bits and milk and microwave until melted (about 3 minutes). Stir in sugar, and nuts. Chill 1/2 hour. Roll into balls. Roll balls in the coconut.

Marble Fudge:

1 (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate
1 (12 oz.) package butterscotch
1 cup peanut butter
1 (10 1/2 ounce) package mini marshmallows
1 cup salted nuts

Combine the chocolate, butterscotch and peanut butter in large glass bowl. Microwave on medium for five minutes. Stir until melted. Fold in the marshmallows and peanuts. Spread in a buttered 13 x 9 inch pan. Refrigerate for several hours or until set. Cut into squares.

Check out this 10 pc. set of bakeware for kids and have fun making these delicious treats with your child.

Halloween is such a great time of the year to try some fun easy recipes for kids. You’ll probably already have a lot of the following items on hand already and what you don’t, is easily found in your local supermarket. Most of these recipes are easy enough so that your children can make them on their own, but some may require your assistance or supervision.

Bloody Good Popcorn

One package of microwave pop corn
paprika

Prepare the popcorn according to the package directions. Pour it into a large mixing bowl, shake some paprika on it and stir it until it turns red.

Ghoulish Punch

1/2 gallon limeade
1 liter ginger ale
1/2 gallon lime sherbet
marshmellows
maraschino cherries

Mix the limeade and ginger ale together. Scoop the sherbert and add it into the mixture. Add the marshmallows and maraschino cherries to float in punch.

Creepy Spiders

Two round crackers
Smooth peanut butter
Eight small pretzel sticks
Two raisins

Spread the peanut butter on one cracker and cover with the other cracker to make a sandwich. Insert eight pretzel “legs” into the side of the cracker in the peanut butter. Use a dab of peanut butter to set two raisin “eyes” on top.

Ants on a log

celery sticks
peanut butter
raisins

Wash the celery sticks and cut each piece in half. Spread peanut butter over the entire length of the celery. Press raisins into peanut butter.

Scary Spiders

Twelve ounce package of chocolate chips
One medium size can of chow mein noodles
One package of M&M’s

Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Stir in the chow mein noodles. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Add two M&M’s for spider eyes.

These easy recipes are perfect for a Halloween party with friends, a class party at your child’s school or as a fun treat for you and your kids to make, and enjoy at home.

Happy Halloween!!

Recipes For Kids

When your child, grandchild or students show an interest in learning how to cook, a snack might be the best place to have them start. All of the fun easy recipes for kids listed here do not require any baking at all. Make one tonight!!

1. Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Spoon any flavor ice cream on a large cookie (any kind of cookie will do).
Top with a second cookie. It can be a different kind of cookie as long as it’s the same exact size.
Roll the edges in sprinkles, shredded coconut or chopped nuts.
(makes one serving)

2. Magic Milk

In a large pitcher with a lid, combine the following:
Two cups of milk.
A half of a package of any flavor gelatin (use the four serving pack).
A quarter cup of vanilla ice cream.
Cover and shake vigorously until the mixture is well blended.
Pour into two glasses and serve.
(makes two servings)

3. Haystacks

Microwave one cup of butterscotch chips and a half cup of creamy peanut butter on fifty percent power for three to five minutes.
Remove and add a half cup pf peanuts and two cups of chow mein noodles.
Mix gently until the noodles are coated.
Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper.
Enjoy!

4. Chocolate Dipped Cookies

Heat any brand of dipping chocolate according to the package. Most will have a microwave option that you can use.
Dip chocolate chip cookies half way into the chocolate.
You can substitute chocolate chip cookies for any type of cookies that you prefer.
Dunk the cookie into a cup filled with whatever topping you choose. You can use coconut flakes, peanuts or sprinkles.
Lay the cookie on wax paper and let it stand until the chocolate sets.

There you have it! Four fun easy recipes for kids to make and enjoy! If you have a diabetic child, take a look at this for ideas.