Hollywood Hills Elem
P T A
3501 Taft Street
Hollywood, FL 33021
(754) 323-6200 PH
Do you remember the first recipe you ever prepared. Or, the first time you baked and decorated a cake? Children can begin "helping" you in the kitchen at a very young age.
Collecting ingredients, cracking eggs, pouring flour, stirring and mixing.
Providing valuable time together, as well as an opportunity for
teachable moments; learning to follow directions, basic math skills, cleaning up, nutrition and heck...it's just plain fun!
Baking and basic food preparation is the easiest way to start. Making faces with fruit and vegetables, whipping up an easy batch of smoothies, or simply decorating a batch of cupcakes that you made with a mix. It doesn't take a lot of effort or skill, but what a memory maker!
BASIC TIPS FOR COOKING WITH KIDS
Begin your child's kitchen adventure with...
wooden spoons, plastic or metal mixing bowls, wire whisk, kid’s cookbook, step stool, hot pads, plastic nesting measuring cups, and a child sized apron. 
Safety first. Keep young children away from a hot stove,
oven, sharp knives and cheese graters. Allow even the youngest chef to pour the ingredients into
a bowl; flour, sugar, eggs etc. Remember to turn the mixer
off first. Cracking eggs can be a challenge for little chefs. Allow them to practice
a bit by cracking the eggs into a separate bowl at first. then you can
remove any shells before adding the eggs to remaining ingredients. Keep the recipes simple at first. No bake cookie recipes,
fresh fruit salad, smoothies, dips and sandwiches are a
great start. See the recipes below. Start with a cookbook that has illustrations to coincide with
the instructions. This will develop your child's to ability to
follow sequential instructions. Purchase, or make an apron that is solely for your little cook to wear. Consider switching from glass measuring cups, mixing bowls
and baking dishes, to plastic. They are easier/safer for kids
to manage and you may feel more comfortable. Pour on the praise, if the outcome isn't exactly as expected. Expect a mess...spills will happen. Take it in stride and
simply use the opportunity to teach that clean-up is one
aspect of cooking.
Children of all ages and gender, benefit from spending time in the kitchen. With the easy to follow children's recipes listed below, kids are introduced to basic math skills, reading and comprehension. Using a recipe will also develop their ability to follow directions, one of the most important skills
a child needs for a successful school experience.
The Basic tools for the "Rookie" Cook
These basic kitchen items will help your child to begin their cooking adventure: wooden spoons, plastic or metal mixing bowls, wire whisk,
hot pads, plastic nesting measuring cups, and a child sized apron.
Ingredients to keep on hand: 1/2 cup peanut butter
peanut butter, yogurt, nonfat dry milk, honey, shredded coconut,
frozen juices, frozen fruit, cream cheese, raisins.
"Krazy Kake"
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
2 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup oil
2 cups water
Preheat oven to 350. Mix DRY ingredients together
in 8x8 baking pan. Smooth out the dry ingredients.
Using a spoon or cup bottom make three large
holes in dry mix. In 1 hole pour vanilla, next vinegar,
then oil and last pour water over entire mix.
Stir with a fork until thoroughly mixed.
Bake at 350 for 35-40 mins.
Cool and top with powdered sugar or frosting.
No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
1/2 cup honey
1 cup crushed corn flakes cereal
2 tablespoons powdered milk
Set corn flakes aside.
Mix all other ingredients well.
Roll into balls.
Then roll again in Cornflakes until covered.
Refrigerate leftovers!!
Yummy Snack! Great with milk!
Mouse Cupcakes
makes 8 "mice"
1 Chocolate Cake mix
8 scoops vanilla ice cream
16 sandwich or mint cookies
Small candies-red hots,
m&m's or skittles
shoestring licorice
Prepare cake mix according to package for cupcakes.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake and cool completely and remove from pan.
When cool, top each cake with a scoop of ice cream then decorate to resemble a mouse using 2 mint cookies for ears, candies for eyes nose
and mouth. Cut and insert licorice for the whiskers. If melting has occurred place in the freezer for 1/2 hour before serving.
Tip: I freeze the cupcakes for easier handling!
Strawberry Ice
This is a delicious summer treat that older children can make alone & younger children can make with minimal assistance
2 pkg. frozen sliced strawberries in syrup
3/4 cup lemonade
Mix the ingredients together in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Turn off the blender, scrape sides, blend again & pour into a plastic container. Cover and freeze until serving time.
Makes 4 - 6 servings
TIP: If the ice is frozen hard, let it stand at room temperature 5 mins. or so before serving
Frozen Bananas
1 banana
2 Popsicle sticks
Optional items
Honey, toasted wheat germ, shredded coconut, peanut butter
Peel and cut in half, one firm, ripe banana. Wrap in plastic and freeze. When frozen and ready to eat dip in peanut butter or honey. Top with coconut or wheat germ. Yes…. It also tastes great dipped in melted chocolate but then it wouldn't be a "Candy Buster"
Easy Breakfast Bars
2 cups granola
2 eggs beaten
dash of vanilla for sweetening
Combine granola and eggs in a bowl. Spread into a 8" square pan.
Bake at 350 for 15 min. Cut into bars.
Serve with peanut butter, honey or jam.
My Kids like these with banana slices and honey on top!
Honey Buns
a Teddy Bear favorite
Invite your friends & their bears
to have a Teddy Bear Picnic!
1 package split hot dog buns
Peanut butter
2 – 3 bananas
Honey
Sunflowers seed
Slice bananas and set aside. Spread peanut butter on buns.
Put ~ 3 banana slices on top.
Drip with honey and sprinkle sunflower seeds. Yummy!
Peanut Butter Nuts and Bolts
1 can cocktail peanuts
1 package *Rice Chex* cereal
1 package pretzel sticks
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 package *Cheerios* cereal
1/2 cup oil
Mix peanut butter and oil . Heat in microwave or stove top until smooth.
Pour all ingredients into a roasting pan . Mix well.
Bake for 15 – 20 mins. At 300
Store in airtight container.
No-Bake "Dreamsicle" Yogurt Pie
An easy to make recipe for kids and much healthier
than most cream pies!
Ingredients:
1 9" graham cracker crust shell
1 8oz. container of orange flavored yogurt
1 C. thawed whipped non-dairy topping
1/2 C. canned mandarin orange slices - drained and
broken into pieces
Combine yogurt and whipped topping together in a bowl and stir with a spoon.
Add mandarin orange slice and stir. Spoon into the pie shell. Cover with plastic
wrap and chill.
Tip: You can also freeze this pie and thaw
slightly before serving.
Use a black decorating tube to make a jack-o-lantern
face for Halloween.
With the wonderful selection of flavored yogurts available,
your child can try different flavor combinations:
Vanilla yogurt with banana slices
Lemon and lime yogurt combined
Peach yogurt with canned peach piece
After School Snacks - Recipes and Tips for Healthy Kids Snacks
Once children are in school for a full day it can be 6 hours or longer between lunch and dinner. This is far too long for active children. After school snacks are part of a healthy diet.
A nutritious snack will give your kids the "pick-me-up" they need to concentrate on homework, after school sports and household chores. The operative word here is nutritious. Here are a few favorite after school snack ideas!
Dippers
It's amazing how quickly children will gobble up vegetables, as long as they are served with dip. Keep a bowl of carrots, celery, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes available for grabbing after school. Most of these dips
will also taste delicious with Pita Bread or tortilla triangles, French
bread, or large pretzel sticks.
Ranch Dip is a favorite, but you can experiment with others.
Mix a 16oz. container of lite sour cream with dry soup mixes like tomato, vegetable or onion. Allow the dip to blend over night or mix it up in the morning.
Cream Cheese Dip
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese with chives
1 (5 ounce) container sharp processed cheese food.
My children really love hummus for dipping vegetables and/or Pita bread.
I'm not always able to make it myself. So to keep up with the demand,
I purchase 16 oz. tubs from the grocery store.
Keep a jar of marinara sauce in the fridge.
After school or play, warm up a small bowl of sauce and serve it with bread
sticks for dipping.
Fruit Dips
Any of these dips taste delicious with apples, pears, bananas,
peaches or berries.
Fruit Dip #1
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Fruit dip #2
Combine cream cheese and crushed pineapple to the desired taste and consistency. This also tastes delicious when made made with
canned mandarin oranges instead of pineapple. Drain as much of the
fruit juice as possible to avoid a runny dip.
Fruit Dip # 3
Mix cream cheese, apple sauce a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar.
Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Baked Cheese Bites
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
6 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter, melted
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Lightly grease a large cookie sheet.
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Stir in the cheddar cheese and melted butter to form a firm dough. Roll pieces of dough into ropes as big around as a penny. Slice into 1/4 inch pieces. You may need to chill the dough until firm for better rolling.
Place the slices onto the prepared cookie sheet, 1 inch apart.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the bottoms of the coins are lightly
toasted and the tops are firm. Allow to cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
English Muffin "Pizzas"
Children enjoy making this one themselves!
Spread Spaghetti sauce on English muffin halves.
Top with sliced olives, deli slices, vegetables and grated mozzarella cheese. Heat in a toaster oven, or microwave until the cheese is melted.
The Snack Zone
Bugs on Log Smiley Face Fun Fun Chips Kid’s love to dip… I made it myself ! You’ve likely prepared hundreds of lunches over the years. If you just can’t bear to pack another PB&J, use these tips to plan for a year of fun and nutritious school lunches that your child WON’T want to trade!
Just like adults.... when children arrive home famished, they will grab whatever is easiest. Often, it's not the healthiest food options they gravitate to first. Keep a few of the above recipes prepared and ready
to go. Assign a shelf or drawer in the refrigerator as the "snack shelf"
and jar or cupboard space for non perishables. This is where the kids
can grab a quick snack and don't have to ask first. Then, stock cut fruit, vegetables, dips, cheese slices etc. A variety of healthy snack options
will keep your little ones from getting bored and everyone will be happy.
Fill your child's lunchbox with healthy and fun lunches they'll actually eat! 
Get your child to eat a healthy lunch, without a lot of extra packaging, preservatives and sugar. Here are some favorite school lunch recipes and tips to help you prepare healthy lunches all school year!
A Few Easy Fool-Proof Lunch Recipes
Cookie Cutter Sandwiches
Any sandwich cut with a large cookie cutter; star, heart,
dinosaur, animals, etc. will become an irresistible treat!
Pin Wheel Sandwiches
Spread your child's favorite sandwich filling onto a tortilla
Roll it up and slice it into smaller pieces. Our favorite
fillings are - peanut butter and jelly, lunch meat with cream cheese or Laughing Cow Cheese®.
Cheesy Stars
Use a small star cookie cutter to cut cheddar cheese
pieces. In a separate bag provide crackers or apple slices. You can also use the cookie cutter to cut bologna,
ham or turkey.
An old favorite with kids - Fill celery with cream cheese or peanut butter and top with raisins. An equally delicious alternative to peanut butter is cream cheese or Laughing Cow Cheese®
Spread peanut butter or cream cheese on a rice cake.
Make a face using raisins or any dried fruit and a full
head of hair with coconut flakes. This is a bit hard to pack for a lunch but a zip close plastic bag usually works
pretty well.
Cookie Dippers
Send vanilla wafer cookies along with a favorite yogurt.
Kids love to dip and this way they are getting less sugar
than most packaged treats.
Use large cookie cutters to cut a flour tortilla or wrap.
Arrange on cookie sheet and toast in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 mins.
Send to school plain or with bean dip for dipping.
Try brushing a very small amount of olive oil or cooking spray.
Then sprinkle parmesan cheese or cinnamon sugar. If you try the cinnamon sugar, send the chips along with a container of applesauce for dipping.
Pack string cheese and rolled meat slices with a honey
mustard dressing for dipping.
I find that my children are more apt to eat a brown bag lunch they've helped to make. Whether it's the cookies they baked with me or the sandwich they made in the morning.
Packaging
The retail world knows...enticing packaging sells. Especially when it comes to kids. Unfortunately, what's inside is not always nutritious. Solve this dilemma by generating your own fun packaging. Before the school year begins, stock up on cheerfully colored re-usable containers, fun party napkins and stickers for plastic bags. A healthy lunch will be fun to eat!
• Plan Ahead
It's tempting too revert to packaged junk food or boring lunches when your short on time.
Planning ahead will help you feel better about what your children are eating.
• Involve the Kids
Children are more likely to eat what they've prepared.
Discuss a lunch menu, new try new recipes and fun ideas.
Add these items to the grocery list.
• Taste Test
Trying new foods is important, but a school lunch is not the time to pack foods that have yet to
pass your child's taste test. Try new things at home first and keep of list of favorites.
• Get Organized:
Once the menu items are purchased spend some time on early preparation; grate cheese, wash fruits
and vegetables, prepare snack mixes, and dips, cut grapes into clusters, place juice boxes in the
freezer etc. this will take about an hour of your weekend, but will save so much time during the week!
• Storage Issues
Who has time in the morning to rush around looking for plastic containers, not to mention a matching
lid (always an issue in our house)?
Before the school year begins, treat yourself to a new set on plastic lunch containers.
Store them where the kids can reach, with zip-top bags, lunch bags, thermoses, wood craft sticks for
spreading, plastic spoons, forks, napkins and straws. Every so often check to see if it’s time to restock
or even better ask the kids.
• EWW, Gross mom!
Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold and sandwiches from getting soggy.
Purchase and use thermoses for their intended purpose.
Freeze juice pouches and boxes, they’ll help keep things cold.
I place frozen juice boxes in a plastic bag to avoid condensation moisture.
Pack lettuce and tomato separately to be added to sandwiches when they’re ready to eat.
Save or purchase ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard pouches to add to sandwiches at school (too
hard for little ones).
• How to keep apples from turning brown.
Keep a small water spray bottle filled with lemon juice and water in the ‘fridge.
Spray the cut apples before packing.
• Include these items in your back to school shopping so you’ll be prepared
to make a fun lunch every day!
Large set of kid’s cookie cutters; animal shapes, holidays, letters, and a
variety of objects.
Stickers, stickers and more stickers. Pick up the packages that rare on-
sale to use throughout the year.
Check out your party supply store for discontinued packs of napkins on
sale. Select favorite characters, themes and holidays.
Copyright . Hollywood Hills Elementary PTA. All rights reserved.