Yikes! There are Kids in My Kitchen...

Moving Reminder...

2010-04-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Visit http://www.jodiefitz.com/ where you will find more conversation about what's happening in my kitchen, the life of the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club, my upcoming book release and more great recipes. I look forward to your visit at http://www.jodiefitz.com/.

Remember to mix it up & mess it up and have fun in the kitchen!

Penanaberry Smoothie

2010-04-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

visit http://www.jodiefitz.com/ for the recipe.

Little Change-Big Difference....

2010-04-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

Visit http://www.jodiefitz.com/ for more details...

The Great Egg Drop!

2010-04-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

Learn more details by visiting http://www.jodiefitz.com/

Film Day Fun

2010-04-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

Check out all of our film day fun by visiting http://www.jodiefitz.com/

Film Day Prep...

2010-04-06T20:02:00.001-07:00

http://www.jodiefitz.com/

Food Experiments

2010-04-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.jodiefitz.com/

The Blog is Moving....

2010-04-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready to move to:

http://www.jodiefitz.com/

We'll keep you posted!

Bunny Breakfast...

2010-04-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for our Great Egg Drop and wanted to experiment with a possible donut treat for breakfast. It's ending up to be a cute addition to our plans.

Supplies needed:

Powdered bavarian creme donuts
Powdered donut holes
White chocolate
White Frosting
Black gel frosting
Black permanent marker
Waxed paper

1. Draw the shape of a bunny ear on the waxed paper, approximately three inches long. Flip the waxed paper over onto a hard surface so that the marker lines are facing downward (a baking sheet works great). The lines will still be visible through the waxed paper.

2. Starting with a half cup of white chocolate morsels, melt them in a glass bowl in the microwave for one minute on high. Stir the white chocolates until they have all melted together.

3. Using a spoon fill in the bunny ear lines and let the white chocolate set in the refrigerator until hardened.

4. Cut the bavarian creme donuts in half and place the flat side onto a dish or tray. This will serve as the bunny body.

5. Use the black gel to create bunny faces on the donut hole.

6. Use white frosting to create a tail using either a caking decorating utensil or by placing frosting into a plastic bag and cutting a corner to squeeze the frosting through.

7. Also use some of the white frosting to connect the donut hole to the bunny body.

8. Using a sharp knife, make a slice in the top of the donut whole and place the bunny ears inside

The Perfect Book for a Picky Eater...

2010-04-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Great Book for picky eaters and parents of picky eaters! It's all about Lola who doesn't really think she likes any foods at all, until her big sister Charlie tricks her into thinking all of the food she doesn't like is from exotic places like Jupiter and special supermarkets for mermaids under the sea. Lola reluctantly begins to eat and surprisingly tries it all finding foods she actually likes!

Double Bunny Food...

2010-04-01T04:06:00.000-07:00

There are five people in our family, which is why we double the bunny food in our house. Leading into the holiday weekend we thought it would be fun to have tonight. And, for a busy night it wasn't to tough to create, which is always a plus no matter what day of the week; there are many activities for little hands to help. I absolutely LOVE the sauteed vegetables with just a bit of garlic (my favorite). The garlic is so subtle that the kids don't mind it one bit & it's good for them.

You can grab this recipe by visiting; http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6914

Another Healthy Kid Visit...

2010-04-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

We visited another school this past week. Dianne and I visited the PreK-K program and kicked it off with the Story of Lola and Charlie titled, I Won't Ever Eat a Tomato! And, then I had a chance to chat with them and make a healthy dessert alternative.

We then visited with grades 1st through 8th....

They loved making the dessert, Mini Flower Pots. It's a travelling staple...old to the blog,

but new to each school I visit.

Surprisingly, 4th grade told me it was better than chocolate...

Great Classroom Treat!

2010-03-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

Need a quick, but tasty treat for the classroom party this week? Try a stuffed cupcake! And, for added fun make them in an Easter Egg shaped cupcake tin that you can typically find in your local craft store baking section.

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6912

Healthy Dinner Option...

2010-03-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Get in the mood for the upcoming holiday or just simply have fun in the kitchen and try Bunny Food for Dinner! It's a great way to get kids to try vegetables...

Grab the recipe by visiting:
http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6914

Health Fair

2010-03-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

I spent the day at the Price Chopper Health Fair, which took place at one of the Price Chopper locations in Colonie. It was a great event and I met a lot of people. I ended up making over 200 Mini Flower Pots with visitors at the event. The kids loved the treat! It's a great healthy dessert alternative for kids of all ages...

3 oz. Price Chopper Strawberry low fat/fat free yogurt

3 oz. Price Chopper Blueberry low fat/fat free yogurt

3 oz. Price Chopper fat free whipped topping

Strawberries

Blueberries

Mini fillo dough

Simply mix the yogurts and whipped topping together gently. Fill each fillo dough 1/2 full. Cut the strawberries into strips and place three of them into the fillo dough as flower pedals and one blueberry in the center. Whola...fun and delicious!

This recipe is great for classroom parties, birthdays or any time.

Dinner time..

2010-03-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

I came home after a VERY long day, so everyone pitched in and played a role in helping to prep dinner. Cooking together is my favorite way to create a meal, because it gives me a few quality moments during the craziness of everyone's schedules and as they get older, it surprisingly goes much quicker.

We had chicken fajitas, which is a quick and easy staple in my home. I can squeeze in a little of everything in one main dish; protein, dairy, whole grain and vegetables!

My youngest was in charge of shredding the cheese and I love using this self contained shredder for little hands...it avoids any knuckles meeting the grater. We used the Monterey cheese with jalapeno peppers mixed throughout to add a little spice of flavor.

My almost 13 year old is now old enought to wash and slice the peppers. WAHOO!

I broiled the chicken, sautéed the peppers with sweet onions and a little olive oil, warmed the whole grain wraps and set up everything buffet style on the counter. Everyone loves making their own! We served salad with the fajitas and were good to go.

I do believe the more they cook, the more they try and the healthier they eat!

Healthy Kids...

2010-03-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Today the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club launched a Healthy Kid Initiative. As a part of our program we visited a public school and spent the day with 450 students. We started the day with an assembly that featured 'Cook Your Way through a Healthy Day!', which the kids enjoyed and then...

I spent the afternoon making a healthy snack with students, which they loved! We made my Mini Flower Pots which is a great recipe to demonstrate how much they can do themselves and

we talked about healthy dessert alternatives.

We teamed up with Registered Dietitian Dianne Fagan who taught the kids all about the importance of nutrition, played games with them and shared the Price Chopper NuVal system and how it can help the students make better choices when they are shopping with their parents.

Kids Club on the Road...

2010-03-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Friday, March 19

4 - 7 pm

Clay Price Chopper

3863 State St.

Liverpool, NY

Saturday, March 20

10am - 1 pm

Erie Blvd. Price Chopper

2515 Erie Blvd.

Syracuse, NY

Saturday, March 27

Noon - 4 pm

Health and Wellness Open House

Colonie Price Chopper

1892 Central Ave.

Albany, NY

GREEN EGGS AND HAM...

2010-03-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we don't celebrate with the typical St. Patrick's Day tradition of Corned Beef and Cabbage, but I try to incorporate a little green. I had an entire plan to serve Green Eggs and Ham, but with a teenager and a tweenager in the house I forgot ...if it's in the frig, cupboards or pantry it's free game unless otherwise noted....

So, happily getting ready to prep dinner on a busy night I suddenly found that there was no ham to cooked! YIKES...NO HAM! So, plan B went into action....I pulled out the eggs, the cheese (a miracle that was still available), red peppers, asparagus and whole wheat toast. I became a short order cook and made omelets to order....

Yes, even asparagus made an appearance. Believe it or not, my youngest will only eat asparagus with eggs and eggs with asparagus...so green was still a focus on St. Patrick's Day and Sam I am should have tried a little bit of green asparagus vs. food dye!

The Leprechaun's did visit...

2010-03-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

Every year we set traps to catch the leprechauns and every year they dismantle them and have fun playing tricks on us...

They took all of the coins we used to coax them into the traps; they weren't fooled! They did leave a note and some chocolate coins in place of the real ones. I guess they added our coins to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

At breakfast they didn't turn the entire container of milk green, but they did magically turn the white milk green as it mixed with the cereal...HMMMM! Those little leprechauns are very tricky. Some how they got into the food coloring. I wonder how big they really are?!?!?!?!

Maybe we'll have better luck catching them next year....

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Film Day Fun....Fast Forward to Mother's Day!

2010-03-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day will be here before we know it! We filmed yesterday and it felt like Mother's Day...the temperature hit 63 degrees and the sky was a gorgeous bright blue! But, while the yards are still muddy, we enjoyed filming easy, but delicious breakfasts that kids can make for mom...

Breakfast Fruit Pizza....

Eggs on the Run...

Blueberry Blaster Smoothie

And, we did it all without a stove and without sharp knives keeping it all safe and fun. Stay tuned for May's release! http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/

Magically Fun Cupcake Recipe

2010-03-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

I’m always creating and combining to get the biggest ‘wow’ possible out of a boxed mix while keeping it as simple as can be! Why? Because, although my intentions are always right on when I sign up for all of the school parties at the beginning of the school year, it’s inevitable, that by time they roll around that our schedules are jammed full with activities sending us in several directions at once.

However, baking an easy recipe in the middle of a crazy week or cooking dinner together allows for a few stolen moments in the middle of a chaotic schedule. When we were mixing and playing, these cupcakes started out in one direction and then became magically fun all on their own. You will see that they begin layered, change during the baking process and create their own marbleized design that’s fun and tasty!

Magically Fun Cupcakes make for an easy quick fix to add to the Leprechaun Magic for the kids in your life this year!

Magically Fun Cupcakes

1 box Price Chopper white cake mix
Green Food Coloring
1.75 oz. rainbow sprinkles
12 oz. white chocolate morsels
Cupcake liners

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Mix the cake mix as directed. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. Add approximately ten drops of food coloring into one bowl of batter and stir until the color has been evenly distributed. Add the rainbow sprinkles to the other batter and stir until the sprinkles have been evenly distributed.

In a lined cupcake pan, evenly distribute the green batter to create the first layer in the cupcake liner. For the second layer, add one tablespoon of white chocolate morsels on top of the green batter. And finally, evenly distribute the rainbow batter into the cupcake liners to create the top layer.

Bake as directed.

Makes approximately 18 cupcakes.

White Chocolate Frosting

3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup butter, softened
¼ cup milk
6 oz. white chocolate morsels
Green food coloring (optional)
Green sugar crystals (optional)

Mix the confectioner’s sugar, extract, butter and milk until smooth. Add in the food coloring, approximately 5 to seven drops, and mix until the color is even distributed.

In a glass bowl, melt the white chocolate on high in the microwave for one minute. Stir the chocolate to thoroughly melt the morsels. Add the white chocolate to the frosting and mix.

Frost the cupcakes and top with the sugar crystals.

Blarney Stones

2010-03-12T06:26:00.000-08:00

St. Patrick’s Day has always been a fun and fanciful time for our children. It’s a ‘lucky day’ when those mischievous little leprechaun’s visit our house and sometimes the classrooms leaving upheaval in their path and prankster tricks along the way. We have tried for years to capture one of those little guys with our kids, but the only success we’ve had was to find a very tiny note or a piece or some threads from their clothing.

This year we are going to try to entice them with some BLARNEY STONES. What’s a blarney stone? In reality, there is a castle in Ireland called a Blarney Castle and there are legends about kissing the Blarney Stone. After a little homework, I have no intentions of ever hanging upside down hundreds of feet in the air to reach and kiss the blarney stone with no safety net below and yet tourists do it every year. However, that being said, if you are braver than I, apparently if you do kiss the blarney stone you might get some sweet talking bestowed upon you.

Well with the luck of the Irish, I think I’ll stick with this sweet talking recipe I created and have a little fun in the kitchen where no safety net is needed and magically try to catch the leprechaun who visits us each year with my youngest who is still in search of capturing ‘Lucky the Leprechaun’.

Blarney Stones
By Jodie Fitz

8 oz. Price Chopper cream cheese softened
3 ½ cups Price Chopper confectioner’s sugar
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Green food coloring
12 oz. Price Chopper milk chocolate morsels

Mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar and extract together; approximately 8 – 10 minutes. Do not add milk, the ingredients will appear dry at first and then will cream together. Add in three to five drops of food coloring and mix until the color is evenly distributed.

Spoon small clumps, approximately two inches apart onto a waxed surface (baking sheet) and refrigerate at least an hour. After the refrigeration, roll the cream cheese clumps into balls and slightly flatten. Return them to the refrigerator while melting the morsels.

In a glass bowl melt the chocolate morsels in a microwave on high for one minute. Even if they do not look melted, stir them before re-microwaving. Often the morsels will melt in the stirring process. If you have to place them back into the microwave, use 30 second intervals followed by stirring.

Dip each cream cheese mixture into the chocolate and cover completely. Return the ‘blarney stones’ back to the wax covered baking sheet and refrigerate again. Once the chocolate has hardened you can move them to a large snap and seal bag for storage or other air tight container. Keep them refrigerated until they have all magically disappeared.

NOTE: Recipe yields approximately 55 – 60 blarney stones depending on your clump size.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from our kitchen to yours and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

Counting Down to St. Patrick's Day!

2010-03-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

We are counting down with St. Patrick's Day Fun and launching off with Lucky Leprechaun Bites. These fun little snacks barely made it out of the kitchen on film day with little fingers sneaking bites every chance they had!

It's definitely a little bite with a big taste; perfect for fooling Leprechaun's!

Grab the recipe by visiting;

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6913/Leprechaun_Bites/

Definitely worth a try....

2010-03-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, this one is definitely worth a try on a snow day or any day before the snow melts. So, grab a little snow from what's left, pack it down good into a clean bucket/dish and get ready to try taffied syrup.

Ingredients Needed:

Pure Maple Syrup

Snow

Candy themometer

Place the maple syrup in a pan on the stove, and stirring consistently, boil the syrup until it reaches 235 degrees on the candy themometer. Pour it onto a clean, hard packed snow surface. As the syrup cools it forms into a taffied state. Break a piece that is hard and let it melt in your mouth. Definitely a fun experiment we learned while visiting a Maple Festival yesterday. We all sampled a lot of different products made with maple sugar and got a sneak peek at the the trees being tapped and the latest syrup collection process.

Did you know?!?!

* Canada is the largest Maple Syrup maker in North America

* Vermont produces the most Maple Syrup in the United States

Tiger Tails

2010-03-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

Finally, the Tiger Tails were rolled, twisted, forked on the ends and baked.

A funny thing happens in my house, while cooling on the baking rack the Tiger Tails continue to disappear. Any ideas on where the crumbs might lead?

2010-03-05T17:04:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a little bit of a crazy week. So, I will admit to celebrate Chinese New Year it was all about ordering Chinese Food; YUM. There are some things worth ordering....vs....making. But, we still squeazed in making our version of a Chinese Lanterns and whipped up our Tiger Tail dough, which now sits in the refrigerator, covered and waiting for tomorrow's tail twisting fun!

Here's to the Year of the Tiger!

Magical Find while experimenting...

2010-03-05T04:26:00.000-08:00

We were working on a new recipe and magically found, what I have named, Magically Fun Cupcakes. I have given it the name because it was a total unexpected response to what we had planned. And, accidental finds are always so much more fun! They are perfect for St. Patrick's Day and so I just finished up an article for Saratoga Today and after it releases next week I will put the recipe up on my blog. Thumbs Up for fun and taste! We're counting down until the Leprechaun's visit!

The Year of the Tiger!

2010-03-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

The Chinese New Year Celebration started on February 15th this year and ended 15 days later, which meant wrapping up yesterday; March 2nd!

We have a busy household with three kids involved in different activities; so, we aren't always right on target. But, it doesn't mean we won't throw in a little fun here and there and still learn along the way. This coming weekend we will have our own mini lantern celebration and make some Tiger Tail cookies; a recipe I created several years ago before we even knew the Year of the Tiger was on its way.

I'm not fully certain what the year of the tiger means, but red envelopes with well wishes, lanterns and cookies are a great combination to whip up some fun in the kitchen over the weekend!

Tiger Tails

Cookie Dough:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 ½ cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
4 ½ cups flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
½ teaspoon salt
Orange food coloring

Cream together the butter and sugars. Add in the eggs; mix. Add the vegetable oil and mix. Add flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; mix. Separate the mixture into two equal parts, placing them in separate bowls.

In one half of the dough mixture, add the cocoa powder and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. In the other half of the dough mixture, add the orange extract and orange food color. Cover and let the dough’s set in the refrigerator for at least three hours.

After the dough has refrigerated, take a small amount of the chocolate mixture and roll it like a play dough snake, set aside. Take a small amount of the orange dough and do the same. Take the two colors and twist them together, repeating until all of the dough has been used.

Place the cookies on an un-greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8 – 10 minutes. Let cool completely and glaze.

Glaze Recipe

1 cup confectioner's sugar
4 teaspoon water

Mix confectioner's sugar and water together and spread on the cookies with a pastry brush or drizzle over the top using a spoon. Let set and serve.

What's Happening in My Kitchen Today

2010-03-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

We are currently experimenting with soft baked pretzels...we will keep you posted on our progress! The kids aren't minding this taste testing experience and I am putting my spin on an oldie, but goodie that makes for great family fun.

In the meantime, we are enjoying a very good after school snack that's healthy too!

MINI BITES
http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6850/Mini_Bites/_SS_43FT9RC19110758P79e259FENspN6L5k4F664F%7C2517%7C1003011541%7C%7C%7C

What's for Dinner

2010-02-27T18:14:00.000-08:00

Everyone pitched in to help make dinner. My seven year old cracked a dozen eggs for our crustless quiche and WAHOO we are making progress; the more she cracks (a job she likes) the less shells to remove...she is really improving...a benefit to cooking often!

My middle guy grated the sharp cheese and made what we dubbed the 'hay stack'. It was like a game; he wanted to see if he could make it all fit on the lunch plate vs. using a larger surface. He met the challenge with success and hence the 'hay stack' came about.

In the end we made a crustless quiche with eggs, spinach, turkey bacon, turkey sausage and cheese. The vote:

Thumbs up from the 12 year old.

Thumbs down from the 7 year old, but she tried it!

So-so from the dad in our house and our oldest wasn't home to try it or vote...

Bananas....

2010-02-26T08:41:00.000-08:00

My daughter will not eat bananas straight up! But, she will eat them with a layer of peanut butter, a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a topping of Grape Nuts! And, as you can see from the plate she LOVES to create this meal ALL ON HER OWN! No complaints here...healthy, tasty, quick fixin' and fun!

Winter Fun in the Kitchen

2010-02-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

Our kitchen is typically used for experimenting and we are continuing that practice just a little differently today.

We were bombarded with snow and it was that good old fashioned snow that's perfect for making snowmen...snowball wars and anything else you can sculpt. During our fort building, snow man building occasional snowball pellet activities one of my kids said, "Wouldn't it be fun to whip out snow balls in the middle of July and just hit someone with one and see what happens...." So, I said..."go ahead make a few snow balls, we'll freeze them and see what happens!"

So, my freezer currently is the host of Snowballs for July! Hey, they're only kids once....and why not?!?

The Elbow Squash!

2010-02-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

A mom just sent me some photo's with permission ot use them from the Snow Ball Cookie making event last week. It's the perfect cature of the Elbow Squash that took place that I was referring to in my earlier blog;

"Did she say do a crummy job and squash the cookies?"

"Wait a minute...that other kid isn't using his hands to crumble up the cookies..."

"Well if my big sister isn't using her hands, I'm not either!"

And, so was the invention of one creative child in each session that lead the others to follow suit and begin what is now known as the Elbow Squash in the Snow Ball Cookie frenzy!

Snowballs on the Inside!

2010-02-22T19:34:00.000-08:00

There were many hands to help mix up the Snowball Cookies and everyone got a chance to add ingredients, stir it up and roll their own snow balls!

After we added the ingredients for the base everyone had to crush up some cookies to add; one of their favorite parts of the process. Amazingly, in each session it would take one child to start crushing their cookies with their elbows and the entire room would follow suit. We had three sessions and it happened every time. Even my own guys, who are pretty creative with their cooking (AKA potato head) haven't thought of the elbow crushing cooking move, which made it rather fascinating that it happened in each session. Funny!

In the end, they loved the rolling and dipping ...

and ultimately the eating!

Thanks for joining me! And, remember don't throw these snowballs at your mom or dad!

What's Up this Week?!?!?

2010-02-20T14:31:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 26

4:30 pm

Albany Mommies Event

Tumbling Tykes

1050 Troy Schenectady Rd.

Latham, NY

Stay tuned for more cooking fun in March...

Film Day!

2010-02-19T04:28:00.000-08:00

We were filming forward for April and with a focus on Eath Day we cooked up a fun dinner at the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club. We made the Ring of Fire for the main course...

Volcanic Ashed Potatoes as our side dish. But, everyone dived right in and ate them so we didn't even get a picture...Oh well. Stay tuned because it's a good recipe coming out in April; three thumbs up from the kids I cooked with....

And then we topped off our meal with fossil cookies for dessert.

It was a great day !

Behind the Scenes!

2010-02-19T04:17:00.000-08:00

Usually film day is hectic, but relatively smooth going. As part of prep one of every recipe being filmed has to be made in advance. Some recipes can be done the day before and others the morning of! This month I had two recipes that had to be done the morning of the shoot. One dish (thank goodness the easier of the two) got left in the oven and forgotten! When the oven went back on for pre-heat for the second recipe it over cooked the first. I pulled in the troops for a little help! And instead I got comic relief......

and more clean up! But, they can peel a mean potato and we ended up with carved potatoes of the camera man by two helpers that then lead to a voting session for everyone on site.

All ended well!

A Veggie Tale...

2010-02-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

I love conversations with the kids I meet when I am out and about cooking in the community. Just the other day I was chatting away with a little girl and I thought I'd share our discussion as it matches one of my theories;

Little Girl: I made vegetable soup!
Me: That's great! Did you like the taste of vegetables?
Little Girl: Yes
Me: Do you usually like vegetables
Little Girl: (hesitation) No, not really.
Me: So, why do you think you liked the vegetables in vegetable soup?
Little Girl: (shrugs shoulders) I don't know?
Me: I know....it's because you helped to make the vegetable soup. Your fingers are magical and when they cook, they help to add extra special flavors. So, I bet if you cook vegetables more often you'll like them!
Little Girl: :)

I have found with my own kids that the more they help, the more they try. And, the more they try, the more foods they find that they like including those infamous veggies!

Snow Ball Cookies...Great Winter Fun!

2010-02-17T03:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was in a community making Snow Ball Cookies! It was the perfect day on a winter break for some inside fun; while we were making snow balls inside it was snowing outside. Despite the weather, almost everyone who signed up still joined in the cooking rolling, snow ball dipping fun.

You can grab the recipe at the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club:

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6828/Snowballs/

Snow Ball Tips:

Let the kids get more involved...

1. We eliminated the candy canes for the season.

2. The kids crushed the cookies by hand using snap and seal freezer bags; WAY MORE FUN!

3. If you let the butter and cream cheese set to room temperature, the kids can stir this recipe with a spoon...no electronics needed!

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T18:14:00.000-08:00

Raspberry Cream Chocolates

A tasty Valentine’s delight

by Jodie Fitz

Whenever I think Valentine’s, I think CHOCOLATE! And, although I’m certain my quick fix on the chocolate making regime would make any professional chocolatier cringe, this recipe will certainly prove to be some tasty homemade fun. And, of course time well spent experimenting with the kids in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
1/2 envelope Price Chopper unflavored gelatin
1 teaspoons raspberry extract
4 oz Price Chopper whipping cream
¼ cup Price Chopper confectioner’s sugar
Red food coloring
Price Chopper raspberry preserves
12 oz. Price Chopper chocolate morsels
5 oz. cold cups

Boil the water in a pan, remove it from the heat and add the unflavored gelatin. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved completely. Add in the raspberry extract and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Using scissors cut the top of the cups off so that you have approximately one inch high cups. Place the cups onto a baking sheet. Pour 6 – 8 oz. of chocolate into a glass bowl and melt them in the microwave on high for one minute. The chocolate may not look fully melted until you stir it thoroughly. Place a portion of milk chocolate into the cup and spread it around to cover the base and sides of the inside of the cup. Make certain the area is covered well, if the chocolate is to thin the cups will break when you unmold them later. Place the chocolate cups into the refrigerator and let them set until they have hardened.

Mix the whipping cream, confectioner’s sugar and two drops of red food coloring together until the cream has thickened. This is a great opportunity to teach your children about the peak test to be certain the cream has been mixed well. Fold in the gelatin water. Let the mixture set for approximately 30 – 60 minutes in the refrigerator.

Melt the remaining chocolate, following the directions above. Place one teaspoon of raspberry preserves in to the chocolate cup, top the preserves with two teaspoons of the whipped mixture, and top it off with a layer of melted chocolate that will seal the cup. Set the desserts into the refrigerator until the chocolate has fully hardened; approximately 30 minutes. Carefully peel the cup from the chocolate and serve.

Note: For an added decorative touch melt white chocolate and drizzle on top before serving or top with extra whipped cream.

An Explosion of Flavor....

2010-02-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, this breakfast isn't the type of breakfast you will want to make every day, but it's perfect for special occasions; especially Valentine's! It's a mouth watering treat that will leave your kids wanting more and with Valentine's falling on the weekend, why not? It's my Volcanic Pancake Recipe that has a great combination that's really not difficult to create, but a lot of fun with a great reaction when served to your special someone(s). Enjoy...

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6890/Volcanic_Pancakes/

Avoid the mouth wrinkling, nose scrunching response to vegetables...

2010-02-11T11:13:00.000-08:00

I don't necessarily know what it is about kids and vegetables, but when they hear the word they love to wrinkle their mouths, shake their heads and scrunch their noses. And, with that response parents, including me, are left trying to figure out how to get these nutrient packed foods into our growing kid’s bodies. But sometimes, I like to say, the key to eating vegetables is the way you play.

It might not be every day that you want to cut up everything to create a fun snack, but my simple spread with a few uniquely cut vegetables can turn a boring wheat cracker along with boring veggies into something that's delicious and fun to assemble and looking fabulous enough to attempt to eat. Once they've taken the bite they just might find out how much they like vegetables vs. thinking they don't and hence you might avoid the mouth wrinkling, nose scrunching faces.

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6891/Fun_with_Veggies%21/

Valentine's Cookies

2010-02-09T19:00:00.000-08:00

Quick and Easy Valentine's cookies!

This is a great recipe! Often, in the hustle and bustle of life standing at the oven just isn't an option; even though intentions were honorable when the signups for the classroom parties were put out in September.

Making Quick and Easy Valentine's Cookies is a perfect way to still steal a few moments and allow the kids to be a part of the process without making the dough, letting it set for three hours, cutting them out, standing at the oven every 10 minutes and finally decorating them when the schedule just couldn't lend the time....

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6892/Quick_and_Easy_Valentine%60s_Day_Treats/

Rice Krispie Treats in Football Action!

2010-02-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

My 12 year old and I had an idea and we put it into action! We made rice krispie treats adding some peanut butter, shaped them into footballs, dipped them in chocolate and added the final touches with white icing. YUMMY!

Highlight of the Weekend

2010-02-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

I spent the weekend in Connecticut cooking up a whirlwind of fun! I spent Friday evening at the Imagine Nation Museum and was a part of their Chocolate Factory Evening, which was very well attended and enjoyed by the community! I made chocolate covered pretzels with over 200 visitors to my station and my volunteens for the event were fabulous and enjoyed a sneak dip whenever they had the chance!

On Saturday I appeared on the Connecticut NBC Morning Show to chat about cooking with kids and the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club. It was fun cooking in their kitchen which was beautifully designed and fully stocked so when I needed an extra plate it was no problem...simply opened the cupboard and whola!

And, then I was off to the Price Chopper in Bristol that afternoon to make Mini Flower Pots with customers in the store and promoting the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club! Whirlwind indeed...back home again...jiggity jig to get the Super Bowl Food ready for my kids and their friends and our neighbors who joined us for the festivities...and, I ate way too much!

February Fun at the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club!

2010-02-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 5

5 - 8 pm

Chocolate Factory Festival

Imagine Nation Museum

One Pleasant Street

Bristol, CT

Saturday, February 6

10 am - 1 pm

Bristol Price Chopper

121 Farmington Ave.

Bristol, CT

February 16

1 pm

Winter Fun

Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Library

2 Laumar Lane

Burnt Hills, NY

Friday, February 26

4:30 pm

Albany Mommies Event

Tumbling Tykes

1050 Troy Schenectady Rd.

Latham, NY

Strawberry Smoothie with a twist...

2010-02-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

Strawberry Smoothie

by Jodie Fitz

1 cup Price Chopper frozen strawberries
1 teaspoon Price Chopper vanilla extract
½ cup Price Chopper low fat milk
6 oz. Price Chopper vanilla yogurt
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon Price Chopper honey
1 cup ice

Add all of the ingredients into the blender and blend away! I actually put the strawberries in the blender frozen and have found that it makes for a thicker and colder more milk shake like drink that has received a thumbs up from the kids in my family. However, you can thaw the strawberries in advance, which will give you a slightly sweeter drink. I use the freshly frozen, unsweetened strawberries for this recipe.

Healthy tip: use low fat and/or organic dairy products.

Valentine's Chocolates

2010-02-04T16:23:00.000-08:00

A sneak peek at next week's recipe! More on the how to's coming your way...

Learning the Basics with a Twist

2010-02-02T18:27:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was teaching my son how to boil eggs and make Deviled Eggs; he loves them! But, of course, as like any recipe that enters into our kitchen I had to hand out a little taste testing challenge and maybe, just maybe see if I could squeeze in a little hidden vegetable and pull it off! The verdict.....success! Here is what we did;

1. Boiled six eggs.

2. Peeled the eggs.

3. Cut the eggs in half; length wise.

4. Removed the yolks.

5. Mashed the yolks.

6. Added to the yolks - 1 tablespoon mayo, 1 teaspoon mustard, 1 tablespoon of shredded or finely chopped carrots, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of paprika, a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper to taste.

7. Refilled the egg whites.

8. Taste Tested and Thumbs Up!

Blueberry Blaster

2010-02-01T05:33:00.000-08:00

A fabulously quick breakfast on the run or snack that tastes great!

Blueberry Blaster

by Jodie Fitz

1 cup frozen blueberries, thawed

6 oz. vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup ice

Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until it's thick and creamy. It's like a milkshake, but healthier!

Healthy note: Use low fat and/or organic dairy products.

WXXA Filming this Morning

2010-01-29T06:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, life never lacks for dull moments. Despite having lost power and completely throwing off my prep time for food! I still made it to WXXA this morning for a quick segment promoting our

Super Bowl Show Down recipes at the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club.

These recipes are great! They challenge kids to try new things and in the end, they've actually eaten healthy alternatives that taste like their not. It's a great way to mix up the super bowl menu, get kids in the kitchen helping and trying new things while the teams are out on the field!

Don't forget to visit this link to try Lava Juice...Flat Bread Sensations...and, Mini Bites!

http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/

They all got a 'thumbs up' from the crew this morning!

Fun on Film Day!

2010-01-27T17:32:00.000-08:00

Film day is always a fun day! The kids are excited to experiment and be a part of the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club and I love meeting them and having some fun in the kitchen as we stir up some new recipes to share. This month we filmed in preparation of St. Patrick's Day. We made Lucky Leprechaun Bites! YUM!

Somehow the plate was empty at the end of the shoot...leprechauns or kids?!?!?!?!

We also got a jump start and prepped a couple of recipes for Easter...starting with none other

than bunny food!

And, before they were all gone, we took a quick snapshot of our final recipe of the day,

Stuffed Strawberry Muffins!

Thanks Julia, Mia and Kenny for cooking with me at the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club!

The Kids Cooking Club is on the Move...

2010-01-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was having fun cooking with parents and their kids in North Greenbush, New York. We were busy making healthy snacks that were great for after school, classroom parties, birthday parties, tea parties or simply just for fun anytime! We had Fun with Veggies (coming out next month at http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/) and our Mini Yogurt Flower Pots.

Mini fillo cups, thawed

3 oz. Price Chopper strawberry yogurt
3 oz. Price Chopper blueberry yogurt
2.5 oz. Price Chopper whipped topping
Strawberries
Blueberries

1. Wash, rinse, remove the greens and slice the strawberries. Set aside.
2. Wash the blueberries and set aside.
3. Mix the yogurts and whipped topping together.
4. Fill the fillo cups with the yogurt mixture.
5. Arrange 3 - 4 strawberry slices on top of each yogurt filled cup to serve as your flower pedals. Place a blueberry in the center to finish off your flower.

Totally Awesome Cake!

2010-01-25T13:39:00.000-08:00

Every birthday and every occasion is just cause for celebrating a combination of flavors...yum! This cake was by special request of the now 7 year old in our household; it's our version of the Peanut Butter Candy Cake (recipe for another cookbook in the works). Notice, there are no more candies left on top, only imprints of a reminder of what once existed.

Shhh! Recipe to be released at a later date...and yes, there are some surprises in this one!

Today!

2010-01-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

Today I was at the Price Chopper in Latham, New York making Lava Juice!

It's a refreshing and delicious drink that got thumbs up from all of the tasters!

Tomorrow I'm off to make Mini Yogurt Flower Pots and other fun treats with veggies that are

coming out in next month's release. Stay tuned...

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6847/Lava_Juice/

From Drab to Fab...a Sugar Cookie Make Over

2010-01-22T10:15:00.000-08:00

Plain old sugar cookies wend from drab to fab for the class room birthday treat. They got a purple and pink frosting make over certain to make Barbie and any 7 year old girl proud!

Mission Accomplished!

Fun at the Times Union..

2010-01-21T12:37:00.000-08:00

Great news! My recipes will be featured in the Albany Times Union once a month along with my Price Chopper Kids Cooking activities on the Times Union 518 Moms blog! Today was a whole new experience with three of my recipes being photographed in still for the upcoming articles in February, March and April. More updates to come!

It was fun to spend the morning with Jennifer Gish (Times Union), Mike (Photographer) and Ruth Fantasia(Food Editor).

Rain Forest Bread or Eat your Fruits and Veggies?

2010-01-21T03:40:00.000-08:00

We’ve all turned the calendar to welcome in 2010 and most of us, if not all, have made some form of goal or resolution to ring in the New Year. For me, one of those goals includes balance and within that balance includes nutrition, which in my mommy vocabulary partially means – “EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGGIES!” If I only had a quarter for the number of times this phrase has resounded in my children’s ears and yet (joining the ranks of other parents here, there and everywhere), I still need to say it!

I do try, whenever possible, to go straight for the fresh fruits and veggies because my mom really did instill in me that the ‘whole’ is always better than the ‘part’. However, at the same time, when you have a picky eater then creativity has to rule! I have found three methods that have worked in my favor over the years;

1. get them in the kitchen cooking, they tend to try more,
2. if they won’t try it because they think they won’t like it; disguise it,
3. adopt my motto; some recipes are thumbs up, some are thumbs down, but you never know until you try!

Rainforest Bread is a great recipe that’s tasty and allows you to sneak in both fruits and vegetables that can be used as a snack, a side or for breakfast on the run. If the kids in your house turn their noses up at the very thought of cooking zucchini, pre-shred it, place it in a bowl and tell them they are secret leaves from the rain forest that have been shipped in specifically for their delight. Have some fun, mix it up and squeeze in those fruits and veggies whenever possible.

Rainforest Bread

1 cup sugar
1 cup applesauce
½ cup butter, softened
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups shredded zucchini
½ cup carrots
½ cup orange juice
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla together. Add in apple sauce, orange juice carrots and zucchini. Add in all dry ingredients; mix thoroughly. Stir in raisins. Bake in greased individual bread pans, cupcake tins or 13” x 9”pan until golden brown. Approximately one hour in bread pans and/or 13” x 9” pan.

The Hannah Montana Cake!

2010-01-19T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well, we just celebrated birthday extravaganza part one! You know how it goes...kid’s birthday, school treats, family celebration...etc, etc, etc...

I have made most of my children's cakes, but this year it became all about Price Chopper! And, it's not because of the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club...it's because of Hannah Montana; at least so I thought. The custom cake book is slightly to the right of the 'cookie club!' And, since my daughter loves to shop with me most weeks, she is very knowledgeable about how all of the sampling stations work especially the cookie club. It's the hi-light of the trip....along with collecting all of the other tidbits, trying to convince me to buy everything not on my list and picking vitamin water out at the end! It's a regular little routine....

Anyway, almost every trip has involved a peek at the cake book! And, all year long she has been holding out for THE Hannah Montana cake! In the end, it was not about the purple frosting, nor was it about the stardom of Hannah Montana; it was about the plastic singing headphones on top of the cake so that she could sing along to the music in the car...don't you love it? You never know what's going through their little minds....but, in the end she was happy and the cake was great!

What's Up in My Kitchen Today?!?!

2010-01-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

My kitchen was busy today, which is nothing unusual. My kids love it...we're always way ahead of the game in celebrating the upcoming holidays in my line of work! What kid wouldn't love a double celebration!!! And, in this case it was a TRIPLE celebration. WHY?!?! Because, when I made the first batch for pictures....they all mysteriously disappeared. I wonder if I follow the crumbs if it will lead me to a family of culprits?!?! Anyway...I've warned everybody that the second batch must survive picture taking and then the cupcakes are free game...

Today we were taking photos for an article coming out in February with one of my quick and easy time savings tips for classroom fun! Stay tuned for this raspberry filled cupcake...

the recipe will be posted on the blog!

Upcoming Events in January

2010-01-16T15:34:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 23

10 am - 1 pm

Loudon Price Chopper

837 New Loudon Rd.

Latham, NY

Sunday, January 24

11 am - 2 pm

Winter Carnival WIth Children's Guide

Woodland Hill Montessori School

100 Montessori Place

North Greenbush, NY

http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/

Keeping it Simple, but Fun...

2010-01-14T13:17:00.000-08:00

Recipes don't have to be complex to have fun, be fabulous or make an impression....

Iguana Icies

1 cup limeade
1 cup whipped topping
1 cup lemon lime soda
1 cup ice
½ tsp. vanilla

Put everything into the blender and mix. Serves 2.

1,000 Cookies?!?!?!?

2010-01-13T18:56:00.000-08:00

My 17 year old and his friend just made 1,000 chocolate chip cookies for the school bake sale. His friend decided to bake for extra credit and my son said he'd help!

They used my kitchen and did their version of clean up (YIKES!) It was fun to have the revolving door of activity and nonstop chatter. My house smells really gooooood and they left us a dozen :) I'll miss them when they go to college! It's funny how the kids like to use my house to bake and I really don't mind at all...

Their chatter made me laugh at times; they were actually debating over what ingredients go into frosting. They asked me to settle the debate and my son's friend response as he shrugged his shoulders, '...well I had two out of five ingredients.'

Mini Bites

2010-01-11T11:56:00.000-08:00

I love mini bites! They might be little, but they have BIG flavor! They are most scrumptious when served warm and are like a mini bite of a fruit pie with very few calories....A great snack or dessert that squeezes in the fruit and whole grains without the fuss! Mini Bites are great any time, but a super simple addition to parties or tea parties...

Recipe: http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6850/Mini_Bites/

Video: http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/video/index.shtml

Boneless Chicken Wing Flat Bread

2010-01-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

YUM! Even though the Barbecue Turkey Flat Bread won the ultimate 'thumbs up!' in the show down...the chicken wing flat bread also got a 'thumbs up!' and was still devoured by all of the chefs on segment that day.

Recipe: http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6849/Flat_Bread_Sensations_-_Boneless_Chicken_Wings/

Video: http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/video/index.shtml

Flat Bread Sensations...

2010-01-08T08:45:00.000-08:00

I love quick, easy & tasty; who doesn't? This Turkey Barbecue Flat Bread was a big hit amongst the kids I cooked with last month. We actually did a show down of flavor between two flat breads for the Super Bowl show down and I was surprised that this tasty combination won the 'thumbs up!'

It's also a nice, warm, simple entre for a cold winter's eve!

Recipe: http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6848/Flat_Bread_Sensations_-_Barbecue_Turkey/

Video: http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/video/index.shtml

Lava Juice

2010-01-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

This recipe is great on many levels...fun for parties, movie nights or afterschool snacks....it's a quick easy way to spend a few minutes with something tasty in return!

You can grab the recipe here http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6847/Lava_Juice/

or watch the video by visiting http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/video/index.shtml

Mom there's a spill....

2010-01-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Yes! When you cook with your kids it opens license for them to use their skills in the kitchen. And, when they use their skills, and are on the younger, end it's often I hear; "Mom, there's a spill...." So, patience, laughter and paper towels go a long way!

A Great After School Snack:

1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup ice

Mix everything in the blender and serve. YUM!

SPINACH????

2010-01-04T13:23:00.000-08:00

Not only is it cold outside, but most of the time when we ask our kids to eat spinach they either give us the cold shoulder or the look that could be misconstrued as the eyes of ice. Brrrr! I say thaw them out with Moon Rock Soup. That’s right, you can stir up a galactic mixture that keeps them warm and introduces them to a host of flavors that are healthy and includes spinach (shhhh!).

As a mother of three, it’s not always easy getting kids to try the foods we want them to eat. I have found three methods that have worked in my favor over the years;

1. get them in the kitchen cooking, they tend to try more,
2. if they won’t try it because they think they won’t like it then don’t let them know what their helping you create; disguise it,
3. adopt my motto; some recipes are thumbs up, some are thumbs down, but you never know until you try!

Moon Rock Soup is really a ‘cover up’ to get kids to eat a healthy combination of ingredients. If they want to help and you are afraid the spinach package will send them running, simply put it into a bowl, discard the package and let them pour it in. When they ask what their adding to the ingredients, remind them that the moon is part our galaxy and it is a mysterious galactic particle that any young scientist is sure to enjoy tasting.

Moon Rock Soup
My twist on Italian Wedding Soup!

1 pound ground turkey
1 Cup parmesan cheese
16 oz. pasta rings
3 large fresh carrots
10 oz. frozen chopped spinach (thawed)
1 large can chicken broth (48 oz.)
4 eggs
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Pre-cook the pasta as directed on the package, drain; set aside. Mix the ground turkey and parmesan cheese together thoroughly; set aside. Pour the chicken broth into a pan. Fill the can half full of water and add to the chicken broth.

Make small meatballs with the meat mixture approximately 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter to form moon rocks for your soup. As you make the moon rock meatballs add them to the chicken broth. After you have added all of the moon rock meatballs, bring the broth to a boil and let them simmer on high in the broth for 30 minutes.

Peel and either shred the Carrots to add to the soup or put them into a food processor. Add the spinach, carrots, bouillon, salt and pepper to the mixture and simmer until the carrots are tender.

Scramble the eggs in a separate bowl and add to the soup. Cook for 10 minutes.

Add the pasta to your colorful galaxy mix, season to taste with additional bouillon, salt and pepper if desired and serve.

Planning for the New Year...

2010-01-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

Planning for new and exciting recipes and programs for the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club!

http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T21:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club!

Look forward to cooking up more fun in 2010...

YIKES....

2009-12-31T13:29:00.000-08:00

A little winter fun in the kitchen with an experimental explosion! We were using corn starch and water to re-create a little science experiment from school and well....let's just say that the sponge & paper towels were our friend in the end...

Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club in total toy fashion...

2009-12-29T19:49:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law purchased this for my daughter for Christmas. We set it all up & while I was cooking dinner I found my little one in the corner playing Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club:)

Filming for Valentine's Already...

2009-12-28T12:59:00.000-08:00

We just slid the tree to the side, hid a few holiday decorations, pulled out the Valentine's platter and filmed for Valentine's today! Here's what we made;

A QUICK and EASY heart cookies for home or to share as a classroom treat!

Great aftershool snacks that are easy and tasty to squeeze in a few fruits & veggies along the way!

Volcanic Pancakes erupting with great flavors....

And of course, one of my favorite parts of filming day...catching everyone behind the scenes eating what we have made....

Stay tunned at http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/ for upcoming recipes and video's. January's clips should be up next week and what we filmed today will make its debut early February!

Merry...Merry...Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T19:40:00.000-08:00

Simple Cookies for Santa

2009-12-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

It's a busy time of year and making cookies for Santa does NOT have to be complicated. The treat you leave can be simple, creative and allow you to sneak a few minutes in together to make one more magical Christmas memory.

Supplies Needed;

Price Chopper sugar cookies

Price Chopper vanilla frosting

Price Chopper sugar, granulated

Food Coloring

Cookie Cutters

1. In a bowl or cup, place one tablespoon of sugar.

2. Add a drop or two of food coloring to the sugar and stir; set aside.

3. Frost the top of the cookie.

4. Place a cookie cutter on top of the cookie.

5. Sprinkle the colored sugar in the center of the cookie cutter. Using a spoon, gently press the sugar down before releasing the cookie cutter from it's position.

Whola! Cookies for Santa done without the use of the oven.

From my kitchen to yours, Happy Holidays!

Reindeer Food...

2009-12-23T13:05:00.000-08:00

Of course Santa's flying reindeer enjoy a treat too & at the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club we were mixing them up a little snack to go along with Santa's cookies and milk. You can do it at home too!

Supplies;

Price Chopper Chex Cereal
Price Chopper Oat Cereal
Glitter
Price Chopper Snap & Seal Sandwich Bags

1. In each bag, place a 1/4 cup of chex cereal, seal the bag and let the children crush the mixture with their hands.
2. Re-open the bag and add a 1/4 cup of oat cereal and a tablespoon of magical glitter.

Remind the children that Reindeer Food is not edible for humans, only for reindeer!!!!

Place the sandwich bag of Reindeer Food into the Reindeer Holder, empty the contents of the sandwich bag into the holder to sprinkle out onto the lawn on Christmas Eve.

Simple, Magical Fun is what it's all about! Enjoy!

Reindeer Food Holder...

2009-12-23T12:56:00.000-08:00

Supplies needed:

Price Chopper brown paper bag

Black marker

Black craft foam or poster board

Red duct tape

Stapler

Ruler

Using the marker, brown paper bag and ruler; draw two lines that are 7" long creating a 'V' shapped and then create an arch at the top like such;

Roll your 'V' shaped creation to make a cone and staple it in place;

Cut a holder approximately 9 inches long and approximately 3/4 inch in width. Loop it around the top and staple into place; see top photograph.

Cut two antlers approximately 3 inches long, see the picture at the top, and staple into place.

Use the marker to add eyes and last, but not least, the red duct tape to create a nose!

What goes inside? Reindeer food...of course...Read the next blog to learn how to fill your Reindeer holder with more simple holiday fun!

Breakfast on Christmas or Anytime...

2009-12-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon Pancakes are a fabulously festive touch for the holidays or anytime throughout the year. They make for a great warm breakfast in the midst of the blustery winter days and with just a little added twist, whola, your kitchen is a hit for the holidays, a weekend , a snow day, winter break or sleep over fun. It's not just the cinnamon that makes these pancakes popular. Take a peek at the cinnamon pancake video to find out what is the specialty twist on this recipe by visiting;

http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/video/index.shtml

And, don't forget to grab the recipe at the end by following this link;

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6830/Cinnamon_Pancakes/

Happy Holidays!

Cookies for Santa and Reindeer Food

2009-12-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

Great morning at a local library making cookies for santa and reindeer food for Rudolph with both parents and children! I'll post the 'how-to's' later. But, I will say, big Thumbs Up from parents about how simple ideas can create quality family time.

Sugar Cookie Sequel

2009-12-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

Last week my kids juggled and molded and tried to eat the sugar cookie dough! If you didn't get a chance to read about it, here is the link to their rendition of cookie dough making; http://yikestherearekidsinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2009/12/baking-in-kid-style.html

In the end, the dough finally made it to the frig, then under the roller and cut into trees, stars and bells. Here is the secret to our sugar cookie decorating;

1. Melt white chocolate morsels in a glass bowl for one minute.
2. Stir the white chocolate until all of the morsels are melted.
3. Add in a drop or two of food coloring and stir.
4. Drizzle the colored chocolate on to the cookies.
5. sprinkle with colored sugar.

(This is not my hand...I only wish my nails
looked like that! They belong to my
intern Jenna!

Who took a Bite of the Cookies???

2009-12-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

Tray One

Tray Two

Grandma (mema) came to visit and continued the holiday fun by bringing gingerbread cookies to decorate

with the kids. Tray one is a display of my daughter's cookie designs and

tray two are my son's creative endeavors.

If you look closely at tray one you might notice a bite out of each cookie. My daughter took the old

adage, if you touched it it's yours, to a new level and decided to take a bite out of each one. When Grandma (mema) asked why she bit each one she responded, "So that everyone will know their mine! They can share with my brother."

My Chocomel Peanut Butter Crunch Balls...YUM!

2009-12-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

It’s a festive, but crazy time of year and as a working mother of three I find fitting quality time in a challenge. Over time, bringing my kids in to the kitchen became a natural fit. I’m already prepping meals, we already have our list of favorite holiday treats to make and a list of baked goods to share as gifts so the time in the kitchen is an easy way to steal time you already have, build a memory and check something off the gift giving list. Recipes don’t have to be complex or time consuming to fit the bill; I’m all about keeping it simple, keeping it tasty and trying to keep it fun! I’ve included one of our old favorites with a new twist for your holiday kitchen prep; it’s a non-bake option with plenty of opportunity for kids to get their hands in the batter!

Chocomel Peanut Butter Crunch Balls
by Jodie Fitz

¾ cups Price Chopper butter, softened
3 cups Price Chopper confectioner’s sugar
1 ½ cups Price Chopper peanut butter, smooth
1 tablespoon Price Chopper milk
½ teaspoon Price Chopper vanilla extract
7 oz. Price Chopper vanilla caramel cubes, unwrapped
1/8 cup Price Chopper Milk
12 oz. milk chocolate morsels
Price Chopper Mini Pretzel Sticks

Cream together the butter and confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Add in the peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of milk and vanilla extract; mix.

In a food processor, chop enough pretzels to create 1 cup and add them to the mixture, stir. Place the batter in the refrigerator while preparing the caramel center.

Place the caramels and 1/8 cup of milk into a glass bowl and place in the microwave for one minute on high. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the caramels and milk together until everything is fully melted and mixed well. Let the caramel mixture set to room temperature.

Line baking sheets with waxed paper. Create approximately a two inch ball of the dough and flatten it. Place a small amount of the caramel, approximately a half to three quarters of a teaspoon in the middle and wrap the dough around it, continue until all of the dough has been used. Place the cookie sheets into the refrigerator and let the dough set for several hours or overnight.

Melt the milk chocolate morsels in the microwave in a glass dish on high for one minute. Stir the chocolates after a minute; they will not look fully melted until you stir them together. Dip the cookie peanut butter caramel cookies into the chocolate, returning them back to the cookie sheet. Once you have completed the dipping process, return the cookies back to the refrigerator to set the chocolate; approximately 20-30 minutes. Enjoy and Happy Holidays from my kitchen to yours…

Chocolate Caramel Pretzels

2009-12-15T04:48:00.000-08:00

This holiday we are baking, but we are also focusing on the quick, easy, no bake options. These pretzels are delicious and make a great treat for your family or a gift that you can make together and share

with family and friends.

There is a video clip at the Price Chopper website so that your kids can watch other kids making the Chocolate Caramel Pretzels. I just visited the Price Chopper in Colonie, NY and made these with kids in the middle of a store; it's a great recipe to mess it up, have a little fun and spend some time together

during this busy season!

Recipe Link:

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6829/Chocolate_Caramel_Pretzels/

Video Link:

http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/video/index.shtml

Happy Hanukah

2009-12-12T04:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Hanukah....

Making our Lists and Checking them Twice!

2009-12-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

There was once upon a time that I used to make 12 different types of cookies (not just one batch, more like triple) and then we would package them up and give them as gifts. You would find tubs of cookies in cool storage at my house...it was CRAZY! They were always a big hit, but with child number three and the activity schedule of the older two on the up swing, I have scaled it way back! In fact, I love the no bake options.

As we were doing the usual experiments in the kitchen I came up with the idea to bring the snowball fun into the kitchen! Here is one of my latest recipes; they even got the 'thumbs up' from the teenage crowd!

Snowballs

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6828/Snowballs/_SS_43FT9R61B3E1d98P715127C7HgGN6L53E70798%7C2762%7C0912110757%7C%7C%7C

Baking in Kid Style....

2009-12-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

It's a snow day here! So, we decided to start our sugar cookies for the holidays, but my kids decided to make them their way. After the dough was mixed, this is what they recommended;

STEP ONE: Juggle the dough.

STEP TWO: Juggle the dough some more.

STEP THREE: Mold the dough.

STEP FOUR: Eat the dough.

STEP FIVE: Scream for more dough when mom takes it away.

Gingerbread Fun!

2009-12-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, as much as I bake, I had not actually ever made gingerbread cookies until yesterday when another mom and I made cookies for our children's first grade class to decorate as part of a lesson about holidays around the world.

While the kids learned about other traditions, I was quickly becoming educated in lessons of gingerbread making. I was warned about rolling the dough, cutting the design and then using a spatula to transfer it from the counter top to the pan, which can cause design distortion! So, I found a way to avoid the problems that come with the transferring process. I simply rolled the dough in-between two pieces of waxed paper, cut my design and then flipped it on to the pan. There were no spatula problems, no design distortion and no disappointed first graders. This process will also work for any rolled dough, cookie cutting type of recipes.

A delicious lesson indeed!

This Week...

2009-12-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

This week I will be in Colonie making Chocolate-Caramel Dipped Pretzels with kids

for some more holiday fun.

http://www2.pricechopper.com/kids/video/index.shtml

Saturday, December 12

10 am to 1 pm

Colonie Price Chopper

1892 Central Ave.

Albany, NY

Cooking in New Hampshire...

2009-12-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

This weekend I am up in New Hampshire promoting the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club in West Lebanon, NH and Lebanon, NH. We're still gobbling it up with Gobble Ups!

http://www.pricechopper.com/Recipes/Detail/6790/Gobble_Ups/

The website should have December posted soon with Cinnamon Pancakes with holiday designs, Caramel-Chocolate Dipped Pretzels and Snowball cookies just in time for your holiday cooking plans!

Peek back next week for more holiday cooking fun!

Quick and Easy Holiday Fun...

2009-12-04T04:12:00.000-08:00

It’s a CRAZY time of year for everyone and the To Do List seems like it multiplies itself with the added shopping, wrapping and making; the baking, organizing and school functions, work functions and all of the other holiday functions that go along with the normal chaos of kids, laundry, house, work, dog, etc, etc, etc

I’m always trying to look for the balance and add in a little fun along the way, striving to keep my kids hands in some of the gift giving activities. If by chance you are looking for something quick and easy that makes for a homemade gift in the kitchen, but doesn’t require a lot of time, patience and a whole list of ingredients; then I have a quick fix solution that might just satisfy. It’s simple, yet festive and kids can be a part of the process.

Chocolate Dipped Peppermint

Milk chocolate morsels
Peppermint candy canes
Holiday sprinkles
Waxed paper
Cellophane
Ribbon

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Place the milk chocolate morsels into a glass bowl and microwave on high for one minute. Stir so that all of the chocolate morsels melt together. Dip the candy canes (hook side first) into the chocolate so that all, but two inches is covered in chocolate. Set the chocolate covered candy cane on to the waxed paper surface and sprinkle with holiday sprinkles and let the chocolate set in the refrigerator or in a cool temperature setting. Once the chocolate has set, wrap the candy canes, individually, in cellophane, tying the top with a festive ribbon.

Another Reason to WHY Kids in the Kitchen...

2009-12-03T21:19:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's filming was such a great reminder to why I love to get kids in the kitchen! Not only is cooking over the holidays pure fun, it’s also pretty much pure sugar. So with the New Year episode I wanted to incorporate some healthier choices into our Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club menu even though we were cooking Super Bowl fun, which is like a holiday! When the boys came into the kitchen to prep for the shoot, one of the first things they asked was "What are we cooking?" When I told them about the three recipes at first they were a little skeptical...most kids are whenever you introduce something to them, which is why I'm all about experimenting, challenging and getting them into the creative process. They weren't certain, but they really enjoyed cooking and mixing it up and in the end not one nose turned up to what was served. They all admitted it wasn't something they thought they would like, but at the end of the day I got the response that I was looking for, two thumbs up for new tastes and new flavors and they didn't care one bit that they were eating healthier choices all the way through!

So, my point...get your kids in the kitchen and make them part of the process! It makes a BIG difference in what they will try over the long haul and of course, watch for more of my recipes to share!

Filming Updates...

2009-12-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

Jonathan prepping flat breads...

Josh & everyone zooming in for a mini bite taste test as soon as the segment was wrapped up!

A Thumbs Up from everyone in the kitchen!!!

We were in the kitchen whipping up a showdown of flavor for the upcoming Super Bowl Showdown! Stay tuned to check out the webisode which will feature a group of pre-teens cooking up a Barbecue Turkey Flat Bread, Chicken Wing Flat Bread, Apple-Pear Mini Bites and of course, Lava Juice!

What's Lava Juice you ask? You have to tune in next month to find out....

Heading to NH to cook with kids...

2009-12-01T14:08:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 5

10 am -1 pm

West Lebanon Price Chopper

285 Plainfield Rd.

West Lebanon, NH

What's Happening in Our Kitchen....

2009-11-28T20:46:00.000-08:00

This weekend, shuffling around the leftovers, we have been tweaking recipes for Tuesday's filming. We're already moving on to Super Bowl prep. We're having fun and tomorrow the final taste testers are coming over for the thumbs up, thumbs down vote that takes place in my kitchen. The visiting taste testers for this set of recipes are a bunch of fun loving, tweenagers who aren't afraid to speak their mind letting me know what taste combinations make it and what needs improving!

Shhhh! Truth be told, I think they love the opportunity to sit and eat and eat and eat!!!! What growing tweenagers don't? And, I'm glad to oblige their growing tummies....

More on the outcomes to be released this week!

Black Friday Left Overs...

2009-11-27T16:46:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that I ventured out on BLACK FRIDAY! I only went out to get a wreath for the holidays and let my kids do their holiday shopping. The crowded parking lots and long lines reminded me why I am a Black Friday Avoider. However, going out without my own agenda, focusing on what the kids wanted

to do and only going to two stores made for an entirely low pressure experience!

Not only did I not have to cook the entire meal yesterday, because I went to my parents and got to come home with left over turkey, I also get today off from cooking. Today, like most, it's all about the leftovers. However, my crew is not a big left over loving bunch unless you disguise it. So, now that I think about it, my one day of not cooking really did turn into cooking because I experimented and created a Baked Cranberry Turkey Special!

9 inch pie crust
Turkey, cooked and diced
Whole cranberry sauce
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup orange juice

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a saucepan combine the whole cranberry sauce, cinnamon and orange juice. Heat the mixture on medium to low heat, stirring all of the ingredients together.
3. Spread 1/2 of cranberry mixture onto the pie crust leaving room around the edges.
4. Top the cranberry sauce with diced turkey.
5. Wrap up the sides and seal the edges all around.
6. Place onto a non-stick baking dish.
7. Bake for 35 minutes. Until crust is golden brown.
8. Slice and serve with the remaining cranberry sauce on top.

Thumbs up from our kitchen!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

from our kitchen to yours....

This year I did not host the feast and got out easy on the Thanksgiving prep. Instead, I got the chance to focus on one of my favorites; making desserts! YUM!

We experimented and mixed and stirred and made a big mess in the kitchen. In the end we had created;

Mud Pie (all edible of course!)

Apple Caramel Pie

Caramel Cream Pumpkin Pie

Plain Pumpkin Pie for Dad

And, of course Gobble Ups!

As I was cooking with my kids I realized how thankful I was for their help. And, when I looked around at the flour covered counters, the particles that hit the floor (which is inevitable when cooking with kids) and the mile high pile of dirty dishes, I realized how thankful I was for my Dish Washer!

Thanksgiving Trivia

2009-11-24T19:32:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving reminds me of the first feast with Pilgrims and Native Americans coming together to celebrate. There is an extensive history with this holiday. Did You Know?!?!
* That the first Thanksgiving lasted for three days! Wow, that was some kind of feast ...

* Although the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 with the Pilgrims in Plymouth, it wasn't until 200 years later that Thanksgiving became a national holiday!

* Before President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to be held annually on a specific day that Presidents before him called a national Thanksgiving whenever it was necessary and that sometimes there could be more than one Thanksgiving celebration in a year.

If you like fun facts and a little investigative fun, see if you and your family can find three states that have a city named Turkey in it. Or, to share fun facts as part of your holiday fun, hide a Thanksgiving fact underneath everyone's Gobble Up Dessert for family members to share.

Chef Snoopy Inspired!

2009-11-23T17:42:00.000-08:00

We took the lead from Chef Snoopy & celebrated Thanksgiving a little early. We rented Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving, invited friends and served up nothing other than popcorn, pretzels, jelly beans and toast. It was a big hit with the kids and they loved it. It was a simple, but fun celebration that definitely was memorable for all.

It's on our 'to do' list for next year.