Healthy Halloween Snacks! Mummies in a tomb, devilled eyeballs & goblin teeth!

Boo! We are getting right into healthy Halloween snacks that doesn’t involve candy. The kids loved making the Mummies in a Tomb (our take on the pigs in a blanket) using puff pastry and helping assemble the devilled eyeballs. The goblin teeth made of apples are wonderful for that ghoulish Halloween smile! Do try these recipes at home!

Belly full of whale cakes – easy salmon cakes with green beans & bacon

Pikelet & Lollo eat salmon cakes because of the book “Big Blue Whale” by Nicola Davies. They call them ‘whale cakes’ and eat loads because thought of having stinky ‘whale’ breath is an attractive trait when you are five and three years old.

“When it breathes out, it makes a great misty puff as high as a house. This is the whale’s blow, and you can see it from far away. You can hear it, too – a great PROOUFF. And if you are close enough, you can smell it, as the whale’s breath is stale and fishy.”

My 2 year old cooks duck

Here is the easiest New Year’s Eve dinner party recipe - slow roasted duck legs with only 2 minutes of prep time. It’s so simple that my two year old Lollo actually makes it sans putting it in and taking it out of the oven of course. We like the Maple Leaf Farms brand which feature a meatier duck leg quarter but most duck legs will work with this recipe. The results are a wonderfully crisp skin wrapped over moist tender meat that’s almost like a confit. We use green peppercorns for its delicate taste especially for the kids and for the holidays we recommend you splurge and get some pink peppercorns too!  The kids love participating and are supremely proud that they cook duck regularly. This recipe is dedicated to my non-cook friend B.

Last minute Santa Cookie – it’s a no bake!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

If you’re looking for a quick recipe or Santa craft idea for kids, my friend, Stacie Martin has the perfect no bake Santa cookie recipe. And you don’t even have to have an artist in the family like Stacie’s husband Christopher of Christopher Martin Gallery to make them look this cute!

Holiday Party Idea – Tom Colicchio’s braised short ribs

Stunning results!

So done with turkey? Then try celebrity Chef Tom Colicchio’s (of Craft restaurant at the W Hotel in Victory Park) braised short ribs recipe. The results from this succulent fall-off-the-bone recipe is guranteed to garner ’oohs and aahs’ at the dinner table even from the most discerning itty bitty guest.

8 Ball Squash

8 Ball Squash

… the cutest little zucchini in the world!  They’re round and the size of a billiard ball – thus the name 8 ball squash. They are so darn cute, it’s almost a pity to cook them. But here’s a delicious recipe for you to try with your kids. Pikelet & Lollo liked to play with them more than eat them but the squash did looked good enough to try (which is all a parent can ask for). It’s a wonderful Fall accompaniment especially with grilled Lamb Rib Chops.