Brown Sugar Kale Chips (a post about cooking with children and a tasty recipe)

One of my favorite things to do with my big boy while Little Brother is asleep is to play in the kitchen.

Baker is wild and active.

He embraces all things three.

And he embraces all things boy.

 

We can be found on any given day making and baking and stirring things up in the kitchen!

 

Involving children in the kitchen is mutually beneficial. You get an extra set of hands, and your child learns the importance of proper nutrition, how to follow directions, measure, listen to instructions, tell time, and to increase their fine motor skills, among so many others.

 

Baker's favorite things to whip up are pancakes, brownies, and banana faux fro-yo.

My all boy boy prefers anything that requires the use of a mixer, blender, or food processor.

He loves power, and machines (errr, small appliances), and noise!

 

More recently, we've expanded our menu to include foods for all times of the day.

 

Baker has a slight aversion to things with different textures (as do many children with Down Syndrome), but we continue to encourage him to try new things.

He is a great eater and rarely refuses any food.

 

His newest love, brown sugar kale chips.

Three year olds who request kale chips, who knew??

 

 

 

Here's what you need to make our favorite afternoon snack:

• 4 cups fresh kale
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 cup of loosely packed light brown sugar

To make, combine first three ingredients in a large mixing bowl or plastic bag. Toss or shake lightly to ensure all leaves are coated with olive oil and garlic salt.

 

In our kitchen, we alternate between a zip-close gallon size plastic bag and a mixing bowl with tongs. Both promote the use of fine motor skills, which is especially important for Baker. He loves sliding the zipper to open and close the bag and shaking it all around. He also benefits greatly from manipulating tongs. Especially during the summer, when his therapies decrease, we try to make our time together meaningful - both fun and intentional. 

 

Here's how to cook:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Arrange kale chips in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet
• Cook for 12-15 minutes (or until the edges begin to brown slightly)
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with brown sugar
•  

 

The sugar will melt and adhere to the chips giving them a wonderfully delicious flavor that appeals to both your salty and sweet cravings.

 

PS - they're healthy

PPS - and totally toddler approved

 

 

Accidental Chex Mix

Our family has been holed up for days with the flu.

Baker brought it home from school and shared the love with Brian and me.
That boy!

 

Today made the fifth day of being quarantined, and I was going stir crazy!

 

We snuck out bright and early and hit the drive thru of Bojangle's for some yummy biscuits because our shelves hadn't seen groceries for days.

I'm not sure I have ever experienced a marriage as divine as that of flour and butter.

 

Then we headed to clean the shelves at Publix.

Brian requested sausage balls (we love Plain Chicken's recipe) and Chex Mix, Baker wanted to make cookies for Santa, and I couldn't get chicken and dumplings off the brain.

 

For as long as I can remember, I have used Pioneer Woman's recipe for Chex Mix.

I love the little kick the Tabasco sauce adds.

 

When we got home and unpacked all the sacks, I realized I left Tabasco sauce off the list.
 

So, I did what all good women do, I improvised.

And with all the love I have in my heart for my buddy Ree, I will never do it her way again.

 

Here's what we used:

3 cups corn Chex

3 cups wheat Chex

3 cups Hot & Spicy Cheez Its

1 container mixed nuts

2 sticks of butter

5 tablespoons Worcestershire (I almost left it out because it's so hard to spell)

3 teaspoons seasoning salt

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

 

The red pepper flakes make all the difference.
They add a little zest even Tabasco sauce couldn't do.

 

Note: My husband is not a fan of pretzels, so we substitute spicy Cheez Its.

 

 

 

 

To prepare:
 

1. Combine first four ingredients (wheat and corn Chex, Cheez-Its, and nuts) in a  large mixing bowl.
 

2. In a medium saucepan (or microwave safe bowl), melt butter, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning salt, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.

3. Pour liquid over dry ingredients, stirring until scrumptious butter concoction coats all pieces.

4. Spread evenly onto foil-lined cookie sheet.

5. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

6. Try to save some for Mr. Claus.

Happy Christmas Eve! 

 

No Bake Date and Nut Energy Bites

I have been boycotting granola bars and packaged foods in favor of making my own snacks.

Pinterest is boasting all the latest and greatest in the health food craze, and energy bites are here, there, and everywhere!

I have tried several of the recipes on Pinterest, and like them all just fine. But couldn’t quite find the taste I was searching. So, I made my own and y’all, they are divine!

These are great as a morning or afternoon snack, coupled with hot coffee for breakfast on the go, or a healthy midnight snack.

 

Here’s What You’ll Need:

1 cup Old Fashioned Oats

1 cup Natural Peanut Butter (I prefer crunchy)

½ cup chopped dates

2 Tbsp. chia seeds

2 Tbsp. honey

Here’s how to make this scrumptious treat:

1.    Scoop peanut butter into bowl. Heat for 45 seconds in the microwave. Add all other ingredients. Stir until all are incorporated.

2.    Spoon by rounded teaspoonful onto plate.

3.    Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

I cannot refuse peanut butter in any form -

 

spooned onto a banana, blended into a shake, whipped into a pie, spread onto a warm waffle, or baked into cookies -

 

I am powerless to its creamy, crunchy goodness.

 

These Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies have won our hearts and there's no turning back.

 

They are easy peasy and super delicious!

 

Shopping List

1 cup peanut butter (we use Jif Natural)

1 cup sugar

I egg

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Combine peanut butter, sugar, and egg.

 

Mix thoroughly.

 

Spoon by rounded teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet.

 

Bake for 9-11 minutes.

 

Let cool.

 

Enjoy!

 

PS - Baker suggests dunking them in milk.

What can I say, the boy's a genius!

 

 



We also like these variations.

Nutella Delight
1/2 cup Peanut Butter + 1/2 cup Nutella + 1 cup of sugar + 1 egg

Candy Bar Cookies
Add in 1/2 Cup of favorite candy bar/candies (imagine the possibilities - chopped M&Ms, Heath bar bits, Reese cups, Reese Pieces, Skor bar)

I cannot wait to send these yummy treats with Baker as a back to school teacher treat with this cute printable!