Watermelon Skewers

Watermelon is one of my top favorite fruits and they are perfect to have anytime during summers. These skewers are great for kids and adults both and can be eaten as a starter or as a side dish to any meal. Watermelon pairs well with feta cheese and you can add more fruits of your choice if you desire. My daughter loves blackberries so I made the skewers with them. Quick to make and super fresh in taste - am sure your guests will love this!

Ingredients:

• Small watermelon - cut into cubes
• 1 box of blackberries
• Basil leaves
• 1 block feta - cut into cubes

Method:

• On a skewer, add watermelon, feta, blackberries and basil so that they are layered.
• Place finished skewers in a platter and you are done.

Lemon Rosemary Chicken Skewers

Barbecue food is always so easy and quick to make and we love testing new recipes all the time!  

Fresh rosemary and lemon chicken is a recipe which both adults and kids will enjoy. Made with minimal ingredients, the taste of rosemary is super fresh and flavorful.  I love our stainless steel barbecue skewers as their is no soaking in water like wooden skewers and these are super easy to clean in the dishwasher.  Enjoy these chicken skewers with some warm pita bread and hummus!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 medium sized garlic finely minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary finely minced/chopped
• Zest of one lemon finely grated
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice from one large lemon
• 2 pounds of chicken breast cut into 3/4 inch cubes 

Method:

• Combine all the ingredients and marinate the chicken for 2-3 hours.
• Thread chicken into stainless steel skewers.
• Preheat barbecue grill to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grill the chicken for 15-20 minutes turning it between every few minutes
• Baste with olive oil after 7-8 minutes lightly.
• Serve hot and garnish with freshly chopped rosemary.
• Enjoy with pita bread and hummus!

Halloween Goofy EyeBalls Chocolate Cupcakes

Halloween is all about weird things and so it goes for food as well. This was made by my talented 7 year old daughter and she choose the scary blood eyeballs for decoration- we also made witch hat cupcakes with her favorite Oreo cookies and candy cone candies. These are super easy to make and am sure your kids would love baking this.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

Method:

• Mix all of the dry ingredients well with a mixer or wooden spoon first then add in all your liquid ingredients. It should be brown and smooth, free of lumps.
• Bake at 350 F for 15-17 minutes if you are baking cupcakes for a cake I'd say 17-25 minutes.
• Decorate with kids as desired and enjoy! 

Fresh Berry Tart

This dessert with loads of healthy berries and fat free yoghurt /cream cheese filling is perfect for summer and very quick to make.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup of granulated sugar
• ¼ cup of softened butter
• ⅛ tsp of salt
• ½ tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp of lemon peel (finely shredded)
• 1 cup of thick plain fat free yogurt
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp of lemon rind
• 1¼ cups of all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup of tub-style low fat cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tbsp of powdered sugar
• 2 cups of different berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries)
• Thawed light-whipped dessert topping (optional)
• Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 375 F. Put the butter in a bowl. Beat it with an electric mixer for 30 seconds (on medium speed).
• Add the granulated sugar, lemon rind, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Beat with the mixer until fully combined.
• Add the egg and flour and continue beating the mixture. Knead the mixture gently until the dough is soft.
• Press the dough into a tart pan. Use a pan with a removable bottom so you can easily remove your crust when baked.
• Line the crust with a thick foil. Bake it for about 6 minutes then remove the foil. Bake for 6 -8 more minutes or until the crust turns brown.
• Remove crust and cool on a wire rack.

For the Lemon Cream:

• Mix the cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of lemon peel, powdered sugar, and fold in the yogurt.
• Spread the mixture on the base of the cooled crust. Add the berries on top.
• Garnish your tart with fresh mint and whipped topping (optional).
• Cut into wedges and serve

 

Kids Ham and Egg Sandwich

The challenges of a picky eater and you need to fit in the ingredients which the kids like and is quick to prepare! My daughter loves McDonalds and I would not deny it :) I think it is the happy meal toys that draw her there - she loves their egg sandwich so I decided to make this at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 extra crispy english muffins
• 2 slices of cheese
• 2 slices of deli ham
• Butter and cooking spray

Method:

• Preheat broiler to high.
• Cut muffins to half and apply butter on the inside. Place muffin halves cut side up on baking sheet.
• Top each half with one cheese slice and place in oven for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray. Crack a egg into pan and cook on both sides until done.
• Take the muffins out from the oven. Place a deli ham, egg and the other muffin half on top. Serve hot and enjoy.

Disney Princess Three Tier Cake

This year I wanted to decorate my daughter's 5th birthday cake with fondant and my experiment was a success- my daughter was super thrilled and she helped a lot making the fondant flowers- here is my proud creation:)

Berry Berry Pancake

Weekend mornings are times for some lazy and easy breakfast and this pancake recipe is one of them. Top it with your favorite toppings - you can use maple syrup, honey, chocolate sauce, jam, sweetened whipped cream or what my little one loves- colorful sprinkles ! This recipe will make 8-10 pancakes.


Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 3-4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• Oil for cooking
• Dried cranberry and blueberry for topping

Method:

• In a small bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, oil, and egg. Add dry ingredients to milk mixture; whisk until just moistened (do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine).
• Heat a large nonstick or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add 1-2 teaspoon oil and spread it in the pan.
• For each pancake, spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter onto skillet, using the back of the spoon spread batter into a round shape. Add a few dried berries on top.
• Cook until surface of pancakes have some bubbles and a few have burst, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip carefully with a thin spatula, and cook until browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Serve hot with your desired toppings.

Rich Chocolate Cake with Orange Marmalade and Almonds

Hubby's birthday and we all were craving chocolate so here comes the chocolate cake- absolutely divine:)

Ingredients:

Oven Temp: 300F/140C

• 2 cups white flour              ( maida)
• 1 3/4 cup castor or powdered sugar 
• 2/3 cup oil
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup water  
• 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs 
• 1 Bundt cake tin 

For the Dressing:

• 4-5 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 4-5 tablespoons almonds sliced
• 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• Multicolored sprinkles

Method:

• Line the base of the tin with butter paper or grease the base and dust either with flour or sugar till well coated.
• Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder and transfer into a mixing bowl.  
• Add the salt, sugar, oil, water and vanilla essence.  
• Beat the mixture using a beater, till well blended. 
• Break the eggs one at a time and add to the cake batter and beat till smooth. The batter looks almost glossy when done. 
• Pour batter into the baking tin and bake for 35-40 minutes. To check insert a butter knife into the cake-if it comes out clean then the cake is done.
• Remove from the oven and leave it to cool for 10-15 minutes.
• Place cake in a serving platter and spread orange marmalade on the top evenly. 
• Decorate the top of the cake with sliced almonds, chocolate chips and sprinkles.

       
 

Cereal Marshmallow Pops

This would be a great recipe to make with kids. Have them crush the cereal with a rolling pin and then sprinkle onto the dipped marshmallows.

Ingredients:

• 6 ice cream plastic sticks or round wooden sticks with one pointed end 
• 6 large marshmallows 
• 1/4 cup cereal ( your kid's favorite cereal works best )
• 1 bars (1.5 oz each) milk chocolate candy, unwrapped, separated into pieces 

Method:

• Insert one stick into each marshmallow. Place crushed cereal in small bowl.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate uncovered on high for one minute, stirring twice, until softened and chocolate can be stirred smooth.
• Dip each marshmallow halfway into melted chocolate, then roll in cereal. Place on plate; let stand at room temperature until chocolate hardens for about 1/2 hour.  

 

Kids Easy Carrot Cake with Chocolate Orange Dressing

My 3 year old daughter loves the idea of cakes and parties so we baked this cake together. It is an instant recipe which kids can bake. We did have a great doll party after the cake was ready.

Ingredients:

• 1 Box Betty Crocker Carrot Cake
• Eggs, Vegetable Oil and Water as per the box
• 25 ml Milk
• 1 Bar Cadbury's Dairy Milk Orange Chocolate Bar ( or any orange chocolate of your choice)
• Sparkles for decoration 

Method:

• Make batter for the Carrot Cake as directed in the box.
• Pour batter into a 12 Cup Fluted Tube ( bundt ) cake pan and bake for 40 minutes.
• Melt chocolate with milk in a non stick pan in low heat for 5 minutes.
• Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes and then drizzle the melted chocolate over the cake.
• Decorate with sparkles and enjoy.