Tag Archives: recipe

Camp Au Pair – Summer Olympics

This week’s Camp Au Pair theme Summer Olympics. The 2021 Summer Olympics are taking place in Tokyo, Japan, July 23-Aug 8.

Crafts, recipes, activities, and games related to the Summer Olympics can be found here on the Camp Au Pair Summer Olympics pinboard.

Videos – On YouTube you can find many great videos of about the Olympics.

Books – Stop by your local library and look for books about the Olympics.

Some good ones include: Olympig!, G is for Gold Medal: An Olympic Alphabet, How to Train with a T-Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals, Wilma Unlimited, America’s Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle, Way to Go Alex!, Touch the Sky, Pele: King of Soccer, A Picture Book of Jesse Owens & Babar’s Celestville Games.

You may also find some of these books read aloud on YouTube.

Fun Fact: The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions, used alone, in one or in five different colors, which are, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red. The Olympic symbol (the Olympic rings) expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.

Image: Project Nursery

It’s national pizza month!

Pizza is easy and fun to make and can be a nutritious meal for the children. Buy ready made pizza dough (in the refrigerated or freezer section at the supermarket) or a ready-made crust (in the bread department). Buy shredded mozzarella cheese and a jar of pizza sauce. If you want meat on the pizza you can cook a small amount of ground beef in a pan until it is brown. If you would like vegetables, sauté some sliced peppers, onions or mushrooms in a little bit of oil. You and the children can then make the pizza. First the dough or crust goes on a cookie sheet or pizza pan if you have one. Then spread the sauce, add the other toppings, and last of all, sprinkle the cheese. Bake as directed for the crust. Be careful, as the oven must be very hot to make a nice crusty pizza.

It’s Fall!

Fall Begins

As the weather cools and the leaves start to change color it is the perfect time (in most parts of the United States) to pick apples. Try these simple apple recipes, no matter where you get your apples:

  • Applesauce is very simple to make. Remove the core and quarter the apples. If you leave the peel on during cooking it will give the applesauce a pink color. When the apples are very soft, remove any peel that is left, mash the pulp or put it through a sieve. Add sugar if needed.

  • Try making Dried Apple Rings. They can be used as a nutritious snack. Peel, core and slice apples into 1/8 inch rings (Macintosh or Golden Delicious apples work best). Dip each ring into a mixture of lemon juice and water to help the apples keep their color. Pull a piece of string through the center of each ring and hang in a dry, warm place. They take 1-2 weeks to dry and become chewy.

  • For fall crafts ideas visit: http://familyfun.go.com/autumn.

Do you like pineapples?

Native to South America, the first pineapples were planted in Hawaii on this day in 1813. Now 10% of the world’s pineapples are grown in Hawaii where it first became a commercial crop. It is also widely grown in Central America and Asia. Kids will love this delicious and healthy recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/3 cups apples, peeled, cored and chopped (about 2 medium)
  • 1 1/4 cups carrots, finely shredded
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 (8 ounces) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
  • 2/3 cup cooking oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and mix together. Enjoy!

Try some Stone Soup!

January is National Soup Month. Read “Stone Soup” by Marcia Brown and “George and Martha” by James Marshall and try cooking your own:

Split Pea Soup
Ingredients:

  • 2 cups green split peas
  • 7 cups water
  • 3 cups beef broth (canned or add bouillon cubes to water)
  • 1 stalk of celery
  • 1 medium onion

Directions:

Rinse the split peas under cold water. Place the drained peas, water and broth to a saucepan. Break the celery into 3 or 4 large pieces and add to the pot. Peel and trim the onion and then place the whole onion into the pot. Heat the soup to a boil on medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. When the soup is done, remove the celery and onion and throw them away.

It’s Johnny Appleseed day!

ja

Johnny Appleseed Day

Today is Johnny Appleseed Day.  Johnny Appleseed Day honors one of America’s great legends. Johnny Appleseed was a real person. John Chapman was among the American settlers who were captivated by the movement west across the continent. As Johnny Appleseed travelled west, he planted apple trees along the way, and sold trees to settlers. With every apple tree that was planted, the legend grew.

A Little About the Legend:

  • John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) was born on September 26, 1774.
  • He was a nurseryman who started out planting trees in western New York and Pennsylvania.
  • During the life of John Chapman, the “West” was places like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.
  • John Chapman was a deeply religious person He was known to preach during his travels.
  • According to legend, Johny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. He rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received.
  • It is believed that he died on March 11, 1845, from what was referred to as the “winter plague”. The actual date of his death has been disputed.

There is a lot of “legend” in stories written about Johny Appleseed. By it’s definition, over the years, legends grow bigger than life. It also appears that there is some link between Johny Appleseed and very early Arbor Day celebrations.

Celebrate today by making homemade applesauce.   Here is simple recipe to follow with the kids:

Smooth or chunky applesauce is a great way to eat your daily fruits.

Ingredients
  • 6 tart apples
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks. Place the apples in a large nonreactive saucepan, and add the lemon juice and water. Stir in the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes or until the apples are soft.
  2. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the cinnamon and raisins, if desired. Stir lightly for a chunky sauce and rigorously for a smooth sauce. For a pink applesauce, use red apples and leave the skins on. Once the apples are soft, you can strain out the skins or lift them from the sauce with a fork. Makes 2 1/2 cups.

It’s National Pretzel Day!

Bake your own soft pretzels. Here is an easy and delicious recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 11/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • course salt to sprinkle on pretzels

Directions:

Stir yeast into water. Add the sugar and salt. Blend in flour with hands. Knead until smooth. Cut into pieces and roll into long, skinny twists. Put a little flour on the counter and give the child a piece of dough to create what he or she wants – balls, worms, letters, or pretzel shapes. Put onto a foil-lined, well-greased cookie sheet. Brush with the egg. Sprinkle with the salt. Bake immediately at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Photo from norcalcoupongal.blogspot.com

Time for gingerbread!

Gingerbread men.jpg

Gingerbread is an important part of many cultures’ holiday celebrations. The story of the Gingerbread Boy has been retold in many versions. It might be fun to make some gingerbread cookies and read the story.

Visit the Library!

  • Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett.
  • The Cajun Gingerbread Boy illustrated by Berthe Amoss
  • The Gingerbread Boy by Richard Egielski
  • The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone
  • The Gingerbread Man: An Old English Folktale illustrated by John A. Rowe
  • The Gingerbread Man illustrated by Karen Schmidt
  • The Gingerbread Man illustrated by Pam Adams
  • The Gingerbread Man by Eric Kimmel
  • The Gingerbread Man retold by Jim Aylesworth

Head for the Kitchen!
Make a batch of gingerbread and bake and decorate a tray of gingerbread boys. Read the story while they bake.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • In a large bowl, sift together
    • 3 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • In a smaller bowl beat together:
    • 3/4 cup brown sugar
    • 6 tablespons butter
    • 1 egg
    • 3/4 cup molasses
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut out cookies. Bake on a greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. Place on a rack to cool. Decorate.

Have some chocolate chips today!

National Chocolate Chip Day

Try this delicious recipe. Be sure to let the children pour and stir ingredients but don’t let them near the hot oven!

Traditional Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional – ask about allergies)

Directions:

  • Heat oven to 375°F.
  • Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add eggs; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

photo from suppersanityclub.blogspot.com

Have a toasted marshmallow today!

Toasting marshmallows at the end of a long green stick over a campfire is a summertime treat. This may not be possible at home, but you can still make S’mores, a messy, gooey, sweet summertime delight.

  • 2 graham cracker squares
  • 1 large marshmallow
  • Handful of chocolate chips, or half a chocolate bar
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • tin foil

Place the marshmallow and chocolate between the two graham crackers (like a sandwich) and wrap in tin foil. Place in a toaster oven or under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, and voila gooey treat!