New cookbooks!

I'm a cookbook addict. I'll be the first to admit it. I like sort of wacky cookbooks. I'm a sucker for cookbooks based on actual books.

I've had the Roald Dahl cookbooks sitting on my shelf forever, tho, I've never actually made anything out of them. I have that on my to do list this summer. Read a story and make a recipe.

Yesterday, the Green Eggs and Ham cookbook arrived and i'm happy to say the recipes look at lot more kid/parent friendly than some of the other cookbooks we've come across. I'm anxious to try some of the recipes. There's a peanut butter pancake recipe that looks ultra yummy. Sadly we won't be able to make the recipe for Green Eggs and Ham as written since the eggs are made green by avocados and those are big no-no for those with latex allergies. I bet I can whip up some yummy green eggs by adding basil instead. . .

really quick peanut butter fudge

Another recipe pilfered from food network.

1 cup butter, plus more for greasing pan
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Microwave butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to peanut butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. Pour into a buttered 8 by 8-inch pan lined with waxed paper. Place a second piece of waxed paper on the surface of the fudge and refrigerate until cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

It doesn't say to, but I would recommend sifting the powdered sugar to get rid of the clumps. Mine didn't break apart well when mixing this up and i had some lumps.

What the World Eats

This isn't exactly about kids and food but this is still food for thought. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the amount of sodas and other convenience foods being consumed by the "average" American families.

We are a family of 7 and don't spend nearly as much money on food as the American families. We don't eat a heck of a lot of junk. I very very rarely buy a packaged meal. They just don't feed a family our size without buying 2-3 of them and that's not very cost effective at all.

There's just a joy in preparing food with my family that I think helps us not to spend as much on groceries. We don't waste anything. I about had a heart attack when I found a forgotten cantaloupe completely rotten. Leftovers go for next day lunches or frozen for dinners when the kids don't like what I've made or those nights when I just don't feel like cooking. That little bit of cereal left, not quite enough for a bowl, gets put into a zip-loc bag and becomes snackables.

Anyway, I think we're going to make some peanut butter fudge this afternoon. The 8 yo has been bothering me about it ever since she saw it on her favorite show. I think she has a crush on Alton Brown heehee

a good playdough

I've made this playdough many times over the years and it is the best recipe. If you keep it in a bag or sealed container it stays soft for a long time. Before we moved here I was able to find a place that sold bulk cream of tartar so it wasn't hugely expensive and I could make lots of playdough. I've not found a place here that sells it bulk, but I'm still looking.

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring

Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when cooled.

A dessert you can skip

I'm all about sharing failures as much as successes when it comes to cooking. This one, while the kids loved it, the adults were gagging.

I bought some of those new strawberry flavored marshmallows and used them in rice crispy treats. I had a bad feeling about it the minute I opened the bag of marshmallows. They had that overpowering fakey strawberry smell that I usually associate with that berry flavored monster cereal.

It tasted like fake powdery strawberries instead of the juicy strawberry flavor I envisioned. Blech. total let down.

I think if I want strawberry crispy treats again, I'm going to add dehydrated strawberries as I mix it up.

I've been pondering trying crispy treats with the coconut marshmallows, but dang it, I buy a bag and they never quite make it home.