Monday Munchies: Berry-ola Parfait

Berryola Parfait Full disclosure – between strep throat, Mother’s Day, and life, I didn’t make a specific recipe for the blog this week.  Instead, I just took a photo of the girls’ breakfast this morning and figured it the blog could showcase this simple treat.  Bo, Clara, and Anna all love yogurt (seriously, I think they would eat it at every meal if I would let them) so this was a hit.

Berry-ola Parfait

  • 2 containers blueberry yogurt (I used Stonyfield Farms Organic Yo-Baby)
  • 3-4 Raspberries
  • 10 blueberries
  • 3-4 Blackberries
  • 2-3 Strawberries
  • 1/4 cup granola (I used Bare Naked Vanilla Almond)
  • Chop strawberries and combine with other berries in a small bowl.  In parfait dishes, layer yogurt, berry mixture, and granola.  Repeat layers. Serves 2.  This seems fancy (which kids love) but is really fast and easy!

    Anna ParfaitClara parfait

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Oat Cakes with Cream Cheese Spread

    Oat cakes

    The last week has been a failure as far as new recipes are concerned.  I tried two recipes for homemade granola bars and I wasn’t thrilled with either of them.  This recipe is from several weeks ago and only received rave reviews from Anna.  Bo wouldn’t eat it (although he does like the cream cheese spread on cinnamon bread!) and Clara thought they were too chewy.  I thought they were good for a healthy breakfast (or snack) for an alternative to regular oatmeal.

    Oat Cakes with Cream Cheese Spread

  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp agave nectar
  • 1/2 banana, mashed
  • 3 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Preheat oven to 350.  Heat the water in the microwave until boiling.  Add the butter and mix into the oats, cinnamon, and agave in a small bowl.  Let stand for several minutes.  Dust oat mixture with flour and roll to 1/4 inch thick.  Using a sharp knife, cut into squares and place on a lined baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.  In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, mashed banana, and vanilla.  Spread the oat cakes with the cream cheese mixture and serve.

    Anna oat cakes 2 Anna oat cakesAnna oat cakes 3

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Pina Colada Fruit Salad

    pina colada fruit salad_edited-1

    I threw this fruit salad (recipe originally from one of my MoM friends, Tenille) together on Friday morning, thinking it would be a tasty treat for us over Easter weekend.  Bo and Clara weren’t fans (Bo thought the coconut was cheese and didn’t like that… apparently he doesn’t like coconut right now), but Anna loved it.  She loved it so much that she put her whole hand in the syrupy-juice that was left on her plate, splashed around in it a bit, and then licked her hand thoroughly.  Let’s just say I think she’s still sticky…

    I think it is mighty tasty and a great spring/summer fruit salad.  This recipe makes a huge batch and would be perfect for a cookout!  The secret ingredient is the almond extract!  🙂

    Pina Colada Fruit Salad

    • 1 – 16 oz can pineapple chunks (or fresh pineapple, cubed)
    • 1.5 cups green grapes
    • 1.5 cups purple grapes
    • 1.5 cups strawberries
    • 1.5 cups blueberries
    • 1/2 cup raspberries
    • 1 can non-alcoholic pina colada mix, thawed
    • 1/2 cup orange juice
    • 1/4 cup sugar (can substitute agave, honey, or splenda – however, the pina colada mix does have sugar)
    • 1/4 tsp. almond extract
    • 1/4 tsp. coconut extract
    • 1/4 cup coconut flakes (optional)

    In a large bowl, quarter strawberries and grapes.  In a separate bowl, combine pina colada mix, orange juice, sugar, and extracts.  Pour over fruit and combine.  Sprinkle with coconut flakes. Delish.

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: 5th Blogoversary Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote

    In honor of my 5th blogoversary, I decided this week’s recipe should be celebratory, and what better way to celebrate then with cake.  I chose Angel Food because it is the lightest cake I could think of and we’re trying to eat better here at Chez Sticky Feet.

    My laptop decided to die over the weekend and my long-winded ramble reflecting my 5 years of blogging died with it.  Suffice it t to say, I’m mourning my beloved computer, but still can’t believe that I’ve been blogging for 5 years.  In many ways it feels like I just typed my first post yesterday.

    I took this cake to a friend’s house on Friday evening for dinner.  She and I enjoyed it, Anna ate a few bites, and Clara threw her piece across the table (always nice when you’re dining at someone else’s house!), Bo was too busy playing to try a piece.  It’s a delicious cake and kudos to my friend, Jenny, for many of the helpful hints that are provided in this recipe.

    Angel Food Cake with Berry Compote

    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • 1 cup cake flour
    • 1 ½ cups egg whites (12)
    • 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
    • ½ teaspoon almond extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Separate eggs – put egg whites in metal bowl and allow to warm for at least ½ an hour.

    Move oven rack to lowest position, heat oven to 375.

    Mix powdered sugar and flour, set aside. Beat egg whites and cream of tarter in large metal bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until foamy. Beat in granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, on high speed, adding vanilla, almond extract and salt with the last addition of sugar. Continue beating until stiff and glossy meringue forms. Do not underbeat.

    Sprinkle sugar-flour mixture, ¼ cup at a time over meringue, folding in just until sugar-flour mixture disappears. Push batter into ungreased angel food cake pan. Cut gently through batter with metal knife or spatula to remove bubbles.

    Bake 30 to 35 minutes until cracks feel dry and top springs back when touched lightly. Immediately turn pan upside down onto heatproof funnel or bottle. Let hang about 2 hours until cake is completely cool. Loosen side of cake with knife to remove from pan.

    For the berry compote, combine one 16 oz. bag of frozen mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries) with 1/2 cup sugar.  Bring to a boil until thickened.  Spoon over cake to serve.

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Tomato Risotto

    Tomato risotto

    I made this for dinner last Sunday, after we’d spent the afternoon playing outside.  Pardon the girls stringy hair – they were ready for a bath!!  Mike and I ate this too and I thought it was quite tasty.  When I make it again, I think it would be a great side dish for meatballs.

    All three of my kiddos lapped this up in no time.  Definitely a keeper recipe at our house!

    Tomato Risotto

    • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
    • 1 small onion, finely chopped
    • 1 cup Arborio rice
    • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
    • 2 cups vegetable stock
    • 2 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
    • 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated

    Preheat oven to 350.  In a dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.  Add the onion and rice and saute until the onion is opaque and the rice is golden.  Add crushed tomatoes, stock, and Italian seasoning and bring to a simmer.  Place in the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes.  Stir and return to oven for an additional 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir in the Parmesan.

    Anna risotto Bo risotto Clara risotto

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Asparagus “Fries”

    Fish with Asparagus Fries

    I tried three new recipes one evening last week.  I must have been in the mood for Parmesan as all of these recipes have grated Parmesan in them.

    The fish recipe is from my friend Lauren’s husband’s blog – Parmesan Crusted Fish – I used tilapia.  Lauren was a county fair queen and is still one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.  Her smile lights up a room instantly.  Both she and her husband recently started food blogging and I’ve been trying many of their recipes.  They are great!!

    The pasta is Orzo with Parmesan and Basil that I found on Tasty Kitchen and the Asparagus Fries were inspired by another recipe I printed recently, but now I can’t find the site! (If it’s you, send me an email and I’ll add a link!)

    Mike and I had this for dinner after the kiddos went to bed, and I liked the asparagus fries so much that there were not any leftovers.  Mike ate one of them (he isn’t an asparagus fan) but did say, “It’s actually good.  It doesn’t taste like asparagus at all.”  The kids did eat leftover orzo and fish and liked them both. 🙂

    Asparagus “Fries”

    • 1 bunch asparagus
    • 2 egg whites
    • 1 cup panko crumbs
    • 1/4 cup flour
    • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
    • Salt and Pepper

    Preheat oven to 425.  Lay a wire rack on a baking sheet and coat with nonstick spray.  Cut the ends of each asparagus spear.  Lightly beat the eggs and place on a shallow dish or plate.  Combine the other ingredients on another shallow dish or plate.  Coat each asparagus spear in egg whites, then lay in the panko mixture and throughly cover.  Lay each spear on the wire rack.  Bake for 15 minutes, until golden and crispy.

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Banana Pudding

    Banana puddingPardon the Lightning McQueen bowl and Gerber spoon – I mostly feed children!  This is one of my favorite dessert recipes.  It is quick, easy, and perfect for parties.  I made this with the leftover heavy whipping cream from last week’s Creamy Sausage Bowties and used it’s sugary goodness in an attempt to coerce my, then sick, children to eat.  All three little ones enjoy this dessert – there are no photos of Anna trying hers, as she was still pretty sick when I made it.

    This is my mom’s recipe and I have no idea where it originated.  This is the only type of pudding Mike will eat, however, he prefers his without bananas (aka vanilla).

    Banana Pudding

    • 3 bananas
    • vanilla wafers
    • 1 pkg. Instant vanilla pudding
    • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream

    Beat whipping cream until fluffy. Mix other ingredients together in a large bowl, folding the fluffy cream in last. Line a large bowl with vanilla wafers. Slice bananas in a single layer on top. Add some of the pudding mixture. Continue to layer ingredients in bowl. Refrigerate.  If you plan to eat over several days, do not put banana slices in the bowl.  Slice fresh banana over the top right before serving.

    Bo banana puddingClara banana pudding lol

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Creamy Sausage Bowties

    Creamy Sausage Bow-ties

    Just so we’re clear – there is a reason I have a muffin top.  And it isn’t because of the flax-laden treats I serve my children.  It’s because of recipes like this one.  My friend Jenny sent this me this recipe from one of our favorite recipe sites, Tasty Kitchen.  The subject line said “yummy pasta” and she’s right!

    The kiddos were sick when I made this and Mike and I had it for dinner after they were in bed.  It’s pretty spicy, so I’m not sure if it would be a big hit for them, but I really enjoyed it.  Mike thought it was too spicy, and we’ll probably use mild Rotel in the future to calm it down a bit.

    The bread is homemade Pain d’Epi, from the cookbook Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day, which is amazing!

    Creamy Sausage and Tomato Bowtie Pasta

    • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
    • 3 cloves of garlic (diced)
    • 1/2 cup yellow onion (chopped)
    • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
    • 1 pound ground seasoned pork sausage
    • 2 tsp corn starch
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
    • 1 can diced tomatoes and chiles (Rotel)
    • 12 ounces bowtie pasta
    • Parmesan cheese

    Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside.

    Heat EVOO in large skillet over medium heat. Add in garlic, onion, red pepper flakes and mix for 1 minute. Add in ground sausage and cook for until meat is no longer pink.  Add cornstarch to skillet and mix with meat. Add heavy whipping cream and Rotel to the meat mixture and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in cooked pasta, and let stand for 10 minutes to thicken, stirring occasionally. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan.

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Chocolate Pudding (Made with Avocado!)

    Avocado Chocolate Pudding

    The trio has been sick all weekend.  🙁  However, I made this Chocolate Pudding a few weeks ago and the girls loved it!  I was inspired by Roni over at GreenLiteBites.  Bo was at school when I made it and the girls ate it so fast (I knelt on the floor and fed it to them – patience is not a virtue) that he didn’t try this recipe.  Also, due to the hurried nature of their eating, there are no photos of of the girls trying this one, but it was definitely a hit!

    I tried it, and I couldn’t taste the avocado.  It just adds the creaminess.  This definitely isn’t low-calorie, but it is full of good fats and perfect for my quest to fatten up Anna.

    Chocolate Pudding (made with Avocado!)

    • 1 ripe avocado
    • 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
    • 4 tsp agave nectar (can use sugar)
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 1 Tbsp milk

    Dice avocado and place all ingredients into a small food processor.  Blend until smooth and creamy.  Dish into serving bowls and garnish with whipped cream, if desired.  Makes 1 large or 2 small servings.  Double if feeding twin girls. 😉

    Each Monday, I’ll showcase a family and kid-friendly recipe to share with your family.  Please let me know if you try one of my recipes! Enjoy!

    Monday Munchies: Cinnamon Pear Baked Oatmeal

    Baked Oatmeal On Thursday evening, I threw together a batch of baked oatmeal to use up some pears that were nearing the end of their lifespan.  My original recipe calls for quite a bit of fat (great for Anna, bad for Mama) so I decided to lighten up this recipe a bit.  Clara, Anna, and I enjoyed the results.  Bo was in a mood and wouldn’t try it.  He gave his to Anna and had yogurt with granola for breakfast on Friday morning instead.

    Cinnamon Pear Baked Oatmeal

    • 1/2 cup applesauce (replaces oil)
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 3 Tbsp flax seed mixed with water to make a paste (replaces eggs)
    • 3 cups quick cooking oats
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • 2 Tbsp wheat germ
    • 2 tsp cinnamon
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 small pears, diced

    Mix applesauce, sugar, and flax mixture until smooth.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Fold in diced pear. Pour into greased 8 x 8 pan and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Also great with diced apple!

    Anna likes itClara likes itBo giving Anna oatmeal