*~*~*~ Recipes ~*~*~* ----Yogurt Fruit Dip------ 1/2 cup plain yogurt 2 tablespoons unsweetened orange or apple juice concentrate fresh fruit In a small bowl mix yogurt with orange or apple juice concentrate. Cut fruit into chunks. Let your children use toothpicks to dip the fruit chunks into the yogurt mixture. --------Peach Yogurt------- 1 cup plain yogurt 1 cup diced peaches 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice concentrate Mix all ingredients in a blender. Spoon into cups. --------Watermelon Popsicles------ 1 cup seedless watermelon chunks 1 cup unsweetened orange juice 1 cup water Blend all ingredients together in a blender. Pour into small paper cups. Place in freezer and, when partially frozen, insert popsicle sticks or small plastic spoons for handles. When completely frozen, unmold by pouring hot water over bottom of cups. ---------Fresh Berry Shake --------- 1 cup milk 1/2 banana, sliced 1/4 cup fresh berries Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix well. --------Snow Cones-------- To make each cone, place crushed ice in a paper cup. Mix one part unsweetened frozen apple or orange juice concentrate with one part water. Pour the diluted concentrate over the ice. --------Banana Wrap-------- 1 8inch flour tortilla 2-3 tbsp peanut butter 2-3 tbsp grape jelly 1 small banana, peeled Place tortilla on a paper towel. Microwave 10 to 20 seconds on high until the tortilla is soft and warm. Spread with peanut butter. Top with grape jelly. Place the banana near the right edge of the tortilla. Fold up the bottom fourth of the tortilla. Bring right edge over the banana and roll-up. -------------Banana Push-Ups--------- 2 large banana, cut up 1/2 cup Instant Nonfat Dry Milk 1 cup plain yogurt 6 oz frozen orange juice - concentrate (1 can) 1 cup water Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and whirl until foamy. Pour into paper cups and freeze. Push up from the bottom of the cup. --------------Cheerio Bars------------- 1/2 cup Peanut Butter 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup honey 3 cups cheerios Salted peanuts Bring sugar and honey to a boil in 2 qt saucepan. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter until blended. Pour in cheerios and mix until well coated. Spread in buttered 9x13 pan and let cool. Cut in squares. -------------Peanut Butter Clay------------ 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 1/2 cups Instant powdered milk 3 tbsp honey peanuts, raisins, chocolate chips and coconut for decorating (optional) Stir the peanut butter, powdered milk, honey together in a medium sized bowl until dough is smooth. If its dry add more honey, it its too moist add morepowdered milk. Kids can form it into critters of their choice, then decorate their artwork with peanuts, etc Store unused dough in the fridge. --------Peanut Butter Caterpillars--------- Banana 2 tbsp peanut butter grape Peel and slice a banana. Spread slices with peanut butter and connect the slices. Add a grape up front for the head ("gluing" with more peanut butter). If desired, make this a game with the child - what veggie can we add to make antenas? etc. (maybe a strip of celery). ----------Mini Corndogs----------- 1 cup flour 1/2 cup cornmeal 1 tbsp sugar 1 1/2 tsp salt 2 tbsp vegetable shortening 1 egg, beaten slightly 3/4 cup milk oil 8 frankfurters, cut into thirds Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. With a pastry blender, cut vegetable shortening into flour mixture until there are fine curmbs. Add egg and milk and blend well. Pour vegetable oil into a 2 inch depth in a deep fryer or large saucepan. Heat to 375 degrees. Pat frankfurter dry with paper towels. Insert a toothpick into the center of each frankfurter. Dip each frankfurter into batter and then into hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper. ----------Gelatin Pizza------------ 4 pk (4 serving size) or 2 pk (8 serving size) jello, any flavor 2 1/2 cups boiling water non-stick cooking spray 1 cup cool whip 2 cups cut up fruit Servings: 10-12 Pour gelatin into bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups boiling water to gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Spray pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour gelatin mixture into pizza pan. Put pan into fridge to chill until firm, about 3 hours. Remove pan from fridge when ready to serve. Put about 1 inch of warm water in sink. Carefully dip just bottom of pan into warm water for 15 seconds. Spread whipped topping over gelatin just before serving. Leaving about 1 inch of space around outside edge of gelatin for pizza "crust". Top pizza with fruit, arranging fruit in whatever design you like. Cut pizza into wedges. ------------Frozen Fruit Treat------------ 1 3/4 cups strawberries 1 large can crushed pineapple 5 bananas (cut in cubes) 12 oz frozen orange juice - concentrate 1 1/2 cups water Mix ingredients together. Freeze in small paper cups. Serve partially defrosted. Children love this nutritous treat! --------------Dirt Cups----------- 2 cups cold milk 1pk Jello 0 chocolate pudding 1pk Cool Whip topping, thawed 1pk Chocolate sandwich cookies 10 7oz plastic cups Suggested decorations: gummy worms, gummy frogs, candy flowers, chopped peanuts. Crush cookies until they resemble dirt and set aside. Combine pudding mix and milk until well blended. Then fold in the whipped topping. Fill plastic cups with pudding mixture alternating with the cookie crumbs. Top with cookie crumbs. Refrigerate for a couple or hours, then docorate with gummy worms and other toppings. -------------Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip ---------- 3 oz pkg cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter 1 dash ground cinnamon 1/4 cup chocolate syrup 2 tbsp milk assorted cut-up fruit assorted cookies pretzels In a large bowl with electric mixer on medium, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, and cinnamon until smooth. Gradually beat in chocolate syrup and milk until well blended. Serve with fruit, cookies, pretzels, etc. --------Chicken Pox Pancakes----------- Strawberries Pancake mix Bananas Powdered sugar Chop the berries into small chunks, allowing one or two per pancake face. Set aside. Prepare the pancake mix according to package directions. When the pancakes are done, place each serving in a stack on a separate plate. For every two stacks of pancakes, you need to peel one banana. Carefully slice off the two ends and put one on top of each stack for a nose. Then cut two thin slices from each end for eyes. Then cut banana in half for a long curved mouth. Arrange the strawberry chunks chicken pox all around each face. Drop a pinch of powdered sugar on each pox for a tasty bit of puss. Serves as many little polka dotted people as your heart desires. ---------Frozen Yogurt Pops ------- 1 C frozen unsweetened strawberries 1 C plain yogurt 5 Tbsp. honey 7 3-1/2 oz. paper cups 7 wooden ice cream sticks Put strawberries in blender, blend until smooth. Pour into bowl and stir in honey and yogurt. Fill cups 2/3 full with mixture. Put stick in center. Freeze 1-2 hours. Remove from cup and serve. ----------Fruit Float--------- Fill a glass with fruit such as strawberries, banana slices, melon pieces, that he/she has prepared. Pour in chilled gingerale or lemon lime soda. Top with a scoop of sherbert. --------Juice Jellies ------------ 4 envelopes unflavored gelatain (or 4 tablespoons) 1 1/2 cup cold water 1 6-ounce can frozen concentrated grape juice, thawed, undiluted (or orange juice) Sprinkle gelatin over water in pan. Stir over low heat five minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in juice. Pour into eight-inch square pan and refrigerate at least 2 hours until firm. Cut into 36 squares, keep refrigerated. ---------Frozen Bananas------------- Cut bananas in half. Place popsicle stick up, dip in chocolate syrup or honey, roll in nuts or Rice Krispies. Or slice bananas and use toothpicks for sticks. Place in freezer for 1 to 2 hours. ---------Cheesy Mostacioli------------ 1 pkg. Mostacioli pasta - cooked 1 1/2 lbs. browned ground beef 1 can cheddar cheese soup 1 jar spaghetti sauce 1 tsp black pepper 3 cups mozzarella cheese 1 tsp. itailan seasoning Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine pasta, meat, soup and spaghetti sauce. Add pepper and seasoning and 2 cups of the mozz. cheese. Mix to combine. Place in a baking dish and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake 25-30 min. ---------Dixieland Colby Biscuits -------- 3 cups enriched flour 2 Tbs. baking powder 1 tsp.. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cup butter 1 1/4 cups milk 2 1/2 cups Colby cheese In large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. cut butter into flour mixture and mix until coated. Stir cheese into flour mixture and mix until coated. Pour in milk and a little at a time, mixing gently after each addition, until mixture is omit and just holds together. Do not overmix. roll dough out on lightly floured surface to a half-inch -plus thickness. With a two-inch biscuit cutter, cut biscuits. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Yield: 25 biscuits Serving Size: 1 biscuit Food Program Meal Component: 1 bread alternate for a 1 to 5 year old Credit: American School Food Services If you've ever forced yourself to watch those late night or early morning infomercials, you've probably seen the Ronco Indoor Rotisserie. Well, I bought it, and absolutely love it!! It's the exception to the "too good to be true rule!!" I paid full price for mine and do think it was worth it, but now I found out that Amazon is selling refurbished ones that are like new! And the price is wonderful too. I can't say enough good things about mine. Just ask me!!! My daycare parents come in at pick-up time and can always tell when I'm cooking something great in it!! And you get the same goodies with yours as I did with mine. Check it out!!! ---------Cookie Salad ------------ 2 pkgs instant vanilla pudding mix 16 oz. tub Cool Whip whipped topping 2 cups buttermilk 2 cans mandarin oranges 1 pkg Keebler fudge striped Cookies Mix pudding mix and buttermilk. Add cool whip and oranges. Just before serving, add 1 pkg. crushed cookies. Makes a large salad. -------------Meatballs ------------ 2 lbs. hamburger 3 cups Special K or Corn Flakes Cereal 1 cup applesauce 1 tsp salt 2 eggs pepper onion, chopped Mix well and make into meatballs. Put in a 9 x 13 pan. Cover with a sauce of 1 can tomato soup and 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup of water. Cover with tin foil. Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees. Uncover for the last 1/2 hour of baking time. ---------Fruit Pizza ------------ CRUST - 1 cup butter; 2 cups flour; and 1/2 cup powdered sugar Mix and press into a jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool. NEXT LAYER - 16 oz. cream cheese-softened; 2/3 cup sugar; 2 tsp vanilla. Mix together until smooth. Spread on top of crust. FRUIT LAYER - 6 cups sliced fruit (bananas, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, etc) Arrange on top of cream cheese layer. GLAZE - 2 jars of strawberry glaze. (or make your own) Pour over fruit layer. --------Valentine Muffins--------- (or anytime!!) 1 egg 1 cup milk 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 cups flour 1/4 cup sugar 1 Tbsp baking powder thawed strawberries or strawberry preserves Beat egg, milk, and oil with fork until blended. Mix dry ingredients together. Add to egg mixture and stir until blended. Batter will be lumpy. Spoon into 12 lined muffin cups. Fill 1/3 full. Place a strawberry into each cup and then top with more batter to fill the cup 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. ---------Cinnamon Apple Cider ----------- 4 servings 2 cups 100 % apple juice 1 Tbsp cinnamon red hot candies 1 tsp lemon juice Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Heat until red hots melt over low heat. Stir often. Let cool a little before serving. 1/2 cup of juice is a fruit/veg. serving for a 3-5 yr old at snack. ----------Easy Fruit Salad ----------- 1 box orange Jello (small size) 1 small carton cottage cheese 2 cans mandarin oranges 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple Drain fruit. Sprinkle Jello over the fruit and stir. Add cottage cheese. Mix together and chill. Makes 9 (1/2 cup) servings for a 3-5 yr old. --------Grandma T.'s Pancakes--------- The Mix - 12 cups flour 3/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp salt 4 cups powdered milk 3/4 cup baking powder. Store in airtight container. When ready to make pancakes - use 1 1/2 cups of the mix, 1 beaten egg, 2 Tbsp. shortening and 1 cup buttermilk (or water) -------Yogurt Popsicles ----------- Needed: 2 cartons plain yogurt 2 6oz. cans frozen orange juice optional-dash of vanilla and/or honey Mix well and freeze in plastic cups. Insert sticks when mixture is partially frozen. Enjoy when frozen solid! ---------Surprise Cupcakes----------- 1 box white cake mix Hershey's Kisses (plain, no nuts) Make cake as directed on box. Fill lined muffin cups about a third full with batter. Drop in an unwrapped kiss and fill the cup so it's about 2/3 of the way full. Bake as directed on the box. Frost when cool if desired. When the children bite into the cupcake they should find a chocolate surprise in the middle. That is why you want the plain kisses not the almond ones. ---------Traffic Light Cookies--------- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 cup softened margarine or butter 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1 egg 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1) Help the children measure out all the ingredients. Then mix together the first 5 ingred. 2) Then stir in the flour, baking soda, and cr. of tartar. Cover and refrigerate at least three hours. 4) Heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll of the dough - 1/2 at a time. 5) Help the children cut the dough into 2"x3" rectangles. Place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet. 6) Using red, yellow and green gumdrops, arrange them on each cookie to resemble traffic lights. (Green is on the bottom in case you forgot!!) 7) Bake for 7-8 minutes until edges are light brown. Yields 4 dozen cookies. ---------Christmas Tree Cakes-------- Bake a yellow(or any flavor) cake according to directions on the box. Bake in a greased 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch jelly roll pan. When done, take out of pan carefully and cut it into several triangle shapes resembling trees. Frost with green frosting and decorate as you wish. As a carmel square, "Tootsie roll, or a licorice stick piece as the trunk . ---------Puppy Chow------------ Needed: a 12.3 oz. of Crispix Cereal a 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips(semi-sweet) 1 cup peanut butter Melt choc. chips and peanut butter. Pour over cereal in a bowl. Mix thoroughly. Put mixture ino a large grocery bag(or individual small bags)with approximatley 2 cups powdered sugar. (about a 1/4 cup if using individual bags) Close the bag and shake away until all the cereal is white. ----------My Grandma's Chicken Hotdish ----------- This is good for left over thanksgiving turkey also. 3 1/2 cups chicken or turkey(I buy the frozen diced turkey chunks) 8 oz. pkg. egg noodles, cooked 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can cream of celery soup 1/2 cup diced cheese 1 cup diced celery 1 diced onion salt and pepper if desired 1/2 bag frozen mixed veggies Mix all together in baking dish. Add milk to moisten. (check 1/2 way through if needed for more milk)Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. It didn't say to, but I cover it. --------No Syrup Mess---------- I buy french toast sticks from the local food truck that comes here. The kids love them for breakfast or snack. I used to serve them with a small cup of syrup to dip them into. What a mess!! Now I use the same cup but put applesauce in it instead. Still a little messy, but it's much better for them than syrup. -------Gak (not to be eaten - play with it!!!!!)------- *1 oz. white glue *1 tsp. borax (found in the laundry detergent section in the grocery store) *2 oz. water *food coloring *ziploc bag Add 1 oz. glue in a cup and 4 drops of coloring. Pour into the ziploc bag. Pour 1 oz. of water in it. Close bag so no air gets in it. Mush it together and add 1 tsp. borax. Pour other oz. of water into bag and close it making sure no air gets in. Mush it around until thick. ------------Banana Pops------------ Peel a banana. Dip it in yogurt, then roll in crushed breakfast cereal, and freeze. -----------Fruit Shake-Ups---------- Put 1/2 cup lowfat fruit yogurt and 1/2 cup cold fruit juice in a non-breakable, covered container. Make sure the lid is tight. Then shake it up, and pour into a cup. --------Pudding Shakes--------- Use the same technique for making fruit shake-ups, but instead mix 1/2 cup cold milk with 3 tablespoons of instant pudding. ---------Sandwich Cut-Outs -------------- Using cookie cutters with fun shapes, like dinosaurs, stars, and hearts, cut slices of cheese, meat, and whole-grain bread. Then put them together to make fun sandwiches. Eat the edges, too. ----------Peanut Butter Balls------------- Mix peanut butter and bran or corn flakes in a bowl. Shape them into balls with clean hands. Then roll them in crushed graham crackers. ------------Ice Cream-Wiches------------- Put a small scoop of ice cream or frozen yogurt between two oatmeal cookies or frozen waffles. Make a batch of these sandwiches ahead, and freeze them. Ants on a Log. Fill celery with peanut butter or cream cheese. Arrange raisins along the top. --------Chewy Bars------------- 1 pkg. Jiffy yellow cake mix 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tbsp. margarine, fat-free/regular/Smuckers Baking Healthy 1 tbsp. corn syrup 1/4 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 egg 1 tbsp. water 2 tbsp. flour In small bowl, blend all ingredients well. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. --------Homemade Ham and Cheese Pockets---------- Needed: tube of Pillsbury Cresent Roll dough 8 cheese slices Ham diced or cut into thin strips shredded Cheddar cheese (optional) Unroll the cresent dough and separate into 2 squares. (leaving 4 triangles together on each square) Seal the seams if necessary to prevent cheese from melting out. Lay 4 slices of cheese onto one of the squares. Sprinkle the ham over top of the cheese and then another layer of 4 cheese slices. Carefully lay the other dough square on top of it. Press the edges all together. Sprinkle with a little shredded cheddar cheese. (optional) Bake at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Longer if needed. Use a pizza cutter to cut into 9 squares. Yummy!!! -----------Dirt Cups --------------- 1 pkg oreo cookies or chocolate graham crackers, 2 pkgs instant chocolate pudding, 2 1/2 cups milk, 1 - 12 oz cool whip and 1 pkg of gummi worms Put cookies or graham crackers in large ziplock bag and crush to make look like dirt (the kids are a BIG help with this part! Mix the pudding pkgs and milk until thick, fold in cool whip, stir in 1/2 of the cookie crumbs into the pudding mixture. Put a gummi worm on the bottom of a paper cup and cover with the pudding mixture. Top with more cookie crumbs and another worm. ENJOY! For a beach theme..... We have also made the same recipe but then put it all in a beach pail (brand new one, of course) and served it with a shovel. For a garden theme...... You can also use a new flower pot and place a plastic flower in it and serve it with a garden shovel. The kids just LOVE it! ------------Crock Pot Chicken Soup------------ Slice some carrots, celery, a small onion, and other veggies if you'd like into 5 cups of water in a crock pot. Salt and pepper as desired. Cook on low for 4-4 1/2 hours. The last half hour, add two packages of Roasted Chicken Ramen Noodles and the seasonings included in the package. Heat till noodles are ready and serve. Can add more water to make it more liquidy? (is that a word?) but my kids liked it as is and no one had any leftovers to drink (or spill!!!) ----------Applesauce Jello----------- Make jello (blueberry or raspberry) and instead of using the cold water I substitute with applesauce. It's quite hearty. I put a dollop of whip cream on top. The kids love it. (she didn't think it would count on the food program as a fruit, but it's a great, delicious extra) -------------Chex After School Mix----------- 9 cups chex cereal (wheat, rice and or corn) 1/2 cup peanut butter 1 cup semi sweet choc chips 1/4 c margarine 1/4 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar Melt choc chips, peanutbutter, margarine, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal until evenly coated. Pour powdered sugar in large bag and add cereal mixture. Shack to coat. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container. Other cereals may be used. Nuts, dried fruits, ect can also be added to make up the 9 cups of cereal *~*~*Daycare Provider friendly*~*~* After taking care of everyone else, how about some time for you? Give this a try for tired feet 2Tbs aloe vera gel 1/2 Tbs. peppermint oil Combine ingredients with whisk or fork and massage mixture into feet until absorbed. Peppermint oil stimulates. and aloe Vera cools and moisturizes without greasiness. Store in glass or plastic container in a cool, dry place. -----------Skin softening milk bath ------- 1/2 cup powdered milk 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup honey 5-7 drops rose oil 2-3 Tbs. distilled water In a blender or food processor, combine powdered milk, cornstarch, honey and rose oil. Add distilled water slowly until mixture becomes a smooth paste. Add to running bath water. Soak for 10-20 minutes. --------------------- For puffy eyes, place steeped chamomile tea bags over your eye for about 10 minutes to reduce the sweeling. ---------Deep Hair Conditioner ----------- Mix 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon mayo, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Comb through your hair, wrap your head with a towel and leave in for 20 minutes then rinse out. ______________________________________________________ Site Designed By Christel for Sunshine Corner, Denton Tx., Graphics by Amr Originals.com