Playing With Your Food

Submitted by Active Member Lisa Hockenberry

Do you remember the scene in Mermaids where Cher’s character would make the craziest concoctions for her family to eat? She adorned foods with marshmallows and sprinkles in hopes of being a “good mom”.

Recently my girlfriend informed me that she made Puppy Chow for her upcoming Tennis Holiday Party. “What is that?” I inquired. She said her mom made it growing up! I may be the only person out there that has not heard of puppy chow, but I have a sneaking suspicion it is not for puppies…

However, it got me thinking about all the fun food ideas my mom would whip up for me so that I would eat my food. I don’t think I was a picky eater, but it is a lot less hassle for kids to eat healthy when they think it actually a fun snack! I am not talking laborious make your own baby food, just easy, creative kid-friendly snacks.

Banana Hot Dog Sandwich

1 hot dog bun

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 banana

1. Toast the bun.

2. Take the peanut butter and spread onto bread.

3. Top with banana.

Bugs on a Log

1 stalk celery

2 tablespoons peanut butter

Raisins or chocolate chips

1. Cut the celery into thirds.

2. Fill with peanut butter.

3. Top with raisins or chips to resemble bugs

Dirt Cups

1 package Instant Pudding Mix

2 cups milk

16 oz Oreos

3 1/3 cup Cool Whip

8 gummy worms

1. Pour milk and pudding mix into a mixing bowl. Whisk for about 2 minutes. Let set about 5 minutes.

2. Crush the Oreos. Mix the cool whip and about 1/2 the Oreos into the pudding.

3. To make the cup: Place a spoonful of Oreos into a small clear plastic cup. Top with pudding mixture until about 2/3 full. Top with remaining Oreos to create the top “dirt” layer. Push a Worm into each cup.

English Muffin Pizza

6 oz tomato sauce, I like to buy the small can just for this…no waste

6 English Muffins split, I like the whole wheat kind

Garlic powder, oregano, basil

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Turkey Pepperoni

Black olives, diced green peppers, etc., if your kids like them

1. Toast the English Muffins to get a firm base.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce and a few spices to your liking.

3. Spread a thin layer of sauce on each 1/2 of muffin. Top with a layer of cheese. Add whatever toppings to your liking.

4. Put back into toaster oven and toast one final time to melt the cheese.

Bunny Salad

1 chilled pear, half

1 lettuce leaf

2 raisins

1 red cinnamon candy

2 blanched almonds

cottage cheese ball

1. Place the lettuce leaf on a plate. Place the pear upside down on top of it.

2. Use the top of the pear for the bunny’s face. Take the raisins for eyes, the candy for the nose and the almonds for the ears.

3. A small scoop of cottage cheese makes the tail.