Twenty kitchen skills every teen needs to know before they leave for University
Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Ultimate Crumble Recipe - with Vegan and Gluten-free Variations
Healthier Gingerbread Christmas Wreath
serves 12 or more
Healthier Christmas Gingerbread! Can it be? Well, yes if you count swapping wholemeal flour for white, less golden syrup and the inclusion of nutrient-rich black-strap molasses, containing iron, folate, magnesium and calcium. This recipe features some of our favourite British organic brands - Steenbergs (for organic ginger and cinnamon), Doves Farm (for flour and bicarb) , Meridian Foods (for Black Strap Molasses), and Rachel’s Organic (for fabulous butter).
Storytime Chefs: Space themed storybooks and recipes for the Summer break
It's July (just!) and time for this month's Storytime Chef post. This month, we are embracing the them of SPACE, because what child doesn't love recipes (and stories) featuring rockets, space travel, aliens and intergalactic travel?
For those of you who are new to Storytime Chefs, welcome to our virtual reading and cookery club for families with children aged 2-10 years.
COMPETITION TIME:
We are celebrating our second month of book and cookery activities with a (UK) give away of a personalised copy of The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home (with your child's name) by Wonderbly.
Just comment and share this post on Facebook, or tag us on Instagram with your space inspired baking (#organiccookeryschool #storytimechefs). See bottom of post for full terms an
The best children's books about Space
Do your kids love the topic of Space? This year both my Reception aged daughter (aged 5) and my 12 year old studied space and the solar system at school. It was great to hear them comparing facts, and I think Emily was a little jealous of how much art and craft her little sister got to do during their studies.
Emily loves to read with her little sister, so we dug out some of our favourite Key Stage 1 story and poetry books with a space theme. The following are all fiction, as it's pretty easy to find non-fiction children's books about space.
We also dusted out some quick recipes/food activities The Organic Cookery School had put together for a month of Rocket Science themed cookery activities at the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens at Wisley.
Note: As we didn’t have access to any ovens at Wisley, they were all on a no cook / assembling /decorating vibe, but still fun to recreate when the kids have friends over for a playdate.
I’ve included the worksheets, which have recipes and instructions for giant gingerbread planets and astronauts, shooting star kebabs, rocket sandwiches, cake truffle planets and peppermints stars in the documents section of our Facebook group.
You can access those recipes and worksheets for free by joining our friendly Storytime Chefs Facebook group before the end of August 2018. Once you've joined check the announcements or look in the documents section of the group.
But I also recommend making a bowl of alien soup (aka our Summertime soup) and deep space rock cakes (aka cheesy broccoli and quinoa bites), before snuggling down to a magical deep space story from the following list.
Find instructions how to make our Cake Truffle Planets in the Storytime Chef FB group
Fifteen teacher (and child) approved books inspired by the theme of Space
The First Hippo on the Moon by David Walliams
Fun illustrations from best selling author David Walliams, suitable from 3+
Eeek! The Runaway Alien by Karen Inglis
Suggested age 6+ (also great for football fans)
Space Boy by Leo Landry In this charming picture book, the allure of space travel and the longing for peace and quiet entice a young boy to take his space rocket to the Moon for a picnic. Suggested age 4-7 years
Aliens Love Underpants and Aliens in Underpants Save the World by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort "Aliens love underpants, in every shape and size, But there are no underpants in space, so here's a big surprise...." Great books for joining in (and giggles) Suggested age range 3-6 years.
Mousetronaut by Mark Kelly – written by a real astronaut! Astronaut Mark Kelly flew with "mice-tronauts" on his first spaceflight aboard space shuttle Endeavourin 2001. Mousetronaut tells the story of a small mouse that wants nothing more than to travel to outer space. The little mouse works as hard as the bigger mice to show readiness for the mission . . . and is chosen for the flight! While in space, the astronauts are busy with their mission when disaster strikes--and only the smallest member of the crew can save the day. Suggested age range 4-7 years
The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers By best selling author Oliver Jeffers, suggested age 3-5 years
Alien Tea on the Planet Zum Zee by Tony Mitton If you take your rocket to the outer edge of space, you'll come across a funny little alien place. The alien peoples call it Planet Zum-Zee, and they're meeting here today for a special picnic tea. Another great read-aloud book for 3 years plus
Coyote and the Sky: How the Sun, Moon and Stars Began by Emmett ‘Schkeme’ Garcia , a traditional retelling of how the sun, moon and stars began, for younger readers.
Letters from an Alien School Boy by Ros Asquith
The Planet Gods by Jacqueline Mitton
Dr. Xargles Book of Earthlets by Jeanne Willis
Space Poems chosen by Gaby Morgan
We’re Off to Look for Aliens by Colin McNaughton
Link to books on Amazon in books (or check your local library).
By shopping with the links we have provided, we may earn a small referral commission which goes straight back into our community outreach projects for vulnerable families It also doesn’t cost you anymore. Thank you!
Join the Storytime Chef Fun – Here’s How:
- Please leave a comment below, saying that you’re joining Storytime Chefs this month and reading The Rainbow Fish.
- Join our friendly Facebook group STORYTIME CHEFS for shopping lists and bonus activities covering art, crafts, science and links with the curriculum.
- Get a copy of the book using the links above or from your local library.
- Read the book together…
- ….then bring the kids into the kitchen and cook our featured recipes together.
- I would LOVE for you to share your photos on Instagram using the hashtag: #StorytimeChefs and please tag me too (@organiccookeryschool).
- Tune in next month for another book-themed recipe.
Follow and tag us on Instagram to enter #organiccookeryschool #storytimechefs
Ways to enter our competition:
1) Comment and share this post on FB
2) Follow and tag us on Instagram with some parent/child space themed baking
3) Share your space themed cookery activities with us in our FB group.
4) Get £5 off any Wonderbly book using this link.
Any of the above actions (completed by 31/8) guarantees an entry in the competition draw (UK residents only). One winner will be chosen by random and contacted by social media on 1st September 2018. the chosen winner will have 7 days to respond, and will need to supply the name, gender , hair colour and address of the child the book will be personalised for. For further details visit Wonderby and select 'The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home for information on personalisation details required. These details will not be shared with any other parties.
Storytime Chefs: Recipes inspired by The Rainbow Fish
This month, we launch the first in a new series of cook and learn activities inspired by popular children’s books.
Storytime Chefs is our virtual reading and cookery club for families with children aged 2-10 years, and we are kicking off with a book I’ve shared with many of our community-based family cookery classes - The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister.
What’s The Rainbow Fish about?
The most beautiful fish in the ocean is asked to share one of his shining scales with a little blue fish, which he refuses. All the other fish in the sea leave him alone, and he wonders why. He goes to the wise octopus for advice, and she tells him to give away his scales. Rainbow Fish reluctantly does so, except for one. In the end, he is less beautiful then he was before, but he has new friends and is now the happiest fish in the sea.
We've put together two beautiful child-approved recipes to make with your children:
Rainbow Fish Pizza and Rainbow Fish Digestive Biscuits
Where to get hold of a copy of The Rainbow Fish:
Link to Rainbow Fish on Amazon UK Link to Rainbow Fish on Amazon US
Or don’t forget to check your local library.
By shopping with the links we have provided, we may earn a small referral commission which goes straight back into our community outreach projects for vulnerable families It also doesn’t cost you anymore. Thank you!
Join the Storytime Chef Fun – Here’s How:
- Please leave a comment below, saying that you’re joining Storytime Chefs this month and reading The Rainbow Fish.
- Join our friendly Facebook group STORYTIME CHEFS for shopping lists and bonus activities covering art, crafts, science and links with the curriculum.
- Get a copy of the book using the links above or from your local library.
- Read the book together…
- ….then bring the kids into the kitchen and cook our featured recipes together.
- I would LOVE for you to share your photos on Instagram using the hashtag: #StorytimeChefs and please tag me too (@organiccookeryschool).
- Tune in next month for another book-themed recipe.
Featured Recipes for The Rainbow Fish
Get the Rainbow Fish Pizza recipe here:
Storytime Chefs : Rainbow Fish Pizzas
makes four individual pizzas
These quick and healthy pizzas are inspired by The Rainbow Fish (by Marcus Pfister), and encourage children to pile up on a variety of different coloured veggies, helping them meet their five a day targets and eat a rainbow too. I’ve honestly never seen my five year old so keen to load up with every colour of vegetable.
For speed and convenience, shop-bought pitta bread works fine (Waitrose and Ocado stock organic versions). Pitta are easy to cut to shape with sturdy kitchen scissors, and both wholemeal and white pitta both taste great in these pizzas.
Trimming into a fish shape can be a bit awkward (there’s a good chance that little ones could accidentally chop off a tail!) but is great for developing motor skills - so be prepared to model where to cut and help little ones. (and have a few pitta spare just in case)
If you want to make your own pitta (which is great fun and everso easy) - we’ve included a recipe to make your own in the resources section of our FB group.
Next comes a topping of our veggie packed magic tomato sauce, but any good quality tomato pasta sauce will work (we like Seeds of Change and Mr Organic sauces).
Let your junior chefs get busy with the cheese grater, minding their fingers (and fingernails) before offering them a rainbow selection of veggie toppings.
*N.B. Children should always be supervised when cooking, and an adult should oversee the use of heat as well as all preparation involving sharp utensils.
Developing cooking skills:
Encourage your children to do as much of the pizza prep as possible. We’ve highlighted the hands on skills they will be developing below:
Cut the pitta bread into a fish shape using scissors (adult/older child task unless very dextrous)
Spoon and spread pizza sauce (child)
Grate cheese and sprinkle over pizza sauce (child - may need support grating)
Take a pinch of italian herbs and sprinkle over cheese (child)
Prepare veggie toppings - dice and slice peppers, mushrooms, olives (child - younger cooks may need support slicing or offer strips which they can dice/snip with a safe knife or scissors)
Snip spring onions (if using) with scissors (child)
Build your rainbow fish pizza using fingers or a spoon to create colourful (veggie) rainbow scales (child)
Drizzle or spritz with a little olive oil - an oil spray works well for this (child - may need support)
Ask an adult to place in the oven for approx 12 mins (adult or older child)
Wait until cooled and enjoy.
Don’t forget to take some photos and share them with us in the Storytime Chef group (or tag us on instagram #storytimechef #organiccookeryschool)
Enjoy this? Try our Rainbow Fish inspired digestive biscuits.
Where to get hold of a copy of The Rainbow Fish:
Link to Rainbow Fish on Amazon UK Link to Rainbow Fish on Amazon US
Or don’t forget to check your local library.
By shopping with the links we have provided, we may earn a small referral commission which goes straight back into our community outreach projects for vulnerable families It also doesn’t cost you anymore. Thank you!
Peach Melba Chia Pudding
Here’s the second recipe in our series of chia seed puddings which are perfect for babies (over 6 months), toddlers and big kids too! Based on a classic peach melba, it’s perfect for summer months when peaches and raspberries are plentiful.
100 million times better than a processed kids’ dessert, it’s also got the thumbs up from Abby, our registered dietitian.
“This delicious dessert is bursting with vitamin C and fibre from the combination of fruits. Chia seeds add omega 3 to help healthy brain and heart development. They also provide healthy protein for normal growth and development.”
With no added sugar and vitamins and minerals galore, you'll want to try this with your fussy eater too.
Seven Healthy Halloween Treats to Make Your Kids Scream
The countdown to Halloween has started early for The Organic Cookery School, with themed sweet and savoury cookery workshops running all through October half term.
But for those of you planning parties at home, we’ve compiled some of our favourite healthier Halloween treats. They are super simple to make, so get the kids involved and enjoy the festivities.
GHOULISH GREEN SMOOTHIES
What you need:
1 cup spinach
2 kiwi fruit
½ cup white grapes
1 banana
What to do:
Peel banana and kiwi and add to blender with rest of ingredients.
Add a cup of water and blend to desired consistency.
Decorate cups or bottle with ghoulish googly eyes, and serve.
STRAWBERRY GHOSTS
What you need:
Strawberries
Plain or vanilla yogurt
Choc chips or currants for eyes.
What to do:
Pour yogurt into a cup and dunk strawberries by their stem.
Arrange on greaseproof paper and place in freezer for 5-10 minutes.
Remove from freezer and repeat.
After second dunk add chocolate chip or currant eyes.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
SPOOKY NANAS
WHAT YOU NEED:
Bananas (halved)
Plain or vanilla yogurt
Dried coconut flakes
Chocolate chips
WHAT TO DO:
Dunk banana halves in a tumbler of yogurt. Roll in coconut .
Stand on platter and add chocolate chip eyes.
Refrigerate for at least 10 mins before serving
SPIDERS ON LOGS
WHAT YOU NEED:
Peanut butter
Celery cut into 5 cm lengths
Plastic spiders
WHAT TO DO:
Using a small table knife, fill celery logs with peanut butter.
Decorate each log with a spider.
CHEESE MONSTERS
WHAT YOU NEED:
Babybel or similar
Googly eyes in various sizes
Small sharp knife
WHAT TO DO:
Carefully cut out funky monster teeth from wax outer. Decorate with googly eyes.
CLEMENTINE PUMPKINS
WHAT YOU NEED:
Clementines or other easy peel citrus fruit
Black Sharpie
WHAT TO DO:
Draw pumpkin eyes, nose and mouth and leave to dry.
POPCORN HANDS
WHAT YOU NEED:
Popcorn
Jelly sweets for fingernails
Clear food grade gloves
Loom bands or small tie to secure
WHAT TO DO:
Drop a jelly sweet in each finger, then fill gloves with popcorn.
Make sure the popcorn fills each finger and secure with a loom band or small tie.
We hope your little monsters scream with delight when they see what they are going to be making . And we’d love to hear your ideas too! Comment below with your favourite Halloween treats and recipes, we read every comment!
Every Halloween party bag or lunchbox needs a ghoulish joke or two!
Enter your email below and we'll send you a free printable of our best ten spooky Halloween lunchbox jokes.
Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa Bites
makes 20-24 bites
Babies and toddlers love to be independent and will feed themselves as soon as they are given the chance . Perfect for baby-led weaning, and a healthy lunchbox treat for older kids, you can offer these knowing they are the perfect hand held snack.
These portable nutrition bombs contain quinoa, a unique grain containing all of the essential amino acids that the body needs, which is also naturally high in fibre, B vitamins and magnesium as well as vitamin rich broccoli, eggs and cheese for protein.
They freeze really well too. Enjoy!
N.B. Children should always be supervised when cooking, and an adult should oversee the use of heat as well as all preparation involving sharp utensils.
Try something different
Try mixing finely chopped carrot or raisins instead of broccoli
Did you know?
Quinoa is a gluten-free wholegrain
You can get white, red or black quinoa.
White quinoa will cook to be the fluffier, whilst red and black will cook to be a little more crunchy.
Quinoa has the perfect balance of all nine amino acids essential for human nutrition, and provides a good amount of fibre and iron.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for an adult. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Infants and Toddlers will need less calories according to their age.
Click here for advice on how many calories your child needs.
Bread and Butter Pudding Muffins
MAKES 16 MUFFINS
Lunch box staple and after school treat. These never last long in our household and are ideal to cook with little ones. Great for using up stale bread and a portable form of bread and butter pudding. Need we say more?
Did you know?
These muffins are full of calcium (good for your bones) and contains very little added sugar because of the natural sweetness of the dried fruit.
Cheese, Leek and Potato Pie
Here’s a popular dish from our Cooking with Dad project and afterschool clubs. Using cheap winter veg, tasty cheese and dried herbs, it’s inexpensive to make and delicious. You children will love getting creative with the pastry scraps too – so make sure there’s plenty left for all their decorations.
N.B. Children should always be supervised when cooking, and an adult should oversee the
use of heat as well as all preparation involving sharp utensils.
Try something different
Try using alternative vegetables in this pie. Peppers, sweetcorn, courgettes would all work well.
Did you know?
- Cheese contains both protein and calcium – something we all need for growth and development.
- For other interesting facts about cheese visit: www.britishcheese.com
Pear and Chocolate Pudding
serves 4
Low sugar and using store cupboard staples, this is perfect when you need a healthier chocolate pudding for the family. This goes down a storm in our community cookery classes and we’ve heard reports of it being served at fancy dinner parties. If you’re feeling indulgent throw in some extra dark chocolate chips ☺
Tip:
Younger children may prefer their pear cut into smaller chunks.
Optional chocolate sauce recipe:
Break 150g dark chocolate into pieces and melt in a bowl over simmering water, add a tablespoon of honey and a knob of butter and stir until combined and glossy. Slowly whisk in 100ml of warmed (but not boiling milk). Can be made in advance and reheated when ready.
Did you know?
- Pears are good source of dietary fibre, vitamins C and K and minerals such as copper and potassium.
- There are over 3000 varieties of pears grown around the world.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for an adult. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Infants and Toddlers will need less calories according to their age.
Click here for advice on how many calories your child needs.
Summertime Soup
serves 3 – 4
Try this if you’re making our potato, pea and mint puree for baby – it’s delicious and delightfully green. Also known as Mean Green Soup, we’ve yet to meet a child who doesn’t ask for seconds. And we’ve heard that lettuce has soporific qualities – perhaps a good sleep inducing supper.
N.B. Children should always be supervised when cooking, and an adult should oversee the use of heat as well as all preparation involving sharp utensils.
Try something different...
- This basic soup can be varied with whatever vegetables are in season. Swap potato for sweet potato, butternut squash or pumpkin, and onions for spring onion or leek.
- For information about what’s in season visit: www.eattheseasons.co.uk
Did you know?
- Soups can be thick or thin. A thin, clear soup is often referred to as a consommé.
- The potatoes and peas in this recipe which are blended together give this soup a thick consistency which is filling and satisfying.
Sweet Potato and Orange Muffins
makes 12-18
The apricots in this mix make these muffins – which are low in added sugar and full of natural sweetness from sweet potato, carrots, orange juice and dried fruit. We made them in standard muffin cases here, but they are perfect as mini muffins too – split the mix and have some mum and baby/toddler-sized ones. Perfect for lunchboxes and freezable.
* Adult supervision is required for all chopping, and use of ovens.
Did you know?
- Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene).
- They are also a good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, dietary fibre, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and phosphorus.
Try this!
Swap chopped apricots for any other favourite dried fruit – cranberries, raisins, even chopped prunes!
Tomato and Paprika Biscuits
makes 20 small biscuits
There’s something pretty unique about these biscuits – our very anti-tomato 10 year old loves them! As does pretty much everyone who’s made them in our community classes (even fussy eaters!) They can be thrown together in minutes, require pretty much store cupboard staples (just need to make sure you have a couple of spring onions to hand) and are perfect blw or lunchbox staples.
* N.B. Children should always be supervised when cooking, and an adult should oversee the use of heat as well as all preparation involving sharp utensils.
Did you know?
- The English word “tomato” comes from the Aztec word, “tomatl”. Tomatoes are full of health: A good source of vitamins A, C and E tomatoes also contain potassium which may help lower blood pressure and calcium which is vital for healthy bones and teeth.
- To read more about the humble tomato visit: www.britishtomatoes.co.uk
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for an adult. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Infants and Toddlers will need less calories according to their age.
Click here for advice on how many calories your child needs.
Courgette, Pear and Carrot Cakes
makes two small loaves or 8 - 10 muffins
Here’s another low sugar lunchbox treat, which the kids will love making. Dead simple, packed with veggies and naturally sweet with very little added sugar. We regularly make these in our Little Foodies toddler cookery classes, and everyone loves them.
Need any further excuse to try them?
Carrots are rich in beta carotene which is converted in the body to vitamin A. This nutrient is used to strengthen the immune system and to ensure good eye health. Courgettes are also a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as folate and potassium and fibre, which help to ensure a healthy bowel and prevent constipation in little ones.
*N.B. Children should always be supervised when cooking, and an adult should oversee the use of heat as well as all preparation involving sharp utensils.
Try something different
- Try changing the pear for another fruit or your choice. Apples, plums and peach would work well.
Did you know?
- Courgette (also known as Zucchini) contains more potassium than bananas and are a rich source of vitamin C and manganese.
- Carrots although usually orange in colour can also come in purple, red, white, and yellow varieties.
- The human body turns beta-carotene from carrots into vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for the health of our vision (including our night vision) as well as our bones, teeth and skin.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for an adult. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Infants and Toddlers will need less calories according to their age.
Click here for advice on how many calories your child needs.
Cheesy Spinach and Apple Muffins
Perfect for babies and toddlers
If your children are bored of sandwiches, these are great in lunchbox ( perhaps with some cooked chicken or a boiled egg for extra protein). Loved by toddlers, fussy eaters and baby-led weaners they freeze perfectly and are our secret weapon for sneaky some extra veggies into our little ones diets. We’ve made these as full sized muffins, but they work just as well as mini muffins for babies and toddlers.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for an adult. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Infants and Toddlers will need less calories according to their age.
Click here for advice on how many calories your child needs.
Cheesy Courgette Bake
to serve 2 adults or 4 children (double quantities for a bigger family)
Another toddler friendly veggie smuggling dish – get your kids grating the courgettes and squeezing out the excess water, and throw in some cooked new potatoes for a substantial veggie side. Perfect for BBQs or summer lunches, just double or triple the quantities to feed a family.
Try something different:
- Swap sweetcorn for peas, and add a teaspoon of chopped mint.
- Or added cooked new potatoes or cooked bacon to make a meal.
Did you know?
- Courgettes (also known as zucchini) are rich in Vitamin A and potassium. They are normally a bright dark green but can also be golden yellow.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for an adult. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Infants and Toddlers will need less calories according to their age.
Click here for advice on how many calories your child needs.
Magic Tomato Sauce
serves 4 as a pasta sauce
Another recipe on our ‘most popular list’. This basic tomato sauce is packed with flavour and can be blended smooth or chunky depending on your family’s preferences. It’s a great base for pizzas, pasta, bolognaise, lasagne, chilli and anything needing a rich tomato base. And look at the veggies we are sneaking in!
Serving suggestion:
Delicious served over pasta. Makes an excellent tomato base for pizzas. Can also be used as a sauce for chicken or fish or used as a dip for vegetables and pitta bread. Freezes well.
Try something different…
- Add other coloured peppers, aubergine, celery, a handful of parsley and /or basil to your sauce… a great way to get children eating some healthy veg.
- If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, substitute for a tablespoon of sugar.
Did you know?
- Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin A and C.
- Although the tomato is closely associated with Italian and Mediterranean cooking, the tomato originally comes from America and was only first introduced to Europe in the 16th century.
- For more information about tomatoes visit: www.thetomatozone.co.uk
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet for an adult. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Infants and Toddlers will need less calories according to their age.
Click here for advice on how many calories your child needs.
