Mini Chefs!

Remember that TV show back in the day where the kids created a "recipe" (usually involving ketchup, if I remember right) from an array of ingredients, then the moms had to guess which disgusting creation their kid had created? I'm not quite as brave as those moms, or my friend Jill, who gets extra Good Mom points for letting her daughter do exactly this on a regular basis!

Maren and Malcolm have been cooking and/or baking nearly every day this week (the happy result of having our kitchen under control!). Now that Maren can read recipes, they basically handle the whole process on their own—from getting the ingredients out to the cleanup—except for the hot parts. (By the way, if you have any kid-friendly recipes to share, we would love to try out some new ones.) There has been apple crisp, of course, but also...


Awesome Carrot Muffins

INGREDIENTS
1 cup raisins
2 cups warm water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil2/3 cup applesauce
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 cups shredded carrots

DIRECTIONS
1) Combine raisins and water in a small bowl. Let soak for 15 minutes. Drain raisins, discard water and set raisins aside.
2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
3) In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. 4) In a separate bowl, combine eggs, oil, applesauce and brown sugar; beat well.
5) Combine egg mixture and flour mixture; mix just until moistened. Fold in carrots and drained raisins. Spoon into prepared muffin cups.
6) Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes.


Salmon Patties with Sour Cream-Dill Sauce

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can red or pink salmon, drained, skin and bones removed and salmon flaked
2 medium green onions, chopped (2 tablespoons)
1 cup soft bread crumbs
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS
1) Mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, and dill for Sour Cream-Dill Sauce. Refrigerate.
2) Beat egg and milk in a medium bowl with a spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except oil.
3)Shape mixture into small patties, each about 2 inches in diameter.
4) Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook patties in oil, about 8 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.
5) Serve with Sour- Cream Dill Sauce. Makes 4 servings.


Applesauce Cereal Snack Bars

INGREDIENTS
4 cups cereal
2 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brown sugar, loosely packed
3 teaspoons cinnamon
4 tablespoons oil or butter, melted
1 cup applesauce
2 eggs

DIRECTIONS
1) Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until well blended.
2) Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.
3) Press mixture into cookie sheet. (We put a layer of wax paper on top and used a rolling pin to even it out.)
4) Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until golden.
5) Cut into squares or bars, cool, and enjoy! Store in an airtight container.