How to Cooking Tips

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Fun Thanksgiving Snack Ideas

Families who have children know they have little tummies. Since they can’t hold as much food as an adult, they may need to eat snacks to keep them going. As the holidays near, you may want to teach your children about these fun Thanksgiving snack ideas. In fact your children can help you prepare these snacks the day before Thanksgiving so they’ll be available for guests until the meal is ready to eat.

 

 

 

 

 

1.) Sugar Cone Tepee Treat

Children will love having their own tepee treat made out of a sugar cone.

Ingredients:

* 8 sugar cones (or increase the recipe to have one for each child)
* 2 cups of sifted powdered or confectioner’s sugar
* 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Colored tubes of cake-decorating icing
* Decorative candies
* Three toothpicks for each sugar cone

 

How to Prepare:

  • Combine the sugar, butter and vanilla until it is smooth and easy to spread. If the frosting is too thick, you can add a little bit of milk to help thin it out.
  • Lightly ice the outside of the cones and place them upside down on a cookie sheet.
  • Put them in the freezer for a little while to give the icing a chance to harden.
  • When the cones come out of the freezer, draw line patterns and American Indian motifs on them with tube decorating icing. Use the icing to glue candies onto the tepee.
  •  Place three toothpicks in the top of the cone to look like the lodge poles. Have the children remove the toothpicks before they try to eat their tepee snack.

 

2.) Snack-time Acorns

 Acorns are a common item found around Thanksgiving but you probably don’t want your child picking up acorns and putting them in their mouth. Here is a way they can do just that!

Ingredients:

  • donut holes
  • chocolate frosting or peanut butter
  • crumbled toffee
  • broken pieces of pretzel

 

How to Prepare:

  • Begin by putting frosting on the top third of a donut hole. This can be done with peanut butter or chocolate frosting to give the look of the cap of the acorn.
  • Carefully roll the frosted top into crumbled toffee.
  • Finish it off by placing a small piece of broken pretzel into the frosting to act as a stem.

 

3.) Ice Cream Cone Cornucopia

Your child can help make an ice cream cone cornucopia which can be both a fun Thanksgiving snack and a table decoration. These are very simple to do. Spoon a little bit of frosting into a sugar cone. Then your child can place M&Ms, pretzel sticks, nuts, raisins or other small snack items into the cone. Let the goodies spill out of the cone to signify having plenty.

These three fun Thanksgiving snack ideas are so easy to make that the children in your family can do most of the work all by themselves. If you think about other common Thanksgiving items, you may be able to come up with snack ideas for those as well. Your children will love helping to make these fun snacks but they’ll enjoy eating them even more.

 

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Thanksgiving Cooking with Children

 

Thanksgiving usually means there will be plenty of cooks in the kitchen. Your children may feel left out. When it comes to Thanksgiving cooking with children, try one or more of these easy recipes your kids can make. They will enjoy helping prepare something for the meal and delight in spending time with you in the kitchen even more.

 

 

 

You may not feel comfortable with your children using the stove just yet, so you’ll want to find recipes which can be made without actually cooking. Many desserts don’t require heat to prepare them, so you might want to enlist your children to help with something sweet. These recipes don’t require you to help but you’ll want to be available to them just in case.

 

1.)  Pocahontas Pudding

This recipe is very easy and takes about ten minutes to prepare. Here’s what your child will need to make four servings:

 

Ingredients

  • 20 vanilla wafers, crushed
  • 12 vanilla wafers, whole
  • 1 can yellow cling-sliced peaches – 8.5 ounces drained
  • 16 ounces of prepared vanilla flavored pudding

 

How to Prepare:

  • Crush the vanilla wafers and distribute them evenly in four dessert cups.
  • Place a spoonful of pudding over the wafers and spread it out.
  • Then place a slice or two of peaches over the pudding.
  • Complete the dessert by adding another helping of pudding on top of the peach.
  • Put the dessert cups into the refrigerator.
  • Right before it's time to eat them, have your child place three wafers standing up on top of the pudding in the shape of a pyramid.

 

2.) No-Bake Pumpkin Pie

Baked pumpkin pie is a traditional Thanksgiving dessert. Here’s a no-cook version of this dessert your child can make.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of vanilla instant pudding mix (3.4 ounce box)
  • 1 1/2 cups milk (preferably 2% or whole)
  • 1 can pumpkin (15 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 9 inch graham cracker crumb pie shell
  • Whipped cream for the topping

 

How to Prepare:
  • Begin by whisking together the pudding mix and the milk until it is smooth and thick.
  • Next add the pumpkin and cinnamon and whisk these into the pudding until the mixture is smooth again. Spoon the mixture into the pie shell and place it in the refrigerator for at least four hours.
  • When it’s time to serve, spread whipped topping over the entire pie or put a spoon of whipped cream on each individual slice.

Thanksgiving cooking with children does not have to be stressful if you choose your recipes carefully. Children want to be involved with preparing the meal so they can share in the love that goes into cooking for others. These two easy recipes your kids can make will allow them to feel like they have contributed to the Thanksgiving meal.

 

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Hanukkah: Delicious Potato Latkes and Sufganiyot

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple on Kislev 25 165 BCE. The holiday, also called the ‘Festival of Lights,’ commemorates the miracle of one day’s worth of oil lasting eight days and eight nights. You can get into the spirit of Hanukkah with delicious potato latkes and more foods.

 

Potato latkes are a common Hanukkah food.

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of peeled, shredded potatoes (sweet potatoes can also be used)
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • ¼ cup sliced green onions (you can also shred a regular onion)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Oil for frying

 

How to Prepare:

  • Prepare the potatoes and onions. Then add the remaining ingredients, being sure to combine the ingredients well.
  • Pour oil at least 1/3-inch deep into a skillet. Turn the heat to medium to ensure the oil doesn't burn.
  • Spoon two tablespoons of potato mixture into the palm of your hand and flatten it. Place that into the oil and cook for about two minutes on each side or until the potatoes are crispy and golden.
  • Remove each latke from the oil and allow it to drain on paper towels. Potato latkes are often served with applesauce.

 

Another food you may want to serve during Hanukkah is the Sufganiyot, a fried donut sometimes filled with jelly.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons dry active yeast
  • ½ cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • ¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups vegetable oil
  • Almond slivers

 

How to Prepare:

  • Combine the yeast, water and 1 teaspoon sugar and allow it to set for about 10 minutes until it turns foamy.
  • In a large bowl, add the flour and create a well in the middle. Add the eggs, yeast mixture, ¼ cup sugar, nutmeg, butter and salt. Stir it to create a sticky dough.
  • Knead the dough for about 8 minutes. Oil a bowl and place the dough into it, covering it with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise until double in size.
  • Roll the dough out to ¼-inch thick and cut out circles using a drinking glass or biscuit cutter. Cover with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Heat the oil until it reaches 370 degrees. Carefully place four circles into the oil and fry them until they’re golden brown, about 40 seconds on each side.
  • Remove each doughnut from the oil and allow it to drain and cool. Roll the doughnut into powdered or sugar. Sprinkle them with almond slivers then enjoy.

 

There are many foods you can eat during Hanukkah but it is customary to choose foods which are fried. You can also prepare other kosher foods to help you get into the spirit of Hanukkah. Delicious potato latkes and more will get you in the spirit of the holiday and be something your whole family can enjoy.

 

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Retro Christmas Recipes Revival

 

Do you remember the Christmas holiday food you had when you were a child? What did your grandparents make that you absolutely adored? What family food traditions have you missed as an adult? Well it’s time to have a retro Christmas recipe revival. Bring back those old favorites this year and relive the Christmas of your youth. Here are three ideas for some old holiday favorites.

 

 

 

#1 Eggnog

Did you know that eggnog may have originated in the middle ages? It’s been a holiday food tradition for quite some time. And while the convenience of buying it in a carton is nice, there’s nothing quite like homemade eggnog. It’s actually quite easy to make.

 

You’ll need:

 

* 4 egg yolks
* 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
* 1 pint whole milk
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 3 ounces bourbon
* 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 4 egg whites

 

Beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

 

Place the egg whites in a separate bowl and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running, gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form like a meringue. Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

 

#2 Gingerbread

Gingerbread is another old-fashioned holiday favorite. Depending on your preferences you can make gingerbread cookies, snaps, gingerbread bread or even a gingerbread house. There are a number of recipes available. They range from quite basic to a quite elaborate. Find one that matches your taste and childhood memories. Did it have cream cheese? Bananas? Was your gingerbread dipped in chocolate? Experiment and enjoy gingerbread this holiday season.

 

#3 Fruit cake

Yes, that lovely cake that gets such a bad rap can actually be quite good. This is especially true when you make it from scratch. Fruitcake is a mixture of fruits and nuts. There’s usually only a small amount of batter, just enough to hold it all together.

 

However, traditional fruit cake isn't for children. It’s usually soaked with alcoholic liquors, then stored in a tightly closed tin. If that sounds like a bit of old-fashioned fun, ask your grandmother for a recipe or take a look online. Like gingerbread there are hundreds of recipes available.

 

Other old-fashioned Christmas recipes might include:

 

* Hot cross buns
* Christmas pudding
* Mince pie

 

And of course ham, turkey, stuffing and the traditional holiday menu. Have fun this holiday and bring back some of the retro recipes you loved as a child. Who knows – you might just bring back an old family tradition.

 

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Planning Your Christmas Menu

 

As you prepare for Christmas dinner with your family, you may be wondering how to set your dinner table. Here are some ideas to get your creativity started:

 

 

 

Plan Your Menu – The first and most important step is to plan your menu. Does your family usually serve a traditional Christmas dinner? Do they like tradition, or would they mind something new? What types of meat does your family eat?

 

Once you have decided on the main meat (turkey, chicken, duck, pork, etc.), now you should decide what vegetables to serve. Is anyone allergic to any particular foods? Do certain members have certain vegetables they prefer to eat with their meat? Plan a nice variety to ensure that everyone will find something they like.

 

Next, plan your sides and desserts. Will you serve dinner rolls? What types of drinks will you offer? What desserts does everyone like?

 

When you plan your Christmas menu, remember that it is okay to ask for help. Perhaps it will be easier on you to call your guests and ask that everyone bring their favorite dish or dessert. This will take a lot of stress off you and ensures that there is a nice variety of food to eat.

 

Set the Table – Now that your dinner is planned, you’re ready to set the table. Try going for a theme that will encompass your dinner. Are you serving lots of casseroles? Go for a country-themed setting. Are you planning a four-course meal? Create a more elegant setting, with china and stemware.

 

Many family Christmas dinners are relaxed. This may be a good option, especially if you have young children. Create a simple, yet graceful centerpiece with candles and an edible fruit tree. Sometimes simple is best, offset the simple setting with some delicious food and great company for a memorable family Christmas.