1. Kitchenaid Stand Mixer

What I use it for:

• Baking homemade cakes including the only chocolate cake recipe I ever use anymore (because it’s AMAZING every time) and frosting
• To knead homemade bread and pizza dough
• Easy homemade pastry crust for the quiche my kids LOVE or tarts like the one layered with roasted sweet onions

2. Vitamix Blender

What I use it for:

• To puree soups
• For grinding nuts & chocolate into protein balls
• All the smoothies

3. Instant Pot

What I use it for:

• Perfect rice when I make chicken tikka masala or sweet & sour chicken
• Rich and creamy homemade yogurt
• SO MANY SOUPS
• Hard boiled eggs that peel like a dream

4. Nespresso Coffee & Espresso Machine

What I use it for:

• Instant iced coffee
• Kiddie cappucinos (frothed milk with vanilla)
• Frothy almond milk lattes every single morning

5. Vitamix Composter

What I use it for:

• Everything the chickens don’t eat, which includes parchment paper, orange peels, banana peels, egg shells, coffee grounds and more.
• Every night I turn it on at the same time as the dishwasher. When I wake up, I have a couple handfuls of gorgeous compost that doesn’t smell AT ALL. No fruit flies. Just fertilizer without any waste. Get more info.

2 Kitchen Appliances I’d Skip

• Slow cooker — The Instant Pot already handles this function without taking up more space.
• Air Fryer — I was SO excited to get one but honestly I’ve only used it twice.

The post 5 Kitchen Appliances this Mom of 4 Would Buy All Over Again (and 2 I’d Skip) first appeared on Foodlets.

The post 5 Kitchen Appliances this Mom of 4 Would Buy All Over Again (and 2 I’d Skip) appeared first on Foodlets.

Lunchbox Main Dishes

This is what I put in the biggest compartment of our lunchboxes, but you can always fill it with things you might’ve considered sides. It doesn’t really matter, as long as there’s enough calories (including protein) to feel those rascals up for the whole day.

Sandwich Ideas

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• Homemade bread with cream cheese and fresh strawberries
• Apple-Cinnamon Bread slathered with butter
• Ciabatta Rolls filled with smoked turkey, olives and cheese
• DIY Jersey Mike’s Subs: Assemble a big sandwich using a loaf of French bread, filling it up with salami, turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato and so on, then slice a big wedge for each lunchbox
• Pancakes! Use leftover pancakes as the bread for a PB&J. Don’t forget, waffles work too.
• Dice up sandwiches into sixteen pieces (four slices both ways), for sandwich poppers
• Blueberry or Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bread from Target’s bakery slathered with cream cheese and cut into “fingers”
• Change up the bread: use hoagie rolls, Hawaiian rolls, or homemade rolls
• Layer thinly sliced cucumbers with provolone, cheddar and sprouts
• Add apple butter to your favorite combination of ham, turkey and/or cheese
• Cube everything from the bread to the cheese and make sandwich skewers

Pockets, Cups & Roll Ups

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• Pizza Pinwheels: Slather homemade pizza dough with veggie-filled marinara, roll and slice lik cinnamon rolls
  • Or fill a lunchbox with pinwheels in other flavors:
  • Ham + Cheddar
  • Rotisserie Chicken + BBQ
  • Turkey + Provolone
• Chicken Tikka Masala Pockets: Flatten biscuit dough straight from the store (or use our homemade bread recipe) and fill with leftovers of our simplified versions of chicken tikka masala in the slow cooker or on the stove top in less than an hour
  • Pockets are so versatile you can use them for practically anything:
  • Leftover meatloaf becomes a cheeseburger pocket
  • Turkey & cheese
  • Taco filling
• Our Very Pickle-y Egg Salad is perfect inside a pita pocket
• Unroll Crescent Rolls from the store, fill with your favorite combination of chicken, turkey, roast beef, and so on, then bake as directed

Tortillas

• Two small tortillas are the base for our kids’ favorite quesadillas, filled with cheddar cheese, turkey and BBQ sauce
• Layer turkey, cheese and spinach in a tortilla and roll up as a wrap
• Place taco fillings in the center of a tortilla and fold the edges on each of five-six sides. Brush with oil and roast in the oven until crispy everywhere
• Slather peanut butter on one side of a whole-wheat tortilla and sprinkle fresh strawberries on top. Roll up like a wrap.

Bagels

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• Homemade bagels can be served straight up, and you can start with a kid-friendly mix here!) Or go very extra with a kit for rainbow bagels. Make someone happy when they open that lunchbox, especially when they get to brag about baking a rainbow by themselves.
• Sliced, diced and toasted bagels make for great dunking, paired with hummus, PB&J or marinara
• Blueberry or cranberry bagels with a thick layer of cream cheese

Breads, Tarts & Quiche

• Sheet Pan Tarts, filled with roasted veggies of your choice
• Miniature Tomato Pies, baked in a muffin pan
• Quiche cups (egg bites) can be served straight up, inside wonton wraps for instant “crust” or nestled inside a flattened biscuit
• Sheet Pan Quiche makes square edges that fit perfectly in a lunchbox
• Yes, Banana Bread can be the main dish!
• Focaccia bread or Focaccia Bread Pizza are in my kids’ Top 10 list of lunches

Lunchbox Sides

• No-Bake Chocolate Fruit & Nut Protein Balls
• Parmesan Cheese Crackers
• Chocolate Chip Oat Cups
• Easy to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
• Sheet Pan Zucchini Banana Bread
• Chocolate Granola Bars
• Turkey & Cheese Roll Ups
• Chocolate Graham Crackers

The post Lunchbox Ideas Kids Love first appeared on Foodlets.

The post Lunchbox Ideas Kids Love appeared first on Foodlets.

Our whole family was already sold on regular focaccia bread. It’s filling, full of heart-healthy olive oil and fragrant fresh rosemary. Plus, you can make it ahead of time which makes focaccia bread perfect for lunchboxes.

But this pizza version of focaccia bread? Even more delicious.

What You Need to Make Focaccia Bread Pizza

• Flour
• Yeast
• Garlic (or garlic powder)
• Salt
• Rosemary (fresh or dried)
• Mozzarella cheese (fresh or shredded)
• Tomatoes
• Basil

You can certainly add more toppings to your focaccia bread pizza, but there’s so much flavor in the focaccia bread itself that simple toppings like tomatoes, basil and cheese are perfect.

And it’s a crowd-pleaser every time!

Think deep dish pizza, with extra flavor. That’s focaccia bread pizza!

Focaccia Bread Pizza

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This simple make-ahead focaccia bread pizza is a favorite for all four of our kids. Add any extra toppings you like, but this is how we like it best. 

The recipe below makes enough dough for two quarter sheet pans (casserole pan size) or one half sheet pan (the size of a cookie sheet). 

• Author: Charity Curley Mathews, founder of foodlets.com

Ingredients

for the dough

• • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced (or 4 teaspoons dried garlic powder)
  • 1/4 cup tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped (about 2 sprigs or 4 teaspoons dried rosemary)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper (about 4–5 cracks on a pepper grind)
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt

for the toppings

• mozzarella cheese
• fresh tomatoes, sliced
• fresh basil (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pour warm water (like bathwater) into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast and sugar and stir. Allow to sit until foamy, 5-10 minutes.
2. In the meantime, combine the olive oil, garlic and rosemary in a bowl and set aside.
3. When the yeast mixture looks foamy, add 2 cups of flour plus 1/2 cup of the olive oil mixture. Stir and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
4. Add remaining 3 cups flour plus salt. Stir until dough forms.
5. Pour dough onto floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it transforms from sticky to smooth.
6. Wash out the mixing bowl (or get a second) and slather the inside with about 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Place the dough inside. Cover with a towel that’s wet and warm. Place in a warm spot (like a sunny window) to rise for 1 hour.
7. Line 2 9×13-inch baking sheets or one 18×13-inch baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Pour 2 tablespoons of the olive oil/garlic/rosemary mixture into the 9×13-inch pans or 4 tablespoons into an 18×13-inch baking sheet, on top of the parchment paper.
8. Place dough on top of the oil and use your fingertips to press the dough into the pan (put a little olive oil on  your fingers if needed). Really press! Use your index and middle fingers to PRESS down on the dough, making a divot. Repeat until you’ve got as many holes as possible.
9. Pour the rest of the olive oil/garlic/rosemary mixture over the top of the bread and smooth out evenly over the dough. 
10. Add sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese in an even layer, followed by sliced tomatoes. (Optional, crack fresh salt and pepper on top).
11. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, and allow the dough to rest while it heats.
12. Bake for 15-20 minutes in a regular oven on a middle rack.
13. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Pull up on the parchment paper to transfer the bread to a cutting board. Slice and enjoy.

Notes

Store leftovers or slices for lunchboxes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What is Focaccia Bread?

The Spruce Eats describes focaccia bread like this: Focaccia (pronounced “fuh-KA-cha”) is a type of Italian yeast bread baked in flat sheet pans. Focaccia dough is flavored with olive oil and sometimes topped with herbs and other vegetables.

Fun facts about focaccia bread

• A precursor of pizza, focaccia is one of Italy’s most ancient breads. It is thought to have originated with the Etruscans (ancient Italians). The earliest focaccia were unleavened flatbreads made from flour, water, and salt. – Brittanica
• This simple composition meant they could be cooked using any available heat source at the time—most often in the hearth of domestic fires. The dough was flattened over a stone slab and cooked under the hot ashes, hence its Latin name, panis focacius (“hearth bread”). – Brittanica
• To make the characteristic focaccia dimples, oil your fingertips and press firmly into the top of the focaccia. As you work, stretch the focaccia dough evenly into the pan, until it reaches all the edges of the pan. – The Modern Proper
• A well-proofed dough will have lots of air bubbles and rises quickly; that massaging adds dimples that keep your focaccia flat, as it should be. Also, those dimples hold the olive oil coating and help it soak into the dough, which gives your finished bread that crisp and golden crust. – Leite’s Culiniara

Use any toppings you — or your kids — love, but don’t wait to try focaccia bread pizza. It’s a game-changer here.

The post This focaccia bread pizza will be your kids’ new favorite lunch first appeared on Foodlets.

The post This focaccia bread pizza will be your kids’ new favorite lunch appeared first on Foodlets.

RECIPE

TikTok Cinnamon Rolls: The Viral Store-Bought Dough Hack Your Family Will Love

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• Author: Charity Curley Mathews, founder of foodlets.com

Ingredients

• 2 cans Pillsbury Grands Cinnamon Rolls
• 1 cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13″ casserole pan (or similar size). 
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
3. Arrange the cinnamon rolls in the pan in a single layer. 
4. Pour the cream over the top of the cinnamon rolls and allow to sit until the oven comes up to temperature, about 5 minutes. 
5. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 
6. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes. 
7. Take the pan out of the oven and spread cream cheese frosting on top, letting it melt into all the crevices.

Where did TikTok Cinnamon Rolls Start?

To be honest, I’m not sure who started this idea and it’s SUCH a good one too! Somehow that cream brings a totally new level of richness to these cinnamon rolls. They’re fluffy without being too sweet. It’s magic.

If you like this idea, I also have another recommendation: Babs from Brunch with Babs makes killer Pecan Sticky Buns with store-bought cinnamon rolls.

In fact, I use a lot of store-bought dough to make semi-homemade treats too. Here are some of my kids’ favorites:

• Taco Pop Tarts with Store-Bought Crust
• Mini Tomato Pies with Store-Bought Biscuit Dough
• Rice Pudding with Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 3-Ingredient Danishes with Crescent Dough

Are TikTok Cinnamon Rolls Good for You?

No. But not every single food has to be packed with nutrition to be worth eating. Part of what I’m trying to teach my kids is how enjoyable food can be. Eating together with people you love, people who make you laugh, that’s the good stuff!

Sometimes it takes shortcut recipes to make home cooking possible. And another thing, when the stakes aren’t sky high (like they might be when you spend hours baking) there’s less pressure on kids to try new foods.

How to Save Money on TikTok Cinnamon Rolls

I am a fierce discount shopper when it comes to groceries and the cost of Pillsbury Grands can be pretty high. Here is the coupon page for all things Pillsbury, plus other associated brands. Every little bit helps!

The post TikTok Cinnamon Rolls: The Viral Store-Bought Dough Hack Your Family Will Love first appeared on Foodlets.

The post TikTok Cinnamon Rolls: The Viral Store-Bought Dough Hack Your Family Will Love appeared first on Foodlets.

It’s super simple, filling and best of all, this is a breakfast kids love.

Recipe:

Oatmeal with Frozen Fruit

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The ratio of oatmeal can easily change depending on how many servings you need. To make oatmeal with frozen fruit for 2 kids, follow the recipe below and update when you need to feed more people.

• Author: Charity Curley Mathews, founder of foodlets.com
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Total Time: 7 minutes
• Yield: feeds 2–3 kids 1x

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats, uncooked
• 2 cups water
• sprinkle of salt
• 1 cup frozen fruit (we like mixed berries)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (we like triple cream vanilla)
• 2 teaspoons cocoa nibs

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Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine oats with 2 cups of water. Sprinkle a pinch of salt into the pan.
2. Cook on medium-high heat about 5 minutes until your oatmeal begins to thicken. 
3. Add the frozen fruit to your oatmeal and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes until the berries begin to soften.
4. Serve this oatmeal with frozen fruit in a bowl, topped with a scoop of Greek vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of cocoa nibs (or mini chocolate chips).

Health benefits of oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the best breakfasts for kids. Researchers at Harvard report that oatmeal helps protect against heart disease and diabetes while also helping kids feel full and supporting healthy digestion.

Plus, it’s so easy to make!

Oatmeal is the base for a lot of our favorite recipes, like these:

• Chocolate Chip & Dried Cranberry Oat Cups
• Double Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
• Easy Homemade Granola
• Strawberry Overnight Oats

Health benefits of frozen fruit

Don’t underestimate the health benefits of frozen fruit! CNN reports that “frozen fruit and vegetables may be even better for you than fresh.” Here’s why:

Going frozen means you can enjoy your favorite berries or peaches during wintertime. It also means less spoilage, allowing you to enjoy produce when it’s close to its nutritional best – that is, whenever you decide to consume it.

In fact, research has revealed that frozen fruits and vegetables can have just as many vitamins – and sometimes more – as compared to fresh.

“In terms of the ways humans have come up with preserving foods, freezing comes up at the top for preserving nutrients,” said study author Ali Bouzari, who is a culinary scientist and author of “Ingredient: Unveiling the Essential Elements of Food.” “If you can’t afford fresh or live in an area where a bodega down the street is all the access to produce you can get, it’s important for people to know that frozen is a viable alternative.”

Aside from preserving vitamins, freezing is the best way to preserve beneficial plant compounds that help protect against disease, explained Mary Ann Lila, director of the Plants for Human Health Institute at North Carolina State University.

CNN

We use frozen fruit in tons of ways! Here are some of our favorites:

• Easy Cobbler with Frozen Blueberries
• How to Make Pancake Syrup with Frozen Fruit
• Super Simple Blackberry Crisp
• Protein Packed Peach Smoothies

Kids Love Oatmeal with Frozen Fruit

Between the health benefits and how easy it is to make, oatmeal with frozen fruit is a winner every time. Fruit is an easy sell with most kids — but tends to decrease as kids get older. In fact, the most recent findings from the CDC show:

• In 2015–2018, approximately three-quarters of children and adolescents aged 2–19 (75.3%) consumed fruit on a given day.
• A little more than 90% of children and adolescents aged 2–19 consumed vegetables on a given day.

Frozen fruit is especially affordable and convenient, and as mentioned above, it’s at least as healthy as fresh.

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What you need to make a sheet pan tart

Don’t limit yourself to roasted onions! Any kind of roasted veggies will be delicious: roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and so on. Or chicken, smoked salmon. Cheese can vary too! Try feta, Parmesan, goat cheese, smoked guoda… Any combination will be wonderful.

Pie Dough

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 1/2 cups flour + more for rolling
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2-4 tablespoons cold water

Filling

• 2 cups of toppings: I used roasted sweet onions but anything like chicken, smoked salmon or other roasted veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, etc.
• 12 slices of cheese – extra sharp cheddar, provolone, Swiss, etc.
• 2 cups of cottage cheese
• 4 eggs
• dash of cream or milk
• herbs + seasonings that your family enjoys (I used fresh thyme.)

How to make a sheet pan tart

Make the dough

1⃣ Combine butter and flour. Use one of three methods to mix the flour and butter until it’s like gritty sand:

• Food processor
• Standing mixer with paddle
• Large mixing bowl with handheld pastry cutter

2⃣ Add water. Use a tablespoon to add enough water so your dough comes together. When you can form it into a ball, it’s ready.

Make the filling

1⃣ Slice about 4 sweet onions and roast on a sheet pan with olive oil and salt at 425 F for about 25 minutes. (You want to end up with about 2 cups of roasted onions in the end.)

2⃣ In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of cottage cheese, 4 eggs, a dash of cream or milk, and the herbs + seasonings that your family enjoys. I used fresh thyme.

Put it all together

When you’re ready to assemble the sheet pan tart, here’s how it goes:

1⃣ Line a second sheet pan with parchment paper.

2⃣ Roll out the dough. Sprinkle a little flour on a clean surface and roll out the dough until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Tip: Measure it against your pan to make sure it’s big enough.

Par-bake here! Place another piece of parchment on top of the uncooked dough and cover with 2 pounds of pie weights or uncooked beans like I have here. Bake at 425F for 10 minutes.

4⃣ Remove the beans and parchment paper from your parbaked crust. Store the beans and you can reuse them.  Line the bottom of the crust with 12 slices of cheese, aged cheddar or provolone, or colby jack, etc. This creates a barrier.

5⃣ Pour the egg mixture on top. And add the roasted onions.

Optional: stud with goat cheese, or feta cheese for extra zing.

6⃣ Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Want a printable version of the recipe?

Sheet Pan Tart with Roasted Sweet Onions

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I used roasted sweet onions but you could substitute ANYTHING here: cooked chicken, smoked salmon, other roasted veggies like bell peppers, zucchini and so on. If you’re roasting veggies, start with about 3 cups so you have 2 cups once they’re cooked. 

• Author: Charity Curley Mathews, founder of foodlets.com

Ingredients

Pie Dough

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2 1/2 cups flour + more for rolling
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2–4 tablespoons cold water

Filling

• About 4 sweet onions, sliced and roasted with olive oil at 425 degrees F for 25 minutes.
• 12 slices of cheese – extra sharp cheddar, provolone, Swiss, etc.
• 2 cups of cottage cheese
• 4 eggs
• dash of cream or milk
• herbs + seasonings that your family enjoys (I used fresh thyme.)

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Instructions

4️⃣ Remove the beans and parchment paper from your parbaked crust. Store the beans and you can reuse them.  Line the bottom of the crust with 12 slices of cheese, aged cheddar or provolone, or colby jack, etc. This creates a barrier.

5️⃣ Pour the egg mixture on top. And add the roasted onions.

Optional: stud with goat cheese, or feta cheese for extra zing.

6️⃣ Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

This tart is particularly good with our kale salad and balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Follow @foodlets on Facebook and Instagram for simple, kid-friendly recipes plus advice that really works.

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The post Sheet Pan Tart with Roasted Sweet Onions first appeared on Foodlets.

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How to Make Sheet Pan Quiche

Sheet pan quiche is just like your favorite quiche but the size and shape need a slightly different technique to come out well.

What you need:

• quarter sheet pan, or 9×13-inch casserole pan
• parchment sheets
• pie weights or 2 pounds of uncooked beans
• 12 eggs
• 2 pie crusts
• 1 cup fillings of your choice (I used fresh spinach and herbs + feta cheese here)

Tips:

• Parchment paper allows you to lift the whole quiche out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board for easy slicing.
• Don’t forget to blind bake your crust before pouring your egg mixture on top. This makes it nice and crispy instead of the dreaded “soggy bottom.”

Sheet Pan Quiche with Homemade Crust

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Sheet pan quiche feeds a crowd, slices easily and leftovers fit into lunchboxes like a dream.

• Author: Charity Curley Mathews, founder of foodlets.com

Ingredients

For the crust

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup cold, salted butter (2 sticks) cut into cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons water (up to 1/4 cup)

For the quiche

• 12 eggs
• 1/4 cup half and half or heavy cream
• 1 cup of toppings (cheese, herbs, roasted veggies, salmon, diced ham, etc.)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

Make the dough

1. Use a food processor or mixer to combine flour, salt and butter. Pulse or mix until texture looks like pebbles or sand.
2. Slowly add water 1 tablespoon at a time until a ball forms.
3. Refrigerate while you arrange the egg mixture.

Prep the egg mixture

1. In a large mixing bowl, crack all 12 eggs.
2. Pour in the cream.
3. Add salt and pepper.
4. Whisk for 30-60 seconds until fluffy.
5. Chop any herbs, veggies, meats, or cheeses and set aside.

Partially bake the crust

1. Turn on the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Remove your crust from the fridge and roll out on a cutting board dusted with flour. Try to make it the same shape as your pan, with extra dough around all four edges (you’ll want to fold these down).
3. Set a piece of parchment paper in the pan.
4. Transfer your dough onto the parchment paper. Fold the edges of your dough so they’re thick. Crimp or shape as you like.
5. Add a second piece of parchment paper on top of the crust. Pour pie weights or 2 pounds of UNCOOKED beans on top of the parchment paper.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Remove your pan from the oven.

Add egg mixture

1. VERY carefully, remove the parchment paper with the pie weights/beans and set aside (let them cool before transferring to a container for storage).
2. Pour your egg mixture into your crust. Top with your toppings (cheese, herbs, etc.)
3. VERY carefully, place pan back into oven.
4. Turn temperature down to 350 degrees F. 
5. Bake for 45-60 minutes until the top of your quiche is slightly brown and puffy (it’ll deflate as it cools).

Sheet pan quiche is the perfect way to enjoy more of the eggs we’re getting from our backyard chickens. I love these girls so much. They’re adorable, incredible at decimating the tick population on our property and of course, provide the most beautiful eggs I’ve ever seen. If you’ve ever wanted to start your own baby chicks, get started with only a handful of essentials right here.

WHat to serve it with?

Our supersized quiche makes the perfect dinner pared with salad. Here are our favorites:

• Kale salad with maple syrup-balsamic dressing
• Sliced cucumber salad with creamy dressing
• Cheery cherry tomato salad with basil

The post Sheet Pan Quiche with Homemade Crust first appeared on Foodlets.

The post Sheet Pan Quiche with Homemade Crust appeared first on Foodlets.

The Mother’s Day Gift You Deserve

This mother’s day I’ve combed the world and found amazing treats that fall into three categories:

1. Splurges that stand the test of time
2. Activities you deserve to make time for
3. Subscriptions you’ll love

Splurges that stand the test of time

DIY Iced Coffee & Tea Maker

Make your own iced coffee! at home! Fill the inside sleeve with coffee or tea before you go to bed and wake up to a deep, rich drink for a fraction of what it costs to head out to Starbucks. Bonus, this carafe keeps coffee and tea fresh for up to two weeks. Pop it in the fridge and enjoy. $39 at Amazon

Digital Frame for Your Kitchen Counter

What better way to actually enjoy all (pauses to glance at photo app) 1,859 photos some of us carry around on our phones. This displays loads of photos and video clips, displayed in a slideshow. Here’s a fun twist: Get one for your mom, sister or friend and you can all send photos to each other’s frames — no mater where you are in the world! $162 at Amazon

Thick and Rich Hand Cream for Cooks

If your hands get fed up with all the washing up that happens in the kitchen like mine do, lather up with this stuff. Packed with natural ingredients, your skin will stay soft. Bonus: no-waste packaging! A mother’s day gift to you, and the planet. $26 at Amazon

The Counter Top Composting Machine of My Dreams

I’ve loved composting for a long time, but boy does it make a mess in the kitchen. And it takes a long time for food to break down once you get it outside. Vitamix created a counter top composter and I’ve never looked back. I turn it on when I go to bed and wake up to a tidy handful of compost ready to fertilize my garden. $339 at Amazon

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Matching Jammies with Your Littles

Ready Set Romper is the loungewear we deserve. Founded by a mother of 2 who was searching for a better alternative to babies’ rompers and onesies with snaps & zippers, we introduce silky rompers for babies with pull down panels. But mamas get one, too! These bamboo rompers are soft on the skin, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, moisture wicking, and natural UV-protectant. Okay, you can take this show outside! Baby rompers are $33 at Ready Set Romper. 

The Gardening Gear You’ve Always Wanted

I spend a lot of time in the garden three seasons of the year but always seem to cheap out on materials that would make it easier — and more fun. Not this year. On my list:

• Gardening Knee Pad
• Popup Container for Weeds
• Epic Wheelbarrow Cart
• Bluetooth Sprinkler Timer

Your Sparkling New Wine Substitute

Unwind without alcohol and pour yourself a refreshing mocktail from Recess. The sampler pack includes strawberry rose, raspberry lemon, grapefruit tangerine and lime citrus, each one infused with natural magnesium to help your mind relax. Sounds like the perfect mother’s day gift to me. $42 at Recess

Yes, Healthy Cake! Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cake

Splurge on a taste of Greece and discovery a heavenly baked good that actually has health benefits. The New York Times and more than 70 five-star reviews can’t be wrong. $36 at Kosterina

Recycled Plastic Water Bottle Tote

This gorgeous bag is on its second life, because last time around it was a pile of water bottles bound for the ocean. Rothy’s makes bags (and shoes!) in many shapes, sizes and colors and every one of them is easy to wash so it lasts and lasts. Bags start at $99 at Rothy’s

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Say Goodbye to Soda Hydrating Water Cubes

If you’re trying to ditch the soda habit, these tiny sugar-free fruit-flavored cubes transform plain water into a delicious drink with vitamins and real fruit extracts. This set comes with six flavors, complete with a beautiful glass bottle.

More Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Activities You’ll Love

Your Own Baby Chicks

Yes, you can have chickens! Unless your HOA prevents it, even most cities allow backyard chickens. Not only are chicks incredibly cute, but grown up hens eat ticks and fleas from your yard and of course, give you an endless supply of eggs with yolks in shades of orange you’ve never seen. Get started here!

Zumba or Dancercize

Before Covid, I found an excellent little gym nearby. It didn’t have a pool or any fancy extras but the classes were excellent. I’m a former child dancer and it felt SO GOOD to get back in a room lined with mirrors in the front. Plus, exercise! Treat yourself to a cushy new pair of shoes like these, highly recommended by trainers. $39 at Amazon

Horse riding lessons.

Fancy some exercise outside with a gentle giant? Get yourself a helmet (visit a shop in person so it fits correctly) and some boots. This is the starter pair I still use. When we become touring champions, we can invest in something more expensive. $35 at Amazon

On that note, ANY lessons you’ve ever wanted to take. Now is the time! Yoga. Climbing. Croissant baking. Whatever it is that makes your heart sing, that’s the mother’s day gift for you.

Subscriptions to Enjoy All Year

For my birthday each year, I’ve gifted myself a new subscription for a streaming service. I don’t keep all of them, but really enjoy at least a series or two before canceling. The same idea stands for a mother’s day gift.

• Masterpiece Theater. For when you get tired of only watching the first season of an incredible historical drama on Prime and NEED to see the rest.
• Max (HBO Max is changing its name.) You know about “Succession”, but what about “The Other Two” or “Hacks”? Both are comedies so hilarious and charming that I’ve watched every episode twice.
• Apple+. Just once, I’d like to watch Ted Lasso and find out why everyone loves it so much.
• Audible. One of the best books I’ve listened to is called “What Happened to You?” and it’s a conversation between Oprah and Dr. Bruce Perry. How I’ve missed her soothing voice! This is such insightful material. You won’t regret listening and learning.

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The post You’re allowed to buy yourself a mother’s day gift, and you’re going to want one of these! first appeared on Foodlets.

The post You’re allowed to buy yourself a mother’s day gift, and you’re going to want one of these! appeared first on Foodlets.

Nearly half of American kids ages 1 through 5 aren’t eating a vegetable on any given day. And nearly a third aren’t eating a daily fruit, according to the Center for Disease Prevention. From busy schedules and picky eaters to serious issues of food insecurity, getting nutritious produce into kids can be a challenge. That’s why it’s important to know what vegetables pack the most health benefits into each serving.

How many vegetables should kids eat?

The CDC recommends anywhere from 1/2 cup to 2 cups of vegetables and fruits per day. Usually that means 5 servings. A serving is typically the size of a child’s fist. (Here are 12 pictures of what 5 servings of fruit and vegetables can look like for kids.)

What is the healthiest vegetable for kids?

Healthy vegetables are abundant, say nutritionists! There isn’t just one, but so many to choose from. Here is what to look for:

Dark Leafy Greens

“Dark leafy greens get a lot of attention and for good reason,” registered dietitian and nutritionist Danielle Crumble Smith told USA Today. “They have vitamin K, they’re rich in calcium and a host of different antioxidants.”

Spinach

• Super simple sauteed spinach with garlic
• Spinach and pineapple popsicles (really!)
• Cheese tortellini with spinach and bacon
• Chunky monkey smoothies with peanut butter & chocolate

Kale

• Here’s the balsamic dressing that made my kids love kale salad
• Easy kale chips
• Sauteed kale with bacon and cranberries

Cruciferous vegetables: cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and more

What is the healthiest vegetable for kids? Research has shown that cruciferous veggies have anti-inflammatory properties, anti-cancer components and act as immune boosters.

They’re also full of fiber, which keeps kids full AND makes their digestive tracts work well. (Here’s a list of foods to help kids with constipation.)

Tip: cruciferous vegetables contain lots of water-soluble vitamins (like folate and vitamin C), which are essential for kids’ mental development and immunity. But there’s a catch: these nutrients dissolve easily in water, so making soups or roasting cruciferous veggies is ideal.

Cauliflower

• How to roast frozen cauliflower
• Jamie Oliver’s (simplified) cheesy cauliflower pasta
• Mac & cheese with cauliflower & sweet potato puree
• Penne with sausage, cauliflower & Parmesan

Cabbage

• Roasted cabbage wedges kids love
• Sheet pan dinner: chicken with cabbage and olives
• Fried cabbage with crumbled bacon

Broccoli

• Silky broccoli-spinach soup (with frozen broccoli and spinach!)
• Make-ahead broccoli, cheddar and ham pockets
• Double roasted broccoli pasta

How do I get my kids to eat more vegetables?

Answering “what is the healthiest vegetable for kids?” is all well and good, but how does this translate into kids actually eating more vegetables? Here is what works for me and my four kids.

START WITH SMALL PORTIONS. 

I give the kids only a bite or two of each thing and whoever wants more, gets more. This helps kids figure out when they’re actually full rather than me coaxing them into “just one more bite.”

TWO SNACKS, MAXIMUM. 

Because little bodies burn through their calories in the day, I like to give a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon snack to avoid meltdowns. But constant eating is a big problem these days and I don’t want the kids to learn that habit. In fact, for the afternoon snack I like to stick to fruit and it can be as simple as apple slices or as sweet as bananas and strawberries on a skewer.

ADD SPINACH TO EVERYTHING.

Eggs, brownies, I’ll make anything “Florentine”. It’s not sneaky, because I tell the kids it’s going in. I’m just looking for new angles to get more of the good stuff into those tiny bodies. Ditto for wheat germ, flaxseed and chia seeds. Also, we eat whole wheat everything: pasta, bread, pitas. The kids don’t know any different and it’s so much better for them.

The post What is the healthiest vegetable for kids? (Hint: There’s more than one!) first appeared on Foodlets.

The post What is the healthiest vegetable for kids? (Hint: There’s more than one!) appeared first on Foodlets.

• spinach
• Parmesan cheese
• mozzarella cheese sticks

They’re a perfect idea for St. Patrick’s Day food, either in lunchboxes or serving a crowd.

How to make cheese-filled shamrocks

Prep the spinach & Parmesan

1. Cook 1/2 cup frozen spinach (or fresh) in a microwave safe container, 30 seconds at a time for about 1 minute 30 seconds. You want 1/2 cup AFTER cooking, so add accordingly.
2. Combine with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
3. Blitz in a blender or food processor. (I use my mini string food processor and it works well!)

Prep the mozzarella cheese filling

1. Open 2 string cheeses and slice into 5-6 pieces each.

Prep the bread dough

1. Use our recipe for Easy Homemade Bread.
2. Add the spinach and Parmesan mixture to the flour in the first step.
3. Add a 1/4 cup extra flour to offset moisture.
4. Then proceed with the recipe.

Assemble shamrocks

1. Just before baking, cut your dough into 8 pieces. You will have 8 shamrocks.
2. Cut each of those pieces into 5 sections: 4 large (leaves) and 1 small (stem).
3. Roll out each section. Place a piece of mozzarella cheese inside each section, then cover and roll so no cheese is exposed.
4. Place all 4 circles close together on a parchment lined baking sheet.
5. Roll the 5th piece of dough into a stem and nestle behind the 4 circles.
6. Squeeze the middles of the leaves together.
7. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.

Serve plain, with marinara sauce or pesto.

More Fun St. Patrick’s Day Foods for Kids

From mini open-faced Reubens to cheesy broccoli patties and more, fun St. Patrick’s day food for kids starts here!

The post Cheese-Filled Shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day first appeared on Foodlets.

The post Cheese-Filled Shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Foodlets.