Dear Reader,
This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children. Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills. You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story. Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in our life.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Noodle and the No Bones Day By: Jonathan Graziano Illustrated by: Dan Tavis
Ages: Toddler through First Grade
If you are a Tik Tok user, you will be very familiar with Noodle the Pug and his friend Jonathan. They are quite successful at determining the kind of day it will be, either a “bones” day or a “no bones” day. As it turns out, either kind of day can be a good one. We are so pleased that Jonathan put this sweet story into a children’s book. You will fall in love with Noodle and Jonathan and please check them out on Tik Tok.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you some of the things that Noodle and Jonathan like to do.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you one of Noodle’s favorite foods.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what a “no bones” day means.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the things that Jonathan and Noodle do on a “no bones” day.
Additional Books:
- Pig the Pug By: Aaron Blabey
- Pig the Stinker By: Aaron Blabey
- Pig the Slob By: Aaron Blabey
- Sit, Stay, Love By: Chalaine Kilduff Illustrated by: Sally Brodermann
Cooking Time:
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
We are sure that Noodle the Pug probably loves bacon, so this recipe is perfect to celebrate his new book. Children can help by wrapping the smokies and measuring and adding ingredients.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
13 to 14 bacon slices
10 ounces little smokies
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cumin and chili powder. Set aside.
- Cut each bacon strip in half.
- Wrap a piece of bacon around each smokie. Secure each with a toothpick.
- Place the smokies in the prepared baking pan with the toothpicks sticking up.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the smokies. Try to get as much as you can on each smokie.
- Bake for 1 hour in a 325 degree oven. Remove from oven and place on a serving plate.
- Serve warm using toothpicks for grabbing.
Makes 2 dozen bacon smokies.
Bacon Puffs
These puffs are crazy good and so easy to make. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients, mixing and forming the balls.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3/4 cup cooked bacon, chopped
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup flour
- In a medium bowl, combine the butter, cheese, bacon and the Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
- Blend in the flour to form a dough. Can use your hands to mix.
- Form the dough into 1/2 inch to 1 inch balls.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
Makes 2 to 3 dozen depending on size.
Chicken Noodle Casserole
We know that Noodle loves chicken, so this recipe is perfect. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients and mixing.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2 1/2 quart casserole with non-stick cooking spray.
2 cups medium wide noodles
3 cups rotisserie chicken, cubed
1 package (10 ounces) frozen vegetables (peas, carrots, beans, corn)
1 cup milk
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 additional tablespoons butter, melted
- Prepare the noodles according to the package directions.
- Combine all of the ingredients.
- Place in the prepared baking dish.
- Combine the bread crumbs and melted butter.
- Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Our cookies are shaped like dog bones, but are definitely made for children and grown-ups. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients, cracking the egg and cutting out the cookies.
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Additional sugar for sprinkling
- Using a mixer, combine the butter and sugar on medium high speed. Do not overmix.
- Add the egg, molasses, vinegar and vanilla. Beat on medium low speed until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the molasses mixture. Mix on low speed until a soft cookie dough is formed.
- Cover the dough and chill for at least 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Divide the chilled dough in half.
- Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Using your bone cutter, cut out the cookies and place on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Sprinkle each cookie with sugar before baking.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cooking time will depend on the size of the cookies.
- Cookies are done when they spring back when slightly touched.
- Remove the cookies to a rack to cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the baking sheets and return to the racks to complete the cooling process.
Makes 45 to 50 mid-sized cookies.
