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 your life.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! By: Sandra Boynton
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
In this fun book, Chicken shows children how to encourage others by giving a big “WOO HOO!”. This book is in rhyming verse and besides learning about giving encouragement, children learn that it is okay to make mistakes. Most importantly, children can learn how to give encouragement to themselves.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the book, ask the child to tell you something that they had tried to do for the first time and was it easy or hard.
- Then ask them if anyone encouraged them after they were completed with the task.
- After reading the book, what kinds of encouragement did the Chicken do for his friends.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what mistake that Chicken thought he had made and what did Mouse say to him.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Mouse thought was the best “WOO HOO”.
Additional Books by Sandra Boynton:
- Silly Lullaby
- Pajama Time!
- But Not the Hippopotamus
- MOO, BAA, LA LA LA!
- Blue Hat, Green Hat
- Opposites
Cooking Time:
Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Nuggets
This delicious chicken is perfect for lunch or a snack. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the eggs and dipping the chicken.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup flour
4 cups corn flakes cereal, crushed lightly
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
Honey BBQ Sauce
3/4 cup favorite BBQ sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup ketchup
- Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl. Add the flour and stir to coat each piece. Set aside.
- Place the crushed corn flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika into a large bowl and mix. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.
- Roll into the cereal mixture, coating completely.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all of the chicken bites.
- Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 18 minutes, flipping each piece after 10 minutes.
- Prepare the sauce while the chicken is baking.
- Place the BBQ sauce, honey and ketchup in a small saucepan.
- Heat for 6 to 7 minutes, whisking occasionally.
- Carefully place the cooked chicken bites into a large bowl. Pour the warm sauce on the top and gently stir to coat.
Makes 8 servings.
White Chicken Enchiladas
This is another great chicken dish that the entire family will love. Children can help by shredding the chicken, measuring, adding the ingredients and rolling the tortillas.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2 cups boneless skinless chicken breast cooked or rotisserie chicken
2 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
5 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
4 ounce can diced green chilies
10 soft flour tortillas
- Place the chicken in a bowl and shred with a fork.
- Add 3/4 cup cheese, garlic powder and cream cheese to the chicken and mix well. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the broth and whisk until smooth.
- Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese and heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
- Stir in the sour cream and chilies. Do not boil. Remove from the heat.
- In each tortilla, add some of the chicken mixture. Roll up and place in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the sauce over the enchiladas.
- Top with the remainder of the cheese.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 22 minutes. Broil for 3 minutes to brown the cheese.
Makes 5 servings.
Oreos and Cream Cake
This is a very decadent cake and children will love it because it is covered with Oreos. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients, and cracking the eggs.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 – 8 inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray, line with parchment paper and spray again.
Cake:
1 3/4 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Filling:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Frosting:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups crushed Oreos
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
- With the mixer on low speed, alternate the dry ingredients with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat for 1 minute.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared baking pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Place on cooling racks for 10 minutes. Remove from the pans and return to the racks to continue cooling.
- Prepare the filling.
- Using a mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and then add the milk.
- Beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- When the cake layers have cooled, use a long serrated knife to split each layer in half.
- Place a layer on the serving plate and ice with 1/3rd of the filling.
- Add another layer and add the filling. Do the same with the third layer and then add the 4th.
- Refrigerate for 20 minutes while you prepare the frosting.
- Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla on high speed until soft peaks form.
- Generously spread the whipped cream over the entire cake.
- Using cupped hands, gently press the crumbled Oreos over the side of the cake. This is a little messy.
Makes 16 servings.
