Howard's Kitchen Hijinks

I was looking for a quick cooking project to do with Elliott and I forgot about these cookies.  They use cake mix as the base! They are simple to make and I usually have everything on hand.  I usually use jimmies (or sprinkles) instead of the nonpareils.  Elliott went a little heavy with the nonpareils, which is why they look like there are a lot of them in there and started to discolor the cookie.  Enjoy! Here is the link for the recipe:  Confetti Cookies

I was on the MJCCA Day Camps Facebook page yesterday making pizza bagels.  Check it out! Here is a link to the recipe: Pizza Bagels

I had never had a borueka until I started working here at the MJCCA.  They are a flaky pastry filled with all sorts of different items that are sold on the streets or Israeli or at the local shuk or market.  I am so thankful to Mrs. Barbara here that shared her recipe with me that I have used to make my bourekas. The recipe included has 3 different fillings that you can use.  I just made 2 last night-- spinach & feta and cheese.  They were a big hit and my family is looking forward to them again.  They are really simple-- most is just mix the filling, stuff, fold, pinch, and bake.  It's a great family project to work together on. I use different toppings so we know what is what.  Sesame seeds covered the cheese ones and everything bagel spice covered the spinach & feta. Here is a link to the recipe: Bourekas

With it being the first day of spring and finally getting some warmer and not rainy weather, I thought it would be a perfect time to make some juice & fruit popcicles to enjoy after a morning of running around and playing outside.  It's the perfect cool down! They are so simple to make!  We had a some popsicle molds at home, but if you don't, small cups (like bathroom cups) & spoons work perfectly! We chopped up a bunch of strawberries & Mandarin oranges.  And then Simba (or Elliott) helped me fill the molds and cups with the chopped fruit. Once that was done, I pour over some juice.  We had some pineapple-orange juice, but use whatever you have.  You can even dilute it with some water by about 25%. We let them sit in the freezer overnight to get hard.  The perfect after play treat!

Today Elliott's class took a trip to Germany.  Coming from a German household, it was a perfect time for Oma (German for grandmother) to make this "lumpy noodles" dish for dinner.  Elliott and his Oma got to make one of our German favorites while I finished the rest of the meal. Here is the link to the recipe: Spatzle

Coming from Buffalo, when there is a snow storm or blizzard and you are stuck at home, you bake.  Get out the butter, sugar, & flour, and dust off your mixer.  Today was a perfect day for making cookies! We made Oma's (or my grandmother's) cutout cookie recipe that is the only one I have ever known and used.  It's a buttery, sugar cookie that isn't too sweet.  We use the frosting from the cupcakes & frosting recipe to spread on top. I also found out today that I don't have alot of food coloring left.  Only a few drops of some neon colors.  I will be fixing that with an Amazon order soon. Here is the link to the recipe: Oma's Cutout Cookies

I know many of the young chefs enjoyed making their green eggs last week.  So many of them loved the "sauce" that we put on them.  The "sauce" was actually an herby chimichurri that we made using garlic and lots of fresh herbs.  I actually used it tonight to make some pan-seared chicken. It was amazing! Our green eggs from last week: I split my chicken breast in half longways and let them sit in the chimichurri sauce for about 20 minutes or so before the hit the plan. Longer in the fridge would be even better!  Same some to add at the end.  I cook them on medium-high for about 5 minutes a side. Here is the link to the recipe: Green Eggs & Herby Chimichurri Sauce