Category: Food and Recipes

“I’m strong to the finish when i eats me spinach.”

Sound familiar? Seems like a lifetime ago when I used to watch Popeye the Sailor Man!

Frankly, I was never a fan of eating plain cooked spinach. It is just too bland for my “big flavor” taste buds. Besides, there are just so many more flavorful ways to eat spinach, especially when you add cheese to it!

I have many favorite Spinach and Cheese recipes, including Spinach & Cheese Tortellini, Spinach Frittata, Spinach Lasagna Rolls, Tortellini Soup with Spinach, Spinach & Cheese Phyllo Bites and now this Spinach & Tomato Quiche!

This quiche recipe was designed to be simple enough for the kids to make and delicious enough for adults and kids to want to eat everyday!

Enjoy.

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Creating MyPlate

I know it’s been a while since my last post but it has been very busy with classes and life!

Currently, we are in the middle of our spring session at Stepney Elementary as part of the Arts & Imagination program. This time we are learning how to create MyPlate using the five food groups. The children are learning all about creative ways of eating their Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Protein and Dairy!

A couple of weeks ago, we learned about the two types of Grains (my favorite subject), the Whole Grain and the Refined Grain. As part of the lesson, the kids read some nutrition labels on the back of cereal boxes, crackers, bread crumbs and frozen waffles. They were all so surprised by the number of ingredients in these products, as well as the fact that they didn’t recognize half of them, neither do I! It is truly important to read those labels so you know what you are putting into your growing body.

We were on spring break last week so when we returned to class yesterday, I was so pleased to hear a story shared by one of my students. He had gone grocery shopping with his mom over break and she picked up some white bread and he pointed out to his mother that white bread is a refined grain and not as healthy as the whole wheat bread so they ended up buying the whole wheat bread. I was so very proud of him and I am so proud of all my students for all their attention and enthusiasm in these classes. Hopefully, these classes will be instrumental in helping them to make better eating choices.

This is exactly why I enjoy teaching these cooking classes. Kids are simply amazing!

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Bolognese

One of my favorite Italian meals is Pasta Bolognese! I love the texture and creaminess of this savory meat sauce no matter what pasta comes with it. Believe it or not, I was first introduced to Bolognese on our trip to Italy a few years back and it was love at first bite!

There has only been one other time that the Bolognese has come close to the one I had in Rome and believe me I’ve tried it all. My cousin-in-law’s parents own an Italian restaurant down in Fairfield, Connecticut called Vino & Mare. Everything on their menu is absolutely delicious but the one that stands out the most for me is their Bolognese. When I had my first bite of their Bolognese, the flavors transported me back to our fun days in Rome.

I’ve been meaning to replicate this hearty dish, but since my husband is vegetarian, I thought I’d try a Vegetable Bolognese and see how it compares to the Meat version. Well, I have to tell you that I have found it. This bolognese dish is unbelievably hearty and creamy just like the beef version but so much healthier. (This is not the best photo, but believe me, it is delish!)

Vegetable Bolognese

To all the vegetarians out there or for those who are trying to eat a little more healthy, this one is for you, Vegetable Bolognese!

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Creating Favorite Meals with Food Jules

Creating Favorite Meals with Food Jules starts Sat, 4/14 at Chalk Hill Middle School for kids ages 7-12.

Join Liz Cerrato, owner of Food Jules, as she shares some of her all-time favorite recipes, from savory starters and hearty entrees to decadent desserts. Each week, students will work in teams to create some favorite meals, using simple cooking techniques and wholesome ingredients. Students receive their own cookbook at the end of the session. Ages 7-12.

Dates: Saturday (4/14, 4/28, 5/5, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2)
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Location: Chalk Hill School Cafeteria
Cost: Resident $125.00 / Non-Resident $138.00
Min: 10 children / Max: 20 children

Register online at http://www.monroerec.org today!

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FREE Food Expo in Fairfield, CT

I just learned about this amazing local event, Food for Thought Expo being held this Satuday, March 31st at the Fairfield High School and it’s FREE! Here is some information about the event.

Fairfield’s 3rd annual “Food for Thought Expo” showcases good food and how it’s easy to prepare and enjoy with the family.  With presentations and displays by local farms, food stores, bakeries, health food vendors – and kid’s activities – the Food Expo provides a one-stop experience for the whole family on Saturday, March 31th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Fairfield Warde High School.  Admission is free.

Sponsored by the Fuel for Learning Partnership (FFLP), a Fairfield PTA Committee, the Food for Thought Expo will feature over 40 exhibitors showing products and services that help make good eating habits part of every meal.  Some of the highlights include:

  • Children’s activities and movies throughout the day.
  • Watch cooking demos for tips and recipes from local chefs
  • Our CT farms: where to get local vegetables, meats, and cheeses
  • Taste the best artisanal bread from local bakeries
  • Learn to garden!
  • How to join a CSA or food buying club
  • Sample foods from local restaurants
  • What’s it take to keep bees?
  • Talk to nutrition professionals
  • Finding the right cookbook at our Fairfield Public Library

My family and I will definitely be attending this event. It sounds like a great learning experience and so much fun for adults and kids!  It is so amazing how much our local communities have to offer, it’s up to us to enjoy it all, especially when it’s FREE!

Hopefully, next year Food Jules will participate in this great event!

 

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