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Archives for July 2011

Have you ever wondered about ………..?

By Denise Pare-Watson

Kids in the Kitchen – I love it, actually.  They are such willing little helpers.  It all started when my two daughters were very young.  The ‘wonder’ in a child’s mind is a beautiful thing.  It was my challenge to nurture that curiosity and provide opportunities for them to have sensory experiences both in food and play. One of the questions I would often ask them is, “have you ever wondered about…..?”  The answers that they gave me always inspired me to continue asking the same question over and over again.

Making Edible Playdough with Kids in the Kitchen | urbnspice.com

Making Edible Play Dough with Kids in the Kitchen 

Being the curious souls that they were with active minds and adventurous palates, it was always exciting going for a visit to the local greengrocers (Longo’s) to help Mom to shop for “vegables” and “foooots”.  It was their special job taking turns each week to help find something new that we had never, ever tried before to buy and bring home.

Kids in the Kitchen: Beautiful Strawberry Tomatoes

Beautiful Strawberry tomatoes

The staff at the greengrocers made my task easier, with excellent signage describing each item, how to pick the best one, and how to cook or eat it.  The girls enjoyed this responsibility thoroughly.  The other highlight of this visit was spending time (lots of time) at the display station where the staff would be busy at work carving fruits and vegetables into flowers, animals, people and other whimsical creatures.  The demonstrations captured the attention of my then three and five-year-old.   They stood beside me completely mesmerized by the carving talent displayed by the staff together with the other amazed onlookers young and old.

We had some interesting treats (daikon, dragon fruit, star fruit, kiwi, passion fruit, blue potatoes, striped tomatoes, baby vegetables, to name a few) – some were very popular, some not so much.  Yet, it was still an experience that we all enjoyed from start to finish.  As parents,  we always thanked the girls for trying every item with enthusiasm, or for even it giving it a hesitant little nibble.

Have You Ever Wondered About? | urbnspice.com

Gorgeous Purple potatoes

My daughters are now grown.  They have developed sophisticated palates, excellent cooking and baking skills and possess the same spirit of adventure they acquired as youngsters when it comes to trying new foods, ideas and recipes.  I like to think it had something to do with our “buy it and try it” greengrocers adventures at Longo’s.

Have you welcomed Kids in your Kitchen?  What interesting foods have you purchased and investigated?  I can give you lots of tips on where to start your Kids in the Kitchen Food Adventures.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN:

Here are a few activities to get you started with Kids in the Kitchen:

Purple Potatoes:  Make some Purple Gnocchi

A fun cookie to make with Kiddies:  Vanilla Bean Poppers

And here is another fun cookie to make with kiddies:  Rainbow Vanilla Bean Poppers

 

“Cooking with kids is not just about ingredients, recipes, and cooking.

It’s about harnessing imagination, empowerment, and creativity.”

Guy Fieri

Invite Kids into Your Kitchen and enjoy experiencing cooking and baking again through the eyes of a child.  Ask them the question, “Have you ever wondered about……?  I am excited to hear the answers that they give you.

Happy Cooking with Kids in the Kitchen

You can find me on social media (see links below) – just be sure to tag @urbnspice and #urbnspice so I am sure to see it. Enjoy! 

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

Denise Paré-Watson

The Urb’n’Spice Chef

Follow me on Social Media

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2017-2018 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Have you Ever wondered about Series?, Kids in the Kitchen Tagged With: Baking with Children, Cooking with Children, Kids in the Kitchen

WTF!!!??? Wonderfully Tasty Foods!

By Denise Pare-Watson

WTF!  Wonderfully Tasty Foods – Gotcha!!  (What were you thinking?!!)

What can I say?  It was my husband’s idea.  A creative guy he is – a foodie, a great cook, and a sense of humour to boot.

Since food has been such a significant part of my heritage, one of the clearest things in my recollections are food experiences – some from my childhood, and some very recent.  I would like to share these experiences regularly.  It is not only the memories of the food experiences, but what surprises me is how acute my senses are when I recall them – the weather, the surroundings, the smells and tastes and sounds.

Of course, there are food traditions that are very important to families.  On the other hand, there are many food discoveries yet to happen.  The “Bucket List for Foodies”, so to speak.  So many memories, so many discoveries, where to begin?  I can’t think of a better place to start than this:

Plated Tourtiere | urbnspice.com

Traditional Tourtiere

Wonderfully Tasty Foods:  My Mom’s Tourtiere

I have had many versions of  Tourtière.  Some have been made by professional chefs, colleagues, relatives and friends, but none can compare to “Little Mom’s” tourtière.   (More on “Little Mom”).French Canadian Tourtiere | urbnspice.com

My Mom’s version is more savoury than traditionally prepared with its sage and poultry seasoning as opposed to the warm spices often used (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice).   The aromatic fragrance of the tourtiere mixture simmering away is magical.  Even writing about it makes me nostalgic.  Although I have adapted the process somewhat to accommodate my  “chef-y” way of doing things, I do stick to her recipe and always make enough to share with family and friends, as she traditionally does.

Buche de Tourtiere | urbnspice.com

Buche de Tourtiere is perfect for luncheons with a salad

My Mom’s tourtiere became quite famous in a small village in Ontario.  Everyone loved her tourtiere when she made them for church or village social events.  As a matter of fact, when the ladies of the village church approached her for her recipe to use for fundraising activities, she generously supplied it.  We are proud that our Mom’s family recipe for tourtiere made it possible for the small town to raise enough money to rebuild the church hall.

Wonderfully Tasty Foods.  Do you have a food memory as vivid as this that you can share?

Baked Tourtiere | urbnspice.com

Our French Canadian Family loves tourtiere during the holiday season
Wonderfully Tasty Foods: Gluten Free Tart Shells and Tourtiere Filling | urbnspice.com
Gluten Free Tart Shells and Tourtiere Filling

You can find me on social media (see links below) – just be sure to tag @urbnspice and #urbnspice so I am sure to see it. Enjoy!

Denise Pare-Watson - The Urb'n'Spice Chef | urbnspice.com

 

Denise Paré-Watson

The Urb’n’Spice Chef

Follow me on Social Media

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2015-2018 Urb'n'SpiceAll Rights Reserved
Original content here is published under these license terms: X 
License Type:Commercial
License Abstract:You may read the original content in the context in which it is published (at this web address). You may make other uses of the content only with the written permission of the author on payment of a fee.

Filed Under: Main Dishes or Entree Options, Meat Dishes, WTF Series - Wonderfully Tasty Foods Tagged With: Family Recipes, Little Mom, Main Meal Pies, Traditional Foods

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Welcome to Urbnspice - A Taste of Heart and Home. Inspiration in my kitchen is often a trip to the market or an experimental coincidence! Come and join me on this culinary journey where I share my passion for the creative, technical and teaching components of the profession and unravel culinary quandaries for you with fun and easy to follow user-friendly recipes, tips & techniques.
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