Cheeky Meals

Did you smile at the little 'chick' up there?? I hope so, it looks kinda cute nestled in its nest doesn't it?  This was another fun lunch that I made for little one.  I first saw it at Angie's blog.  Angie, if you happen to stop by, thank you for the beautiful photos that captivated me and also the simple and doable recipe.  I added a little 'chick' to fill the nest to make it less lonely maybe? :)

Making this was easy, all it took was 30 minutes minus cutting the beaks and crest for the chicks, but that was all for the fun of it.  I intended for them to be little birds but little one said they look like chicks, so chicks they will be :)

"Here, meet my brothers and sisters! There are 7 of us altogether!"

"Oh, did i tell you there's another 2 of us who are soundly asleep in their cosy shells still? Hmm, maybe I should wake them up!"

Recipe
Source : Angie's Recipe

Note : Variations in red

• 200 g Spaghetti
• 3 tbsp Parmesan, grated
• 2 tbsp Breadcrumbs
• 2 Large eggs
• 3 tbsp Whipping cream
• 1 Tomato, diced
• 50 g Prosciutto, diced  (ham)
• 125 g Fresh Mozzarella cheese, diced
• 3 tbsp Chives, chopped (1 stalk of celery, diced)
• Salt and pepper
• Served with some tomato sauce 
• Quails Eggs, Lettuce

1. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, according to pack instructions. Drain pasta. Return to same pot and toss with grated Parmesan and breadcrumbs.
2. Use a fork to stick into the spaghetti and bring up a heaping forkful. Turn and twist the pasta to form a nest. Repeat until you have 8 nests (or according to preferred nest size). Place them on a baking tray lined with paper. At the same time, preheat the oven to 200C/400F
3. Stir together the eggs and cream until just blended. Season to taste. Add in diced tomatoes, ham, Mozzarella, and chopped chives  (or any other greens). Divide the mixture and spoon them in the center of each nest. Bake the spaghetti nests on second rack from the bottom of the oven for 15-18 minutes (I baked mine for 12 minutes only, dependent on oven heat and I preferred it slightly wet).

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Flower Fries

Another misleading name probably? I like doing this in return for little one's expression when he is told what he's getting. These are cauliflower fritters actually. Over where I am, one would find them in vegan restaurants. Cauliflower fried in a batter tastes quite different from eating it on its own, a nice soft texture and a light fragrance. They make healthy snacks for kids. Great way to get them to eat more greens although not literally. This one doesn't even taste like vegetables with a plus of it not being green in color.

I saw this recipe when a chef/regular columnist in a local newspaper obliged a mother's request for it. I was attracted when I saw that the recipe listed cheese as one of the ingredients. I don't recall tasting cheese in the ones that I had.

So, that's how I ended up with these and how they ended up in little one and his friends' stomachs over lunch in school. The kids loved them and I was very glad when I saw a squeaky clean lunch box :)

Recipe
Source :Kuali.com (Amy Beh)
Ingredients

• 700g cauliflower, cut into florets
• 200g self-raising flour
• 1 tbsp rice flour
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander
• 2 tbsp chopped spring onion
• 1 tbsp chopped red chilli
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

1. Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil, then add cauliflower. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Drain and soak cauliflower in ice-cold water for a while.
2. Drain from the ice-cold water, then chop cauliflower roughly. Add cauliflower into combined flour mixture.
3. Add garlic, coriander, onion, chilli and cheese. Stir to combine. Pour the beaten egg over and stir until well combined. Gradually add in 50-60ml water. Stir into a very thick batter. (If it is too dry, add a little more water.)
4. Heat oil in a wok, spoon in a tablespoon of mixture into the hot oil. Do not over-crowd the wok. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden and cooked through. Dish out and drain. Serve the fritters with chilli sauce.

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Of Green Piggies and Angry Birds

If you can't beat them, eat them! Little one's favourite game on the Iphone. He asked if I could make him one after we came across a few that we saw here. Needless to say, I obliged :) I thought they looked pretty cute. Moreover, it looked like it was going to be fun. More like craft that culinary. The challenge would be the smaller parts namely the eyes and the nostrils, since I don't have any of the cutters.

Onigiri made from normal cooked rice (just add a little extra water to make sure it's sticky enough to be shaped). Red bird got its color from tomato sauce while piggie got its green from some fresh and heated pandan juice. Eyes came from cheese (cut with a straw) and seaweed. Piggie's ears were peas while nose was cucumber. Red bird got its nose and feathers from carrot. Just use your imagination and whatever you have in your kitchen to get the color effect. I made a simple teriyaki chicken to go with the onigiri and vegetables.

Little one was overjoyed to see it. He asked if he could have the entire bird family next!! He raved about how his friends admired his lunch box :) As long as he's happy, I am super happy!

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