IN the KITCHEN with IZZY

Today was fun. I had a playday with my little cooking friend, Izzy. On the menu today was pizza. Every child loves pizza. Okay, so no fancy toppings, but sometimes simple is better in my opinion.

I had made up the dough last night, so we were ready to go. Copious amounts of flour later, and with the kitchen looking as if a flour bomb had dropped she had managed to roll, pull and stretch the dough into a pizza shape. She was slightly concerned that it wasn't "a circle pizza" but I assured her that was okay. She lovingly spread over the tomato sauce, making sure every bite would recieve the same amount, I had to gently guide her away from the edge so she would have a crust. Turns out she doesn't like the crust, so I should have let her go ahead. Last the cheese, mozzerella, she wasn't sure if she liked this cheese. I assured her all pizzas had this cheese on them and it would taste better cooked. That seemed to satisfy her.

15 mins later we pulled a very hot pizza from the oven. She was so happy. 15 mins after that she had eaten almost half of it, so I'm guessing it was a success.
She returned home with an extra one she had mad for her dad. Hope he appreciates all the effort she put into it.

She wants to do meringues next time, but I think that is a bit adventuous and will gently sway her in the direction of cupcakes.

IN the KITCHEN with IZZIE

Izzie came to cook with me last week. Who is Izzie? Izzie is my friend, she is 4 1/2 years old, the 1/2 is very important to her, and she lives across the street. Why is she my friend? Quite simply because she loves her food, will try almost anything without complaint, she enjoys cooking and will eat anything I offer her. A foodie of the future who must be nourished and encouraged!
We were going to make a refrigerated bar cake, only problem being it does take a while in the fridge to set, and patience isn't one of a 4 1/2 year olds strong points, so I decided after a little time, during which we would wash up and tidy things away, I would pull the old "and here is one I made earlier trick" except I thought it best that Izzie didn't realise this and would go home happily with the one she had made.




COCHOLATE CRUNCH BAR

100g(4oz) butter
300gr(10oz dark chocolate (bittersweet)
3 tablespoons golden syrup or corn syrup
140gr sweet crunchy biscuits (cookies)I used digestives
12 marshmallows chopped, or you can use mini ones
1/4 cup dried cranberries
100gr caramel popcorn

Melt chocolate and butter in microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between until melted and smooth.
Stir everything else into the mixture and spread into a foil lined 10'x10" pan and spread it out.
Chill until hard.

I know the popcorn sounds strange but trust me it's delicious in this recipe. You can of course swap it for any sweet or candy bar you prefer.
We had a slight problem with the dried cranberries, Izzie was slightly hesitant at first but after trying one pronounced 'They are just red raisins, you were tricking me!" What can I say?
This is always so much fun and Izzie is always so pleased with her offerings which we package up nicely and send her home with.



As you can see we put them into a fancy dish, it is never too early to learn the importance of how to make food look good. As they say we taste first with our eyes. I now look forward to our next day together in the kitchen.

IZZIE GETS BUSY in the KITCHEN

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