A Day In Kokomo at the Glass Factory

Things to do In Indiana: Kokomo,  A One Tank Trip

We visited the Indiana Glass Factory in Kokomo, Indiana. If you're looking for things to do in Indiana, this is a great idea for a field trip or a one tank trip in Indiana. Homeschoolers will enjoy learning a new skill for a possible future trade or art project.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Glass Factory.

Kokomo Opalescent Glass Main Office.

Beehive where they melt the glass.

Table where they roll glass to make panes.

Area where they roll and blow glass.

Sample of their panes of glass.

We got a guided tour of the glass factory. The kids saw it featured on a local news channel over Christmas break and really wanted to go. We all learned many things and we were all surprised to find out where the glass has been placed. One place is the Cinderella Castle at Disney. Apparently, the Kokomo Glass Factory produced all of the glass in the castle. 

Stained Glass at Cinderella's Castle in Disney World. 

The Kokomo Glass Factory has a beautiful shop where you can purchase hand blown hand blown glass items. Visit KOG.COM to see the shop (they ship) and if you live in the Indiana area, stop by and take  the tour. The Indiana Glass Factory makes a great family outing or field trip idea. 

Currently it runs Tues-Fri at 10 am and lasts about an hour. They even offer a class to make glass beads and accents. They also sell glass panes of different sizes and thicknesses if you need some for your home or craft projects.

This is truly a hidden jewel in Indiana.  We never knew about the glass factory until we saw it on the news. The kids loved the tour (which was a surprise) and apparently it was the highlight of everything we had planned over break. 


~ Angie


Recommended:

Things to do in Indiana

Books about Hand Blown Glass

More Posts by Angie

Thing to do in Kokomo

Get a Glass Craft for Kids

Moroccan Food Acorn Squash Fall Recipe

This Acorn Squash Recipe with Moroccan Spice give your taste buds a kick. 

Angie shares her favorite spicy recipe. Moroccan Food Rocks. After you use your squash for a fun, Fall Thanksgiving Craft, make this recipe in the kitchen with your kids 

Angie's Recipes at Kids Creative Chaos.

"I made this the other night; 
it has just the right mix of sweet and savory. It is delish!"

Moroccan Spiced Acorn Squash Recipe

2 medium acorn squash (I used 3)
11/2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tbsp packed brown sugar
¾ tsp salt, divided
½ tsp black pepper
2/3 Cup uncooked wild rice blend
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp Moroccan Rub
1 1/3 Cup water
1/3 Cup Golden Raisins
1 Medium red apple such as fuji (I used Jonagold's)
1 can 15oz. Garbanzo beans (Chickpeas) Drained and rinsed
2/3 C. slivered almonds, toasted and divded
1/3 cup snipped fresh chives
Additional snipped chives (optional)

Preheat oven 450.  Cut squash in half crosswise.  Remove and throw away seeds.  Place squash on Medium sheet pan or Large Bar Pan.  Using basting brush, brush squash with ½ tbsp of oil; sprinkle with brown sugar, ½ tsp of salt and pepper.  Bake 32-38 min or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and put on cooling rack.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in 10in skillet over medium heat 1-3 min or until shimmering.  Add rice blend, onion and rub; cook and stir 1-2 min or until onion is tender.  Add water and raisins; cook covered, 12-15 min or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

Dice apple, zest lemon to measure 1 tsp.  Add apple, lemon zest, chickpeas, ½ cup almonds, chives and remaining ¼ tsp salt to skillet.  Cook covered, 1-2 min or until heated thru.  Spoon rice mixture evenly into squash halves.  Garnish with remaining 2 tbsp almonds and additional snipped chives, if desired.

Cook's Tip: To form flat base, trim ½ in off top and bottom of the squash.

Recommended Reading:

Kids travel journal: my trip to morocco*

Morocco Recipes* 

Bowling with Pro Bowlers: Osku Palmerma = Perfect way to start Spring Break

Angie's Corner

With  Pro Bowler Osku Palmermaa

Last Friday, my 9 yr old daughter, got to bowl in a tournament for a chance to win scholarship money with Pro Bowlers that were in town for a PBA tournament. She just got a new heavier ball. So, after school Thursday, I took the kids to the local bowling alley so my daughter could get the feel of her new ball.  My son got to bowl without bumpers to get ready for next fall.

Angie's kids with Pro Bowler Ryan Schafer

With  favorite Pro Bowler Dick Allen

For being nervous she started out great! She bowled a 156 but dropped in scores a bit as she bowled her next two games. In all, she got to bowl with 6 Pro Bowlers.

She quickly developed a crush on the 1st Pro Bowler and at the end left there in awe. The last Pro Bowler complimented her and as he tried to get her dad to meet someone about a camp, her coach (from youth league and who she bowled with) quickly stepped in to hear about it.

It was a great night for everyone; the Pro Bowlers had a great time with the kids, the kids got to meet and see Pro Bowlers. I was disappointed I didn't get to see my bowling crush, but I got to see a few bowlers I grew up watching. We will be doing this again next year if the opportunity presents itself. :)

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Pancakes Vegan Recipe

Ever wonder how to make Pumpkin Pie or how to make Pancakes from scratch? This vegan recipe from Angie does both!

Pumpkin pie pancakes these are breakfast this week. I got this vegan recipe from a friend- not sure where she found it, but when I saw it I knew I had to make these because they sounded so good.

                 How to Make Pumpkin Pie Pancakes Vegan Recipe.

Vegan Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 C flaxseed
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cin + spice blend or pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix together
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 cup coconut milk or soy milk till consistency of pancake batter.

Mix wet, pour into dry, only mix till combined.

Toast chopped walnuts in your microwave, 1 min at a time until toasted in small microwave cooker.

Using large stainless steel scoop, scoop onto hot double burner griddle. Sprinkle w/toasted walnuts. Flip when bubbly.

Serve with vegan butter and pure maple syrup or try this vegan butter cream frosting.

Recommended Reading:

Kids Creative Chaos Cooks: Fun Holiday Games and Recipes

More Angie's Recipes

Introducing Angie's Blog Posts

Today ~ I'd like to introduce Angie as a contributor to Kid's Creative Chaos.  She has been posting recipes for several weeks now and I felt it was time to bring her in as a true blogger. I thought it might be fun to bring a new perspective on living life in true mommy chaos. Don't fret, she'll still post those yummy recipes on Tuesdays, but on Thursdays she'll share some of the fun activities she and her family do together. Angie's kids are into sports and lots of recreational fun.

'Day in the life with two spirited kids'

by Angie of Kids Creative Chaos (the mind behind Angie's Recipes)

Tweet

Yes, normally on Tuesday's and Thursday's I put up recipes but I was asked if I would like to post what we do with our kids on Thursday's to switch it up.  I have never actually done a blog of any sort before so please bare with me as I stumble through this. :-)

I will just do a quick introduction of my family today, only because the only things we have done together as a family of late is homework, and I don't think my kids would appreciate me taking their picture during full on "Homework Meltdown". lol.

I am a stay at home with 2 very spirited kids, a daughter 9 soon to be 10 (but thinks she is going on 16 sometimes. lol) and a son that just turned 6 (with the personality and charm that could make him sly like a fox as he gets older. lol).  But, both are extremely sensitive and caring kids who make sure they don't purposely hurt the feelings of others.

Right now, we haven't gone and done much together, well because up until recently it has been cold and we tend to go into "hibernation" of sorts over the winter.  My kids do bowl on a Saturday Youth League so that is where you will find us on Saturday mornings.  My daughter does tournaments where she can earn College scholarships and my son is in a different league for younger kids, but next year he moves up to his sister's league where he can start bowling tournaments. Bowling ends the beginning of May, and then my daughter starts up fast pitch softball and my son wants to attempt football.

As a family we like to camp, attempt gardening, (we start out great and by late summer it all goes down hill) and visit places- even if they are quick, weekend getaways. Spring Break is coming and I have a couple of places I would like to take the kids. Crossing my fingers they will get along and have a good time- periodically our outings end up with one or both kids going into a meltdown over something and ends with my husband or I mad and disappointed the trip didn't go the way we had envisioned it would when we planned it.

Stay tuned as we share our camping, 4-H, and sports activities with you each Thursday.

Skillet Harvest Vegetarian Pasta Recipe

Easy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes to Make in a Skillet

Angie's, Harvest Vegetarian Pasta Recipe, is a delicious vegetarian dish you cook in a skillet. Her family didn't even notice it was missing meat. Enjoy!

            Vegetarian Skillet Pasta Recipe.

Harvest Vegetarian Pasta Recipe

1 lg onion
8oz white mushrooms

1/2 tbsp olive oil

1 15oz solid pack pumpkin

4C low sodium vegetable broth

3/4 C dry white wine such as a Chardonnay (or just sub it for additional vegetable broth)

1/2 C water

5 garlic cloves, pressed

3 tbsp Moroccan Rub

1/4 tsp salt

1 14.5oz pkg of multigrain penne pasta

1/4 C. shelled pistachios

1/2 C. heavy whipping cream

1oz Parmesan cheese

coarsely ground black pepper and chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Thinly slice onion using Simple Slicer on #2 setting, cut onion slices in half.  Slice mushrooms using Egg Slicer Plus. Heat oil in 12in skillet over medium high heat 1-3 min or until shimmering.  Add onion and mushrooms.  Cook and stir 2-3 min or until onion is translucent.  Meanwhile, combine pumpkin, broth, wine and water in bowl; whisk well.

Add garlic pressed, rub and salt to skillet; cook 10-20 sec. or until fragrant.  Stir in pumpkin mixture.  Bring to a simmer; stir in pasta.  Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 9-11 min or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, coarsely chop pistachios using Food Chopper. Turn off burner; stir in cream.  Grate cheese over pasta; sprinkle with pistachios.  Garnish with black pepper and parsley if desired.


Recommended Reading:

Fresh and Fast Vegetarian: Recipes That Make a Meal

Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe

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Hawaiian Luau Pizza Recipe

Make a Hawaiian Pizza for a Luau

Having a Hawaiian theme party? Try this Hawaiian Luau Pizza Recipe by Angie. It is easy to make, and more for grownups than the kiddos. Enjoy!

Make a Hawaiian Pizza for your next Luau.

Please excuse the huge chunks of pineapple, I bought the chunked pineapple and in the middle of the evening chaos around my house, I forgot to chop it up a little bit so decided to just go with it so the kids could start eating dinner before they started to complain and want to snack me out of house and home. lol.

Hawaiian Luau Pizza Recipe

1 pkg refrigerated thin crust pizza dough

1 12 oz piece deli ham (I just buy a package of diced ham)

2 green onions with tops, divided

1 large jalapeno pepper (I seed and remove ribs from mine to cut down on heat)

3/4 C ketchup

1 Tbsp Smoky Applewood Rub

1 garlic clove pressed

8 slices cheddar cheese (I just use shredded cheese)

3/4 C canned pineapple tidbits, drained

• Preheat oven to 425.  
• Lightly brush Large Bar Pan with canola oil. Unroll dough in bottom of pan, gently stretching and pressing dough to cover bottom of pan. 
• Bake 12-14 min or until deep golden brown.
• Meanwhile dice ham into 1/2 in pieces (if you chose not to buy already diced ham), thinly slice green onions; set aside the tops, finely chop the jalapeno using Food Chopper.  
• Combine ham, onion bottoms, jalapeno, ketchup, rub and pressed garlic in Classic Batter Bowl and mix well.  Stack cheese slices; cut in half diagonally for a total of 16 slices( unless using shredded cheese) using pizza cutter.
• Remove pan from oven to cooling rack.  Evenly top crust with ham mixture, pineapple and cheese.  Bake 5-6 min or until cheese is melted.  Remove pan from oven to cooling rack and cut pizza into 16 slices and sprinkle with green onion tops.

My family loves this pizza, and what sets it off is the BBQ sauce flavor that ketchup and rub combined make.  The first time I made this my kids ate almost the entire pan!

Recommended:

Chocolate Fruit Pizza

Hawaiian Party Parasols*

PB and J Brownie: Peanut Butter Recipes

How to Make PB and J Brownies Recipe

Do your kids love PB and J? How about Brownies? This peanut butter recipe by Angie combines the two for a yummy sensation. Read on to learn how to make peanut butter and jelly brownies. Enjoy!

How to make Peanut Butter Jelly Brownies.

Peanut Butter Jelly Brownies Recipe

With this pan you can make 12 individual brownies or in this case brownie sandwiches, which kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy!

Non stick cooking spray with flour

1 C. semi sweet chocolate chips

1 box (10.25 oz) brownie mix

1/2 C. flour

2 eggs

1/2 C canola oil

1/4 C water

1/2 C powdered sugar

1/3 C creamy peanut butter

1/4 C butter softened

1/4 C. seedless raspberry jam (or any jam of your choice)

2 Tbsp dry roasted peanuts

Preheat oven 325.  Spray Brownie Pan with non stick spray.  Line cooling rack with parchment paper.  Place 1/2 C. chocolate chips in small microwavable bowl; microwave uncovered on high for 1 min or until mostly melted, stirring every 20 sec..  Combine brownie mix, flour, eggs, oil, water and melted chocolate in Classic Batter Bowl; whisk til smooth.  Using Large Scoop, divide batter evenly into wells of pan.  Bake 14-17 min. or until wooden pick inserted into centers comes out clean.

Meanwhile, for filling, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter and butter in Manual Food Processor; cover and pump handle until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary.  Spoon filling into resealable plastic bag; secure and set aside.

Spoon jam into Decorator Bottle ( or resealable plastic bag)fitted with round tip.  Chop nuts using Food Chopper.  Place remaining 1/2 C. chocolate chips in small microwavable bowl and microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 min or until mostly melted, stirring every 20 sec..  Spoon melted chocolate in small resealable plastic bag, secure and set aside.

Remove pan from oven. Invert parchment lined cooling rack over pan; flip over and remove pan.  Slice brownies horizontally in half using bread knife.  Place brownie bottoms onto serving platter.  Distribute filling evenly over brownie bottoms.  Top with jam and brownie tops.  Drizzle chocolate over sandwiches; top with peanuts.

Recommended:

Chocolate Fruit Pizza Recipe

Companion Story: Peanut Butter and Jelly Rhyme*

I Can Read: Peanut Butter and Jellyfish*

Pizza Jalapeno Popper Recipe: Easy Appetizer

Easy Jalapeno Popper Recipe: Pizza Poppers

Angie's Recipes: This Pizza Jalapeno Popper Recipe is an easy appetizer for any party or get together. They are perfect for Super Bowl events or Tail Gating Parties. Enjoy!

Easy Jalapeno Pizza Poppers Recipe.

                                         

Beginning for Jalapeno Popper's Pizzas.

Stuffing the pizza poppers.

Jalapeno Poppers out of the oven.

Jalapeno Popper Pizza's Recipe

1 pkg of refrigerated thin crust pizza dough

2 jalapeno peppers (I seeded mine to cut down on the heat factor)

1/2 of a bell pepper (I used red)

1/2 pkg of cream cheese (softened)
4 slices of bacon cooked until crispy

1 C cheddar cheese

1 C corn chips crushed

Preheat oven to 425.  Place dough on cutting board and using a sawing motion make 24 disks; place on large bar pan.  Press to flatten and seal seams; bake for 11-13 min or until golden brown. Remove pan from oven and place on cooling rack.

Meanwhile, slice bacon into 1/4 in pieces; cook til crispy; remove from pan to towel lined plate to drain; drain pan but reserve 1tsp of drippings in pan.  Chop jalapenos with food chopper; finely dice bell pepper.  Add peppers to pan and cook for 2-3 min over medium heat til peppers are tender.

Combine cream cheese, half of cheddar cheese, bacon and peppers in bowl and mix well.  Divide cream cheese mixture evenly over crusts.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese and crushed corn chips. Bake 4-6 min until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Remove from oven to cooling rack and move to serving platter.


Recommended:

Appetizer Recipes for a Party

ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Chicago Style Hot Dog Pizza Bites

What do you get when combine a Hot dog and Chicago Style Pizza? Yummy pizza bites, of course!

Angie's Recipes 

Hot Dog Printable from churchhousecollection.com

Chicago Style Hot Dog Bites

I made this as a light dinner one night and we were all pleasantly surprised. My kids, of course, loved it because it was made with hot dogs. My husband and I looked at the recipe and weren't so sure. This would be great as a snack or an appetizer for a kids party or any kids gathering, plus the kids could have fun helping put it all together.

Click image for more food clip-art from churchhousecollection.com

Ingredients:

2 pkg (12 oz) flaky buttermilk biscuits (Don't Use Grands style biscuits, they are to doughy. I learned this the hard way)

2 tsp poppy seeds (I just omitted them altogether)

3 hot dogs

2 small whole dill pickles or 1/2 cup coarsely chopped(I used dill relish)

1 small onion

2 plum tomatoes or 1 roma

4 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded

1/4 Cup yellow mustard

Preheat oven to 400.  Pull apart biscuit layers horizontally in half to form 40 biscuits. Arrange biscuits over Large Round Stone or any round pizza pan or you can also use the large bar pan, overlapping as necessary. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and bake 13-15 min or until golden brown.

Meanwhile, cut hot dogs in half lengthwise then crosswise into 1/4 in thick half moons. Place hot dogs into small micro-cooker or any microwave safe bowl, microwave covered on high for 30-45 seconds or until hot.  Coarsely chop pickles and onions using food chopper.  Blot excess moisture from pickles using paper towels.  Seed and dice tomatoes.  Combine pickles, onions and tomatoes in a bowl; mix well and set aside.  

Removing baking stone from oven to cooling rack, top biscuits with hot dogs and cheese. Bake 3-4 min or until cheese is melted.  Remove from oven; top with vegetable mixture and drizzle with mustard.

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Easy How to Make Zucchini Fries Recipe

Need to know how to make Zucchini Fries? 

This recipe, from Angie, makes crispy zucchini fries easy to do. Zucchini fries are a very tasty! After making this recipe, I came up with some alternative herbs to use for the dip. Enjoy!

               Easy How to Make Zucchini Fries Recipe.

How to make Crispy Zucchini Fries

Ingredients:

1 Medium Zucchini

1 1/2 Cups large fat free seasoned restaurant style croutons

1 oz Parmesan cheese, divided

1 egg white

1/2 Cup plain yogurt

1/2 Cup loosely packed Basil (can also use Dill, Chives or Cilantro); if you cannot find fresh herbs I found the tubes of chopped herbs you can squeeze sold in produce dept of  store work very well.

3 Tbsp Light Mayo

2 garlic cloves peeled

1/2 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 and line cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Trim and discard ends of zucchini; cut in half crosswise then cut each half using the french fry cutter (or cut into 3/8 in sticks) and discard any thinner pieces.  Place croutons in manual food processor and finely chop.  Place chopped croutons and half of parmesan cheese in coating tray; mix well.

Whisk egg white in classic batter bowl until frothy.  Add zucchini; mix gently until well coated.  Dredge zucchini in crouton mixture, pressing firmly to coat.  Arrange zucchini in single layer on cookie sheet.  Bake 14-16 minutes or until crisp.

Meanwhile, for dip, combine remaining cheese, yogurt, basil (or herb of choice), mayo, garlic and black pepper in manual food processor (or press garlic if using the squeezable tube of fresh herbs) and blend well.  Remove cookie sheet from oven and serve zucchini fries with dip.

Recommended Reading:

Kids Creative Chaos Cooks (Kitchen Kids Book 1)

Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

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Easy Tofu Parmigiana Vegan Recipe with Fire Roasted Tomatoes

Vegan Parmigiana with Tofu Recipe

Here's an easy Vegan Recipe for Tofu Parmigiana with fire roasted tomatoes from Angie's Recipes. Enjoy!

                                   Vegan Tofu Parmigiana.

How to Make Vegan Tofu Parmigiana at Home

Tofu after sliced, excess moisture removed.

What it looked like during the finishing stage. Sorry; I can't show the plated version after it went over the tomatoes, my family dug in immediately before I could get a picture.

Here is what I made for dinner over the weekend at the request of my 9 yr. old daughter. I truly believe, as she flipped through the cookbook and saw this, she thought it was cheese. lol.

Either way, this turned out to be a HUGE hit with the entire family even with my meat loving husband who already had a local pizza place on speed dial as a Plan B back up if he didn't like it. :D

Tofu Parmigiana with Fire Roasted Tomatoes Recipes

I doubled this recipe as the original just made 4 servings.  

1 pkg of extra firm tofu (14oz), drained
3/4 tsp salt divided
1/2 tsp ground black pepper, divided
1 small onion
1 can (14.5 oz) Fire Roasted Tomatoes ( I used chipotle style tomatoes instead)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
1/2 C. Panko bread crumbs (I used italian style bread crumbs because that is what I had on hand)
1tsp Italian seasoning
1 egg
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1/4 C. mozzarella cheese
1/4 C lightly packed fresh basil leaves (I omitted this because the family doesn't care for it)

Extract Moisture from Tofu: Pat tofu dry with paper towels, removing as moisture as possible. Slice tofu horizontally into eight (1/2 inch thick) slices. Season tofu with 1/2 tsp of the salt and 1/4 tsp of the pepper.

Heat Sauce and Coat Tofu:  Finely chop onion.  Combine onion, tomatoes, pressed garlic, remaining salt and pepper in Small Micro-Cooker.  Microwave for 6 min or til heated through. Combine parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and seasoning on a plate, lightly beat egg and put that on a plate, dip each slice of tofu into egg mixture and then into breadcrumbs, coating generously.

Cook Tofu and serve:  Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to 12 in skillet; heat over medium heat 1-3 min or until shimmering. Add 4 slices of tofu to pan and cook 1-2 min or until golden brown. Turn tofu over; top with half of the mozzarella cheese and cook for 1-2 min or until golden brown; remove from pan; repeat with remaining oil, tofu and mozzarella cheese. Thinly slice basil. Serve tofu on top of the sauce and basil sprinkled on tofu.


Recommended Reading:

Vegan Appetizers and Desserts

Easy Recipes

Holiday Recipes and Games for Kids*













ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Easy Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe with Basil and Squash

Try this Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe with Basil and Zucchini

Angie's at it again with this Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe with Basil, Zucchini, and Winter Squash. This is a great way to use up that leftover summer zucchini or make a dish with the flavors of Fall. Enjoy!

              Easy Vegetarian Lasagna Recipe with Basil and Squash.

Vegetarian Squash Lasagna with Fresh Basil

9 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 C of fontina cheese (or any cheese of your choice)
1/4 C of parmesan cheese
2 medium zucchini
2 C. loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 whole nutmeg grated (or 1tsp of ground nutmeg)
3 T of olive oil
1/2 C of all purpose flour
3 C of milk divided
1 1/4 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of pepper
2 pkgs of frozen cooked winter squash, thawed (or 4 C fresh butternut squash cooked and then mashed)
freshly diced tomatoes are optional

Preheat oven to 400.  Cook noodles to package directions, omitting the salt and oil.  Drain and set aside.  Meanwhile combine cheeses and set aside. Slice zucchini on #3 setting using the simple slicer and set aside.  Chop basil and grate nutmeg to equal 1/2t or use 1tsp of ground nutmeg.

Sauce:  Heat oil in 4qt casserole over medium heat 1 minute.  Add flour: whisk until completely incorporated. Gradually add 1 cup of milk, whisking constantly until smooth.  Add remaining milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper, whisking constantly.  Bring mixture to a simmer.  Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 3-4 minutes or until thickened, whisking frequently.  Add squash and basil; bring to a simmer. Remove casserole from heat.

Assembly:  Spread 1 cup of sauce over bottom of Rectangle Baking Pan. Top with 3 noodles.  Spread 1 1/4 C of sauce over noodles; top with half of the zucchini and about a 1/4 C of cheese mixture.  Repeat layers one time, starting with noodles.  Top with remaining noodles, sauce and cheese mixture.  Cover pan with foil; bake 25 minutes; carefully remove foil and continue baking uncovered, 15-17 minutes or until cheese begins to brown and center is hot. Remove pan from oven  and let stand uncovered for 20 min. Top with tomatoes, if desired.

Try to make Tofu Parmigiana with Fire Roasted Tomatoes.


Recommended Reading:

Fresh and Fast Vegetarian: Recipes That Make a Meal*

Easy Tofu Parmigiana













ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Homemade Microwave Healthy Popcorn Recipe and Clip Art

How to Make Homemade Microwave Popcorn in a Brown Bag

Have you ever wanted some popcorn, but weren't in the mood for all the hassle? Learn how to Make HOMEMADE Movie Style POPCORN in your MICROWAVE with a BROWN PAPER LUNCH BAG. We added a cartoon bucket of popcorn for those of you searching for clip art images. Enjoy!

Angie says:

Easy Homemade Popcorn.

"I saw this in a blog somewhere and just had to try it, mainly to see if it really worked and it did. What I liked most about it, is that it required no oil, and after it is done you can flavor it up however you like. Of course, you can use the very good butter and salt but did you know, you can look through your spice cabinet and use some of your seasonings as well?"


I love using my Buffalo Rub for nighttime snacking. I am looking for something with a little heat, and I also like using my Smoky Applewood Rub.




All you need is the following:

1 lunch size brown paper bag
1/4 C.  popcorn kernels

After putting the popcorn in the bag fold over the bag several times and lay bag flat in microwave and set microwave for between 2 to 3 min. (you will just need to adjust to your microwave, it takes mine about 2 1/2 min.) then when it has finished popping, season to taste.


Recommended Reading:

The Popcorn Book*

More of Angie's Recipes from Pampered Chef






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)