Preschool Sensory Play Activities: How it all got started!

Sensory Messy Play and Preschool Activities

We've had many great years teaching messy play and preschool classes for The Play Connection and hope the future will send even more blessings our way. Here are our top sensory and messy play preschool activities from 2013. What a blast from the past!

This post contains affiliate links.

Here is a listing of our top posts of 2013. Many offer great ideas for fun, preschool activities, clip art, and lots of fun for kids! Enjoy!

1. Christmas Eye Candy: Photos of Christmas Trees in Snow Clipart
2. Angie's Homemade Artisan Bread Recipe
3. New Year Preschool Party Ideas and Activities for Kids
4. Lots of Snowmen and Marshmallows Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids
5. Fun for Kids with Phineas and Ferb Printables
6. Lots of photos of Bread Clipart
7. Cute Valentine Clipart and Free Printables for Kids Classroom Valentines
8. 9 New Year Activities for Kids with games for kids too
9. Marshmallows: Fun for kids SENSORY game great for preschoolers
10. The Tooth Fairy Sagas: Free Toothfairy clipart and true Mommy Drama
11. Activities for Kids: Make your own snow for Sensory play fun for kids
12. Birthday Party games for Kids and Moms on a budget
13. Our new Series Made the cut! Creative Country Sayings and Inspirational Quotes

Memories from 2008 - 2012.

Here's my favorite Homeschool Lesson from 2013.

Primary and Complementary Color Homeschool Art and Science Lesson.

Jake's Journey in Homeschool Art Lessons and Projects for Kids

(Pre K to Elementary)

There are many Homeschool Lessons in this series, so make sure you click the labels under each post. (Still Life, Water Coloring for Kids, Weaving, Self-Portrait activities, Building Models for Science, Christmas Gingerbread House how to diy, Color Theory Lessons, Primary Colors, and even some History  along the way - it's art to me how we've designed our lives throughout the years. I hope you will follow along on the journey.)

We published a Kitchen Kids Cookbook with mix and make recipes for kids. We helped fund raise for Santa's Elves of Indy, we started Homeschooling through INCA (Indiana Connections Academy,) and we moved to a house in the country. 

2013 holds many dreams as we look forward to gardening, raising chickens, goats, and hopefully bunnies and alpacas, get that YA novel published, and share a few of the many stage plays and skits for kids I've written over the years. Bring it! I am excited to get started :-) 

What does your future hold? Leave a comment and let us know.

Follow us on Pinterest (Kids Creative Chaos and Pin it! Online Scavenger Hunt for Pre school Curriculum) and Google +  Can't find us on Twitter? Check the right sidebar for a link we're @playconnection. 


Recommended Reading:

Fun with Messy Play: Ideas and Activities for Children with Special Needs

Play Out: How to develop your outside space for learning and play

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! :)

Counting Blessings on Mother's Day

Angie's Corner

A Wonderful Mother's Day

I managed to have a very blessed Mother's Day this year and I am very grateful.  Don't get me wrong, I have cherished all of the Mother's Days past but this one was special, by the end of the week I received good news on top of good news.

First call was for a potential job that I had initially interviewed for but didn't get but by a strange turn of events the position was open again. I find out more info at the end of this week. My second good news event was my husband, we will call B, won a drawing to get $5 off a frozen yogurt from  Orange Leaf (a new frozen yogurt business in our town) which can be a bit pricey for a family of four. Then came the flowers from my very special Mother-in-law and my daughter Chick-a-Bitty, a wonderful breakfast, and my two guys B and Bugs grilling dinner.

Wonderful flowers that were delivered

Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps Recipe like P.F. Chang's

P.F. Chang Cloned Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Angie's Recipes: Lettuce Wraps Recipe a great way for diabetics to save on carbs. These vegetarian lettuce wraps are made with tofu. Enjoy!

P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wrap Clone Recipe.

Okay, first I will let you know I found this "Clone" Recipe on-line after craving these for over a week. To give credit where credit is due, I found this on the website Food.com. I did change a few things after reading the reviews and looking at the ingredient list to find Oyster Sauce ( I chose to omit to make it actually a vegetarian dish). This was an easy dish to make and pass off to the family.

The family fell in love with the chicken version of the lettuce wraps when I introduced them to the restaurant and after making several dishes with tofu; the family fell in love with that too. So no one in my house was going to complain about this dish! Score one for mom. :-)

P.F. CHANG'S VEGETARIAN LETTUCE WRAPS 

(copycat recipe)

(4 servings; you can double recipe for 8)

Tip: When buying bamboo shoots, get the strips. This cuts down on prep time, all you have to do is dice them.

I've also included a sauce for adding to the individual wraps after cooking (just like in the restaurant!) I like my sauce spicy so you may want to experiment with the ingredients for a milder version.

FOR THE COOKING SAUCE:
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon dry sherry
2 tablespoon. water
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoon cornstarch

FOR THE MARINADE:
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoon dry sherry
2 teaspoon soy sauce
2 teaspoon water

FOR THE TOFU MIXTURE:
1 cup baked tofu with 1 T Chinese Five Spice added before baking, diced
2 tablespoon peanut oil plus 1 Tbsp. sesame oil, mixed
1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
1 Tbsp. Chinese chili sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, minced
1/2 small or 1/4 large red onion, minced
1/2 can bamboo shoots, diced
1/2 can water chestnuts, diced
TO SERVE:
Cellophane noodles, prepared according to package directions
Iceberg or green leaf lettuce
Spicy Sauce (optional, recipe follows)

TO MAKE THE COOKING SAUCE:
Mix the cooking sauce in a bowl and set aside.

TO MAKE THE MARINADE:
In medium bowl, combine sherry, soy sauce, chili sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water. Mix well.

TO PREPARE THE TOFU:
Stir tofu into the marinade. Allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
Heat wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mixed oil and stir fry tofu for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
Add the ginger, garlic and onion; stir-fry for about a minute.
Add bamboo shoots and water chestnuts; stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
Return tofu to wok/skillet. Add cooking sauce and cook until thickened (about 2 minutes).
Combine  mint, cilantro and lemon juice to taste at the end to tofu mixture

TO SERVE:
Place prepared cellophane noodles onto a platter. Pour tofu mixture over them and serve with lettuce and Spicy Sauce.

SPICY SAUCE
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard (e.g., Coleman's)
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce
In small dish, mix the dry mustard and water until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Recommended Reading:


Meatless: More Than 200 of the Very Best Vegetarian Recipes*

Kids Creative Chaos Recipes



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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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Futuristic Activities for Children: Kindergarten Field Trip to Outer Space

Take a Field Trip to Outer Space Futuristic Activities for Kids

From Angie's Corner: Field Trip to Challenger Learning Center to learn about Astronauts. This Futuristic Activity for Kids is perfect for a Homeschool Field Trip, it is located in Brownsburg, Indiana. Enjoy!

Futuristic Activity for Elementary Children: 
How Astronauts sit during take off of Shuttle.

I was lucky enough to be able to go along with Bug's Kindergarten class to the Challenger Learning Center (part of our school district) for their yearly field trip. At this very special place, they have different "missions" for the kids.  It is a very hands on place and the children get to learn and do scientific tasks just like real Astronauts. Each area of this place is geared to be age appropriate.  

Futuristic Architecture

On this day, each parent was given a station to man, to guide, and help out when needed while the children read and followed the instruction for the tasks they needed to complete.  I personally got to man the Magnetic station and the Magnifying Glass and Mirror stations. 

The children learned how two magnets can either attract each other or push away from each other. With Magnifying Glasses, they were able to see how to read tiny print and with Mirrors they were able to see how, if placed properly, the mirrors would show the other side of a half word or shape. 

This was a fabulous place to discover. Everyone that worked there was excited to have the children learn about not only space and science, but also teamwork.


Recommended Reading:

Space Stations: Base Camps to the Stars*

Personal Space Camp Activity and Idea Book*
















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! :)

How to Make Chicken Salad Recipe and Bread Bowl

How to Make Chicken Salad in a Bread Bowl

Here is a great how to make chicken salad recipe that has instructions for making a bread bowl, but you can substitute a loaf of Hawaiian Bread if you are short on time.

Angie's Recipes 

How to Make a Bread Bowl Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad Recipe in a Bread Bowl

2 loaves frozen bread dough
1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 ribs of celery
1 onion
1 C. Light Mayo
salt and pepper
1 glove of garlic
1 C. of grapes
1/2 C. pecans (optional)
1 apple (peeled,cored and quartered)
1 tsp. Dill Seasoning
1 oz of Parmesan cheese
Crackers or bread slices of choice

How to Make a Bread Bowl:

Spray food storage bag with non stick spray.  Place frozen bread in bag and refrigerate the night before.  Roll dough into a circle.  Using a baking bowl, spray outside of bowl with non stick cooking spray then place dough on outside of bowl.  Bake in a 350 oven til bread is done and slightly brown. Cool then release bread and place in a serving dish.  Or just use Hawaiian Bread and cut off top of bread and hollow out the center.

Place salted chicken in the Deep Covered Baker and microwave until chicken is done.  Cool chicken and quarter it.  Place celery, onion, garlic,chicken and pecans in Manual Food Processor and chop the ingredients.  Place  contents in a batter bowl.  Put grapes and apple into the Manual Food Processor and chop and then add to the chicken mixture.  Add dill, cheese and mayo to the mixture.  Mix until well blended.  Place mixture in bread bowl and serve with crackers or toasted bread of your choice.

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Recommended Reading:

Salad of the Day (Williams-Sonoma): 365 Recipes for Every Day of the Year

Famous Cartoon Chicken Names

Losing my first tooth!

Losing a Tooth

What do you about the Tooth Fairy? How much money do you give? Is there a different amount for losing the first tooth? Angie shares her experience in this post about, Losing My First Tooth. Enjoy! 

If you want to read our Tooth fairy series, scroll to the bottom.

Finally lost my first tooth!

After a week's worth of trying, my Matt finally pulled his first tooth. Something he apparently felt he needed to do on his own, because he wouldn't let my husband or I try.  It had been loose for weeks and his adult tooth was already coming in behind it.  Just by chance, he got it out while we were at my parent's house for Easter Dinner with the family and his last day of Spring Break. So, it was able to go into his school journaling on Spring Break.

Proud moment.

The next day was the funniest though... after the Tooth Fairy came.  He was disappointed because rumor in Kindergarten is, you either get a two dollar bill or twenty (I want to meet this tooth fairy if that is the case) and all he got was one dollar. Then came this conversation with his sister.  

Matt:  "I wonder if mom and dad is the tooth fairy?"

Ally:  "No way! Trust me, I wake up anytime they come in my room and I don't hear anything when the tooth fairy comes." 

I heard this while eavesdropping from the other room. Panic quickly turned to relief and then a quiet, little laugh after he was quite happy with his older sister's response.  Now, he can't wait for another tooth to come out.

Recommended Reading:


 Tooth Fairy Series

Tale of The Tooth Fairy, Boy*

4M Tooth Fairy Keepsake Box*

Valentine's Day Dessert: Lemon Angel Food Cake Recipe from Pampered Chef

Looking for a light and refreshing dessert recipe for Valentines Day? This Lemon Angel Food Cake Recipe is Delicious

Angie's favorite Pampered Chef recipes: This dessert recipe for Valentine's Day is pink, pretty, and romantic. It is perfect for your next romantic Valentine's Day Dessert. Make this Lemon Angel Food Cake recipe to celebrate Valentine's Day or any special occasion. Enjoy!

Ours: Valentine's Day Dessert Lemon Angel Food Cake.

Theirs: Pampered Chef's Lemon Angel Food Cake.

How to Make Lemon Angel Food Cake

Ingredients:

5 drops red food coloring

1 pkg (16 oz or 430 g) angel food cake mix

3 lemons

2 cups (500 mL) powdered sugar

2 cups (500 mL) thawed frozen fat-free whipped topping

1 pkg (10 oz) frozen raspberries or strawberries in syrup, thawed.

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). For cake, add food coloring to amount of water specified on package. Prepare cake according to package directions. Pour batter into Rectangular Baker . Bake on center rack 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown, cracked and center is slightly sunken. (Do not underbake.) Remove baker from oven; invert onto Stackable Cooling Rack. Without removing baker, let stand until completely cool (about 1 1/2 hours).

2.  Poke holes in cake about 1 1/2 in. (4 cm) deep and 1/2 in. (1 cm) apart with large fork. Zest lemons using Zester/Scorer to measure 1 tbsp (15 mL) zest. Juice lemons using Juicer to measure 1/3 cup (75 mL) juice. In Small Batter Bowl, combine sugar, juice and zest; whisk until smooth. Pour glaze over cake, spreading evenly. Let stand 30 minutes or until glaze is set.

3.  Attach open star tip to Easy Accent(R) Decorator; fill with whipped topping. Garnish each serving with whipped topping; top with raspberries.

Yield:  15 servings

U.S. Diabetic exchanges per serving: 2 1/2 fruit, 1 starch (3 1/2 carb)

Make it a family Valentine's date night for the perfect Valentimes. (See what I did there?) You might also like to pair it with a Valentine Craft for Kids and a cute bedtime story like those below.

Recommended Reading:


Recipes from the Heart Cookbook*

More Recipes from Kids Creative Chaos









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! :)

Artisan Bread Recipe with Free Clipart Bread Loaf

Make Artisan Bread at Home 

Free clipart bread included with this Artisan Bread recipe from Pampered Chef. This loaf pan is perfect for Bread (1 big loaf), 28 in Loaves or dinner rolls.  Bread Science Experiment Enjoy!

Angie's Homemade Artisan Bread Recipe

Cartoon Loaf of Bread.  Do not expect yours to look this 2D :-)

Recipe For Quick Rising Dough

3 Cups Bread Flour
11/2 t instant yeast
2T of any season you want if you so desire 
( I enjoy using Pampered Chef Rubs and Dipping seasonings)
11/2 T Sugar
11/2 t salt
11/2 C. warm water
11/2 T olive oil/infused oil

Mix all dry ingredients and then add the water and oil. Let rest for 2 hrs. Fold dough 3-4x's then cover for another 2 hrs. Preheat oven to 425 and bake for 30 min.  Unless making rolls then for 15 min. I made the rolls last night to go with our beef stew and afterwards wished I had taken a picture of everything. I got 17 rolls out of the dough but then again I didn't make them of equal size.



Recommended Reading:

Bread

Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread*

The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza*

Here's a Loaf of Bread Coloring Sheet.












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! :)

Super Bowl Snack Taco Dip Recipe and Tom Brady Clip Art

Looking for a Taco Dip Snack Recipe for Super Bowl? 

Planning a Super Bowl Party? You'll need some snacks. Angie's at it again, with her recipe for Super Bowl Taco Dip. This recipe is great for all get togethers including Tail Gate Parties. So, if you want a great recipe for a Super Bowl appetizer this one is easy to make and delicious. Enjoy!

Taco Dip snack Recipe for Super Bowl.

Tom Brady as Simpson's Cartoon.

Please keep in mind that although it calls for Pampered Chef items which are linked so you can see what they look like; you can use any dish.

Eli Manning Cartoon

Touchdown Taco Dip
Ingredients:
1 can (9 ounces) bean dip
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 medium tomato, seeded and diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 green onions with tops, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pitted ripe olives, sliced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Additional sour cream (optional)

How to make Taco Dip Recipe for Appetizers.

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. Using Small Mix 'N Scraper(R), spread bean dip over bottom of Mini-Baker. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning mix and garlic pressed with Garlic Press; mix well.

2.  Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over bean dip. Grate cheddar cheese over top using Rotary Grater. Bake 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

3.  Dice tomato and thinly slice green onions using Utility Knife. Slice olives using Egg Slicer Plus(R). Finely chop cilantro using Pizza Cutter. Sprinkle tomato, onions, olives and cilantro over dip. Garnish with additional sour cream, if desired.

8 servings

Nutrients per serving:  (1/4 cup dip): Calories 140, Total Fat 10 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 4 g, Sodium 330 mg, Fiber 0 g

Cook's Tips:  Pantry Southwestern Seasoning Mix can be substituted for the taco seasoning mix, if desired.

Recommended Reading:

The Last Hurrah: the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Planner*

My Football Book by Gail Gibbons*













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! :)

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*

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













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