Southern Indiana Living JanFeb 2014

For love of the kitchen // Ali Wyman
Shake and bake, and I helped!
My love for cooking began
many years ago, long before
I could reach the countertop
without the help of a step
stool. Like a lot of kids, I stood, not so
patiently, awaiting instruction from Mom
on what tiny element of our meal I could
help with. Stirring the pancake batter,
shucking the corn cobs, or sprinkling the
cheese may have seemed like harmless
jobs to Mom, but to me, I was practically
Rachael Ray with my own cooking show.
Not only had Mom given me a head
full of pride and a sense of accomplishment
having helped make dinner, she
had taught me some very important
skills as well. I had learned control, to be
careful, and how to be thorough and detail
oriented.
Unfortunately today, with hectic
schedules and obligations, so many families
fall into the pre-packaged, processed,
frozen meal routine. I think it is so important
for kids to have a home cooked meal
when possible, not only for the health
benefts, but so they too have the opportunity
to learn skills in the kitchen. The
recipes I am including today are fun and
healthy ideas for kids to participate in
making and enjoy eating.
The frst recipe is a lunch box hit or
perfect for an afternoon snack. These
peanut butter fruit roll ups take the classic
idea of a PB&J, add real fruit, and are
presented in a cool new shape kids will
want to show of at the lunch table. Peanut
butter fruit roll ups are not only delicious;
they will teach your kids a multitude
of kitchen talents, including how to
carefully use a butter knife to chop fruit
and spread peanut butter. Additionally,
by using fresh fruit instead of jelly, your
kiddos get a belly full of protein, fber,
and vitamins they need to grow and be
healthy.
The second recipe is perfect for a
healthy dinner at home with your family
and has endless possibilities. Your kids
will have a blast helping to prepare and
individualize these tortilla pizzas. While
I have included the recipe for barbeque
chicken pizza, your family can personalize
each tortilla with fun combos like ham
and pineapple, chicken and light ranch,
or turkey bacon and diced tomato. Kitchen
beginners can spread their chosen
sauce, sprinkle chicken, onion and cheese
January/February 2014 • 10
on the tortilla. For any
older, more experienced
kitchen helpers, tortilla
pizzas will teach kids to
brown chicken using a
skillet, chop fresh vegetables,
and carefully
use an oven. Since we
have swapped heavy
pizza dough for a whole
wheat tortilla, and
chicken and vegetables
for pepperoni, there a
far few calories and far
more taste buds doing a
sweet and savory jig.
Peanut Butter Fruit Roll-Ups
1 banana, mashed
2 teaspoons honey
¼ cup low sodium peanut butter
2 8-inch whole wheat tortillas
1 kiwi, peeled and thinly sliced
4 medium strawberries, thinly sliced
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Mix banana, honey, honey and peanut
butter in a small bowl. Spread peanut butter
mixture onto tortilla and layer with
kiwi and strawberries. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Roll up tortilla. Cut into one inch
thick slices and serve.
Each tortilla serves one.
Barbeque Chicken Tortilla Pizza
1/2 pound chicken breast
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1 cup canned diced pineapple (in juice –
not syrup), drained – juice reserved.
1 red bell pepper
1/2 white or red onion, sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Handful of fresh cilantro
Salt & Pepper
4 8-inch whole wheat tortillas
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season
chicken with salt & pepper. Heat skillet
over medium high heat and add chicken
breast. Brown chicken for fve to six minutes
per side. Once cooked through, add
one tablespoon reserved pineapple juice
to pan and stir chicken to glaze. Remove
chicken from pan and dice. Dice pineapple
chunks, chop red pepper, thinly
slice onion and chop cilantro. Spread one
tablespoon barbeque sauce onto each tortilla.
Add 1/4 of chicken, pineapple, red
pepper, and onion. Top each pizza with
mozzarella cheese and cilantro. Place each
pizza on a baking sheet and bake at 400
degrees for fve to seven minutes until
cheese is melted.
Serves Four. •
Ali Wyman is a recent
graduate of Indiana University
Southeast. She
lives for books, music
and family. She thinks in
our fast-paced lives, it’s
nice to stop and enjoy
life’s gifts. No gift means
more to her than a good
meal with loved ones. Ali
can be reached at aliwyman@umail.iu.edu.