June 12, 2009 visit to Lasalle Parish, Louisana

Hey Young Chefs!

Mommy and I performed at the Olla Cultural Center. The kids loved the show so much they wanted more . When the show was finished they had door prizes. Jasmynn and I got a goody bag with candies, note pads and pencils. Before the show, in Jena we went to the Caboose Cafe and Gift Shop. I had an amazing Turkey Wrap with a little fruit salad.

After eating we shopped at the gift shop. Mommy bought a bunch of clothes, jewlery and candles. Jasmynn and I also got a little treat from the shop. We got a praline bar and it was the bomb. We shopped there for about 2 hours. After we shopped we did our show in Jena.

Everybody loved the show in Jena. I was in the newspaper with mommy and a bunch of kids. They want us to come back next year. After the show they also had door prizes. A lot of kids got the door prizes. Mommy sold a lot of books there.

Jasmynn and I had fun in Lasalle. Cool kids cook , read and travel. Get creative at the library.

Bon Appetit , Eliana

Week of June 8, 2009 – Visit to St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

Hey Young Chefs!

Here I am in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Above, my cousin, Jasmynn, and I are taking a dip in the Olympic size swimming pool at our motel.

Mommy’s first show was at the Patterson Branch Library. The library was brand new, only open for a couple of weeks.

After having fun at the Patterson library, we had a show at the West End Branch Library in Baldwin, Louisiana. My favorite part of the Baldwin library was the Cajun Jungle Children’s Section. There were vines hanging from the ceiling, a jungle rug, animals mirrors, gators, and lots of jungle plants! Jasmynn and I posed in front of the wilderness.

On Friday, we will be in LaSalle Parish, one of my favorite parishes in Louisiana. I love eating and shopping at the Caboose Cafe and Gift Shop. It is soooooo awesome!

Cool kids cook and go to the library!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Week of June 8, 2009 – Visit to St. Martin Parish

Hey Young Chefs!

I am coming to you from St. Martin Parish. This week, my 7 year old cousin, Jasmynn, is traveling with us. Above, I am performing “Princess Pat” with Mommy. Too bad Mommy’s hand is covering my face! LOL

Below, I am sitting in front of a huge serving of white chocolate bread pudding from the famous Cafe Des Amis in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. It was the best white chocolate bread pudding I have ever tasted!

Here is a picture of Jasmynn and me in front of pretty artwork (it looks like seaweed to me) in Cafe Des Amis.

After eating, we went to a shop called Monroe, where I met a dog named Kennedy. He was the cutest dog ever! Kennedy was a Teddy Bear Pomeranian.

Then we went to La Te Boutique where I found the most gorgeous apron. Mommy bought it for me as an early birthday present. I love it. It says “Diva in Training!”

On Wednesday, we met the most amazing 9 year old waitress. Her name is Mali (pronounced MAY-lee) and she’s in the middle between me and Jasmynn. Mali works at Angelle’s Burgers, which by the way, has delicious burgers, homemade fries, battered onion rings, and ice cream!! If you visit Breaux Bridge, go to Angelle’s!

After leaving St. Martin Parish, we traveled to St. Mary Parish (Franklin, Louisiana). Talk to you soon!

Cool kids cook and meet new friends!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Getting Ready for Santa & Recipe for No Bake Reindeer Patties – Thursday, December 24, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

It’s been a while since I have posted a blog. With my mom having surgery (she’s doing great now) and the holidays, it’s been so busy. The past two days have been spent getting ready for Christmas! I couldn’t wait for Santa to try my tasty No Bake Reindeer Patties. You can see me stirring the mix above.

One of our dearest family friends, Ms. Kat, sent us a wonderful box full of Christmas goodies. She sent me two cool cookbooks, Hello Cupcake! and The Greatest Cookies Ever. She also sent me my something I really wanted – a set up magic measuring cups and spoons. They are made of silicone and they pop in and out. They clean easily and take up very little space. Thank you, Ms. Kat. I love everything! You rock!

Ms. Kat also sent me some cookie cutters. So I had fun with some of my Christmas cookie cutters and Play Dough. Like my Christmas scene?

This evening, we went to church. Then we went to Nana’s house and unwrapped one present from Mommy & Daddy, and one present from Nana & Paw Paw. Mommy & Daddy gave me the book Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly. Nana & Paw Paw gave me a Disney Princess book written just for me, with my name in it!! I loved it!

When we went home, we got ready for Santa. I set out his plate with a couple of No Bake Reindeer Patty cookies and milk, reindeer food, and a poem. Here is my poem to Santa:

Santa’s on his way
To give me toys on Christmas Day
He always goes around the world on Christmas Eve.
He stays at our house for a little bit
To eat cookies & drink milk.
Then he goes back up the chimney to get on his sleigh
To ride back to the North Pole!
Merry Christmas!

Here is my recipe for No Bake Reindeer Patties. They are so delish!

NO BAKE REINDEER PATTIES
Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oats

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients except peanut butter and oats. Cook over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and oats. Quickly spoon out approximately one tablespoon onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Cookies will harden as they set. Yum! Yum!

Remember, cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit & Merry Christmas! Eliana

Weekend Fun; Friday, November 14, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

This past weekend was a busy and fun weekend! Mommy was out of town so on Friday night, Daddy took me to the movies. We saw Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa. Dinner was a quickie. Daddy and I popped a pizza in the oven.

On Saturday, I went to 2 birthday parties! The first one was for my friend, Jessica. Her party was at Jazzy Bear. We all got bears to take home. It was so much fun. The second party was for my cousin, Edward. I jumped in the spacewalk and had a blast. Later that evening, Daddy and Uncle George took me to dinner at Serrano Salsa Company. I ate a chicken quesadilla. Yum! Yum! After that, we went to the St. Clement of Rome fair. I played games and even won a live goldfish! Uncle George is keeping him. The fish’s name is “Macho Nacho.”

Late Saturday night, right before midnight (like Cinderella), Mommy came home from New Jersey. Her flight was late so we didn’t get home until late. But I was happy to see Mommy!

On Sunday, I went to the movies with my friend, Breanne. I saw Madagascar again! LOL Mommy gave me the beauty treatment. Here I am!

Check out the cool hairstyle Mommy did.

I love all the twists! I didn’t get to cook this weekend but I had fun! I’m looking forward to getting back into the kitchen…

Cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Turkey Wooden Spoon Puppet; Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

Mommy and I made this cool turkey out of a wooden cooking spoon! You can too, with the help of a grown-up. Here are the directions.

Supplies
Large wooden spoon
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue gun
Large googly eyes
Markers

Directions
Color the flat side of a large wooden spoon with a brown marker. Color slightly down the handle for the turkey’s neck. On four different colored sheets of construction paper (yellow, orange, red, brown, cream, green – fall colors), trace your hand. Cut out each hand and layer them on top of each other, creating “feathers.” Staple them together. Glue the feather to the wooden spoon (should be glued to the curved side of the spoon). Glue two googly eyes on the flat side of the wooden spoon. Underneath the eyes, glue an orange construction paper triangle for the beak. Beneath that, glue a red construction paper wattle. Cut a small ½ inch strip of yellow construction paper to create a collar (this will separate the turkey’s neck from the rest of the wooden handle of the spoon). Done! Now you have a simple Gobbler puppet that can be used for Thanksgivings to come! Happy Turkey Day!

Cool kids cook and craft! Get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Eliana Draws Betsy Ross; Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

This blog post is not about cooking but I had to share my picture with you. I entered a contest to create a picture for the American Veterans of Foreign War. I had to draw a picture of a historical event in American History. I chose to draw a picture of Betsy Ross, the creator of the first official flag for the United States of America. On the wall behind her is a picture of George Washington, our nation’s first president, who asked Betsy Ross to create the flag. Legend says that Betsy invented a pattern for the five point star, created out of a piece of paper with five folds and one snip of the scissors. Wish me luck in the contest!

Cool kids cook AND try hard in school!

Bon Appetit! Eliana

Grilled Pork Chops Over Creamed Spinach; Monday, November 10, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

Here I am cooking creamed spinach. Yum! Yum! It’s very simple. First, you wilt the spinach over medium heat. Then you add half a bottle of Mexican Crema (cream). Next, you add 1 cup of Italian blend cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Mommy and I grilled pork chops to set on top of the spinach. We also had macaroni & cheese, green beans, and a cheddar cheese biscuit.

Dinner was delish!

Cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit! Eliana

Recipe: Turkey Cupcakes; Saturday, November 1, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. A couple of weekends ago, my cousins spent the night and we made Turkey cupcakes. They were so cute! Here is the recipe!

Turkey Cupcakes
Ingredients:
Cake mix
Candy corn
Chocolate chips
Chocolate frosting
White frosting
Twizzler

Directions:
Make cupcakes according to package instructions. Frost the cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Line two rows of candy corns to create the turkey’s feathers. Cut 2/3 of the Nutter Butter cookie. Use the larger part of the cookie for the turkey’s head and body. The remaining 1/3 will be a wing. Cut another Nutter Butter cookie to create a second wing. Insert the head/body and the wings into the cupcake. Using the white frosting, attach to the head – chocolate chips for eyes, a candy corn for a beak, and a small piece of Twizzler for the turkey’s wattle. Now you have a cute Thanksgiving turkey! Gobble, gobble!

Note from Mom: If your children are allergic to peanuts, you may also use Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies to make the turkey head and wings.

Remember, cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana

Eliana Meets Iron Chef Cat Cora – Saturday, October 25, 2008

Hey Young Chefs!

Today, I met awesome Iron Chef Cat Cora!! Macy’s department store had a grand opening at the Esplanade Mall in Kenner, Louisiana. To celebrate, Chef Cat Cora cooked some delicious dishes. She is a chef on Macy’s Culinary Council. Here is Cat Cora cooking crab cakes. Yum! Yum!

Don’t worry. The balls above her head didn’t fall down and crush her. LOL Here is Chef Cat Cora’s recipe for Crabcake Sandwiches with Avocado Salsa and Mango Coulis. This recipe appears in her book, Cat Cora’s Kitchen: Favorite Meals for Family and Friends.

Crabcake Sandwiches
Ingredients:
2 c. canola oil
1/2 lb. crab meat
3 tbsp. red onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp. scallions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 tbsp. red bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 c. mayonnaise or aioli
1 tbsp. Tabasco
1 1/4 c. bread crumbs
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 c. flour
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions:
In a 10 inch saute’ pan, heat 1 cup canola oil on high heat. Test readiness with a piece of bread. Turn heat to medium. Check temperature with thermometer. It should read 375 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, combine crab, onion, scallions, bell pepper, mayonnaise, Tabasco, bread crumbs, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until fully incorporated. Make 3 oz. cakes and dredge in the flour, then egg and the remaining bread crumbs. Lay the cakes in the oil and pan fry for 5-6 minutes. Remove and place on a paper towel and season with salt in a mixing bowl.

To serve crab cakes, spoon puree’ onto the plate in a small pool. Slice the cake in half and lay the bottom portion in the puree’. Spoon avocado on top and place the top of the cake on the avocado like a sandwich. Top with a small amount of avocado and garnish with a cilantro leaf. Serves 4-6.

Avocado Salsa
Ingredients:
2 avocados
2 tbsp. lime juice
1 tbsp. cilantro
2 tbsp. red onion, finely diced
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.

Mango Coulis
Ingredients:
2 mangoes
2 c. water
1 tsp. confectioner’s sugar

Directions:
In a blender, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Here is Cat Cora with the plated food. She also made Basque Rubbed Shrimp Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce. My favorite dish was definitely the crabcake sandwiches. Delish!

Cat Cora talked during her cooking demonstration. She told us that she was from Mississippi. She’s a Southern girl, like me. She has two children, both boys, 18 months and 5 years old. They are lucky to have a chef for a mom! I bet they grow up with the best meals!

After Cat Cora cooked, Mommy and I met her. She gave me a high five and a hug. We told her about my blog and we hope she comes and visits! I can’t wait to try some of the recipes in her cookbook that she autographed for me! I especially want to make Spanokopita and Milk Pie! Iron Chef Cat Cora says, “Keep Cooking!”

It was so exciting to meet Cat Cora. I can’t wait to watch Food Network’s show, Iron Chef, and see Cat Cora win!

Remember, cool kids cook so get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit, Eliana