eating and sleeping

Corn Dogs!

Toby — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:22:13 -0700

Greetings Dads,
Found this is Gourmet: http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2009/10/corn-dogs
These look darn tasty and your kids will love them.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Get them to the breakfast table (but Mom might be PO'ed)

Toby — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:27:43 -0700

Greetings dads,
Last night we were set to do some SMORES, but the wheels came off the wagon. Since I make mine with Reese's, there were many in the kitchen this morning. As a serious pancake chef, I always need to perfect and improve my chops. I thought, why not melt some Reese's on top of the cakes?
I set the oven at 170, prepped the pancakes as usual, and as I took them off the griddle, set them on a platter and placed a third of a cup on top of each one to melt. YUM!
Enjoy and Cheers Dads.
Toby

Chef Dads

Out on the deck

Toby — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:22:49 -0700

Greetings Dads,
Although we live in MA, our (my) grill is fired all four seasons. There is nothing like cooking outside and over flame! This is not a forum to discuss charcoal vs. gas, but we can have that debate another time; rather, let's compile a list over our favorite grill meals. As with all cooking / menu creation, it is easy to get into a rut - this will provide some new ideas for all.
I will get the ball rolling:

1. Chicken drumsticks
Prior to the grill, set in a baking dish, cover with beer and cook in the oven for 45 min a 350. This will pull out some of the fat.
Grill over med heat turning every 4 min. Depending on your kids' taste, BBQ sauce on or on the side (Dinosaur BBQ, and Stubbs are 2 of my favorites).

2. Chicken Breasts
Easy to cook and can be prepped ahead. Use a gallon size ziplock bag and cover with your favorite sauce.
Teriyaki or Salt & Pepper with olive oil & lemon juice, Asian sweet chili sauce are 3 of my stand bys.

3. Burgers
Weather you craft your own, use Buba Burgers, or those from the butcher counter, a burger will always please. Don't forget the cheese:
Munster, Provalone, or Humbolt Fog (for mom and dad).

4. Fish in Foil
Take a whole fillet and make a pouch with some aluminum foil. Add some salt & pepper, lemon, wine or beer, favorite herbs and seal tights.
Cook skin side down on high, there is not need to flip. Time will depend on the thickness and fat content of the fish: trout will cook faster that Mahi Mahi.

5. Grilled veggies
Peppers, asparagus, tomatoes, heads of romaine lettus - use your imagination and go crazy with that side or salad.

Looking forward to your suggestions.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Super Sunday

Toby — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:02:24 -0700

Greetings dads,
My wife is away for the weekend so I decided to throw in a bonus for the kids. "Who want chocolate sauce on their pancakes?"
I have not heard such a quick response in years. Although we have pancakes every other weekend, with Flax added, the choc sauce is not a regular guest.
Sometimes a little treat is neat when Mom is away...
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Grilled Cheese Anyone...

Toby — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:36:29 -0700

Greetings Dads,
Here is a posting I found for some fantastic Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/best-grilled-cheese-sandwi...

Enjoy.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Chicken Nuggets

Toby — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:34:33 -0800

Greetings dads,
All kids love chicken nuggets, but we know they are not the best for our little ones. Bell and Evans make some excellent chicken that you can be happy with.
http://www.bellandevans.com/
These are not pre-cooked and are all natural. My kids love them and for the adults, they are wonderful for chicken parm, on top of a salad or tossed with pasta.
Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

Wonderful Cookbooks to Share

Toby — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:31:43 -0800

Greetings dads,
I have found 2 cookbooks that are not only fun for the kids, but the eats are good for us too. Check out: "Betty Crocker, Kids CooK!" I know, seeing Betty's name on here threw me off at first, but it has been a winner in my house (Yah smoothies), and I my Goddaughter raves as well. The 2nd is "DK Children's Cook Book, Quick and tasty recipes for young chefs." The Noodle soup with shrimp is a favorite! Betty Crocker is better for the littler ones in your fam and Children's Cook Book works for 8 and up.
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Toby

PS
Let me know if you would like some heads up on other cook books

Chef Dads

Super-Duper Meatballs

Toby — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:41:50 -0800

Happy New Year Dads!!!
Here is a little something that can be used as an appetizer, or throw them into a hot dog roll for lunch or dinner. It looks funny at first, but these are very yummy (for you and the little chefs)

Frozen cocktail size meatballs
Bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce
Bottle of Grape Jelly
Crock Pot

Have the little chefs add the meatballs to the pot
Pour the bottle of chili sauce and 1/2 the grape jelly over the meatballs
Set the crock pot to high for about an hour.
Stir. Enjoy! If you are so inclined, feel free to add some BBQ sauce to the mix.

Cheers,
Toby

Chef Dads

The very best gravy

Toby — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:42:32 -0800

Greetings Dads.
I am working up a meal for the Christmas holiday, but have a quick trick to share - a very easy and very flavorful gravy to keep your mashed potatoes company.
It does not matter if you are roasting a chicken or turkey, this will work for both and there are many places for the little chefs to help.

Roasting Pan
Chicken Stock
Favorite Beer (Harpoon Winter Warmer or Local Holiday Brew)
Sweet Sherry
1 large red onion (rough chopped)
2 carrots (rough chopped)
2 stalks of celery (rough chopped)
Lots of garlic (smashed)
Favorite sausage (sliced) – optional (I use 1 per adult)
Salt & Pepper
Food processor
Saucepan

• After you prep the veggies and the sausage, let the mini chefs add them to the roasting pan.
• Cover the bottom of the roasting pan with chicken stock and 1 bottle/can of beer
• Cook your chicken or turkey as usual (make certain the pan does not go dry), you may baste the bird with the pan’s contents.
• Once done, and the bird is resting, the gravy creation begins.
• Remove the sausage pieces and set into a bowl for immediate joy. Little chef can add toothpicks to the sausage and searve.
• Scoop out all the veggies, set into your food processor and blend well
• Thin out the veggie puree with the liquid from the roasting pan.
• When the gravy reaches your chosen thickness, pour it into a saucepan, add a shot of Sherry and some salt and pepper.

Very Best,
Toby

Chef Dads

My mom gives my 16 month old a bag of donuts to eat all day...

jmaxwell0003 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:34:33 -0800

I just want some more opinions on this subject. My wife and I are CONSTANTLY battling with my parents about what they feed our 16 month old son. I dropped him off this past Saturday at 11pm so that I could go work some freelance for extra holiday cash. My wife picked him up at 5:30 my mom just thought it was so funny that Mason liked powdered donuts. My wife asked what he had had to eat my mom said powdered donuts. My wife asked what else... to which my mom said, nothing, just donuts. And mom just thought it was the cutest little thing that a toddler liked powdered donuts. When my wife told me I couldn't help but laugh a little because my mom CONSTANTLY tries to feed Mason bad food. When he was 3 months old mom tried to feed him a load of instant potatoes, and always try and give him diet coke. Every time I catch them I politely ask them to not feed him caffeinated drinks, (they don't drink anything else). Now I try and tell them to not feed him "too" many sweets. I know that grandparents let children get away with things; lord knows I did at my grandmother’s house when I was little. But they still made me eat a substantial lunch and dinner. I know I need to pick my battles, and that a half a bag of powdered donuts ever so often probably will not hurt my child. But I think it's important at 16 months for them to eat good things. I give mason a cookie if he eats all of his dinner. I think it's a good reward.

Any ideas on how I can get my parents to chill on the sweets? Or at least get them to feed him something better? Hell a peanut butter sandwich would be fine with me.