butter cookies and words

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cooking with toddlers is always going to be anything but methodical. Before pursuit it is absolutely necessary to let go of any concept that the process is going to run smoothly and without fuss or mess for that matter. It almost needs to be seen as organised chaos with the idea that anything could happen and that there may not even be any consumable produce from the event. What is important to remember is, that all of the learning lies within the experience. For us it’s all about the sensory play, our boo thrives on the touch and taste of soft dough and at the moment any activity that encourages his participation, cooperation and patients is welcomed.

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BUTTER COOKIES

ingredients:125g softened butter,100g caster sugar,1 free-range egg,200 g plain flour,1tsp vanilla extract,1/4tsp baking powder,sprinkles,extra flour for dusting

method: Beat butter and sugar in a kitchen mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat well, then add the flour and baking powder and mix until a ball of dough forms. At this stage is good to roll dough into a ball and wrap in cling film and put into the fridge to chill for an hour, however this step is completely unacceptable to my toddlers so we always skip it and go straight to here, on a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to 1/2cm thick with cookie cutters cut out shapes and   gently press into the sprinkles and lay onto baking tray lined with baking paper. If dough is extra soft from skipping the chilling step, you can, with lightly floured hands roll teaspoons of the mixture and then press them into the sprinkles. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 180°C or until the edges are slightly browned.

recipe adapted from JamieOliver.com Lemon Butter Biscuits

doughnut french toast Nigella style

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DOUGHNUT FRENCH TOAST

ingredients

4 eggs,1 tablespoon maple syrup, 80ml milk,4 slices of ciabatta bread, 25grams butter,50 grams caster sugar

method

beat the eggs with the milk and the maple syrup. soak the bread in the egg mixture covering both sides. heat the butter in a fry pan and fry the bread golden on both sides. put the sugar on a plate and then dip the cooked bread into it until well coated like a sugared doughnut.

Recipe adapted from NIGELLA EXPRESS.

play dough

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there is quite a gap between our two-year old and his older siblings. i must admit it’s taken a little adjusting to get myself back into toddler mode.  we are beginning to introduce some forms of structured play to our boo.  i had forgotten how much fun play dough actually is… my older children would never admit it  but they too enjoy a good round of play dough

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play dough recipe

ingredients

2cups plain flour,2tbls cream of tarte,2 tbls canola oil,3/4 cup table salt,food colouring,2 cups water,

method

combine all of the ingredients together in a saucepan and stir over a medium heat for approximately 5 minutes or until mixture comes together. be carful not to over cook as this will make the play dough dry. need on a lightly floured surface.