Bring Summer to Life with Rice Krispies

Featured Clients,

July 14, 2011

On July 14, 2011, moms came to TheMotherhood to learn about methods for educating kids in the kitchen based on ages and stages. Leading the chat via live video stream was Melanie Hall, MS, RD, Kellogg Company, who also provided tips and demonstrations for several simple and tasty snacks using Rice Krispies.

http://youtu.be/PGlXsPPBk5k

Melanie began the chat by talking about the goal with bringing kids into the kitchen: building a foundation of confidence, adventure and curiosity.

“My kids love to cook. Great thoughts,” said Sommer, A Spicy Perspective, and Wendy at Around My Family Table agreed, “My kids love helping out in the kitchen!”

Melanie also listed a number of valuable skills kids can learn right in the kitchen – everything from reading and language skills and counting for younger kids, to following tasks from beginning to end and planning ahead for older kids, to learning about nutrition at all ages.

“I just had all four kids helping me make Strawberry Granita. Each had a different task. Love having my kids help in the kitchen!” said Kristen, Dine and Dish.

“I’ve been known to give them all their own bowls and let them measure and dump whatever they want into it while I cook,” added Jenn, SuperJenn. “That way I can get through my recipe but we can still talk and interact…. I still talk about what I’m doing.”

Melanie also demonstrated several simple snack ideas, and pointed out that snacks using Rice Krispies are a great choice for summer because there is no need to use a hot oven or stove. Keep reading for her snack ideas!

Rice Krispies Trail Mix Treats

Recipe calls for ½ cup of crunchy peanut butter, 1 cup of rolled oats, ½ cup of raisins or dried tart cherries and ½ cup of sunflower seeds

This is in addition to the 20 marshmallows – a counting opportunity! – and 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal.

These Rice Krispies Trail Mix Treats are formed in a muffin tin, so get kids involved in pressing the mixture into the pan and counting as you go.

Garden Party Garland Skewers

“A great way to encourage kids to eat fresh, seasonal fruit – and maybe even try some new fruits, such as kiwi, mango and pineapple – is to involve them in making these tasty Garden Party Garland skewers,” Melanie noted.

Alternate different colored fruits with pieces of Rice Krispies Treats on a skewer to create a beautiful, tasty dessert.

Dipped Pears

The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of fat free plain yogurt, 3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of fat free milk and 1 and a half teaspoons of sugar.

Whisk that together and serve with sliced pears for dipping – and “what puts it over the top, in my opinion, is a final roll in Rice Krispies cereal, which gives an extra, delicious crunch – and is fun to do,” said Melanie.

“Melanie has been so great. I’m feeling inspired!” said Ashley, Cute As a Fox Creations.

For more kid-related food inspiration, “I do a monthly Kids in the Kitchen segment on the first Friday of the month. Great chat and lots of great info!” said Wendy, Around My Family Table.

As part of our Rice Krispies Making Memories Summer Challenge, our four teams of wonderful bloggers also showcased the treats they invented during the chat. Below, you can see photos of each delicious treat – and click the links to visit the related blog posts. You can vote for your favorite by commenting (using the word “vote”) on their posts!

PHOENIX Peanut Butter Pops