Posts

Showing posts from February, 2016

Oven-baked creamy wild garlic and cheese potatoes recipe

Image
Ingredients: 3 ½ lbs (1.5kg) potatoes 1 pint (500ml) whipping cream 4oz (100g) cheddar cheese, grated 2oz (50g) Parmesan cheese, grated *About 10 wild garlic leaves, shredded thinly Freshly ground black pepper Method: 1. Peel and slice thinly all the potatoes using a sharp knife, the blades on a grater or a mandolin. Place them in a large bowl. 2. Add all the grated Parmesan cheese, most of the cheddar cheese, the cream, the garlic or the wild garlic. Add 8-10 twists of freshly ground pepper. 3. Mix everything together well with a large spoon and then scoop it into a 2" deep baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top and flatten everything down gently. 4. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 175°C, 350°F, Gas 4 for 1 hour. After 30 minutes, take the dish out and gently press the potatoes down again to let the cream come up over the top of the mix. Pop it back in the oven to finish the cooking time. The top of the potato dish will be lightly crispy

Feeding Your Baby Safely

Image
Never leave your baby unattended while eating in case he or she chokes. Don't serve foods that could present a choking hazard, such as whole grapes, raw vegetables, hard fruits, raisins, white bread, pieces of hard cheese, hot dogs, popcorn, and hard candies. If you're unsure about whether a finger food is safe, ask yourself: Does it melt in the mouth? Some dry cereals will melt in the mouth, and so will light and flaky crackers. Is it cooked enough so that it mashes easily? Well-cooked vegetables and fruits will mash easily. So will canned fruits and vegetables. (Make sure to choose canned foods that don't have added sugar or salt). Is it naturally soft? Cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and small pieces of tofu are soft. Can it be gummed? Pieces of ripe banana and well-cooked pasta can be gummed. Making Meals Work Keep your baby's personality in mind when introducing new foods. If your baby balks at new textures, serve them in small portions

Important Tips for Working with A Special Needs Child

Image
1.     Interact The same rules of polite conversation apply to adults and children.  First, introduce yourself and explain how you are connected to the child.  Depending on the child’s special needs, it may be necessary to take the child’s hand, place a hand on the child’s shoulder or even touch each other’s faces to make a proper introduction. Then explain the activity that you will be doing with the child.  Explain the different steps of the activity, including the beginning and the end – while making as much eye contact as possible . 2.      Observe Some children with special needs perceive sensory input in different ways and may be unable to verbalize discomfort.  Remember that all behavior is communication.  Always keep a lookout for these differences and think about what the child’s behavior is communicating to you.  If you’re not sure what you’re seeing, ask the child’s parents or other adults for advice. 3.     Be Consistent If a set of rules is presented

IDEAS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF FAMILY TIME

Image
1.        GO ON A PICNIC Take an afternoon to get away from it all by packing a lunch and going on a picnic! Whether it's in the backyard or at the local park, the whole family will love tossing a football around in between bites of their favorite sandwiches. 2.        COOK DINNER TOGETHER Instead of the kids camping out in front of the television while you're prepping dinner, get them involved cooking with you! They can help with things like washing veggies or putting the pepperoni on top of their own homemade pizza. 3.        TAKE A HIKE Get lost in nature for a bit by going for a morning hike! No trails where you live? Take a leisurely stroll through your  neighborhood  or walk to a local library to check out a few new books. 4.        VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Check out the needs at your local food bank or soup kitchen. Or if your family is into animals, consider volunteering at a nearby animal shelter. 5.        PLANT A FAMILY GARDEN As a kid, spending

Arroz Valenciana Recipe

Image
Ingredients 2 Tbsp Veg. Oil 1 medium Onion, chopped 3 cloves Garlic, minced 5-6 pcs Chicken wings cut at joints 2 Tbsp Fish sauce- optional 2 cups Glutinous or sticky rice, washed 1 Tbsp Turmeric powder 2 pcs Bay leaf 2 cups Coconut milk plus 2 cup water 1 cup Bell pepper, sliced into strips 1 cup Carrots, sliced into strips 2 Eggs, hard-boiled and sliced Salt and Pepper Instructions In a deep pan and on medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add chicken wings and let for some minutes until the meat is almost cooked, about 3 minutes. If using fish sauce add it now. Add the rice and turmeric powder. Cook for 1 minute while continuously mixing to make sure not to burn the rice. Add carrots, bell pepper and bay leaf, then season with salt and pepper as desired, mix well and lastly add the coconut milk and water. Cover and let cook for about 20-30 minutes or until sticky rice is done and all liquid has been absorbed. Remove Bay Leaf. Ser