How often does the clock strike 5 and you realize “oh *%#@, I haven’t even thought about what to make for dinner!” The night that I came up with these rice & cheese balls was one of those times, and since then, it’s become a total household favorite. The recipe is incredibly easy and you probably have all of the ingredients in your kitchen already. All you do is cut cheese sticks into cubes, use your hands to wrap the rice around them into balls and then steam them quickly. For extra flavor and added nutrition, I like to give them a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

I find that whenever food appears fun or has a hidden surprise, kids are most excited about eating it. This dish satisfies both criteria: it’s shaped like a ball (fun!) and has a cheesy center (surprise!). As soon as Kenya took a bite and realized there was gooey, melted cheese inside his rice ball, it was as if he found a new best friend! He just looked up at me with utter surprise and joy and said, “Mommy, there’s cheese!” Literally love at first bite.

(This is a great idea for the lunch box, too!)

Rice & Cheese Treasures (Makes 14 1 1/2 inch balls)

2 Cheese Sticks (I use mozzarella or cheddar)
1 Cup Cooked Rice, brown or white (it helps if the rice is sticky, so if you’re cooking the rice just for these ball, it helps to use a little extra water when making the rice)
2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds or Gomasio

1. Cut cheese sticks into 1/2 inch cubes (it depends on the brand, but each cheese stick should make around 7 cubes).
2. Take about 2 tbsp of the rice with moist or damp hands (to avoid sticking) and place the cheese in the center, rolling the rice into a ball around it.
3. Place the rice balls into a steamer pot over boiling water for 2 minutes. If you don’t have a steamer, place in the microwave for 10 seconds or just until the cheese melts.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or gomasio.
5. Serve.

Kenya has become a shrimp addict. Every time I take him to the grocery with me (which is often), we stop by the seafood counter and as soon as he sees the beautifully arranged shrimp he barks, “I want shrimp!”

Shrimp are a great source of calcium and protein for kids. In my experience, little kids love them because they’re easy to chew, sweet and delicious. The best part for parents is they take no time to prepare (buy them shelled and deveined), they’re easy to cook (literally minutes from bag to plate) and if you buy them frozen and defrost them on your own, they’re also easy on the wallet.

When I put these skewers on Kenya’s plate for dinner, he looked up at me and said, “shrimp, I love them”! That is one addiction I can live with.

Pesto Shrimp Skewers (Serves 4)

1/4 Cup Weelicious Pesto OR store bought pesto
1 Lb. Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined (I used frozen shrimp that I defrosted before marinating)

1. Place the pesto and shrimp in a bowl and marinate for 30 minutes covered in the refrigerator.
2. Preheat oven broiler.
3. Place the shrimp on skewers (if you use wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before skewering).
4. Place skewers on a cookie sheet and cook under the broiler for 3 minutes (there’s no need to turn them).
5. Serve.

When I was growing up, I loved fruit on the bottom yogurt, but when I went to buy a few containers for Kenya I realized it was packed with sugar. I came up with a recipe that’s so easy and actually tastes ten times better then the brands you buy at the grocery. This is a great recipe because you can serve it for a healthy breakfast, snack or even as a dessert!

*recipe is coming Monday, so stay tuned.

One of Kenya’s (many) favorite foods are black beans. He loves them with brown rice or quesadillas, or even just on their own. I wanted to come up with another fun way for him to enjoy them.
Beans are an incredible source of fiber and iron and because of their soft texture they’re perfect for forming into these little black bean cake-like patties. Sometimes I find it hard to come up with delicious vegetarian recipes which are truly filling, but these totally fit the bill.
I love serving these to Kenya with a little guacamol-wee and sour cream for him to dip in. Trust me, the only major problem I had making these was keeping my husband away from them. Luckily, most of the ingredients are things I keep on hand, so I quickly cooked up an extra batch so we would all have plenty to munch on at dinner and throughout the next day.

Black Bean Cakes (Makes About 20 Patties)

1 15 Oz Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Ear of Corn, cut off the cob (or 1 cup frozen kernels, defrosted)
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1/4 Cup Cilantro, packed
1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 Tsp Onion Powder
2 Tbsp Bread Crumbs
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Oil, Vegetable or Canola

1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and puree.
2. Heat a large saute pan over low to medium heat with 1 tbsp oil.
3. Place 1 Tbsp of the bean mixture in the pan. Using the back of a spoon, spread the mixture into an even circle (the size and shape of a pancake).
4. Cook for 3 minutes.
5. Flip on the other side and cook another 3-4 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Cook remaining patties, adding about 1 tbsp oil for each batch, and move to a plate.
7. Cool and serve.

*Allow to cool, transfer to a ziploc bag, label and freeze up to 4 months. When ready, defrost in fridge for 24 hours or heat in oven for 10 minutes at 300.

Finally, I have a delicious recipe — that you don’t have to eat with a spoon — for all those little ones without 
teeth. I keep talking to parents whose 12, 13 even 14 month olds still 
don’t have teeth. They really want to move beyond purees, but need a 
recipe soft enough for their little ones to chew (or gum). These spinach 
gnocchi balls are so heavenly that Kenya only got his mitts on 8 or so 
before the grownups had eaten them all up!
This is a recipe that Popeye would be proud of. Packed with spinach 
and creamy ricotta, these little morsels are like soft pillows: 
delicate and so easy to make. You could even serve them with a little 
red sauce, but for easier cleanup, I highly recommend just a little 
sprinkle of parmesan cheese and that’s it!

Spinach Gnocchi (makes 40 small gnocchi balls)

10 oz Block Frozen Chopped Spinach
1 Cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
2/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese, plus 2 tbsp for sprinkling before serving.
1 Egg Yolk
2 Tbsp Flour, plus more for dusting your hands while rolling

1. Defrost the brick of frozen spinach (you can also do this in the microwave).
2. Squeeze ALL (and I mean ALL) of the water out of the spinach in small handfuls (I use my hands and do it over a bowl to make sure I don’t lose any spinach).
3. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse. You want to make sure the spinach is in tiny pieces and the mixture is thoroughly combined.
4. Dust your hands with a little flour so the mixture doesn’t stick to your hands.
5. Take 1 teaspoon of the spinach mixture and roll into tiny balls. Place on a plate covered with waxed paper or parchment.
6. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for cooking the gnocchi.
7. Add the gnocchi to the water in batches and cook for 3 minutes or until they rise to the surface.
8. Using a slotted spoon, remove the gnocchi to a plate or bowl.
9. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, cool and serve.

*After step 5, place on sheet tray and freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer to a ziploc bag, label and freeze up to 4 months. When ready, thaw to room temperature and follow steps 6-9.

We used these to make this recipe:

Cuisinart DLC-2 Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

Long before that animated rat put it back on the map, my grandmother used to make the most mouthwatering ratatouille. I know that 
when she made it, she imagined as if she had been whisked off to the 
south of France to prepare it. Now, whenever I see bell pepper, zucchini or eggplant, 
it’s the first dish that comes to mind. Granted my grandmother’s version was delicious, but 
the cup of oil she used in her recipe would give it an orange hue and make it not so healthy.
 This baby version of ratatouille is not only healthy, it uses 6 main ingredients, all of which are in season right now at the farmers market. The vegetables 
in the dish are so vibrant and colorful, you know upon first sight that it has to be full of 
vitamins and minerals.
Did you know that weight for weight, bell 
peppers have more vitamin C then oranges? And tomatoes are 
actually a fruit, packed full of 
antioxidant vitamins which help protect your little ones immune system 
by fighting off harmful free radicals. These facts alone are just two reasons 
why a ratatouille a day keeps the doctor away

Ratatouille (Makes 8 Baby/Toddler Servings)

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Onion, chopped in bite size pieces
1 Garlic Clove, finely chopped
1/3 Cup Zucchini, chopped in bite size pieces
1/3 Cup Eggplant, chopped in bite size pieces
1/3 Cup Red, Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped in bite size pieces
1/2 Cup Tomatoes, chopped in bites size pieces (I like to use canned organic tomatoes)
1 Tsp. Parsley, chopped fine

*If you’re short on time, you could pulse all the vegetables into bite size pieces in a food processor instead of chopping them by hand

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and lightly saute for 2 minutes (make sure not to brown them).
3. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
4. Add the remaining vegetables and saute for one minute, uncovered.
5. Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes.
6. Add the parsley and continue to cook uncovered for one more minute. Make sure all of the vegetables are cooked through and fork tender.
6. Cool and serve.