Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

I was introduced to rhubarb about 7 years ago by my mother-in-law when we were living in West Virginia.  I had never tasted it, let alone cooked with it.  For those of you who (like me) are not familiar with rhubarb, it is a vegetable but is often combined with fruit as a dessert.  Rhubarb stalks are similair in appearance to celery, and have a strong, tart taste.  

Rhubarb is a seasonal plant and impossible to find during the colder months.  I have gotten rhubarb stalks in our CSA farm share the past two weeks and couldn't wait to bake my family's favorite dessert, strawberry rhubarb crisp! This is must try recipe and a total crowd pleaser.  

This recipe was adapted from Ina Garten's recipe for The Food Network.

*1 1/2 tsp Orange or Lemon zest (I always have lemons on hand but not oranges)

*5-6 stalks Rhubarb, chopped

*1 large container fresh organic strawberries, chopped

1 c Flour

1/2 c Brown Sugar

1 1/4 c Granulated Sugar

1 Tbs Cornstarch

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1/3 c Freshly squeezed OrangeJuice

1 stick butter, softened 

1 c organic oats (I have used both old fashioned and quick cooking)

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Combine chopped rhubarb, strawberries, and 3/4 c granulated sugar, and zest in a medium bowl. 

2. Dissolve corn starch in orange juice and mix into fruit. 

3. Pour mixture into an 8x11 inch baking dish.

4. For the topping, combine flour, remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, brown sugar, salt and oats in a large bowl.  Cut in softened butter using a pastry blender or fork until mixture looks crumbly.  

5. Sprinkle over fruit to cover completely.

6. Bake for 1 hour or until top is golden brown.  If mixture is bubbly but top is not brown you can place under broiler for about 2 minutes. 

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Our favorite is Alden's Organic Vanilla Bean. 

Finger Food Ideas for Little Ones

I recently had an old friend from high school send me a message on Facebook asking me how I get my little ones to eat so well.  I definitely don't have any tricks and I am very fortunate to have two kids that overall eat very well.  

With both girls I made most of their food. My older daughter ate purees longer because I was so worried about choking (typical first time mom, right?), but the second time around I knew better.  Anna, my younger daughter started finger foods much earlier and really enjoys them.  She loves the independence of feeding herself.  Both girls love food and love meal times.  I think sitting down as a family and enjoying a meal together is so important to creating healthy eating habits.  

Anytime a friend asks for tips about getting their little one to eat better, I usually give the same advise.  Keep introducing and reintroducing!  Kids go through so many phases and their taste buds constantly change.  Anna loved avocado when I first introduced it, and then she wouldn't eat it for awhile and now she likes it again. Keep offering and they will come back around.  I also tell people to spice it up!  Kids love flavor.  Traditional baby food is so bland.  My kids both love garlic and onion, you can try fresh herbs and spices or powdered, both do the job!  My last piece of advise is to order the book Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron.  I used this book with both girls.  It gives great suggestions on foods to introduce based on age. It was my baby food bible! 

I created this list of my girls favorite finger foods.  I would love to hear comments on anything your kiddo's love. I am always looking for new ideas. This list is based on a baby between 7-8 months old, which is when  I started introducing finger foods.  Anna was an early crawler and was able to sit up on her own so make sure you baby is ready, there is no rush! 

Ella and Anna's Favorite Finger Foods:

*Roasted Butternut Squash with olive oil, salt and pepper

*Cheese (any kind!)

*Bread with hummus

*Avocado with hummus

*Cottage Cheese

*Black Beans

*Chickpeas

*Roasted Broccoli (cut small)

*Scrambled Eggs

*Blueberries (cut in half)]

*Applesauce (homemade in a crackpot with cinnamon and maple syrup)

*Roasted Carrots with maple syrup 

*Crackers with peanut butter

*Avocado Toast

*Peas (smashed) 

*Cucumber Sticks (around 10 months)

*Ripe melon cut into small pieces (honeydew is a big hit!)

*Peeled apple (around 10 months) I give Anna the whole apple and loves it

Mixed Bean Salad

This is one of my favorite recipes. It is super easy, healthy and my entire family loves it! Both my 3 year old and 11 month old eat a ton of this and it also makes great leftovers!  The best part of this recipe is that you can use so many different ingredients based on what you have in the house.  My dad makes a ton of great salads and this is a modified version of something he created.

Ingredients:

*Remember- you can add different ingredients you have on hand or leave things out if you don't have them.

1 15oz can mixed beans (make sure you are using BPA free)

1 avocado cubed

1/4 red onion chopped

half cucumber chopped

half red pepper chopped

3 TBS olive oil

Juice from 1/2 lemon

salt and pepper to taste

1. Rinse beans and place in bowl

2. Add cucumbers, red pepper, and onion (you can also add cherry tomatoes once they are in season)

3. Mix in olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper.  Stir to combine all ingredients.

4. Just before serving add cubed avocado

You can add any fresh herbs you like. I particularly love adding chives and parsley, yum!!

Ella's Granola

This is my favorite granola recipe, simple and delicious!  I almost always have a jar of this sitting on the counter and it has definitely become a staple in our family.  I got this recipe years ago from my husbands (now my) aunt.  I remember having it at the very first Christmas I spent with my husbands family.  Family recipes are always extra delicious and I have now passed it on to my 3 year old Ella.  She does all the pouring, mixing and tasting!

Ella's Granola:

*all quantities can be adjusted according to taste

4 cups organic old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup organic unsweetened coconut

1 cup pecans

1 cup sliced almonds

1/4 c Vermont maple syrup

1/4 oil (coconut, organic canola)

Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.  Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 275 for about 45-50 minutes.  I stir every 15 minutes or so to make sure everything stays even.  Let cool and enjoy!