The benefits of cooking with children are almost too many to cover in one blog! Spending time in the kitchen and cooking new recipes helps children to develop a positive connection to all different types of foods, including fruits and vegetables. Forming a positive experience with fresh foods is so important because healthy foods are the foundation for good nutrition. Children will also learn basic cooking skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Since children learn best by touching, tasting, feeling, smelling, and listening, they love activities in the kitchen because they can use all their senses. Cooking with kids provides practical experience with many essential skills such as reading, following directions, and measuring. Getting involved in cooking helps your child to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and even early concepts of math and science. There are just so many great benefits to cooking with kids.

Almost any recipe can be adapted in order to make it with help from the kids, but I find that making something that’s fun and that they like is a great place to start! Most kids like pizza, right? It’s the perfect thing to make with children – fun and easy! Use unconventional bases as the crust like French bread, English muffins, or tortillas for an easy start. Then line up the potential toppings and let the kiddos pile on what they want on their individual pizza.

Here’s a simple basic start: First, brush a little olive oil on the crust you’re using. Then use our Calabrian Pepper & Sweet Tomato Fennel Spread as an easy and delicious sauce. From there just add cheese and any other toppings you like! Bake at 400 until the cheese is melted. The children will love eating their very own creations.

Our children are more capable than we give them credit for. Don’t be afraid to bring little ones into the kitchen to help. One tip for teaching small kids to do things like pour drinks or spread peanut butter and jelly is to open your dishwasher and use that as their tabletop. It's the right height and it’s self-cleaning! Close the door and run the next load of dishes. 😉

Finally, cooking with kids is great family time. It is an opportunity to meal plan, look for recipes, and share ideas on why and how to make meals healthier for the whole family.

Summer means lunches by the pool, snacks on the sand, dinner on a blanket by the lake, and usually, lots of hungry mouths to feed. Although it’s fun and convenient to buy food at the beach or pool, it can be expensive, and it’s often hard to find healthy options. With some planning, you can spare your wallet and your waistline by packing some healthy snacks or meals in advance of heading out the door.

An insulated cooler is necessary; however, ice cubes can melt quickly. One suggestion is to freeze plastic bottles of water and individual 100 percent juice pouches. They will help keep your food cool, preventing spoilage, and they will provide chilled drinks to stay hydrated!

Even when you have a cooler, some foods hold up better than others. Of course, you can always pack the basics, like crackers, chips, nuts, and dried fruit in your pool bag, but when you plan to spend the day, it’s good to have something a little more substantial.

Here are some suggestions that hold up well:

Wraps -- I always opt for wraps over regular sandwiches when packing lunch for a day at the pool or beach. For one, it’s just fun to coil things up in a tortilla. But more importantly, when the fillings are tucked away on the inside, they’re better protected — plus wraps are easy to eat with one hand. Here’s a favorite of mine: https://bit.ly/2M6TNDU

Skewers -- Because food on skewers is always more fun! Whether you go for fruit, veggies, or meat, kabobs make great beach and pool fare. This is a hands-off (read, sand-free!) meal that’s utensil-free and easy to eat, with even easier cleanup. https://bit.ly/2QgRxID

Couscous or pasta salad -- I’ve had a lot of experience with both of these, and they tend to hold up well in the heat. https://bit.ly/2FZ4vaw

Lettuce wraps -- I love this suggestion in lieu of a salad. Wrap up some chopped vegetables or other components in big, oversized leaves of iceberg lettuce. Then wrap in foil, so you can just peel it back and eat. Kids love dipping these in ranch dressing!

Hard boiled eggs -- Keep them cool, and it will be a perfect protein pick-me-up when the kids start getting groggy.

Whole fruit/ applesauce -- These are extra yummy when kept cold.  

String Cheese -- These are great because they are individually wrapped, providing perfect portion control.

Cookies -- Don’t forget dessert! Cookies are a simple finger food to curb your post-lunch sweet tooth. You won’t hear me say this often, but it’s probably best to skip anything chocolate to avoid a melty mess.

Packing healthy food that does well in coolers for the beach and pool will keep everyone satisfied, will provide energy, and will contribute to a fun day. Don’t forget the hand wipes and sun screen!

Today I’m giving you all a peak at what goes into the creative side of our business. We recently did a video shoot with Vital Companies, a video production company that specializes in creating dynamic digital and shareable content for marketing, helping clients grow their brands and their businesses. Working with Jason Clayton and his team is always a pleasure. They are so easy to work with, and the final product they deliver is excellent. Look them up on Facebook at Vital Companies or on Instagram @vitalcompanies. The pictures accompanying the blog today are just a few candid shots of part of the process that goes into developing new products and recipes using our gourmet sauces and spreads.

If you follow us regularly on Facebook or if you’ve taken a few minutes to explore our website, you know that we offer many creative suggestions for the use of our products. As you can see in the photos, I spend time testing different flavors and ingredient combinations that will be complemented by our sauces and spreads. My goal is to help you all make the most of our Bellisari’s products! Gourmet convenience is not just a slogan for us. It’s a lifestyle that guides every amazing and delicious decision we make. To me, gourmet convenience means the marriage of quality ingredients with unique flavors that have been carefully put together through a passion for food. At Bellisari’s, we strive to make that gourmet appetizer, entrée, or even a breakfast something that tastes amazing but doesn’t take a long time or lots of ingredients to prepare.

We have some exciting news! I’ve been working extra hard in the kitchen, and we’ll soon be introducing three new spreads to our product line. That’s all I’m saying for now, but you can continue to read my blogs and follow us on social media to make sure you are among the first to hear/read when we make our big announcement. For now, enjoy these behind the scenes photos taken as Vital Companies and I show how we “make the magic happen!”

High School graduation is so much more than a ceremonial walk across a stage. This is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime event that deserves a celebration. However, your senior may have little interest in entertaining a huge crowd. Before making a single decision, ask your senior how they want to celebrate this milestone event. A home-cooked meal featuring a lineup of favorite foods may be their preferred celebration. They may want a special dinner and to invite the grandparents or other particularly close members of the extended family. Whatever the grad wants it’s time to celebrate all their hard work and accomplishments by throwing them an amazing and memorable graduation party. With a little planning and organization, you can throw a great grad party that isn’t off-the-charts stressful, doesn’t break the bank, and packs in all the celebratory fun you’re hoping for.

As you begin planning the party, there are a few things you can do to stay organized and keep your stress in check.

To-Do List - even the most basic outline of must-do tasks can help you tackle your most important goals. Making a written list can help you remember important details that you’ve planned to make things special.

Pace Yourself - the details of planning even a small party can become overwhelming. Manage your stress by pacing yourself and checking a few things off your list every day leading up to the party. Whatever you do, don’t wait until the last minute.

Keep it Simple - food options should be festive and something that you don’t get every day, but this doesn’t mean it has to be super complicated or expensive. These 3-ingredient recipes are simple but make a big impact: https://bit.ly/2Hd8iAc

Have Fun - Keep one thing in mind. This is your special time with your son or daughter before they venture off to college. Don’t lose sight of why you’re throwing the party or who you’re throwing it for. If everything isn’t perfect on the day of the party, no one really cares. It’s all about the graduate.

High School graduation is the culmination of 12 years of education and marks the beginning of young adulthood. Celebrate this special occasion with the people who mean the most to the grad and in the manner the graduate desires. While you’re busy celebrating your child, give yourself a pat on the back for giving your child the support they needed to reach this exciting moment in their lives.

Mother's Day is one of those holidays that just about everyone celebrates. After all, it's nice to show that woman in your life (be it your mom, sister, wife, or godmother) that they mean a lot to you. There’s no better a time to show that special woman your appreciation with a little breakfast-in-bed. Breakfast in bed is a time-honored tradition on Mom’s designated day of rest and relaxation. What could be better than sleeping in a little late and having breakfast served to you by your favorite people? Kids love to prepare something special for Mom, and moms love the thoughtful gesture.

Whether Mom prefers a traditional breakfast of eggs or pancakes, a light breakfast of fruit and yogurt, or a variation of her favorite bagels, there are plenty of options that children can prepare with little to no supervision in the kitchen. The little ones will feel super grown-up when making these delicious breakfasts for mom!

One easy method for children who are too young to use the stove by themselves is microwave mug cooking. So many things can be made in a mug with just a bit of time in the microwave. There are dozens of mug cake recipes out there, if a sweet breakfast is her thing. If not, consider guiding those little hands in the direction of scrambled eggs. A little whisk of a fork and you've got fluffy scrambled eggs in minutes. For a sweet and salty mix with a spicy kick, try this mug French Toast topped with a bit of mascarpone cheese and Bellisari’s Blistered Jalapeno and Fig Spread https://bit.ly/2GZIIyn. If you want to make a fancier version that isn’t microwaved or made in a mug, check out our recipe here: https://bit.ly/2T9RZNh.

5-MINUTE MICROWAVE FRENCH TOAST MUG

These fast and easy 5-Minute French Toast Mugs are a great single serving breakfast treat that are easy for children to prepare.

Ingredients

1 tsp butter

3 Tbsp whole milk

1 tsp maple syrup

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch ground nutmeg

1 large egg

1 cup bread pieces

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS OR ADD-INS

Berries

Sliced bananas

Nuts

Powdered sugar

Peanut butter

Chocolate chips

Bellisari's Blistered Jalapeno & Fig Spread and Mascarpone.

Instructions

Place the butter in a large mug and microwave for 15-20 seconds, or until it is melted. Add the milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and the egg to the mug and whisk until everything is well mixed.

Add the bread pieces to the mug and gently stir until all the pieces are saturated with the egg and milk mixture. Be careful not to stir too roughly or the bread pieces may fall apart. Let the bread sit and absorb the liquid for about 1 minute.

Microwave the mug for 60-90 seconds, or until the mixture is solid. I have a 1250-watt microwave and find that 70-80 seconds is about perfect. You may need to experiment to find just the right cooking time for your microwave and mug size.

Serve immediately or deck it out with your favorite toppings.

Fresh fruit and parfaits are also tasty and easy for the kids to make. The night before, just grab any berries that may need slicing and do the dirty work for them. They can still toss all the ingredients together and make a breakfast of champions. Let them revel in their independence. They’ll love the fact that they were able to do something so special for mom, and practically all on their own!

Giving little ones free reign in the kitchen may seem like a crazy idea, but there are lots of wonderful breakfast ideas that are simple enough for even a preschooler to make. With a minimal amount of prep, you can set them up for success and set yourself up for a lovely breakfast! Independence in the kitchen bolsters self-esteem in children, and they’ll feel proud to contribute to your special day.

One last tip for Dad and the kiddos -- be sure to clean up the kitchen when you’re through! Nothing spoils Mom’s fun like a mess she must clean up from something that was supposed to be a treat for her.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Bellisari’s!