food

after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots

2 Comments

20160828_calivintage_0191

adam is back in school, which means that he’s super hungry when he gets home! and having a quick snack ready is my first line of defense against toddler meltdowns. during the summer break when he was home all of the time, i kinda slipped into the bad habit of feeding him a lot of packaged snacks. they aren’t terrible or anything, but a fresh start to the new year has got me brainstorming ways to feed him quick, easy, and healthful meals and snacks. so when got milk? asked me if i’d be interested in partnering up to share a fun and savory milk pairing for kids, i knew just the recipe to share!

adam is pretty good about eating fresh fruit, but i have to be sneaky when it comes to convincing him to eat his veggies. thankfully, i’ve figured out a way to pack in tons of nutrients into these colorful little tots! the concept is pretty simple: swap out potatoes for any veggie you want. three favorites around this house are beets, yams, and broccoli. and they certainly aren’t just for kids. adam likes them plain, but i like to toss in a few spices for myself and dip them in a chipotle aioli sauce. add a heaping glass of organic whole milk and enjoy!

after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots
Ingredients
  • 12 oz. veggie of your choice (we used beets, yams, and broccoli)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar
  • 1/2 cup panko or bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • a side of chipotle aioli, mayonnaise, or ketchup
Instructions
  1. preheat your oven to 425 degrees fahrenheit
  2. blanch your veggies in boiling water until slightly soft. the cooking times will vary depending on the vegetable you use, but no more than 2-3 minutes each. shock in cold water and drain. use a paper towel to remove excess moisture if necessary.
  3. in a bowl, combine veggies with cheese, panko, and egg. quickly stir them together to incorporate, then drop them in the food processor and pulse a few times until they are chopped finely. you can play around with the texture you prefer.
  4. using a tablespoon to measure the size of the tots, form them into little spheres and line them on a baking sheet. spray with cooking oil.
  5. bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
  6. enjoy with a tall glass of california milk!

i’ve gotten into a habit of preparing three batches at the beginning of the week and then storing them in the refrigerator so they’re ready to bake right as adam is arriving home from school. he’s a bit young, but he does enjoy helping me shape them into tots as well! if i make a handful for him and myself every day, they usually last all week!

after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots
after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots
after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots
after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots
after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots
after school snack: beet, yam, and broccoli tots
20160828_calivintage_0203

this post is brought to you by got milk? food loves milk.

lifestyle, food

night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats

3 Comments

calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats

it’s a funny time of year right now. we’re still in the middle of an epic heatwave, but the seasonal shift is undeniable. the shadows are getting longer, cute little pumpkins are lining the windows at our local fruit stand, and adam is getting ready to start the new school year. those lazy days of summer are coming to an end, and we’ve been kicking into high gear with adam’s school schedule, edie’s sleep schedule, and a very busy mom and dad. but that doesn’t mean we don’t find time to prepare dinner, especially when it’s something quick and easy that only takes a few minutes on the stovetop.

which is why we are so excited to have partnered with our friends at got milk to share a quick and easy, kid-friendly night cereal recipe! this variation on classic oatmeal is a simple, hearty meal that has quickly become a family favorite around here. it’s packed with tons of nutrients important for a growing body, and it’s simple enough that adam can be involved in the food prep from beginning to end. which means more time to enjoy each other’s company at the end of a long and busy day.

and the best part? the variations are pretty much endless. simply cook a hot cereal of your choice and add a savory puree like butternut squash, yams, or even zucchini. add fruit and nuts, then top it all off with wholesome california milk. here’s our favorite:

night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats
Ingredients
  • 1 cup hot cereal (we used bob’s red mill 5 grain rolled hot cereal with whole grain plus flaxseed)
  • 1 cup water
  • 8 oz cooked and pureed butternut squash
  • brown sugar to taste
  • nuts, dried fruit, or fresh fruit toppings as desired
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions
  1. boil together water and cereal in a small saucepan.
  2. reduce heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired consistency.
  3. add butternut squash and brown sugar to taste
  4. serve in a bowl with your favorite toppings (we used mixed nuts, craisins, and fresh figs)
  5. then top it off with wholesome california milk and enjoy!

 

calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats
calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats
calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats
calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats
calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats
calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats
calivintage - night cereal: butternut squash rolled oats

Advertisement