Kids Kooking

Gazpacho Snack

1/3 cup chopped cucumber
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 tbsp. chopped onion
2 tbsp. plain yogurt
2 tsp. wine vinegar
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
9 cherry tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
36 Low Salt Ritz Crackers

In a small bowl, stir together cucumber, green pepper, onion, yogurt, vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper until blended. Place a tomato slice on each Ritz cracker. Top with 1/2 teaspoon vegetable mixture. Serve immediately.

Makes 3 doz.

Kids Kooking French Cassoulet

This is surprisingly good. My grandmother made this every time we stayed for the weekend. Sooo good.

French Cassoulet

Partially fry 4 strips bacon; take from skillet. Brown 1 large onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp. chopped parsley in bacon fat. Add 1 cup white wine (or 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup lemon juice) and 1/4 cup Heinz ketchup. Simmer 5 min. Mix with 1 cup diced cooked meat and two 1-lb. cans of Heinz pork and beans in 1 1/2 quart casserole. Top with bacon. Bake at 350˚F for 45 min. Makes 6 servings.

Kids Kooking 7 Layer Vegetable Casserole

7 Layer Vegetable Casserole

Instead of meatloaf for dinner every Monday night, my mother made this-every Monday. Even to this day, I consider meatloaf a delicacy!

Heat oven to 350. Using a 2 qt baking dish with a tight fitting lid, layer the following:

1 cup of white rice, uncooked

2 cup whole kernel corn, drained

1 8 oz. can of Hunt's tomato sauce

1/2 can of water over the two layers

1/2 cup each of chopped onion, and green peppers

3/4 lb of extra lean, uncooked ground beef

Cover meat with 4 strips of bacon, cut in half

Pour second 8 oz. can of Hunt's tomato sauce

1/4 can of water over layers

Cover dish and bake for 1 hour, uncover and bake for about 30 minutes longer. Makes 4 to6 servings.

KIds Kooking Puddin' Cookies

Puddin' Cookies

They're fun and so easy to make for scout meetings, open house, group functions, etc.

Mix well 3/4 cups Bisquick, 1 package instant pudding mix,( any flavor), 1/4 cup salad oil, 1 egg. Form into small balls, flatten with hand on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes at 350 degrees (mod) Makes 3 dozen.

Kids Kooking Pineapple Jello Rings

Pineapple Jello Rings

1 (3 ounces) box of lime or strawberry Jello

1( 20 ounces) can of Pineapple Rings/Rounds

Just pour off the liquid of a No. 2 can of Dole Pineapple. Replace with gelatin made with half the liquid in package directions. Chill until set. Run a little hot water along the sides and bottom to loosen. Then cut the bottom of the can and use it to push mold out. Cut between pineapple rounds and serve.

Kids Kooking Hot Dog Cuts/Designs

Hot Dog Cuts/Designs

Great for the summer picnics or BBQs

Hot dog design 1: Diamond

Score the top of the hot dog deeply — about halfway through the hot dog, using a crosshatch design.

Hot dog design 2: Spikes

Cut the hot dog three-quarters of the way through, down the middle. Cross with vertical cuts, also only three-quarters of the way through the hot dog.

Hot dog design 3: Palm tree

Cut three slices through the board (all the way through the hot dog), leaving one inch on the end uncut.

Hot dog design 4: Zig-Zag

Cut through to the board down one side. Make cuts on the the opposite side between the first ones.

Hot dog design 5: Spirals

Cut the hot dog in long quarters, making four separate strips.

Hot dog design 6: Snake

Cut through to the board on half of each side of the hot dog, leaving the opposite side uncut.

Kids Kooking Dude Ranch Beans

Dude Ranch Beans

2 cans baked beans, any style 
1/2 lb. franks cut in 1" cubes
1 tbsp. prepared mustard
5 small cooked onions
10 slices dill pickles
2 tomatoes cut into wedges
olive oil or cooking oil

Place beans in shallow baking dish. Spread frank cuts with mustard. Arrange with onions, pickles and tomato slices on five skewers. Brush with oil, place on beans. Bake in hot oven (400˚F) 30 minutes or arrange on broiler pan and broil until hot and lightly browned.

PS If you're using bamboo skewers, don't forget to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before threading them with food.