ideas | Vegie Smugglers

Posts tagged ideas

Ho Ho Ho

November 22, 2011 · Filed under Craft for non-crafty parents, News · Tagged celebrations, ideas

a christmas fairy made from a toilet roll

She's back! Ready to top the tree and guide you through the festivities...

Yes, believe it or not, it’s THAT time of year again. Truly frightening. Where DID that year go? I was just commenting to my best friend, “isn’t it great that my book reprint arrived nice and early”, then looked up to see his bewildered face as he reminded me that they were DUE late November and have ARRIVED in late November. He was looking at me with that astonished and troubled face that vaguely reads, “HOLY SHIT, I actually MARRIED her”.

So I’ve upped my game and now realize that Christmas is just 5 weeks away, and therefore I’ve only got about 3 weeks left to sell books so that they arrive neatly in time for Christmas. To encourage nice early sales and not a last minute rush, I’m offering giftwrapped bundles of Vegie Smugglers 1 & 2 with free postage until December 16. So really, don’t put it off.

And by the way, should you be DYING to meet me and discuss the intricacies of your family’s food battles, I’ll be at the Sydney Northern Beaches Mumpreneur market THIS Sunday November 27 at the Parkway Hotel from 9-1. The market space isn’t especially flash, but I’ll be there with free biscuits and colouring in sheets and there’s a stack of other businesses that you can come and support too.

Then on Sunday December 4, I’ll be at the Dulwich Hill Fair, outside Gleebooks between 10.30-11. Now there’s nothing that makes me feel like more of a twit than being asked to sign a book, but apparently that’s what I’ll be doing should you want a pithy comment such as ‘happy smuggling’ in your lovely new bookstore copy of VS. More importantly I’m always keen to have a chat and hear about which recipes are working in YOUR household and what I can do to help you out more in the future (and you don’t have to buy anything – promise).

PHEW. And with public announcements over for the day, let’s revisit Christmas. Last year I thrilled you all with this paper snowflake pattern and AWESOME loo-roll Christmas fairy. I don’t know about you, but I’M reloading my printer paper cartridge in anticipation.

Now, how are you all going on gift buying? I need some advice please, I have a 12-year-old sports-mad niece, a 10-year-old creative nephew and a 10-year-old niece who likes dancing to buy gifts for and I have NO CLUE. Currently they seem to enjoy iPods, iPods and iPods. But surely some of you out there have kids of that demographic and can pass on some insider knowledge. Many thanks.

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All the way to the bottom of the jar

November 17, 2011 · Filed under All recipes, Chicken, Food experiences, Sweets & treats · Tagged chicken, ideas, recipe, treats

My fridge is brimming with marmalade. I already had two open jars of the stuff and then I made the microwave batch earlier this week.

Miss Fruitarian and I like a bit on toast at the weekends, but it’s safe to say that Mr Meat & Potatoes would rather coat his bread in vomit than eat citrus jam and my best friend is more likely to be caught dolloping peanut butter & strawberry jam on his toast. So even after gifting some, I have an oversupply.

Never defeated by ingredient overload, I’ve cooked up a couple of good things with it this week…

Simple enough for kids, yum enough for adults

Marmalade-baked chicken salad

Marinade
¼ cup marmalade
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp soy sauce
1 clove crushed garlic

500g chicken breasts (or tenders)

Dressing
3 tbsp grapeseed oil
3 tbsp mirin
2 tsp soy sauce
¼ tsp freshly grated ginger
Dash sesame oil.

Mix together the marmalade, mustard, soy sauce and garlic. Cut the chicken into tenderloin-sized pieces. Marinade for as long as you have (15 minutes – overnight).

Preheat the oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with foil or baking paper and a place a rack on top. (This tray will get messy covered with burnt marinade, so make sure there aren’t any tears in your paper).

Place chicken on the rack and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. It will turn a beautiful colour and the edges will just start to char.

Toss this in a salad of iceberg lettuce, orange segments, spring onions and a few fried noodles then coat with the combined dressing ingredients.

Just five ingredients between you and a biscuit. I'll go pop the kettle on...

Marmalade biscuits

These are a retro biscuit basic. Chewy and tangy, even Mr M&P is a fan. With only 5 ingredients, they’re great for the days when you feel like baking but are an ingredient short for every other recipe.

100g softened butter
½ cup sugar
1 egg
¾ cup marmalade
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until light and creamy (click here if you don’t know how to do that).

Add in the egg. Beat really well then also beat in the marmalade. Sift over the flour then carefully mix in. (I was lazy and used the beaters for this – works fine).

Dollop onto baking trays – allow for spreading. Bake 12 minutes or until slightly golden.

Makes 22 or so.
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But even after these, I have more than two jars of the stuff left in the fridge. Make sure you let me know of any other ways to use it up.

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Meringue-o-tangs (and other birthday party stuff)

September 19, 2011 · Filed under All recipes, Food experiences, Sweets & treats · Tagged celebrations, cooking techniques, family, ideas, kids, recipe

Yes, I know, the sheep has a moustache.

As if moving house and launching a new cookbook wasn’t enough, I’m rounding out my fortnight with Miss Fruitarian’s 7th birthday. With no chance of letting it slide by unnoticed (and fuelled on by guilt at moving the kids mid-term), I’ve had to bite the bullet and take on party hosting 2 weeks into a new home.

As regular readers will know, I love to try and keep party things pretty simple with small menus and a strict one-colour birthday cake policy. So you can image my horror when Miss F presented me with Annabel Karmel’s “My first cookbook” opened at farmyard cupcakes and an announcement that she’d happily forfeit a big cake in favour of these. Now I’m known to be generally undaunted by creative pursuits (being that I make a large proportion of my income as an illustrator) but even I was unprepared to take on the doggies, opting instead for these cute Betty Crocker chickens. They turned out well and the kids loved them.

Topping up the sugar, I also whipped up some swirly biscuits (also from Karmel’s book) and of course, a party isn’t a party without meringues. They cost bugger all to make, can be made a few days ahead and are SO pretty. Don’t be scared of them. Just remember – use eggs at room temperature, use a really clean (not plastic) bowl, NO YOLKS (not even a tiny bit), and cook without the fan-forced option.

So pretty! So cheap! So easy to make ahead!

These days I stick to a recipe from Stephanie Alexander’s bible, but increase the quantities a little.

Sue’s meringues (excuse my paraphrasing)

3 egg whites
¾ cup caster sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 150, line two trays with baking paper. Beat the whites until stiff peak stage (the mixture stays standing upright when you pull out the beaters). Add the sugar gradually. Add the vanilla. Beat until the mixture is no longer grainy (rub it between your fingers to test).

Dollop amounts onto trays (they don’t spread, so load them up). Bake for 45 minutes. Turn off the heat, open the oven door slightly and leave them to cool completely.

Makes 36.

It’s worth buying one of the disposable piping bags and having a go. It’s really fun, you get a fantastic result and feel just a bit uber-parent when looking at the final product.

Like rolling a turd in glitter, a piped meringue will mesmerise, regardless.

And am I cheating with this photo of them all sitting there perfect and… raw? Well yes, but with a new oven that I’m still getting to know, it was inevitable that I’d burn a few.

Never fear, even a failed meringue is delicious crunched through yoghurt and chopped fruit.
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For other party food, try…
Chocolate nipple cakes
Fuss-free party cakes and mud-bread
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Spring has sprung (time to get digging)

September 9, 2011 · Filed under News, Vegie smuggling techniques · Tagged gardening, ideas, vegetables

Happiness is... spring flowers of any kind.

From late August, much of Australia can cheer up considerably and return outdoors. I’ve written before about the benefits of growing stuff when it comes to educating your kids about where food comes from. And I’ve also admitted that I am possibly the crappiest of slap-dash gardeners, but this year I’m going to give it a super-good try. I’ve found some new, fantastic resources that I’m following. There’s Gardening4Kids which offers great activities (and a shop), The Little Veggie Patch Co has a stack of info too (plus a super cute logo). If you’re getting more technical and serious, then Sustainable Gardening Australia is another good resource.

Generally, I stick to basic herbs, beans and cherry tomatoes. I find I can manage them well. The kids can see results and enjoy picking and eating them straight from the vines. I’ve had some disheartening disasters with larger vegies, but I’m sure once I get settled in this new house I’ll be inspired to get digging. I’ve got my favourite gardening books on hand – Lolo Houbein’s ‘One Magic Square’ and Alan Buckinghan’s ‘Vegie Patch’. This second one in particular is a good beginner book, telling me exactly what to do each month of the year. His advice for late August/early September is promising – plant in some strawberries, peas, carrots and lettuces. I reckon I can manage that. How about you?

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Strange, funny & healthy: Find out what gets searched for on Vegie Smugglers

July 12, 2011 · Filed under All recipes, News · Tagged Chinese, craft, feeding the family, ideas, parenting, recipe, vegetables

The MOST searched for recipe - lentil sausage rolls...

With just over a year’s stats to trawl over, it seems like time for an EXPOSE (News of the World Style) of what does and doesn’t get searched for on the Vegie Smugglers blog.

Despite all the word combinations in the world, there are some definite patterns that emerge every week. Without fail, you are all trying to feed your kids sausage rolls, and preferably with lentils. You also like shepherd’s pie, lamb meatballs and recently there’s been a new wave of beetroot meatloaf fans. They are all great recipes – I hope you’re enjoying them!

...and the most downloaded craft worksheet...

Another search term that comes up regularly are ‘healthy worksheets’ and ‘kid’s shopping lists’ which link through to my visual shopping list. It is downloaded ALL THE TIME along with the plate worksheet. Other craft stuff that does well are the spaceship dashboard, the shoebox dollhouse and all of the loo-roll projects, in particular the snake and pirate Steve and wench Wendy. I promise to get back onto some more craft sheets soon.

...followed closely by pirate Steve and wench Wendy...

More bewildering was the search for ‘puff pastry toilet seat’, which I try not to ponder too long and since my post on wavy chips, I’ve gotten a few hits for ‘wiggly choppers’. You are a strange lot! More hilariously, I get a stack of hits from stoned teens in Mexico wondering how to ‘smuggle shrooms’ back over the US border. I adore the idea of them in their holiday accommodation trying to whip up my vegie slice. Let’s hope they include all of the grated vegetables.

...a dish favoured by stoned teens...

And the things that no one searches for that I wish they would? Well, the Ma Po Dofu probably doesn’t jump immediately to mind as a family classic, but if your kids like Asian flavours, I URGE you to try it. And the vegetable lasagne is truly tastier than any meat version you will try.

... and the dish that doesn't get searched (but really should)...

And what have been my most popular posts? Well, no matter how healthy we are, it seems we all love chocolate. You all visited the chocolate slice post last week, and similarly, the beetroot brownie last year was another crowd pleaser! Everything in moderation afterall!

..and there's always room for chocolate.

Thanks for all of your visits over the past year – and thanks to to my subscribers and those who join in both here and on Facebook. There’s a stack of new recipes around the corner as ‘Vegie Smugglers 2’ hits the streets and I’ll have a new batch of craft ideas too. Stay tuned.

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Lunchbox planner for term 3 – on sale NOW!

June 28, 2011 · Filed under All recipes, News, Vegie smuggling techniques · Tagged feeding the family, ideas, parenting, recipe, vegetables

As modern as tomorrow - I've got an E-book!

Dear fellow Smugglers…

There’s a new Vegie Smugglers product in the stable. My first e-book – and it’s a cracker! Welcome to ‘Lunchbox Inspiration for Term 3’, designed to ease the grind of the daily lunchbox routine and keep you inspired throughout next term.

Knowing myself the time constraints and drudgery of lunch preparation, I’ve aimed to provide easy ideas and recipes that will actually be do-able in your household, with the limited time that you have. Rather than asking too much of mums already bogged down in the zillion things that we do, I’ve gone for seasonal and simple.

The e-book is 25 pages, with a recipe a week. It’s deliberately quick and easy and designed to give a bit of variety without too much effort. Even better, some weeks you can make double batches and you’ve got dinner under control too.

I've tried to do the thinking FOR you!

Each week there’s also a lunch plan, with a shopping list and tips to help out too! So much! And only $4.95!

The file itself is 4.8mb and is delivered to you via email within 8 hours of your purchase.

The Vegie Smugglers business is a tiny one, with fabulous plans that can only eventuate with continued sales and support. Now you all know I’m not greedy – I give away most of my recipes for free, so if you enjoy the freebies, maybe take the time to also enjoy my paid products too.

You can view a sample here, or just go along and buy here.

I’m really proud of it and hope that you all enjoy it too.

thanks so much,
Wendy

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Ahoy me hearties!

March 31, 2011 · Filed under Craft for non-crafty parents · Tagged craft, ideas, kids, parenting

toilet paper roll craft pirate and wench

Don't ask why, just accept what is.

Regular readers will know that I need little encouragement to indulge my love of craft with toilet paper rolls. There’s been Gary & Ivana, The Christmas Fairy and Scary Snake, all within a few months. And all it took was ONE comment from Laura requesting MORE and voila, here you have Swashbuckling Steve & Wench Wendy.

Steve is your regular sort of pirate guy, a lover of the high seas, wild adventure and wilder women. Wendy is your typical sort of a wench and offers Steve the regular wenchly things (I’ll leave the rest up to your imagination).

Click to start your high-seas adventure.

As you construct these (with or without your kiddies), don’t forget to soundtrack your life. There’s an eclectic list of pirate song suggestions here. Don’t forget the more traditional song lyrics and I DARE you to not play this and have a bit of a smile and a jig! But for me, the best pirate song is Dreadzone’s dub-meets-sea shantie, Captain Dread.

While you’re at it, don’t forget Talk Like a Pirate Day. You can visit their official website here, which has a handy countdown underway (172 days, 04:08:32 when I looked). And isn’t the internet a fantastic place. Where else could Rob Ossian’s Pirate Cove exist? It covers all things pirate, including a ‘complete list of every pirate movie ever made’.

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Like this project? You can find it, along with 39 other boredom busters in the ‘Craft for non-crafty Parents’ e-book. There’s a stack of silly fun stuff, projects that encourage healthy eating and a bunch of worksheets covering preschool education and school readiness. Email me (vegiesmugglers@gmail.com) if you’re interested in grabbing a copy (I no longer run an online store, but I still do private sales!).

128 pages, 40 projects, 85 pages of printables…

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You look like a monkey (or Rembrandt)…

March 25, 2011 · Filed under Craft for non-crafty parents · Tagged craft, ideas, parenting

Next step, the Archibald Prize!

In the footsteps of Dutch painter Rembrandt, we’re heading for the world of High Art (note capital H & A) this week.

Sit the (clothed) kiddies down in front of a mirror and get them to draw what they see, and create their first self-portrait. I’ve made it super easy with my Self-Portrait template, which already has the skull drawn and guides for where the eyes and mouth might go. Kids can add all the fun bits – eyes, hair, mouths and tongues. If you’re having an uber-parent day, you can go crazy with glue and wool for hair (or spiral pasta for curly-haired offspring).

Or leave the kids to it, sneak off for a sit-down, and see what they can come up to all by themselves…

Fuss-free kids parties and macho fairy bread

March 7, 2011 · Filed under Food experiences, Sweets & treats · Tagged celebrations, ideas, parenting

Mr Meat & Potatoes has turned 4.

The festival of him was at the end of a long week and celebrations needed to be simple.

Luckily 4 year old boys are awesome party guests, since they think everything is AWESOME. ‘Cooooooooooolllllll, buzz lightyear’. ‘wwwoooooooooowwwwwwwww smarties’. ‘aaaawwwwwwwhhhhhhh, cake’. Generally they just jump around talking gibberish to each other and playing ‘Ben 10’ (slapping your wrist, making noises and charging off to fight aliens).

I kept the food simple. A massive fruit platter, sausage rolls, cheezels (essential), a bowl of smarties, and a machismo fairy bread. Being that I couldn’t be bothered making chocolate crackles, I just added nutella to the fairy bread, renamed it ‘mud bread’ and the boys were happy.

Strictly adhering to my one-colour cake policy

Rarely do I bother making a cake from scratch for kids parties. Why would I? Nope, a packet cake was the main attraction, with my foolproof, one-icing, one-colour decorating policy. This year (as you can see) it was red, with the fudge-icing-pen drawn web and a spiderman candle. Done in 15 minutes. AWESOME. Last year it was black, which was drab until we popped Lightening McQueen on top and then we had an AWESOME edible tyre.

For the girls, make it a pretty pastel green, sprinkle over flower shaped sprinkles and pop some cute plastic kittens on top. Done. Fancy cakes are well and good for the first couple of birthdays, but geez they come around often and while we all own a copy of The Women’s Weekly Kid’s Birthday Cakes cookbook, I’ve yet to find one you can knock off in less than 2 hours.

Just add Blu-tack...

And games? Well, of course we had pass the parcel. Gotta have that. And I was keen for pin the tail on the donkey, but not organised enough to buy one. But I did have some AWESOME oversized life-like bugs. A bit of Blu-tack, a pen and A3 piece of paper and we had instant pin-the-bug-on-the-boy. And then the AWESOME little dudes got to take bugs home to terrorise their parents with.

...for instant 'pin the bug on the boy' fun

Awesome time, everyone, thanks for coming. Happy Birthday to my little man.

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What the kids eat in… Mexico (part 2)

February 17, 2011 · Filed under All recipes, Food experiences, Vegetarian, Vegie smuggling techniques, What the kids eat in... · Tagged cooking techniques, dinner, feeding the family, ideas, recipe, vegetables

Recently we were having all sorts of discussions about quick summer dinners and the challenges of vegie smuggling in salads. Hiding vegies in salads is much harder and these dishes are best for kids further along on the smuggling scale (ie, they’ll tackle vaguely identifiable stuff).

If you’re lucky enough to have herbivorous kids like that, then you’ve got a great range of tasty dishes awaiting you. Including these Mexican-inspired side dishes. They’re perfect in tortillas (jumbled together, with or without some grilled chicken or fish) or dollop small amounts on crackers for pre-dinner snacks. They’re even good on burgers and on top of hotdogs.

Adults can top theirs with some pickled jalapenos or fresh chilli and before you know it, dinner is served. Quickly, freshly and packed full of nutrition.

I’m giving you my guacamole recipe here. For the salsa and mexi-beans recipes…. well you’ll find them on page 121 of the cookbook.

Margaritas, sombreros and a bit of goodness on the side

Guacamole

1 avocado, peeled, diced
2 spring onions, finely diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 garlic clove, crushed (optional, but recommended)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander (optional)
Salt & pepper

Combine everything in a small bowl. Season to taste.