The Simple Good Life » » the kiddos

pizza project with kids

mysimplegoodlife — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:34:56 +0000

pizza project with kids

Here’s a fun cooking project with your little ones where they can practice counting while getting their hands dirty! Plus they’ll be excited to see, and taste, the end result since they made it from scratch! Have fun and enjoy!

Author: the simple good life

Ingredients

¾ cup warm water
1 TBSP Active Dry Yeast (1pkg)
1 TSP. Sugar
1 ½ Cups Flour
¼ TSP. Salt
1 TBSP. Yellow Cornmeal
1 TBSP. Olive Oil
Cornmeal to sprinkle

Instructions

Preheat over to 450 degrees. Lightly oil a 12” (30 cm) pizza pan. In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast and sugar together. Let sit until yeast activates, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, stir together flour, salt and cornmeal. Add yeast mixture, and olive oil, and knead to smooth dough, about 10 minutes. While kneading, it’s a great time to practice your numbers with your little ones! We practiced counting to 100 three times counting each knead. Once the dough is smooth, sprinkle a work surface with cornmeal and roll dough into a 13” (33 cm) circle and place on pizza pan. Add your little ones favorite toppings and bake for 10-15 minutes. Makes 1, 12” pizza.
Since my little ones frown on veggies, the toppings I used for this pizza were: fresh pizza sauce, trader joe’s giotto’s quattro formaggia cheese, and fresh basil. The perfect pizza margarita!
FYI: Learn from my mistake. Don’t put the fresh basil on until about the last three minutes. Otherwise it will leave it looking like the photo above. Still good, just not too photogenic.

diy easter baskets

mysimplegoodlife — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:50:05 +0000

diy easter baskets
Currently I have a love/hate relationship with my hot glue gun. After putting these together last night, I have about three small battle wounds on my hand and fingers. But, with that said, it was totally worth it! Here are two ideas for easy, and cheap, custom Easter basket. All you need is time and a few supplies.

supplies
basket (You can get at almost any craft/supply store and you don’t need the most expensive. Mine were $6.95. I found them at my Floral Supply Store)
ribbon (You can get at any craft/supply store. I used Jute, plain white, black and white dotted, and pink ribbon. I found them at Michaels)
glue gun (be careful)
buttons & letters if desired (You can get at any craft/supply store. I found mine at Michaels)

options one (Madeline’s basket): First I found the circumference of the basket where the ribbon would wrap around the easiest, and then glued the ribbon to the basket, generously spreading the glue onto the ribbon. Once the ribbon is all the way around the basket, finish off the end piece by folding a nice crease and glue down. Then take your next ribbon (if you would like one to go in the middle of the current ribbon) and repeat the same steps as you did with the previous ribbon. Next, take your letters and evenly space them on the front of the basket, either spelling your little ones name, initials, etc. (note: I was a little off on one side, so I added an extra button to even out the spacing. Just work with what you have to make it look nice). Next, on the top rim of the basket, I wrapped Jute tightly around to make it so Madeline had a nice soft area to hold the basket from. To finish, just tie your ribbon into a nice bow in the middle of the top rim and you’re done!

option two (Caleb’s basket):
First I found the circumference of the basket where the ribbon would wrap around the easiest, and then glued the ribbon to the basket, generously spreading the glue onto the ribbon. Once the ribbon is all the way around the basket, finish off the end piece by folding a nice crease and glue down. Next, take your other ribbon (if you would like one to go in the middle of the current ribbon) and repeat the same steps as you did with the previous ribbon (note: originally I used the first initial of Caleb’s name, but found it to be a little too plain. So, I changed it by spelling out his entire name. Just fool around with it, and again go with what you like best). Next, on the top rim of the basket, I wrapped Jute around tightly to make it so Caleb had a nice soft area to hold the basket from. Then, you’re done and ready for the Easter Egg Hunt! Have fun!

homemade bagels

mysimplegoodlife — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:34:05 +0000

homemade bagels

A perfect additional to your Easter Brunch! The kids will get a kick out of the different shapes and colors. Again, very easy and delicious. Enjoy!

Author: the simple good life

Ingredients

4 ¼ to 4 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 ½ cups warm water (120-130 degrees)
¼ cup sugar
cream cheese
food coloring

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of the flour and the yeast. Add the warm water, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt to the dry mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6-8 minutes). Grease baking sheet.
Work quickly; and divide dough into 4 sections. Roll one section at a time onto a lightly floured work area. Next, use your favorite Easter cookie cutters to cut the dough, and place cutouts onto a well greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. (Start timing after the first bagel is shaped.)
Broil bagels 5 inches from heat for 3-4 minutes, turning once (watch carefully so the tops don’t start to brown). Meanwhile, in a deep 12-inch skillet or large pot, bring 6 cups of water and the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer broiled bagels, uncovered, 4-5 at a time, for 7 minutes, turning once. Drain on a paper towel. Place drained bagels onto a well greased baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
To make the colored cream cheese, just add a couple of drops of your desired food coloring to your bowl of cream cheese, adding possibly more drops or cream cheese to reach your ideal color. Next, slice bagels in half, and spread cream cheese evenly throughout the bagel. Either display open faced or closed as a bagel sandwich. There you have your fun Easter Bagels that the kids will love. Happy Easter and enjoy!

grandma woodward’s chocolate cupcakes

mysimplegoodlife — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:29:13 +0000

grandma woodward’s chocolate cupcakes

My great grandma must have been one to really enjoy rich, rich chocolate! This recipe came from my grandpa’s mom and has been carried down through our family year after year. While growing-up, I would always celebrate each birthday with the family famous cupcakes or cake, and now, with my little ones not complaining, I have instilled the tradition in my own family. These cupcakes bring back so many sweet memories throughout my life. So, if you need a tradition to bring to your family, and love chocolate, I assure you that you’ll be satisfied with these little goodies. Give them a try and enjoy!

Author: the simple good life

Ingredients

to make the cupcakes:
2 cups sugar
½ cup butter
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 cups flour
3 tablespoons chocolate coco (Hershey)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup hot water
Cream the sugar, butter, eggs, and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, coco, and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the wet mix and combine until smooth. Then add the vanilla and water.
Place about ¼ cup of the mix into your desired muffin holders (I got mine at Target but you can also checkout Country Kitchen Sweetart). Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.
to make the icing:
3 oz baking chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
2 ¾ powered sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons half/half

Instructions

Melt in a small saucepan baking chocolate and butter. Add powdered sugar, salt and vanilla. Then add the half/half until you reach a semi-thick liquid. Then frost the cupcakes.
hint: this frosting hardened at a rapid rate, so I would recommend leaving it in the pan over low heat to make it easier to work with.

brown butter chocolate chip cookies

mysimplegoodlife — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 17:23:12 +0000

brown butter chocolate chip cookies

You’ll give classic chocolate-chip cookies a delightful tweak by browning the butter for the dough to add a hint of nuttiness. The dough will need to sit overnight in the refrigerator, so plan accordingly.

Author: the simple good life

Ingredients

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 ¼ cups of all-purpose four
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, cook butter over moderate heat until it is browned and nutty-smelling, about 5 minutes. Transfer the butter to a small bowl and let it cook to room temperature.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the browned butter with the granulated and light brown sugars at medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl halfway through, about 7 minutes. Beat in the whole egg, egg yolk, milk and vanilla. At low speed, beat in the dry ingredients, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix in the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the over to 375 degrees. Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop ¼-cup mounds of cookie dough onto each baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time for about 18 minutes, until the cookies are just firm and golden brown on the bottom. Transfer the sheet to a rack to cool. Repeat to bake the remaining cookies. Serve cookies warm or at room temperature.

Notes

If you want to make ahead, the cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for up to a month.

homemade soft pretzels

mysimplegoodlife — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 19:25:47 +0000

homemade soft pretzels

Save money but spare a little time before game day and you’ll be enjoying these delicious Whole Foods Market Pretzels without spending $5 on each one at the ballpark. They’re a little time consuming but definitely work the effort. Give them a try and enjoy.

Author: the simple good life

Ingredients

1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
½ teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons barley malt syrup
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon fine salt
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon milk
Coarse salt

Instructions

Put yeast, sugar and 1 cup warm (about 110°F) water into a large bowl, stir gently and set aside to let rest until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of the barley malt syrup, 1 cup of the whole wheat flour, fine salt and oil and stir until mixture resembles pancake batter. Add remaining 1 cup whole wheat flour and ¼ cup water and beat until smooth. Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour, 1 cup at a time, kneading until smooth. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Transfer dough to a clean large bowl, cover with oiled plastic wrap and set aside to let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place rack in upper third of oven. Grease a large baking sheet; set aside. Put 1 quart water, baking soda and remaining 2 tablespoons barley malt into a large pot and bring almost to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until ready to use, making sure to stir it often. Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into 20 pieces and cover with a floured cloth to keep them from drying out. Working with one piece, use the palms of your hands to roll dough into a rope about 18 inches long, then form into a pretzel. (Holding each end with one of your hands, lay the middle point of the rope onto a floured surface, cross the two ends and spiral them, forming a heart, then lay down the ends to complete the pretzel’s shape.) Ease the pretzel into the simmering water mixture and poach it for about 30 seconds per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pretzel to a dry towel, pat gently, then transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining dough. Whisk together egg and milk in a medium bowl. When all pretzels are formed, brush them with the egg mixture and sprinkle all over with coarse salt. Bake until golden brown, 13 to 15 minutes.

simple egg treats

mysimplegoodlife — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 19:19:58 +0000

my little ones and I made these treats yesterday while it was raining. yes, they are just rice krispies treats but added with a little cuteness. enjoy!

to make:
make your standard Rice Krispies Treats
Once marshmallows are melted just add a couple of drops of your desired food coloring then stir in the rice krispies. Once the mix is cool enough to handle, use your hands to flatten out the mix. Next, use your favorite cookie cutter and let cool. Lastly, sit down, relax, and enjoy your yummy treats.