Food & Recipes

Mother's Day Dishes Little Hands Can Make

I consider myself to be "in the trenches of motherhood" because I am a working mother with two darling daughters. I know how tiring it is to have to think about what to cook for the family -- morning, noon and night.

On Mother's Day, what is it that most mothers do not want to do? Cook and clean. So, for one glorious day a year, moms, let your family do the cooking.

This special Mother's Day treat needn't ruin your diet, either. Here are some recipes your kids can cook that will fit into your eating plan -- and will be tons of fun for them to make, too!

I Love You Toast

Celebrate Mother's Day starting with breakfast!

4 pieces of bread (100% whole wheat or Iron Kids Bread)
1/4 cup light cream cheese
About 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup light strawberry or raspberry jam

1. Toast bread slices to desired doneness. (Young kids will need a grown-up to watch the toaster.)
2. Spread about 1 tablespoon of light cream cheese over the entire top of each piece of toast using a plastic knife.
3. Make a heart in the center of the toast, using about 1/8 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries for the outside of the heart, on each piece of toast.
4. Spoon jam into the middle of the heart (about 1 tablespoon per toast).

Makes 4 servings

Per toast: 162 calories, 5 g protein, 27.5 g carbohydrate, 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 7.5 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 253 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 22 percent.

Funny Face Omelet

All kids love to crack eggs, and that's just the beginning. While the bottom cooks, your child uses assorted toppings to make a face on the top of the omelet. What mom could resist a mini-omelet with a funny face?

1 egg
1/2 tablespoon water
Canola cooking spray
1/8 cup shredded, reduced-fat cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Possible toppings:
- Reduced-fat pepperoni slices
- Lean ham slices
- Zucchini slices
- Tomato slices
- Green pepper slices
- Sliced olives
- Avocado slices

1. Cut your toppings into different shapes using a plastic knife, and put them in a shallow bowl or plate. The cut shapes will be used later to make eyes, eyebrows, a nose, and a mouth.
2. Crack the egg into a medium bowl. Add 1/2 tablespoon water and blend well with a whisk or fork.
3. An adult can begin heating a small, 8-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-low heat. After 2 minutes of warming, coat the bottom of the pan with canola cooking spray.
4. Pour the beaten egg into the frying pan, set the timer to 1 minute and 30 seconds, and cover the pan. After the timer goes off, remove the lid. If the top looks cooked, an adult can slide the omelet from the pan onto a microwave-safe plate.
5. Use the different-shaped toppings to make eyes, eyebrows, a nose, and a mouth on the top side of the omelet. Use grated cheese to add hair around the edge of the face. Microwave on HIGH 30-60 seconds to heat the meat and vegetables and melt the cheese (if desired).