Summer Squash Emmentaler

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 5 Tbs olive oil, divided 
• 1⁄2 yellow onion, diced 
• 1 large yellow squash, finely diced 
• 1 large zucchini, finely diced 
• 1⁄2 cup pesto, jarred or homemade 
• Salt and pepper, to taste 
• 12 baguette slices, diagonally sliced into 1⁄4 inch pieces
• 6-oz. Emmentaler, thinly sliced to match size of baguette pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large non-stick skillet, warm 3 Tbs olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
3. Add squash and zucchini to skillet and cook for additional 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are slightly tender. Turn off heat and stir in pesto.
4. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
5. On large baking sheet, evenly arrange baguette slices. Brush tops of slices with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
6. Place baking sheet in oven for 6-8 minutes, or until slices begin to look golden. Remove from oven. Evenly spoon pesto mixture over baguette slices. Evenly distribute sliced Emmentaler on top of each crostini.
7. Return baking sheet to oven and bake for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Product Round-Up

We’re bringing you some of our favorite pasta products and recipes on this lovely Wednesday morning with a product round-up! Check out some of our past product reviews and other recommendations of our favorites for some inspiration for your next family pasta night.

Pastas

These days, there’s so many options out there when it comes to pasta, and we love that there’s truly something for everyone. Here are some of our favorites, ranging from gluten-free to veggie-based pastas!

1. Banza Chickpea Pasta: Chickpeas give this pasta a ton of protein and fiber!
2. Tolerant Food Organic Red Lentil Pasta: Made from red lentils, this 100% plant-based option provides extra protein and fiber!
3. Veggiecraft Farms veggie-based pasta: We love the cauliflower in this pasta and all the vitamins and nutrients it provides!
4. Explore Cuisine pasta: Choose from their red and green lentil pastas, chickpea pasta, and even black bean or edamame pastas!
5. Cappello’s Pasta: Made from almond flour! This pasta is paleo, grain-free, and made with just a few simple ingredients.
6. Lotus Foods: Check out their wide variety of organic rice and rice noodles!
7. Barilla pasta: A classic wheat-based pasta that comes in a variety of shapes for all of your favorite, different pasta dishes!

Sauces

Alright, so you’ve got your pasta, now you need your sauce! We’ve got a couple great options we want to share with you.

1. The Vine Marinara Sauce: An all-natural sauce with just a few ingredients!
2. Otamot pasta sauce: Made with ten organic vegetables and no added sugar.
3. Rao’s pasta sauces: A variety of pasta sauces that taste homemade! There’s a flavor for everyone in the family!
4. Pomi tomato products: Serving up every tomato product you could need, from sauces to tomato paste to chopped tomatoes, Pomi is your one-stop shop for everything you need for your next pasta night.
5. Uncle Steve’s sauces: This organic line of tomato sauce provides a versatile, classic taste and is made from all-natural ingredients, including tomatoes imported from Italy!
6. Due Cellucci sauces: These all-natural sauces are handmade in small-batches to give you a classic homemade taste! Every purchase gives back to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Extras

Here are a couple of fun products and pasta-related things that we just love!

1. Vintage Italia Pasta Chips: With several yummy Italian flavors, these are perfect to eat with your favorite dip or spread, or even just straight from the bag!
2. Crush Cube: These pre-portioned cubes of seasonings and sauces will add a pop of flavor to your favorite pasta dish.
3. Il Parodi chocolate hazelnut spread: This authentic spread is made from handpicked Ligurian hazelnuts; it’s gluten-free and made without any preservatives!
4. Buon’Italia: A gourmet Italian grocery store offering authentic, high-quality Italian foods and products, located in Chelsea Market in Manhattan.
5. Handstand Kids Italian Cookbook: This book (packaged in a pizza box!) teaches young chefs about Italian food and introduces them to delicious, healthful recipes. Utensils and ingredients are translated into Italian so you can follow along as you cook!
6. Strega Nona: This beloved, classic story is now available in a board book!

Recipes:

Looking for some new pasta recipes to add some variety to your family’s meals? These are some of our favorites!

1. Cooking Light’s Mostly Veggie Pasta with Sausage: Colorful vegetables, tomato paste, and your favorite sausage make for a delicious dish!
2. Cooking Light’s Tortellini, Chicken, and Arugula Salad: This hearty pasta salad comes together in no time at all by making the dressing and pasta ahead of time!
3. Cooking Light’s Mac and Cheeseburger pasta: This twist on a classic uses ground beef and fire roasted tomatoes for a boost of protein AND flavor!

Do you have any favorite pasta products or recipes? Let us know over on Instagram!

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Boost your family’s brain power with this chia and blueberry-packed breakfast recipe! These pancakes serve up antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, iron, and calcium to help fuel your family’s day. And take a peek into The Creative Kitchen Founder Cricket Azima’s kitchen below and follow along!

Brainy Breakfast Pancakes

1. Mix up a batch of your favorite pancake mix according to package directions*

2. Stir in two mashed, overripe bananas.

3. Add 1/2 cup chia seeds.

4. Add one pint of blueberries.

5. Cook according to package directions**

*Cricket likes to make a double batch and freeze half of the cooked pancakes to enjoy on mornings when she’s too tired or doesn’t have the time to cook.
**Cricket sometimes bakes the pancakes on sheet trays in effort to cook a large batch at once.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Here at The Creative Kitchen, we jump at any chance we get to use all-natural ingredients versus ones that are artificial. That’s why we’re so excited to share Color Garden All-Natural Food Coloring with you! These are 100% plant-based food colors that can be added to frosting to make your baked goods (and other recipes) more colorful – and with a healthful twist. Say goodbye to artificial flavors and ingredients and say hello to this all-natural option that you and your kids will love using in fun ways!

We are excited to have Color Garden sponsor our Whole Foods cooking classes next week, beginning 12/16! Check out our schedule here.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I like to color our frosting with these colors!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I am so happy I found Color Garden All-Natural Food Coloring! My family does a lot of baking and I prefer to use all-natural ingredients when possible, but there’s not a lot of all-natural food coloring out there. Since these packets are single use, I know that what’s left on my shelf is unopened, and safe to use for up to on year. An added bonus is that this food coloring is 100% plant-based, so it doesn’t bother my child who’s sensitive to chemical food dyes. 

The Icing on the Cake:

Color Garden All-Natural Food Coloring comes in single-use packs to ensure ultimate freshness. Each packet is made to be used for one pound of icing, all at once. That way, you know that what’s left on your shelf is unopened and fresh (up to one year)! 

Time to Eat?!

Anytime you need to add some color to your favorite baked goods, choose Color Garden All-Natural Food Coloring! You could even add it to pancakes or waffles in the morning! Why not?

Mix it Up!

Try using this food coloring to make rainbow ice cubes! You can also visit the Color Garden website for some fun and healthful recipes!

www.colorgarden.net/home

www.facebook.com/colorgardendyes

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Here at The Creative Kitchen, we understand how difficult it can be to find the right products for children with sensitive stomachs. Luckily, our friends at Kabrita USA also understand this struggle and have created a goat’s milk formula known for its easy digestive properties. Those who have trouble digesting cow’s milk will love this delicious alternative – no more upset tummies! Wondering why goat’s milk is so much easier to digest than cow’s milk? It has to do with the amount of short- and medium-chain fatty acids in the milk fat (goat’s milk has more than cow’s milk!), and the protein in goat’s milk forms a smaller curd in your stomach, which is naturally easier to digest than cow’s milk protein. And even better, Kabrita uses high-quality goat’s milk made without antibiotics, growth hormones, or pesticides! Your kids will love the smooth, sweet taste, and

The Creative Kitchen is excited to feature Kabrita Goat Milk Formulas in our Whole Foods Market cooking class on Wednesday, February 13th! Learn more at www.thecreativekitchen.com/calendar.

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Kabrita has been a game-changer for our family since we first discovered it. My daughter was experiencing a number of uncomfortable side effects from our usual cow’s milk formula, but fortunately all of them disappeared once we switched to Kabrita’s goat’s milk formula, and her little digestive system has been happy and healthy ever since. Not only does this formula not bother her stomach, but it’s also non-GMO and made without antibiotics or pesticides, which makes me feel good! She loves the taste of it too; it’s a win-win for our whole family!

Flavorful Features:

Kabrita has a mild, sweet and fresh taste; making it great to enjoy on its own, or as a cow milk replacement in your favorite dips and desserts!

The Icing on the Cake:

Kabrita products have many wonderful qualities:

• Non-GMO
• 5 grams of protein per cup (8 oz.)
• Naturally fortified with 22 vitamins and minerals including Vitamin D, B12, iron, and folic acid
• Free from growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, and heavy metals
• Certified glyphosate pesticide free

*This product is NOT appropriate for children with a confirmed cow milk protein allergy*

Time to Eat?!

Kabrita goat’s milk formula is a great substitute for any time you would use cow’s milk!

www.kabritausa.com

www.kabritausa.com/product-category/formula

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Are you looking for a cheesy, crunchy, not-full-of-terrible-ingredients snack that you and your kids enjoy? Introducing Snikiddy Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs! This simple yet DELICIOUS snack is certified gluten-free and USDA organic, nut-free, non-GMO, vegetarian, and has no hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup! Did we mention how cheesy and delicious these puffs are? With a minimal, wholesome ingredient list and mouthwatering taste, these Snikiddy Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs are sure to become a family favorite!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

I love mac and cheese! These puffs are crunchy and yummy!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

My family loves to snack. I try to keep healthful products in the house, but it’s sometimes hard to find great-tasting products that have wholesome ingredients. I found Snikiddy’s Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs and instantly fell in love! They are delicious, my kids love them, and I love the ingredient list. The individual snack pack bags are perfect to throw in my kids’ lunchboxes and backpacks, or to take with us in the car on road trips! I love the organic ingredients and my kids love the taste; it’s a win-win!

Flavorful Features:

Snikiddy also makes Grilled Cheese Baked Puffs, as well as three different flavors or Baked Fries: Cheddar, Bold Buffalo, and Hot & Spicy.

The Icing on the Cake:

Snikiddy focuses on using wholesome ingredients and bold flavors in their products. There’s no hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup, and they’re certified gluten-free, USDA organic, nut-free, and non-GMO. Their Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs are a delicious and healthful choice for a snack for your family!

Time to Eat?!

Snikiddy Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs are a delectable addition to kids’ lunches, and a yummy after-school snack!

Good to Go?

The 0.75 oz snack pack bags are great for an easy addition to lunchboxes and backpacks, even purses for on-the-go snacking whenever you need it!

Mix it Up!

Try crushing up these Mac and Cheese Baked Puffs and adding to your breadcrumb mixture the next time you make chicken! Instant cheesy deliciousness!

www.snikiddy.com

www.facebook.com/Snikiddy/

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Now that we’re in the full swing of summertime, we are stocking up on materials to make s’mores, a classic summer favorite! And now, with the help of Dandies Marshmallows, your kids can enjoy a better-for-you treat that still tastes like a classic, fluffy marshmallow. Not only are these marshmallows made with natural ingredients, but they’re free of high fructose corn syrup and gelatin, making them a delicious, vegan option for everyone. By choosing to use Dandies in your summer s’mores and other favorite recipes, you’re choosing a product that you can feel good about feeding to your kids!

The Creative Kitchen is happy to have Dandies as a sponsor for our Whole Foods Market Summer Cooking Camps! Come try Dandies Marshmallows for yourself at next week’s classes! Learn more at www.thecreativekitchen.com/calendar.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

These marshmallows are fun to squish and eat!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Dandies really makes the perfect marshmallow for my kids because I like giving them all-natural foods with more health-conscious ingredients. My kids can still have fun and enjoy s’mores, and I can rest assured they are still eating in a wholesome fashion!

Flavorful Features:

Dandies Marshmallows come delicious flavors such as Vanilla, Mini Vanilla, Pumpkin, and Peppermint.

The Icing on the Cake:

Dandies Marshmallows are made with all-natural ingredients. They are free of gelatin (which makes them 100% vegan), the most common allergens (peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat, fish, shellfish, and corn), gluten, and corn syrup! Dandies are also made in a vegan facility.

Time to Eat?!

These marshmallows are great as a little sweet treat whenever the kid’s sweet tooths are acting up! One or two is just enough!

Mix it Up!

For more ways to eat Dandies marshmallows, visit the Dandies website and click on their recipes page. Check out their recipe for Deluxe S’more Crispy Treats – a yummy summer treat to make with the kids!

www.dandiesmarshmallows.com

https://www.facebook.com/MyDandies?fref=ts

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Light, flaky wafers layered with smooth, cream filling and Italian hazelnuts…our mouths are watering just thinking about these Hazelnut Quadratini from 2018 Kids Food Festival Official Sponsor Loacker! Loacker exclusively uses Italian hazelnuts to deliver top-notch flavor; and we can’t get enough of it! Loacker uses a gentle roasting process for their hazelnuts that gives a unique (and delectable!) flavor. This sweet treat is the perfect balance of light, crispy wafers and rich creamy chocolate filling that the whole family will love. And, the bite sized treats are perfect not only for kids, but also for being mindful of portions.

From the Mouth of a Kid:

These cookies are my favorite! I love how tiny and cute they are!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I love when I find snacks for my family that are made with high-quality ingredients and just taste great. These Loacker Hazelnut Quadratini fit the bill for my family – they’re perfect for little fingers, and aren’t overly sweet. My husband and I adore them too! The small-sized bags are great to throw in my bag for an afternoon outing – or for the kids to to share for a treat after an afternoon of sports.  

Flavorful Features:

Loacker Quadratini come in a variety of yummy flavors, one for every palate in your family:

• Chocolate
• Dark Chocolate
• Vanilla
• Lemon
• Coconut
• Cappuccino
• Tiramisu
• Espresso
• Raspberry Yogurt
• Blueberry Yogurt
• Cocoa & Milk

The Icing on the Cake:

Loacker uses premium ingredients to create a perfect treat for you and your family: non-hydrogenated coconut oil, chocolate made from classic raw ingredients, and there’s no colorings or preservatives!

Time to Eat?!

Loacker Hazelnut Quadratini are perfect for a light dessert or sweet treat whenever you’re craving something rich but not too heavy.

Good to Go?

Pop the small back of Loacker Quadratini into a lunchbox, backpack, or purse for any-time snacking on the go!

Mix it Up!

Crush these up to use as your next pie crust! Or, swap out lady fingers for Loacker Quadratini when you make Tiramisu!

www.loackerusa.com

https://www.facebook.com/LoackerUSA/?brand_redir=1629950640649664

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Looking for a non-dairy milk that’s nut and soy free AND has added nutrients? Look no further than this Original Flaxmilk from 2018 Kids Food Festival Goody Bag Sponsor Good Karma! Free of dairy, lactose, and other common allergens, this is a delicious (and nutritious) alternative to dairy milk. Per serving, it provides 1,200 mg of Omega-3s, which is an essential fatty acid that our bodies can’t produce, but is crucial to our overall health . The most commonly known benefits of omega-3 are reduced risk of heart disease, as well as fetal development, retinal function, weight management, and it’s great for a healthy brain, too! Good Karma was built on a passion for a healthy lifestyle, and its founders have been working towards goodness ever since!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

Mmmmmm it’s so creamy! It tastes like a milkshake!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

I love giving my kids Good Karma Original Flaxmilk whenever they want a sweet treat – the chocolate and vanilla flavors are so decadent! It’s so creamy and delicious, and I love that it’s nut-free, soy-free and has Omega-3s in it. I recommend this flaxmilk to my friends and family members with dairy sensitivities – it’s just as delicious, but with more nutrients and none of the common allergens!

Flavorful Features:

Good Karma’s Flaxmilk comes in a variety of other flavors:

• Unsweetened
• Vanilla
• Unsweetened + Protein
• Unsweetened Vanilla + Protein
• Chocolate

The Icing on the Cake:

Good Karma’s Original Flaxmilk is free of dairy, lactose, nuts, soy, gluten AND has as much Calcium and Vitamin D as dairy milk. Per serving, it provides 1,200 mg of Omega-3s, which is an essential fatty acid that our bodies can’t produce, but is crucial to our overall health. The most commonly known benefits of omega-3 are reduced risk of heart disease, fetal development, retinal function, and weight management, to name a few. 

Time to Eat?!

Good Karma’s Original Flaxmilk is a delectable alternative to dairy milk in your cereal, coffee, or just by itself whenever you or your kids want a creamy treat!

Mix it Up!

Try using Good Karma Original Flaxmilk in recipes that call for dairy milk, you won’t be disappointed with the delicious results!

www.goodkarmafoods.com

https://www.facebook.com/goodkarmafoods

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Whether you’re sensitive or allergic to gluten, or simply trying out a new way of eating, this Gluten-Free Multipurpose Flour from 2018 Kids Food Festival Supporting Sponsor Cup4Cup makes it easy (and delicious) to bake without gluten! You can substitute this flour cup for cup for whatever kind of flour your recipes call for…how easy is that? Cup4Cup gluten-free flour delivers exceptional taste and texture, and lets you and your family enjoy the foods you’ve always loved…but gluten-free!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

Yummy! Now Mommy can make me cookies, just like my brother and sister!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

Having a child who can’t consume gluten was so hard until I discovered Cup4Cup’s gluten-free flour. You can hardly taste the difference between their flour and all-purpose flour! Now I can bake cookies, cakes, pancakes, and more, while still maintaining the taste and texture of these foods made with all-purpose flour. This brand has been an absolute lifesaver for my family!

Flavorful Features:

Cup4Cup also makes a Gluten-Free Wholesome Flour, along with a number of baking mixes!

The Icing on the Cake:

Cup4Cup’s Gluten-Free Multipurpose Flour is certified gluten-free and kosher, as well as made with non-GMO ingredients.

Time to Eat?!

Use Cup4Cup’s Gluten-Free Multipurpose Flour any time you need to make a recipe gluten-free: cookies, cakes, gravy, scones, pasta, and more! Substitute Cup4Cup’s flour cup for cup in your recipes…it’s that easy!

www.cup4cup.com

https://www.facebook.com/Cup4Cup/

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.