Cheesy pigs in blankets 

These couldn’t be any easier. They require just three ingredients, don’t need any prep and are mess-free.

Not the Christmas variety of sausages wrapped in bacon, these are instead an American version where hot dog-style sausages – along with cheese – are encased in a puff pastry blanket.

Ingredients

(Makes 18)

• One sheet of puff pastry (approx 320g)
• Six hot dogs
• Six slices of cheese

We use Herta Classic Frankfurters, and Emmental cheese slices as they’re not too gooey but still melt really nicely. Cheddar slices would also work well.

Method

• Preheat oven to 220˚C (200c for a fan)
• Cook hotdogs as per packet instructions
• Get puff pastry to room temperature and slice into six rectangles

(Method continues after pictures)

• Place a slice of cheese on top of each rectangle leaving a margin of pastry
• Put the cooked hot dogs on top of the cheese and roll it up
• Slice each of your rolls into three even pieces and arrange on a baking tray lined with parchment paper

Grandma’s Biscuits

This is another very easy recipe with just four ingredients. It’s a great way to get the kids to eat oats. Mine aren’t huge fans but when incorporated into a biscuit, it’s a different story! You can ice these, but we don’t feel the need as they are nicely sweet just plain.

Ingredients

(makes 20)

• 55g of oats
• 110g of soft brown sugar
• 170g of Flora margarine
• 225g of self-raising flour

Method

• Pre-heat oven to 180c (160c for fan oven)
• Mix all the ingredients together and then roll the mixture into a sausage shape
• Cut discs about as long and thick as an adult’s little finger
• Press very gently onto a baking tray. Rustic is good!
• Bake for a maximum of 15 mins and allow to cool

Easy Baking Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 100g plain flour
• 20g cocoa powder
• 140g caster sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 40g unsalted butter
• 120ml of milk
• 1 egg
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Method

• Preheat oven to 180c (160c fan)
• In a mixer, add the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter. Beat until well combined. You could also use an electric hand whisk.
• In a jug, mix the milk, egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add half of this mixture to the dry ingredients while beating. Increase mixer speed then add the rest of the liquid. Mix briefly until smooth.
• Fill paper cake cases two-thirds full with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes (until a skewer comes out clean).
• Leave to cool slightly then transfer to a wire rack to completely cool
• Make your favourite chocolate or plain buttercream icing (or buy one!) to top your cakes

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What are your go to baking recipes? Would love to hear in the comments below.

The post Three Easy Baking Recipes for Kids appeared first on The Parent Social.

Pizzette ingredients (and equipment)

(makes 21 pizzette)

• One Jus-Rol Puff pastry ready rolled sheet
• One egg (for egg wash)
• Tomato passata 500g
• Oregano
• Salt & pepper
• Self raising flour for dusting surface
• Toppings of your choice
• Pastry brush
• Pastry cutter (or a glass) roughly 6cm diameter
• Baking parchment or foil

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200c (this is what I do for a fan oven)
2. Using the pastry cutter/glass, cut out 21 circles from the ready rolled pastry. You won’t be able to fit all 21 in one go so just re-roll the offcuts and go again

3. Place on the baking parchment/foil and onto a baking tray

4. Beat the egg and brush over each circle

5. Put the passata in a bowl and add oregano, salt and pepper to taste – you only need half a tablespoon of sauce on each disc so gauge how much passata you want to use. We do the lot and then turn the excess into a pasta sauce

6. Put half a tablespoon of the mixture in the middle of the disc leaving a border all around

7. Add your toppings (suggestions below)

8. Pop in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the borders of the pizzette are nice and golden

9. Let them cool a little before serving

Topping suggestions

You can mix and match here. The girls like plain tomato ones, ones with a sprinkle of grated cheese and ones with sliced black olive. I add a tiny pinch of extra oregano to each of these.

If you can get hold of it, a few cubes of provolone cheese makes a great topping. A small piece of ham, an anchovy, a couple of cubes of pancetta, mushrooms…whatever you want, just don’t overload. You can even leave off with the tomato sauce and use half a teaspoon of pesto in the middle with a little cheese.

You might also like:

• Bake alongs on Zoom  
• Easy Taralli recipe
• Family meal inspiration  

The post Pizzette Recipe – Cooking with Children appeared first on The Parent Social.

This following is an adaptation of a recipe from the Silver Spoon Cookbook. It incorporates the lower fat crème fraîche as well as the pastry of the Jus-Rol quiche Lorraine recipe. It is really easy to make and doesn’t require a tonne of ingredients.

Salmon and Gruyere quiche recipe

Ingredients

• 120g smoked salmon (you can use smoked salmon trimmings, which  are cheaper and save on chopping)

• 100g Gruyere cheese (grated)

• 4 eggs

• 250g of low fat crème fraîche

• Salt and pepper to season

• One Jus-Rol shortcrust pastry sheet

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC (180ºC for fan assisted ovens) or gas mark 6
2. If frozen, defrost the Jus-Rol shortcrust pastry sheet as per instructions and then roll out (flour the rolling pin and surface) so that it can line a 10″ (approximately 25cm) shallow flan tin
3. Sprinkle the smoked salmon trimmings over the pastry base
4. Grate the Gruyere cheese and sprinkle over the salmon
5. Beat the eggs and Crème fraîche together and season with the salt and pepper. Pour mixture over the salmon and Gruyere
6. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes (until the egg mixture has fully set)

The quiche can be eaten hot or cold. In the past I’ve served with pea shoots, rocket, coleslaw or green beans. We accompanied with a glass or two of Trebbiano D’Abruzzo but here are some more ideas for what to drink with it: 3 Wines to Pair with quiche. The girls accompanied theirs with squash.

Check out my family meal inspiration post for more recipes as well as bake alongs on zoom

The post Salmon and Gruyere Quiche appeared first on The Parent Social.