Boredom-Proof The School Holiday!

Boredom-Proof The School Holiday!

 

The school holidays are a time for the young ones to unwind. It’s a time to set aside the assignments, activities, and projects that make up most of the school days. Since we are advised to stay safe at home, it can be challenging to think up ways to beat boredom. Sure, the kids can play with their games and toys, watch movies, and have virtual playdates, but what about all the time in between?

 

This school holiday, try cooking with your kids. Cooking with your kids helps them develop a life skill, teaches them the importance of responsibility, and boosts their self-esteem. It also allows them to flex their creative muscles, and even expand their understanding of math! [1] Just make sure to supervise them when they get rowdy, and step in when some things are much too difficult.

 

By the end of the day, the kitchen will probably look like a bona fide mess, but nothing beats the fun this at-home activity can bring. Pick meals that are colourful and fun to make. And don’t be afraid of the mess!

 

 

All Aboard to Flavour Town

 

Homemade Pita Chips [2]

 

Children love to eat chips. As long as it's crunchy, slightly salty (sometimes even if it isn’t salty) it’s likely a hit with kids. Upgrade the usual store-bought pita bread by transforming them into chips. Here’s an easy pita chip recipe you can make with your kids.

 

Ingredients:

 

3 pitas, each cut into 8 wedges

4 tablespoons Borges Classic Olive Oil 

1 clove garlic, smashed

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

 

Method:

 

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Cut each pita into eight wedges. Pour Borges Classic Olive Oil into a bowl and add garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush the pita chips with a Borges Classic Olive Oil and garlic mixture, coating it with flavour. Arrange the pita chips on a baking sheet and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes.

 

Mediterranean 7-layer Dip [3]

 

After making the homemade chips, it's time to whip up a scrumptious Mediterranean 7-layer Dip. As the healthier cousin of the traditional Tex Mex 7-layer dip, the Mediterranean 7-layer dip combines the garlicky creaminess of hummus with a medley of olives, pine nuts, tomatoes, and feta. [4] This fresh and healthy twist on a classic appetiser is sure to keep your little audience satisfied.   

 

Ingredients:

 

1-17 oz container hummus

1 cup homemade or store-bought tzatziki

2 plum tomatoes, diced and drained

1-6 oz sliced Borges Whole Black Olives

1 cup crumbled feta

⅓ cup pine nuts

3 scallions, sliced

Borges Classic Olive Oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

 

Method:

 

Spread the hummus on the bottom of a rimmed serving dish. Spread the tzatziki on top of the hummus. Layer the tzatziki with tomatoes, sliced Borges Whole Black Olives, feta, pine nuts, and scallions. Drizzle Borges Classic Olive Oil on top and season with salt and pepper. Serve with your homemade pita chips and enjoy!

 

Bread Pizzas [5] 

 

Ordering online has become practically its own culture in the “new normal” era. As commerce moved into the welcoming arms of the internet, more people ordered their meals from food couriers such as Grab. But what if you want to try homemade pizza for a change? We have the recipe for that, too.

Ingredients:

 

 6 whole deli rolls or crusty Italian rolls

Jarred marinara sauce or pizza sauce

Jarred or refrigerated pesto

2 lb Mozzarella cheese, grated

Parmesan cheese, grated

2 tbsp butter

1 whole onion, sliced

½ lb sausage of your choice

Pepperoni slices

Pineapple chunks, fresh or canned

Roma tomatoes, sliced

Borges Whole Black Olives , sliced

 

Method:

 

Preheat the oven to 190 °C. Slice the bread rolls in half and lay them, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. Top each half with a generous helping of either marinara or pesto. Sprinkle liberally with grated mozzarella or parmesan. Then, layer toppings such as pepperoni, pineapple, tomatoes, onions, and sliced Borges Whole Black Olives. You can also add any other topping you have available! Once assembled, put the pan in the oven on the lowest rack for about 8 to 10 minutes. Crank up the heat to 218 °C and transfer it to the highest rack until the cheese starts to bubble and turn golden. Remove and serve your homemade pizza as is, or slice them to share with everyone!

 

 

Beat the Heat

 

Cookie Dough Protein Smoothie [6]

After all that bread, it’s time for some sweet and healthy smoothies. Sharing smoothies with your kids is also a great way to welcome the start of the summer season.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 cup Borges Natura Almond Drink

⅓ cup gluten-free rolled oats

1 medium frozen banana

1 tbsp cashew butter

2 tbsp hemp seeds

1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp pure maple syrup

¼ tsp vanilla extract

2-4 ice cubes

Chocolate shavings (optional)

 

 

Method:

 

In a small bowl, mix the oats and Borges Natura Almond Drink. Place in the fridge and let soak for at least 2 hours to soften and thicken the oats. Toss the thickened oat mixture into a blender. Add the frozen banana, cashew butter, hemp seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Garnish with chocolate shavings. 

 

 

 

Banana Almond Milk Smoothie with Goji Berry [7]

 

Opting for fresh, fruity drinks is another great way to beat the heat. This smoothie is a great mix of the low-calorie goodness of Borges Natura Almond Drink and the immune system-boosting powers of the goji berry. [8]

 

Ingredients:

 

60 g goji berry, dried

120 g Orange

100 g Bananas

2 tsp Agave nectar

250 mL Borges Natura Almond Drink

1 tsp Bee pollen (optional)

 

Method:

 

Soak the dried goji berries in water for about 10 minutes until they become soft. Drain the water and transfer the goji berries in a food processor bowl. Peel and chop the orange into cubes. Peel the bananas and slice into chips. Add the goji berries, orange cubes, and banana chips into the food processor bowl and stir in the agave nectar. Add Borges Natura Almond Drink and blend until smooth. Pour the goji berry in a glass, and sprinkle with dried goji berries, orange zest, or bee pollen.

 

 

Even though our summer is not quite the same as before, we can still make the best of it. There’s no reason to give up on having a good time when we are with our family. Share these meals with your kids at home, and uplift their spirits by making worthwhile memories.

 

Photo credits:

Photo 6: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mason-jar-filled-with-cranberry-juice-on-black-and-white-checked-cloth-674060/

 

References:

[1] https://www.gundersenhealth.org/health-wellness/eat/why-you-should-teach-yours-kids-how-to-cook/

[2] Adapted from https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/homemade-pita-chips-recipe-1938841

[3] Adapted from https://www.myolivetree.com/healthy-olive-oil-recipes-for-the-kid-who-loves-cooking/#_edn1

[4]  https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/mediterranean-7-layer-dip/

[5] Adapted from https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11640/french-bread-pizzas/

[6] Adapted from https://ediblesoundbites.com/home/2015/4/23/cookie-dough-protein-smoothie.html

[7] Adapted from https://foodaciously.com/recipe/goji-berry-orange-and-almond-milk-smoothie

[8] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322693#seven-scientifically-proven-benefits

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