Τετάρτη 27 Φεβρουαρίου 2013

Almond Milk Rice Pudding w/ Honey

I love to find new ways to treat my kids (yes Stelios, you too) that are not packed with sugar and dairy.  This is an easy recipe that I adapted from a children's cookbook and it was super easy and tasty. It makes quite a small amount, though, so you may want to try it out and if you like it double it next time.  In Greece rice pudding (rizogalo) is a common treat and since we live in Greece I decided to ditch the sugar and use our beautiful honey from the mountains of Crete.   We actually get it as a gift from my husband's family - another perk of living in this beautiful country.

Ingredients:

1/2 c long grain rice
3 1/2 c almond milk (I make mine, you find the recipe here)
2 TBSP honey
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt

Instructions:

1- In a large saucepan mix the milk and rice and bring to a boil.
2- Reduce the heat to medium low and stir often until it thickens and it has the consistency of rice pudding (around 35 minutes)
3- Stir in the honey and vanilla and remove from the heat to cool
4- Scoop into 2-4 small bowls and enjoy, or refrigerate covered.
5- Top with raisins, cinnamon and nuts if for a more hearty snack.

(If you don't want to have a skin formed on top, cover it with the plastic touching the pudding, but my kids LIKE that skin on top and eat it before it even gets to the fridge)

Κυριακή 24 Φεβρουαρίου 2013

Lunchbox Individual Chicken Pies


My three kids love taking chicken pie to school for lunch on Mondays and I have to admit that it was one of the last items in my shopping cart that was not homemade.  Yes, I still buy my pastry and that might change but now my kids are taking homemade chicken pie to school that is dairy free, preservative free and made with free range organic chicken and eggs.  I feel pretty good about that AND my kids love them even more than the packaged stuff. 

You will need:

2 organic chickens
1 cup chicken broth
1kg (2 lbs) diced onions
2c cooked brown rice
6 eggs
2 tsp salt
¼ tsp nutmeg
3 packages of KouRou pastry / short crust Greek pastry
(OR make your own with this recipe:
 http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1326604)

Steps:
1) Boil the chickens and onions in the broth for about 45 minutes.

2) Remove chicken from the bone and cut into small pieces.

3) Drain onions from the broth.  (save the broth to make soup)

4) Whisk together eggs, salt, and nutmeg 

5) Stir in the rice and cut chicken.



6) Remove one sheet of pastry at a time and cut into 12 even squares.



7) Spoon one heaping tablespoon of chicken mixture into center of square and fold opposite corners over like a package. 


  
8) Place individual pies on cooking tray lined with parchment paper.



9) Brush pies lightly with olive oil.

10) Bake in 180C oven for about 45 minutes.

Makes 30-36 pies.