In keeping with the theme, Jennifer makes iced tea sweetened with ginger ale, a cool refreshment on a humid summer evening.
While the boys work, Marc steams some edamame for everyone to snack on as the main course cooks.
Using bright markers, Matthew and Christian pen fortunes to put inside the cookies; favorites include “You will be a black belt” and “In food there is love” (from Mom).
Circa 1886 chef Marc Collins and his wife, Jennifer, turn cooking into a family affair, using time in the kitchen to teach their sons, Matthew, age 10, and Christian, six, about eating right.
The night’s healthy Asian menu even allows for a delicious dessert.
She and the children take turns using a cherry pitter to get the fruit ready for the applesauce.
Value Added: A garlic soy sauce, thickened to gravy consistency, adds to the entrée extra flavor that pleases the adults. While an acquired taste for children, brown rice boasts many benefits that earn it a spot on the plate.
Veggie Tales: Christian pitches in by arranging the chopped broccoli in a bamboo steamer tray.
I Scream, You Scream: Like most kids, Matthew places ice cream at the top of his favorite desserts, so his parents treat him to low-fat gelato.
Smooth Operator: With its vivid red color, sweet taste, and puréed texture, Marc’s cherry applesauce disguises nutritious fruits as fun fare. This side can be made up to three days in advance and refrigerated.
Served with vanilla-orange gelato, these warm homemade fortune cookies truly top the packaged version.
To form a fortune cookie: 1. Use back of a spoon to spread batter into four-inch rounds.
2. After baking, flip hot cookies over and place fortunes in center. Fold in half and bend edge over rim of a coffee mug. Cool for a few seconds.
3. Place cookies in muffin tins to hold their shape while cooling.
