Fun for Kids- Turkey Burger on a Stick, Parmesan Popcorn and Peanut Butter-Oat Bars

Here are a couple of fun recipes for kids. I saw these Turkey Burgers on a Stick in the most recent issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray and thought that they looked like a really fun lunch. I used smoked gouda as the medium-hard cheese inside and cooked them in my electric skillet. My kids really enjoyed them, dipped in ketchup. I tried one too and they were okay. The flavor of the evaporated milk, cornflakes and cheese was a little strange for me. Cute idea anyway. If I made them again, I would definitely play around with the ingredients.
My kids love popcorn. They want me to pop it constantly. I do it the old-fashioned way. I heat 3 Tbls of oil in a heavy-bottom pot and add 1/2 cup popcorn kernels. Then I put the lid on, but leave a tiny crack so some of the air can escape. My 2 year old loves watching it pop. I remember a neighbor growing up that used to make us popcorn smothered in butter and then she would sprinkle Parmesan on top. I reduced the amount of butter a little bit and this popcorn reminded me of being a kid.
The Peanut Butter Bars came about on a whim. We wanted a quick treat, preferrably a bar cookie. I just threw in whatever nuts I had, I think walnuts and put the mini chocolate chips on top. They were good. We got alot more than 20 bars though. I guess we cut them into smaller pieces.

Turkey Burger "Drumsticks"Jean Grub adapted From Every Day with Rachael Ray

February 2009
1 pound ground turkey breast
one 5-ounce can evaporated milk
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
2 cups crushed cornflakes
2 ounces medium-hard cheese (I used smoked gouda)

In a bowl, mix the turkey, 1/4 cup evaporated milk, the onion and 2/3 cup cornflakes; season with salt and pepper. Divide into 12 portions.

Cut the cheese into 12 small sticks and thread onto each of 12 skewers.

Wet your hands with evaporated milk, then mold some meat around each cheese piece, shaping into 3-inch ovals.

Pour the remaining milk into a bowl. Add the remaining cornflakes to a plate. Dip each "drumstick" into the milk, then coat with the cornflakes. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and fry each drumstick until browned, about 12 minutes.

Parmesan Popcorn by Mary Ann

10 cups popcorn

1/2 stick butter, melted

grated parmesan cheese

Pour melted butter over freshly popped popcorn. Sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese and toss to coat well.

Peanut Butter-Oat Bars from myrecipes.com

Prep and Cook Time: about 1 hour.

1 cup (1/2 lb.) butter, melted

1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups regular rolled oats

2/3 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts

2/3 cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut

1 1/3 cups peanut butter

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I just sprinkled these on top instead of melting them)

1. In a bowl, mix butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in flour, oats, peanuts, and coconut until well blended.

2. Press dough evenly into a buttered and floured 10- by 15-inch baking pan. For chewy bars, bake in a 350° oven until edges are lightly browned, about 20 minutes; for crisp bars, bake until slightly darker brown, about 5 minutes longer. Spread with peanut butter. Let cool about 15 minutes.

3. Seal chocolate chips in a heavy 1-quart zip-lock plastic bag. Heat in a microwave oven at 30% power until chips are soft, about 2 minutes. Squeeze chocolate to one corner of bag, then use scissors to snip a very small hole in the corner. Squeeze chocolate in thin lines over peanut butter. Chill until the chocolate is firm, about 20 minutes. Cut into 20 bars

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