truefamilyfood

Croque Monsieur Sliders

These divine French sandwiches are such a crowd pleaser. They are a win-win-win. Delicious, easy, and seem impressive. Perfect for a small party or to bring to a backyard hang. They are also yummy additions to a lunchbox throughout the week to change up the classic PB&J. These can serve as a little appetizer or…

Chocolate Beet Muffins

These are the absolute best way to introduce beets to a hesitant beet kid. They are delightfully chocolatey, and the beets give them this amazing fudgy texture. My kid that has not eaten a beet in a while ate 4 with dinner last night. Delicious. A note about “sneaking” in foods. I play the long…

Blue Corn Quesadillas

This recipe isn’t so much a recipe, but an idea of how to expand your child’s eating habits. If, like me, cheese quesadillas are a big win in your house, a way you can food chain this into expanding your child’s food acceptance range is to change up the tortilla. This can be a big…

Pizzicati Cookies

These cute little Italian “pinch” cookies are a light shortbread filled with jam. I love their simplicity and the textural appeal of the curved cookie shape. They are perfect as an afterschool tea and cookie snack, or as a lovely addition to your Christmas cookie box. I feel that every cookie platter needs a jam…

Classic Dutch Baby

As much as I love pancakes, I don’t love standing over the stove all morning. A Dutch Baby is essentially a giant pancake. You whiz up the batter in the blender, dump it in a skillet, and you are free to enjoy the next 10-20 minutes as you wish. You may even finish your cup…

2-Ingredient 2-Bite Biscuits

The concept of a two ingredient biscuit peaked my interest when I began teaching kids cooking classes. When developing recipes, I often ask myself, how do we make something as easy as possible without losing any quality? It doesn’t get any easier than something that only takes two ingredients! I started a whole series of…

Lemon and Herb Hand Pie

Hand pies are one of the most delicious inventions known to humans. It takes almost any food item as a filling and transforms it into a lovely little pocket of flaky wonder. Strawberry jam? Delicious. Leftover taco meat? Incredible. Lemon and herb based gravy? Sooooo yummy. See what I mean? Stick anything into two circles…

Purple Color Changing Noodles

Any time we can bring science into the kitchen, I am a happy teacher. I loved science as a kid, and it led me to the science-heavy degree of Nutritional Sciences. I was happy in a lab performing experiments in which I truly did not know what would happen. The excitement! The possibility! This recipe…

Spinach Oat Muffins

It’s not often I come across a recipe that ticks so many boxes. This bright little muffin is entirely whole grain, has spinach for it’s beautiful color and nutrients, and chocolate chips for a little extra flavor and sweetness. It is also an easy win for convincing a toddler to try something green! Muffins can…

Éclair Puffs

I adore these little puffs. They have all the decadence of éclairs, but in a smaller format. The filling is the best vanilla pudding in the world, surrounded by a lovely little pastry, and then topped with rich ganache. It is the perfect little package. These éclair puffs are a PROJECT. Make sure to carve…

Vanilla Crème Pâtissière

Crème Pâtissière can be used as a filling for éclairs, cream puffs, or cakes. It could also be the most decadent vanilla pudding to serve with strawberries and whipped cream. It is one of those recipes that seems difficult at first, but is so simple and quick. Give it a shot and I guarantee you…

Pâte à Choux

This classic dough is one of the most versatile doughs in a French kitchen. The list is long, but some of the things you can make with it are éclairs, profiteroles, and gougères. This dough is for a sweet application like a cream puff or éclairs, so if you are using it for a savory…