Every parent knows how hard it is to convince our children to eat the food we've gone to great efforts to prepare for them. Many times, our sons and daughters resist trying certain dishes with the excuse that they don't like the shape, texture or flavor of certain ingredients. And so it's up to us to get creative and prepare healthy foods in fun ways that will make any kid want to try them. In honor of Purim, I joined forces with food artist Gilat Orkin, who will show us how to have kids help us prepare fun art projects that are 100% edible (and healthy). Orkin loves to draw (she has a degree from WIZO School of Design) and design (and a degree in shoe design from The Guild). But she also loves to cook and bake. When her daughter began first grade, Orkin noticed that the sandwiches she sent to school were coming home untouched. When she asked her daughter why, she would reply that it was much more fun to play outside with her friends. And so Orkin began preparing fun sandwiches that made eating much more exciting. She began designing her sandwiches according to historical events, which turned snack time into a fun history lesson. Orkin made her sandwiches in the shape of sewing machines and a Sony PlayStation remote control, and soon her daugther's friends began flocking to their home to see how her mom made such cool sandwiches. Even the teacher was impressed. Soon enough, Orkin was making all of her meals in a creative fashion, and she created an Instagram page called “Year of the Sandwich.” The recipes below will help you make Purim – and the rest of the year as well – much more fun and tasty. A PIRATE LUNCH (Gilat Orkan) Queen Esther (Pascale) Hair: flattened rye bread Eyes: the white base and other colors are made from sugar dough, the black line is made from licorice Face: pita bread Mouth and teeth: sugar dough Body: pita bread Skirt: lettuce Flowers: strawberries Grass: chives Shoes: strawberries Ruffle skirt: leave-less sprouts Ground: oats Mask: red pepper Walking cane: candy Wand: pretzels and purple sprouts Wand decoration: crown-shaped candies (Wilton brand) Shirt and sleeves: strawberries Earrings: silver sprinkles Hula hoop dancer on an island breakfast Base: homemade granola Makes four to six servings. ½ kg. oats 4 Tbsp. sesame 200 gr. hazelnuts/almonds/pecans/or other nuts ¾ cup oil ¾ cup honey or silan 200 gr. dried fruits 5 Tbsp. ground coconut Mix the oats with the sesame, nuts, oil and honey. Transfer to a pan that is lined with baking paper and flatten mixture. Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 160°C (320°F) for 15 minutes until golden brown. Each oven heats differently, so cooking time may vary. Add the dried fruits and coconut and bake another 10 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container. Hula hoop dancer on an island Flower in her hair: petals are made from dried strawberries and stems from lemon peel Tree branches: kiwi Coconuts on the tree: hazelnuts Tree trunk: pecan halves Coconuts on the ground: roasted chestnuts with shells Island: granola with nuts and dried fruits Sea: yogurt mixed with blue food coloring Hula hoop dancer: lotus cream dispensed with a pastry bag Grass skirt: strips of green apple skin Belly button: small chocolate ball Bathing suit top: hazelnuts Flower chain: dried strawberries Cloud: yogurt Sun: dried orange slice Hair: strips of dried dates Eyes: pine nuts with a dot of yogurt and a tiny ball of chocolate NEMO DINNER (Gilat Orkan) A pirate lunch Chicken legs roasted in the oven Makes four to six servings. 4-6 chicken legs 2-3 Tbsp. canola oil 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 Tbsp. mustard Salt and pepper to taste 2 cloves garlic, crushed Mix all the spices together and then rub onto the chicken legs. Place the chicken in the pan and bake for 40 minutes until they turn golden brown. Mashed potatoes Makes four to six servings. 4-6 medium potatoes Salt and pepper to taste Margarine or olive oil Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes. Cook them in salted water until they're soft. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Cook them until all of the liquid has evaporated. Mash the potatoes and add the margarine or olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. To give them a little color, add a few drops of soy sauce, but note that soy sauce is extremely salty. The pirate Pirate's head: mashed potatoes mixed with a little soy sauce Pirate's hair: pieces of chicken Eye patch: cucumber Mouth and teeth: cucumber Belly: cucumber Striped shirt: cucumber Belt: strips of black olives and yellow pepper Wooden leg: chicken Shoes: black olives and yellow pepper Snack owl Head and body: banana slices Base of eyes: kiwi Eyeballs: strawberries Pupils: dried cranberries Beak: orange peel Wings: sliced strawberries Tree branch: chocolate candy Legs: orange Leaves: kiwi SNACK OWL (Gilat Orkan) Nemo dinner Black lentils and sweet potato salad Makes four to six servings. 1 cup black lentils 3 sweet potatoes, cut into cubes 50 gr. butter 100 gr. feta or other salty cheese 1 cup fried pecan halves ½ package of chopped chives Olive oil Balsamic or citrus vinegar Salt and pepper Place the lentils in a pot and cover them with water. Cook over a medium flame for 20 minutes or until they've softened, but aren't falling apart. Drain and let cool. Fry the sweet potato cubes in a pan with the butter until they've softened. In a bowl, combine the lentils, sweet potato, cheese, chives and pecans. Drizzle with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Nemo Black line: cooked black lentils Top fin: carrot slices White line: cheese Side fins and tail: carrot slices Sea weed: chives Rocks: pecan halves Eye: first kohlrabi, then small carrot slice, then lentil for pupil, then tiny ball of cheese Orange body: sweet potato pieces Translated by Hannah Hochner. www.pascalpr.co.il
