These recipes will help you make Purim – and the rest of the year as well – much more fun and tasty.
By PASCALE PEREZ-RUBINHULA HOOP DANCER ON AN ISLAND BREAKFAST(photo credit: GALIT ORKAN)
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 breadEyes: the white base and other colors are made from sugar dough, the black line is made from licoriceFace: pita breadMouth and teeth: sugar doughBody: pita breadSkirt: lettuceFlowers: strawberriesGrass: chivesShoes: strawberriesRuffle skirt: leave-less sproutsGround: oatsMask: red pepperWalking cane: candyWand: pretzels and purple sproutsWand decoration: crown-shaped candies (Wilton brand)Shirt and sleeves: strawberriesEarrings: silver sprinklesHula hoop dancer on an island breakfastBase: homemade granolaMakes four to six servings.½ kg. oats4 Tbsp. sesame200 gr. hazelnuts/almonds/pecans/or other nuts¾ cup oil¾ cup honey or silan200 gr. dried fruits5 Tbsp. ground coconutMix 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 islandFlower in her hair: petals are made from dried strawberries and stems from lemon peelTree branches: kiwiCoconuts on the tree: hazelnutsTree trunk: pecan halvesCoconuts on the ground: roasted chestnuts with shellsIsland: granola with nuts and dried fruitsSea: yogurt mixed with blue food coloringHula hoop dancer: lotus cream dispensed with a pastry bagGrass skirt: strips of green apple skinBelly button: small chocolate ballBathing suit top: hazelnutsFlower chain: dried strawberriesCloud: yogurtSun: dried orange sliceHair: strips of dried datesEyes: pine nuts with a dot of yogurt and a tiny ball of chocolate NEMO DINNER (Gilat Orkan)A pirate lunchChicken legs roasted in the ovenMakes four to six servings.4-6 chicken legs2-3 Tbsp. canola oil1 Tbsp. paprika1 Tbsp. mustardSalt and pepper to taste2 cloves garlic, crushedMix 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 potatoesMakes four to six servings.4-6 medium potatoesSalt and pepper to tasteMargarine or olive oilPeel 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 piratePirate’s head: mashed potatoes mixed with a little soy saucePirate’s hair: pieces of chickenEye patch: cucumberMouth and teeth: cucumberBelly: cucumberStriped shirt: cucumberBelt: strips of black olives and yellow pepperWooden leg: chickenShoes: black olives and yellow pepper Snack owlHead and body: banana slicesBase of eyes: kiwiEyeballs: strawberriesPupils: dried cranberriesBeak: orange peelWings: sliced strawberriesTree branch: chocolate candyLegs: orangeLeaves: kiwiSNACK OWL (Gilat Orkan)Nemo dinnerBlack lentils and sweet potato saladMakes four to six servings.1 cup black lentils3 sweet potatoes, cut into cubes50 gr. butter100 gr. feta or other salty cheese1 cup fried pecan halves½ package of chopped chivesOlive oilBalsamic or citrus vinegarSalt and pepperPlace 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. NemoBlack line: cooked black lentilsTop fin: carrot slicesWhite line: cheeseSide fins and tail: carrot slicesSea weed: chivesRocks: pecan halvesEye: first kohlrabi, then small carrot slice, then lentil for pupil, then tiny ball of cheeseOrange body: sweet potato piecesTranslated by Hannah Hochner.www.pascalpr.co.il
