Papi's Perspective
Cooking Class Recap
Recipes
Great Grandparents
| Summer is here and I hope that everyone is enjoying it as much as I am. The last time I wrote to you was last fall and many things have happened since then. One of those things is that I have gotten very familiar with KINDERGARTEN. Why is it called KINDERGARTEN anyway? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word is of German origin, meaning KINDER (children) and GARTEN (garden). OK, so we have established that it is a garden for children. I guess that it makes sense since usually you would find plants in a garden, and by nurturing them with some water and a lot of sun, they grow and become mature plants. But plants are all different: some grow faster than others, some are colorful, some produce fruit and some even grow stubborn. Our children are like plants in a garden. |  |
Everyday, they are exposed to lots of "water and sun," therefore, everyday they show some growth and even surprise us with how amazingly they blossom into more mature children and eventually adults. I feel that my daughter is going through a great transformation right in front of my eyes, just as a plant in a garden. Watching that transformation take place reminds me of how lucky we are with our kids. Yes it is true that sometimes it is not easy to deal with the day to day issues associated with the PKU diet, nonetheless, our kids will grow to be "normal kids on a special diet." They will each develop at their own pace, with very different personalities and yes even a little stubborn. However, at the end of the day, all that nurturing and love that we as parents provide to our kids will be transformed into pure joy as we watch each of our children grow and become mature individuals in the big garden of life. As a father, you know how proud I am of my daughter. But I am also very proud of the work that my wife performs. My contributions sometime pale in comparison to the amount of work that my better half puts into making sure that our daughter receives the best possible nurturing to ensure the "plant" grows healthy and happy.
As fathers we can help tremendously in that effort. SHARE the joy of parenting: help keep up the PKU diet record, cook some of the meals, help with household chores or homework, spend some time alone with the kids to allow your better half some time to herself. Some of these things will go a long way in insuring a healthy, loving relationship and environment for the kids to "grow" in. Now I am reminded of the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum, in which the author raises our spirits by telling us in simple terms how to be the best we are capable of. He reminds us to share, clean up our own mess, take a nap every afternoon, and to be aware of wonder. I stand in amazement as I watch my own kindergartner teach me about life and help me put things in perspective. Open your hearts to your own kids and you too will be re-learning about life and paying more attention to the little things that matter (no afternoon nap for me though). Have a great summer!
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Press Spring 1999
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| The PKU Organization of Illinois Cooking School was
held March 13, 1999. There were 25 adults that attended.
This consisted of both people with PKU and people with
family members with PKU. Recipes that were prepared
included foccacia, breadsticks, pesto sauce, sorbet,
strawberry ice creme, stuffed eggplant, and zucchini
mushroom caps. A HUGE THANKS to our host who offered her home and cooking expertise to help all of us achieve success in the kitchen. Thanks also to our UIC dietician, who enlightened us with the PKU masterpieces she created. |
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Helpful Hints:
Spray water in bottom of oven during baking to give bread a nice browning. Baking Stones give crust a nice consistency
Use flavored oils to add a zing (walnut, garlic, lemon)
Water which is too hot can ruin yeast
Use a gram scale to be precise with measurements
Cover rising bread to avoid drying it out
Brush dough with oil or butter during baking for a softer crust
Divide dough into smaller portions for mini-loaves
Use fresh ingredients whenever possible for full flavor (herbs, fruit, vegetables)
Smaller portions are less intimidating to a child and increase the chances they will taste what you make
Small grocers and health food stores have unique items to try
Dried fruits and vegetables can be great accents
Fancy shapes can make a big difference in presentation
From Pampered Chef... Stoneware baking pieces in all shapes and sizes! The 9" x 13" Baker bakes up fluffy brownies. Try adding red pepper, mushrooms, or onion to spice up your traditional pasta and potato casserole recipe. Serve right from the Stoneware to keep your food warm long after being removed from the oven. To find the Kitchen Consultant nearest you call (800) 266-5562.
Complete your menu with juice or punch prepared in the Quick-Stir Pitcher. The Pitcher has a plunger which quickly mixes juice concentrates or powdered drink mixes.
Pampered Chef and Tupperware both have fund-raising programs that you can use your private party to generate revenue for the PKU Organization of Illinois. Ask your consultant or contact the Voice Mail 630 415-2219 for details.
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Press Spring 1999
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| This recipe was discovered on the internet at
www.vegweb.com by A.K. Broccomole 1 large head of broccoli 360 grams |
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I decided to make this recipe after seeing its name which made me giggle, and it is really delicious. Start by cooking the broccoli ( I just took off the tough outer leaves but used everything else). It's done when it's tender enough for a knife to pierce without resistance. Put into a blender or food processor with the lemon juice and seasonings and blend until really smooth. Add tomato (I added some water) and blend briefly so that the tomato is still "chunky". Leave for about 10 minutes so that the flavors can mingle and then eat as a dip with crudites or use as a spread on fresh bread. Or thin it and use over hot veggies. This is really good and very healthy too!
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Yields 4-5 cups.
4 cup yield = 85 mg/cup or 5 mg/Tbsp
5 cup yield = 68 mg/cup or 4 mg/Tbsp
Spaghetti Sauce Ala Sparagana by R. Mc.
3 tbsp olive oil
1 fresh medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
16 - 20 oz. can of crushed tomatoes
Two 20 oz. cans of tomato sauce
Two 20 oz. cans of tomato paste
2 tsp salt
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp sugar
1 bay leaf
1 cup red wine
Pour olive oil in tall sauce pot. Add onion and saute gently. To the mixture add garlic. Heat until slightly browned. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add salt, Italian seasoning, sugar, bay leaf, and red wine. Stir until combined. Add water until the mixture is slightly thinned (1-2 cups). Cook on low as long as you can, I make mine the day before. Cooking thickens it up and make it rich in flavor.
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Press Spring 1999
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(Thanks Nicole, for answering our plea to hear about great grandparents. We know there are more out there - keep 'em coming!)
Two Great Grannies
Hi, my name is Nicole. I am 4 years old and I am so lucky to have two wonderful Grannies. I have a Granny who is my Mom's Mom and Great-Granny who is Granny's Mom. Sound confusing, well it's really not - it is wonderful. Both of my Grannies have taken a great interest in my diet. Granny has helped my Mom make sure that every family occasion and every holiday has wonderful low protein selections. She always encourages me to drink my formula and she always makes sure that she has yummy snacks and cookies on hand. Granny has altered family recipes so that I could enjoy them along with the rest of the family. She has also taught my Mom how to function in the kitchen and to not be afraid to try new things. My Great-Granny has established a fantastic cookbook from recipes she has found in newspaper and magazines. She always adapts them to my diet and makes suggestions on how to make them even yummier. I love both of my Grannies and I know that they will always be there to support and encourage me to stay on my "diet for life".
P.S. I am so glad that summer is coming and I can go swimming in my Granny's lake and eat low phe ice cream cones.
Nicole is 4, has classic PKU, and lives in Michigan
Link back to PKU
Press Spring 1999
Link back to Index of PKU Press Articles
Available on the Internet