chicken salad

Simple chicken salad - perfect for sandwiches, picnics, etc.

1 cup mayonnaise (or more if you like it creamier)
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 T lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon celery salt

2-3 chicken breasts, diced/shredded (boiled 20 min or use leftovers)
2 celery stalks, sliced small
1/4 cup chopped onion

optional:
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup cashews or almonds, chopped
1 tsp dill seed or tarragon
1-2 T fresh parsley, chopped
green onion, chopped fine
1 tsp Dijon mustard

Whisk together first 6 ingredients until combined. Then add chicken, celery, onion and other ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the chicken mixture and stir until evenly combined. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve as sandwiches with lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, etc.

veggie stir fry

olive/vegetable oil to taste (1/3 cup?)
1/2 onion, sliced or diced
4-6 cloves garlic, sliced
1 carrot (peeled, cut into thin strips)
1 head broccoli, cut into small flowerets
1 squash, sliced into bite-sized chunks
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 head cabbage
soy sauce - a few splashes to taste (3-6 T maybe?)
(other veggies ideas: zucchini, cauliflower, green beans, green peas, snow peas, water chestnuts, cashews, tomatoes, green/red bell pepper, baby corn, etc. The ideas are endless!)

Heat oil in large wok until hot. Add onions & garlic - stir until cooked well*. Add carrots and stir continuously, for about 5-10 minutes (until almost cooked thru). Add broccoli & squash, stirring well. Splash with soy sauce & mix again. Add water and stir some more. This is called a STIR fry, so it includes lots of stirring! Cover with lid and steam 1-2 minutes. Add cabbage towards the end, with 1 minute to spare. We like our veggies cooked but still firm (not soggy). You can steam (& stir) longer if you like. Serve over rice!

*If you must add meat to this concoction - you can insert here. Chicken, shrimp, and even beef will compliment this dish nicely. I think grilled salmon would be a-mazing with this dish! Maybe a teriyaki salmon fillet. Yum!!

play dough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 T oil
2 tsp cream of tartar
food coloring
scented peppermint oil or koolaid drink packet (makes it smell great!)

Mix the above items in a pan, then heat on the stove over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture becomes thick and forms a gooey ball. Cool on waxed paper. Knead desired food coloring into the dough when cool enough to handle. Store in a seal-able bag. Dough will remain elastic for a few weeks if stored well. This is a great 4-year old afternoon activity. Add cookie cutters, slicing-ma-jiggers for pure fun.
glory to Sonlight Pre-K Curriculum, and the amazing ideas within!