Kids and a Cook™

Teaching kids to eat healthy & bringing families together!

Kids and a Cook™
Recipes 

Pear Tart recipe

Michelle Day

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqHImbpcZFg

This is one of the simplest recipes; probably what makes it so great. Take whatever abundant fruit you might have on hand. This works well with apples, peaches, or whatever stone fruit is in season.

Every summer Elisabeth’s grandmother used to make this tart using those Italian Prune Plums, the small egg shaped bluish- purple ones with the yellowy flesh. This is an especially great plum for cooking or baking with because the pits are easily removed and they turn fuchsia when cooked. Just remember to use plums that are not quite ripe—otherwise your pie crust will get too soggy. If you like a gooey plum crumble, don’t worry about it.

We are using pears today and they will impart a wonderful sweetness to the tart.

I use a pre-made pie crust when I don’t have time to make one from scratch. This way I put together a quick desert after work –or the kids can make a healthy snack when they come from school with unexpected friends.

Roll out the piecrust. Slice the pears length-wise and evenly into strips.
For the home made crust I use…(this makes 2 tarts)
· 1 1/2 cups all-purpose organic flour
· 2 teaspoons baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 3/4 cup Sugar, plus 1 tablespoon sugar to sprinkle over the top.
· 1/2 cup whole milk
· 1/4 cup vegetable oil
· 1 large egg
· 9 or 10 pieces of fruit, sliced or halved (depending on what fruit and how much you have and how much you want to put on the top of the tart.)
· 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
· 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for pans
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and Butter 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar, the milk, oil, and egg. Fold into flour mixture.
3. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, and smooth tops. Arrange fruit, cut sides up, over batter.
4. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar, and sprinkle over plums. Dot with butter. Bake between 20 and 30 minutes. Visually you will see that the crust is golden, and the fruit has softened. Check by inserting a toothpick into center of the cake. It should come out clean. Cooking time will depend on how much fruit you’ve used. Let cool.
You shouldn’t have a problem getting your family to eat all of this the same day, but if you do, they make great left-overs!

Michelle Day

Michelle Day has been cooking and baking since she was old enough to hold a whisk. Michelle is an expert cook and her passion for cooking and entertaining has never wavered. At the age of 10 Michelle’s Family started a bakery in Simsbury CT, where Michelle got her first taste of running a food service business. In 1994 Michelle moved to New York City, where, she found her true passion in baking. In 2001 she started “The Catering Divas” Catering business. Serving the Upper East Side, she catered numerous small dinner and cocktail parties. Her passion and attention to detail won her the attention of some of New York’s Elite. Back at home in Connecticut, Michelle is a well known culinary instructor and her cake decorating skills jump-started a side business — Devine Cake Designs — where clients clamor for her inspired and beautifully artistic designs. After 15 years in the culinary industry, Michelle’s love of cooking, baking and children, has lead to her to her newest career, offering personalized family cooking classes and creating a TV show, digital broadcasts and Cook Books like no other. Kids and a Cook is all about healthy, fun, and easy meals for kids and their families. Michelle credits her parents with her success and her love of food, helping to create so many memories being in the kitchen with them as a child. Her goal is to have a show to help viewers create the same memories with their families. A show for the kids, and by the kids, with the “cook” there as guidance. Michelle’s featured co-host is an energetic, precocious 9-year-old named Elisabeth. Although a finicky eater, Elisabeth still loves to cook in the kitchen and learn about ingredients and how to mix them to make tasty dishes. Come join us — as you and Elisabeth learn easy recipes and explore culinary adventures. Michelle Day is available for lectures and cooking demonstrations. Please contact us through this website.