April fools dinner

I found these fun ideas on the Family fun magazine website.  


First I told the kids we were having cupcakes for dinner.  They actually believed me even though we had been playing April fools pranks already that day.

Cupcakes for dinner?

They were actually meatloaf cupcakes.  

Before praying, my son snuck a swipe of 'frosting' and said, "hey, how come this frosting tastes like potatoes?"  My daughter told me later in the evening that she did not like potato frosting.  

Then I told them we were having Chicken nuggets with peas and carrots for dessert.

mmmmm! They were pleasantly surprised to find out their veggies were candy.

There's a couple ideas on the family fun website for the chicken, but I used Nutty Putty, which is in one of my kids cook books.  It makes a great dough that they can play with or use cookie cutters on, decorate and eat.  The recipe follows.  For the peas and carrots I used those flavored tootsie roll things, I don't know the name, they're in the bulk aisle by all the bulk candy.

Nutty Putty:

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tbs honey

1 cup nonfat dry milk

Just mix it together and have fun!  I halved the recipe and it made me about 9 'nuggets'.

For the 'cupcakes', use your favorite meatloaf recipe and put it in foil baking cups about 3/4 full.  After baking them, topped with mashed potatoes colored with food coloring.  

Did you do anything for April fools day?  I would love to hear about it!

Thai chicken wraps

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (I sliced mine for quicker easier cooking, you can use tenders too.)

Teriyaki sauce (recipe follows)
Vegetable oil
Creamy peanut butter
Whole Wheat tortillas
Canned pineapple cut into small chunks
baby spinach
sliced green onion (optional)


Place the chicken in the marinade for at least 30 minutes, I like to do a couple hours.  Discard the marinade and cook the chicken in hot oil in a skillet on medium high heat until done, about 4-6 minutes on each side.
Cut up the chicken into bite size pieces.


Spread a little peanut butter on each tortilla, top with chicken, pineapple, spinach and onions if desired.  Roll up and enjoy!


Teriyaki sauce:
2 tsp fresh ginger (or 1 of dried ginger)
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tbs sesame oil
3 tbs honey
1 garlic clove crushed
1 scallion sliced


Mix well.

Chicken dippers

12-15 chicken tenders
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 tsp soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
tortilla chips
flour
2 eggs, beaten


Mix together buttermilk, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic, paprika and oregano in a medium bowl.  Put the chicken in and make sure it's covered with the marinade.  Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.  The longer it sets, the more flavor you'll have.


Fill a gallon size ziplock bag about 3/4 full with tortilla chips.  Crush with hands, and/or a rolling pin until you have crumbs.


Dip each chicken tender in the flour, then egg, then chips, and place on a cookie sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Turn chicken half way through.


Serve with Maple mustard mayo, Slightly spicy tomato sauce, bbq sauce, ranch, or whatever floats your boat.


This is super kid friendly and also makes a great appetizer for a party.  

Maple mustard mayo

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp wholegrain dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp cold water
Mix well.
Great with chicken!

Slightly spicy tomato sauce

1 tsp sweet chili sauce (found in the international aisle, asian)
4 tbs ketchup
4 tsp lime juice


Mix well.


Adjust the chili sauce for more or less spice.  My kids ate this as written and didn't say it was spicy at all.  I didn't think it was either and I'm pretty sensitive to spicy.