Linda’s Tips and Travel Notes

Juanita Plana and daughter, Ana, give tips on cooking with kids and their Mixed Berry Smoothie and Orange Ricotta Crepes and summer picnic ideas.

 

I interviewed Juanita Plana and her daughter, Ana Plana on my radio program.  They own Chef’s Gourmet Store and Cooking School in Coral Gables, FL.  and have a kids cooking camp in the summer.  They also give cooking classes for all ages.

 

LG

What do the children like to make?

 

Ana

Children love to make things using their hands.  They like rolling out pizza dough or filling crepes and rolling them up.  They were fascinated to see colorful ingredients placed in a blender and watch them change color.  We did this with the Mixed Berry Smoothie. (See recipes below.)

 

LG

What are some family-friendly ideas for easy picnic foods?

 

Juanita

I like to make wraps.  They are easy to serve and eat. 

Grilled Vegetable wrap:  Grill vegetables, place them on the tortilla-wrap and add smoked mozzarella or goat cheese.

Grilled Chicken wrap: Fill tortilla-wrap with grilled chicken breast, guacamole and black bean salsa or pate.

 

Juanita and Ana’s Recipes

Orange Ricotta Crepes

Crepes can be made several days ahead, wrapped and stored in the refrigerator.  They should be filled the day they are to be served.

For crepes:

3/4 cup flour

3 eggs

3/4 cup milk

4 tablespoons melted butter

Pinch salt

butter for cooking crepes

Combine all ingredients except butter in blender to mix them.  Let sit for 1 hour.

 

For filling:

1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese

4 ounces cream cheese

Zest of one orange

3 tablespoons orange marmalade

Confectioner’s sugar for garnish

Blend together all ingredients except the sugar.

 

Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add a little butter and swirl about 1/3 cup batter around the skillet. Cook 1 minute or until the edges start to leave the sides of the pan and turn golden.  Turn crepe over for abut 30 seconds. 

 

Place the crepes on a counter top and place the filling in the center.  Roll up and place on a serving platter.  Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.

Makes 20 crepes.

 

Mixed Berry Smoothie

Can be made 3 hours in advance and kept in a thermos.

1 cup frozen strawberries

 1 cup frozen blueberries

1 cup frozen raspberries

1 cup frozen vanilla yogurt

3 tablespoons honey

1 cup orange juice

Add ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.  Serves 6