I NEED 20 GREAT COOKS

Yes, I was yelling, lol, because I need help

As a fundraiser, our kids basketball camp is creating a cookbook. We are looking for recipes that use fresh ingredients and are simple. Fresh ingredients mean butter instead of margarine, no highly processed foods, etc.

We work with boys and girls aged 10-13. They spend 5 days and 4 nights on campus at California State University, Long Beach and receive the whole college experience. Along with on-court skills, we offer them Math, Language Arts, Health, Nutrition, physical training and nurture the whole child. We service all schools, cultures, economic backgrounds and this is our fourth year.

The cookbook is an important part of the physical well-being of the child. So many of them are not healthy enough to play these sports because their eating habits are so bad. It has little to do with economics, too. It's just the trend these days to grab a burger, coke and fries.

That is why this year, I instituted the cookbook and custom physical training. The coaches are loving it, thankfully. I was concerned that they would think I was girly-fying up the camp with this but they, too, want to stop the tide of injuries and poor health among athletes. Especially those so young.

If you want to contribute, we have conveniently set up submissions online. All I need is your name so I can set up your user name and password. Thank you so much...

PS- the categories are the usual, veggies, soups, salads...
Please do not shy away from desserts. We just don't want to promote the use of highly processed foods as some cake mixes use, well, most cake mixes.

Nanaimo Bars

1/2 cup Butter
1/4 cup White Sugar
5 tbls. Cocoa
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Egg
2 cups Graham Wafers
1 cup Coconut
1/2 cup Walnuts/Pecans, chopped

Place soft butter, cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and egg in double boiler. Stir well until it resembles custard. Combine wafer crumbs, nuts, and coconut. Blend well and pack in 8" pan.

Part Two -
1/2 cup Butter
3 tbls. Milk
2 tbls. Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix*
2 cups Icing Sugar

Spread over part one - let stand 15 minutes or so. Melt 4 squares of semi sweet chocolate and 1 tbls. butter. Spread over part two - set in bars - refridgerate until set and enjoy!

* ouch - my recipe may not quality, but damn - it is good!

Good Luck - Pearly, share your recipes.

Oh my, Trax!!! This sounds too yummy. Thanks so much. It certainly do qualify. I can add a bit about making pudding from scratch but will leave yours in tact. Yoo hoo, you are my first!

A super simple pizza dough recipe designed for kids (but good enough for adults)

all purpose flour (I use unbleached white flour but it'll work with whole wheat too.)
yeast
2% milk
oil

1. Wash your hands
2. Pour a mound of flour in a large mixing bowl
3. Pour a packet of yeast on top
4. Mix them together with your hand
5. Pour in some milk (milk has everything yeasts needs already in it)
6. Oil your right hand
7. Use your oiled hand to mix the ingredients.
8. Take note of the texture. A mixed bread dough will feel like your earlobe. If it's too dry and you have a lot of flour left, add more milk. If it's too wet and isn't firming up, add more flour. Use your left hand that's dry to add ingredients.
9. Knead the dough. You may want to re-oil your hand periodically if it starts to stick to you.
10. Once it comes together, cover it with a small amount of oil and lay a dishtowel over the bowl.
11. Put it in a warm spot to rise.
12. In a few hours, spread it out on an oiled cookie sheet and add your favorite toppings.

My kids love to make homemade pizza using this recipe because it's so simple. No measuring, not many dishes to clean, and the kneading is fun. You can freeze any leftover dough in gallon sized ziplocs for later.

This is very easy and very good:

Cucumber dip

-3-4 Cucumbers grated finely
- Drain somewhat with a strainer and keep the juice in case you need to add it into the dip for the right consistency.
- Blend 2 pkgs of softened cream cheese
- Tablespoon of Miracle Whip
- Salt to taste...

Mmmm... Nanaimo Bars... now those are good!

Rebecca1340 wrote:Mmmm... Nanaimo Bars... now those are good!

Nanaimo Bars must be a Canadian thing. I've never heard of them!

You may know of Nanaimo Bars, Lori; they are sometimes called New York Bars. I am due to make some soon, they freeze excellent.

I call it the PMS Cure:

1 C Brown sugar
1C butter
1 Bag semi sweet chocolate chips
1 Can mixed nuts

Grease 8X8 baking dish, pour in mixed nuts and spread out.
Combine sugar and butter, bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Pour over mixed nuts
Pour choc chips over sugar mixture, let melt then spread. Break into chunks when hard. Enjoy!