Here’s some dog stuff for you. Pipper is a food adventurer. With a super sniffer that’s over 1,000 times more sensitive than a human’s, it’s no wonder she creates the most delicious recipes. What smells are most interesting to your dog? Not sure? There’s an experiment on the Science Buddies website that’s a fun way for you and your kids to learn more about dog behavior and canine olfactory greatness. Here’s some more information about it. Please tell us about your finds in comments.
Dog Stuff: Smelling Smarts
Food Adventures: New York Food Museum
Pipper has endless suggestions for food festivals, food experiences in the city and in the country, and food museums to visit. She wanted us to be sure to mention the New York Food Museum. She thinks New York Food Museum is tops because it has its own Pickle Wing. One of its present exhibits is “How New York Ate 100 Years Ago.” You can go on their site to read all about what’s going on there. By the way, Pipper said to tell you that the museum is on the Lower East Side, not far from Katz’s Deli where Pipper met up with Emcee Beagle and Jack Russell.
Have you visited a food museum you’d like to tell us about? Please share in comments.
Pipper’s Recipe Pick: Salmon and Zucchini Quiche
Sidney loves pie—all kinds of pie, even the ones not meant for dessert. Here’s one of Pipper’s favorite recipes – a savory concoction that is great for lunch or dinner. You can use a store-bought pastry crust. Or course, Pipper likes to make her own.
Serves 8 to 10
Salmon & Zucchini Quiche recipe
Dill Pastry Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup buckwheat flour
1/3 cup fresh dill leaves and some stems, chopped fine
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold butter
3 tablespoons oil
1/3 cup cold water
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- To the bowl of a pastry mixer or food processor, add the flours, dill, and salt. Mix to combine.
- Add the butter and oil and mix to a crumb-like consistency.
- Slowly, add enough water until the dough begins to form a smooth clump.
- On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll the dough to fit a 10 inch pan.
- Transfer the dough to the pan. Use your fingers to form a fluted edge. Using a fork, poke tiny holes evenly over the pastry bottom. Pre-bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, keeping the oven on.
Filling
1 1/3 pounds salmon filet
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups leeks, cleaned, cut lengthwise then sliced into slivers
3/4 pound zucchini (2 medium) quartered, cut along ridge to remove seeds, and diced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
6 1/2 ounces plain low fat yogurt (Greek style is terrific)
1 egg
1/3 cup fresh dill leaves and some stems, chopped fine
1 cup almond flakes
- In a parchment-lined baking pan, place the salmon. Cover with the lemon juice, and roast for 20 minutes, until cooked through. Remove to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- In a large skilled over medium high heat, heat the oil (with an adult in charge!). Add the leeks and cook, stirring frequently for 5 minutes.
- Add the zucchini, salt, and pepper and continue cooking, stirring frequently for another 3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl using a fork, break up the salmon into shreds.
- Add the yogurt, leek/zucchini mixture, egg, and the dill. Combine well.
- Fill the pre-baked pastry shell with the mixture. Top evenly with the almond flakes and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the almonds are lightly browned.
Do you have a savory pie recipe you love? Please share in our comments.
Sophie’s Book Selections: Charlotte’s Web
Sophie loves reading classics. Those are the forever books, the ones your parents loved and their parents loved. Sophie has a long list of favorite classics as book selections for recommending to friends. Sometimes, she pulls one from the shelf to read again. That’s what makes them classics—they’re just that good. High on her list—maybe even Number One—is Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White with illustrations by Garth Williams. Pipper thinks it would be cool if the Fern in the story lived in Fernwood with Pipper and her pals. Here’s the blurb from Amazon: Sixty years ago, 1952, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web was published. It’s gone on to become one of the most beloved children’s books of all time. Charlotte’s Web is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur—and of Wilbur’s dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large grey spider who lived with Wilbur in the barn. With the help of Templeton, the rat who never did anything for anybody unless there was something in it for him, and by a wonderfully clever plan of her own, Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur, who by this time had grown up to quite a pig. How all this comes about is Mr. White’s story. It is a story of the magic of childhood on the farm. The thousands of children who loved Stuart Little, the heroic little city mouse, will be entranced with Charlotte the spider, Wilbur the pig, and Fern, the little girl who understood their language. The forty-seven black and white drawings by Garth Williams have all the wonderful detail and warmhearted appeal that children love in his work. Incomparably matched to E.B. White’s marvelous story, they speak to each new generation, softly and irresistibly.
We’d love you to make some book selections to recommend your favorite children’s classic. Please share in comments.
Dog Stuff: Dog Olympics
Pipper’s personal trainer pal, Chance, keeps Pipper in top form. They’re planning to compete in the next Steel Bone Triathlon – but first they’re going to check out the competition at the 2012 Dog Olympics taking place in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy (October 15-17). The competition includes agility, orienteering, and even dancing. Pipper is particularly interested in the swimming competition and can’t wait to get her paws wet. Are there any dog events taking place in your area? Go to comments to share with us.
Pipper’s Recipe Pick: Spicy Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
Mitzi told Pipper that Spicy Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges are a favorite 1-2-3 dish because it’s simple to make. But Chance is emphatic that a grownup manage all the grilling. Tails wagged big time when everyone tasted the sweet potatoe sweetness that exploded in their mouths. The herby bite of the rosemary and the coarse ground black pepper add some zip to the sweetness of the potato. Hilda loves that zip.
Serves 6
Ingredients
6 small sweet potatoes, washed and cut into chunky wedges
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 stems fresh rosemary, leaves removed and chopped fine
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Oil and heat the grill to very hot (be sure there’s a grownup doing this!!!)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut up potatoes with the oil, rosemary, and seasonings.
- Grill the potatoes 10 to 15 minutes, turn and cook through until nicely browned and pierceable with a fork.
Do you have a recipe for something sweet with a little zing of spice? Can you top these Spicy Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges? Please share in our comments.
Food Adventures: The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival
As you know by now, Pipper is the food adventure expert. She’s absolutely stoked about all the fun at the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival. She especially likes the Tangy Catsup Taste Test which she says can really tickle your taste buds. This year’s festival, along with the Festival Birthday Party and Car Show, was held Sunday, July 8 all day (10:00 to 5:00) on the grounds of American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville, Illinois.
Do you have a special kind of catsup you can recommend for all the tasters out there? Please share in our comments.
Sophie’s Book Selection: Judy Moody
Sophie likes reading about different personalities and she has a book selection. She enjoyed reading the Judy Moody books especially because she thinks everyone can recognize the kinds of moods Judy Moody gets into. She told Hilda about the first book, Judy Moody was in a mood, by Megan McDonald with illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds when Hilda was steamed. That was because she missed watching the Olympics pole vaulting trials on TV while she was at the dentist having her teeth cleaned. Read Amazon’s blurb here. “Judy Moody was in a mood. Not a good mood. A mad-faced mood.” To start, Judy Moody doesn’t have high hopes for third grade. Her new desk won’t have an armadillo sticker with her name on it. her new classroom will not have a porcupine named Roger. And with her luck, she’ll get stuck sitting in the first row, where Mr. Todd will notice every time she tries to pass a note to her best friend, Rocky. An aspiring doctor, Judy does have a little brother who comes in handy for practicing medicine, a cool new pet, and a huge Band-Aid collection. Judy also has an abundance of individuality and attitude, and when Mr. Todd assigns a very special class project, she really gets a chance to express herself! Megan McDonald’s spirited text and Peter Reynold’s wry illustrations combine in a feisty, funny first chapter book for every kid who has ever felt a little out of sorts.
Can you recommend a book selection about a character dealing with her or his emotions? Please share in our comments.
Dog Stuff: Combating Fleas and Ticks—Naturally
Who doesn’t love summer? Well, our cautious pal Chance, for one. Just the thought of flea and tick season makes him scratch. He’s read that this season promises to be one of the worst and he needs some help combating fleas. His Snoutz pals know to take these dangerous little creatures seriously. But they’d love to get Chance out of the house. Sophie read that one of the most important preventions against fleas is healthy skin. Imagine! Veterinarian Richard Pitcairn, who wrote Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, is big on good grooming. He points out that dry skin attracts fleas and advises pet parents to frequently brush and comb their pets’ coats. “Frequent brushing and combing stimulates hair and skin health, bringing normal secretions from oil glands onto the skin and discouraging fleas,” says Pitacairn. He also encourages fewer baths. Too much soap and water can strip away those natural oils. Please recommend any other natural remedies against fleas and ticks. Weigh in in the comments. Thanks.
Food Adventures: Pick Your Own
Pipper is the food adventures expert. Here’s another suggestion she wants to share with you. Beans and greens, apples, berries. You name it! There are farms all over the United States—and in other countries—where you can pick your own and take home what you pick to cook, can, or eat out of the bag. Go to Pick Your Own to find a farm near you. Be sure to scroll all the way down to find the farms in whatever state you choose.
Do you have a farm harvesting experience you can share? Please share in our comments.
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