Kids in the Kitchen: Read It, Eat It: Green Eggs and Ham

Today’s Kids in the Kitchen segment is so much fun (I apologize now, if I say that for every Kids in the Kitchen segment, because how could cooking with kids not be fun!)!

Today, I introduce a new mini-series within the kids cooking series, the Read It, Eat It program. Basically, taking a novel, children’s book, short story or autobiography and “reading it” and then cooking food from the book and of course “eating it.”

The idea first came to me last spring when I talked about the book How to Eat Fried Worms, and shared a book report that I did when I was in elementary school and made ‘fried worms’ to pass out to my class as part of my project.

I only regret that it took me this long to actually think of a creative title for this series and to share another book with you, considering the ideas for various books and recipes have been floating around in my head for a while.

Today’s “Read It, Eat It” is for a classic children’s book and foodie favorite, Green Eggs and Ham. No childhood would be complete without this book! With all the silly rhymes, perfect for beginner readers, and funny storyline, not to mention the food, this is a fun book!

This summer grab this book off the shelf and read it with your child, neighbor, niece or nephew, and make up some green eggs and ham!

I have two recipes to share with you today for some fun eating with the book Green Eggs and Ham. First, a savory ham and egg scramble that is naturally colored green with pesto (keeping with the week-long pesto them), spinach and green onions.

Second a recipe for an utterly adorable Green Eggs and Ham treat. These cute ‘cookies’ originally came from my creative friend Monica at Lick the Bowl Good. She first made them look like traditional bacon (or ham) and eggs, with a yellow yolk. Then the equally creative Christy over at The GirlWho Ate Everything took the idea and made them even more unique by making them with a ‘green’ yolk for “green eggs and ham.” I immediately feel in love with the idea and they are the easiest thing ever that the kids could totally do them on their own (the microwave version). I also think that these ‘green eggs and ham’ cookies would be totally freakin’ cute for a kids Dr. Seuss themed birthday party.

Uh. Can you say fun?

Pesto and Spinach Egg Scramble A.K.A Green Eggs and Ham

By Heather of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com

Printable Version

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook time: 3-5 minutes Serves: 4

8 eggs, cracked and whisked

¼ pound ham, torn or chopped

2 cups spinach, torn or chiffonade

2 green onions, chopped

½ cup Swiss or mozzarella cheese

3 tablespoons prepared pesto

½ teaspoon each salt and black pepper

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.

Stir together all ingredients and pour into hot skillet.

Let eggs sit untouched in skillet for 1 minute and slowly begin to stir egg mixture around in pan as it continues to cook. Continue to cook eggs for an additional 3-4 minutes or until cooked through.

Note: If cooking with kids, allow kids to crack eggs, whisk eggs, tear or cut ham (if using deli meat), tear spinach and stir everything together. Kids, allow an adult to cook the eggs over hot stove.

Green Eggs and Ham

Printable Version
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook time: 1-2 minutes

Pretzel sticks

White candy melts

Yellow or green M&Ms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place pairs of pretzels onto a cookie sheet.

Place one white candy melt on top of each pair of pretzel sticks and put cookie sheet and place in preheated oven for 1-2 minutes, allowing candy melt to melt slightly. Once out of the oven press M&Ms onto white chocolate.

Let ‘cookies’ sit for at least 15 minutes to harden before transferring to a plate for serving.

OR

Place pairs of pretzels onto a microwaveable safe plate.

Place one white candy melt on top of each pair of pretzel sticks. Place plate in microwave and microwave for 30 seconds to one minute, allowing candy melt to melt slightly. Once out of the microwave press M&Ms onto white chocolate.

Let ‘cookies’ sit for at least 15 minutes to harden before transferring to a plate for serving.

adapted from Lick the Bowl Good and The Girl Who Ate Everything