Summer Fun with Food

Summer has only recently officially just begun and yet we've been really busy with Summer Fun.  Lots of swimming, library story time, hanging out with friends and grocery shopping.   One of our goals this Summer is to try lots of new foods and engage the kids in cooking new menus.  

Daniel has been choosing random new fruits at the grocery store for us to try.  The first week he chose a coconut which he was so excited to open. 

The kids enjoyed watching Daddy hitting it repeatedly with the hammer.  Once it was finally open, everyone tasted a slice.  It was really not a hit.  The best part was Brian tasting the coconut milk and trying to keep a neutral face for the kids.  They didn't notice, but I was laughing.  

Next, Daniel chose lychee nuts after watching King Julian eat them on the Penguins of Madagascar.  I had to use Google to figure out what it was and how to eat it.  He and I opened one, saw the fleshy white inside and decided not to taste it.  Brian opened one and enjoyed it.  He said it tasted like a cranberry.  We all took his word for it.  

Ashley picked out a cantaloupe, dried pineapple, honeydew melon and cherries.  Nothing surprising with those choices.  This week I picked out mangos and Daniel chose kiwis.  It has been lots of fun!  It is always surprising that Daniel is more adventurous with his food choices since he is the least likely to like anything really new.  

After reading about a frozen pineapple pie on Faith and Family Live, Ashley and Daniel made it.  Too bad for Daniel - it had whip cream in it, which he hates.  The rest of us loved it.  Ashley has also made pineapple upside down cupcakes, pizza and hotdogs.  Daniel has suggested making homemade pickles next, while Ashley suggests homemade ice cream.