Thankful… for #5’s cooking and caring

Carrot and leek soup

I think he was more attracted to the picture of the sail boat than the soup. But in the end, he modified it somewhat, and proclaimed that since the fish biscuits were too salty for baby, we’ll leave them out. (That’s because every time Kate goes to him and asks for his snacks, I’ll tell him not to give her any because they’re too salty for her).

Carved out zucchini boat

Ingredients: (makes 2 servings)

• 3 medium sized carrots
• 1 leek
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt, to taste (which he omitted)
• 1 small zucchini (for the boat)
• 2 wooden toothpicks

Ingredients

1. Wash and peel the carrots. 
2. Cut 2 long, thin strips from 1 carrot for the sails of the boats. Set aside.
3. Wash the leek in cold running water.
4. Cut the carrots and leek into slices.

Concentrating hard on chopping

5. Place in a medium saucepan. 
6. Add milk, water, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to the vegetables.
7. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

We added a sprig of fresh thyme just because we had some

8. While the vegetables are cooking, make the boats. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides of both halves. Cut one end of each zucchini into a sharp point to make the prow of the boats. 
9. Push toothpicks through the carrot sails and stick them into each boat.
10. If you wish, make a flag from some construction paper and glue it on top of the toothpick.

He tried to see if his boat could float

11. Cool the pot of vegetables.
12. Pour the mixture into a blender.

Blend it well

#5 was extremely pleased with his soup. He plonked Kate into her highchair and proceeded to feed her. She loved it!

“The coolest soup ever”

I divided the rest into small portions and froze them to use as pasta sauce for Kate’s meals.

“Mmmm”

The Geronimo Stilton cookbook can be purchased from The Groovy Giraffe at a great price of $8.90. #2 also made an interesting ‘Wishing Well‘ recipe from this cookbook.

Lots of fun recipes

Sane tip: I’m really thankful that #5 is so caring towards his baby sister, not only in cooking for her but in taking care of her every single day. Besides, it keeps him occupied so he doesn’t bully her or annoy the older girls. Initially, when we had 4 girls, it was the hubs and my dad-in-law who really wanted a boy. For me, it didn’t make a difference. However now I realise why there’s this term  “mummy’s boy”. #5 is indeed very endearing and sweet (when he’s not rough and tumbling!).

Save tip: Great that more of them are starting to have an interest in cooking. Soon we can start our own gourmet kitchen and don’t have to eat out anymore.