Cultural Kid-Friendly Food: 5 Celtic Recipes for Halloween

Cultural Kid-Friendly Food: 5 Celtic Recipes for Halloween

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The roots of Halloween can be traced back to a Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced: sOW-in). This pagan festival originating in County Meath included mask-making, storytelling, song and dance, and a buffet of traditional Irish foods. Perhaps nowhere celebrates Halloween as hard as modern-day Ireland with carnivals lasting for weeks taking place throughout the country in epicenters like Derry and Limerick. 

If you can’t make it to Ireland with the kids this year, fear not! We’ve got you covered with five Celtic recipes the kids can enjoy cooking with you for Halloween. As you can imagine, each recipe comes with a historic story of its own to tell.

Colcannon

The first mention of colcannon dates back to 1735. In Ireland, they say “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Colcannon (translating to “white cabbage”) was a dish that could bring great promise for the single ladies. Young unmarried cooks would go blindfolded into the garden to pick a colcannon cabbage. This tasty vegetarian Halloween dish is made from chopped kale or parsnips, cabbage, and hot, floury mashed potatoes, and an assortment of trinkets. Some legends mix in charms that could tell the future. The first woman to find a ring in her portion would be the first to marry. Others might find a button (to signify another year as a bachelorette), a thimble (signifying you would become a spinster), a rag (warning of poverty), a stick (meaning your spouse would be abusive), or a coin (meaning you would come into wealth by some other means). Other women filled their socks with colcannon and hung them from the handle of the front door, with the notion that the first single man through the door would be a future husband.

View the recipe.

Barmbrack

Take heed when slicing a “speckled loaf” of barmbrack, another classic Celtic “fortune-telling food.” Within your slice of bread, you could find one of the following trinkets wrapped in baking paper: a stick (foretelling travel), a ring (which means you’ll be married in a year), a thimble (if you’re to be a spinster forever), a button (if you’re to be a bachelor forever), a coin (meaning a prosperous year), a religious medal (predicting a life in the Holy Orders), or a piece of cloth (meaning a doubtful financial future). Today’s supermarkets sell the fruit-studded bread with a ring hidden inside. Sometimes you’ll see Barmbrack spiked with Bushmill’s, but this kid-friendly version uses hot tea instead. For best results, you’ll want to soak your fruit overnight. “Sultanas” are dried white grapes (plump golden raisins), which you’ll combine with currants, black raisins, and glace (candied) cherries.  

View the recipe.

Parsnip Soup

Like all other autumnal festivals, Samhain is about celebrating a plentiful harvest, using whatever is on hand, and preparing to hunker down for the winter. Celtic parsnip soup is a great way to use leftover corned beef from a celebration, combining it with bay, parsnips, onions, chicken broth, savoy cabbage leaves, and heavy whipping cream. Earthy parsnips may not be something your family enjoys often, though it is a flavorful, nutritious, and all around underrated root vegetable.

View the recipe.

Soul Cakes

Soul cakes were made popular again from the Great British Bake Off competition. This small, round, square, or oval bun topped with a cross-shaped currant design were used in medieval times to feed the poor, honor the dead, and free departed souls from Purgatory. On November 2nd, beggars would come to wealthy homeowner homes to sing for a sweet cake – a tradition one could say sounds a lot like trick-or-treating. According to Dr. Ravelhofer, consulted by the show, “These  plays and soul-caking are communal practices that serve community-building, but they also harness the psyche individually and collectively to come to terms with coldness, darkness, and having to die” – perhaps a lesson best reserved for more mature children. Folklore aside, the oldest known recipe dates back to one from Lady Elinor Fettiplace in 1604, which simply reads: “Take flower & sugar & nutmeg & cloves & mace & sweet butter & sack & a little ale barm, beat your spice & put in your butter & your sack, cold, then work it well all together & make it in little cakes & so bake them, if you will you may put in some saffron into them or fruit.” As you can imagine, many a soulless cake has been created in trying to figure out the best way to interpret the vagaries found in this recipe. Here, we cut to the chase and give you one from NPR that will just plain old work. 

View the recipe.

Pumpkin Stew

A warm, hearty stew is a great way to honor the gifts of harvest, warm up chilled bones on a late October night, and nurse a cold all too common this time of year. We love this version of beef stew, cooked up and presented right inside a pumpkin shell! If you don’t have a pumpkin on hand, you can bubble it up in a stove pot, a crockpot, or a cauldron – whatever you happen to have in the kitchen. For presentation, you may consider dolloping a “ghost” of potatoes on top for the kids, complete with two pea eyes.   

View the recipe.

No matter what religion you follow, there are a few Samhain traditions you may like to incorporate – such as honoring those who have passed in your family with a decorative altar or reflecting upon the positive or negative habits you cultivated this past year. What new seeds can you plant?

Love culture, history, cooking, and child-centered activities? Call Shine to learn about opportunities for fun and family in the East End of New York City. We offer classes, workshops, enrichment sessions, party entertainment, field trips, and more.

6 Best Fall Foliage Hikes for East End Families

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“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn,” said Garden Designer and Writer Elizabeth Lawrence. We agree that autumn is a blissful time, where trees burst with dying beauty and blaze like torches, lighting the way to winter – but we disagree that you have to “sit still” to partake in all the glory of the year’s grand finale.

Philosopher Henry David Thoreau tells us, “An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” Gathering our families up for a fall foliage hike is a treasured tradition for us here in the East End. Create warm family memories, enjoying an active, bright, clear weekend at one of these East End New York City hidden gems.

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

(2595 Noyack Road, Sag Harbor)

This wildlife haven sits on a 187-acre peninsula overlooking Noyack and Little Peconic bays. Birdwatchers delight in autumnal migrations of double-crested cormorants, horned grebes, beach sanderlings, common loons, Forster’s and arctic terns, and turkeys. Cold-stunned loggerhead and Kemp’s ridley turtles wash ashore to warm up on their way south for the winter. The endangered osprey boasts a commanding presence at Morton, with at least two nesting pairs active in the area for three decades. Sharp-eyed tots may even spot resident eastern chipmunks, eastern cottontail rabbits, gray squirrels, red fox, or white-tailed deer.

Laurel Lake Park and Preserve

(5501 NY-25, Laurel)

The preservation of Laurel Lake is part of the Peconic Land Trust, dedicated to maintaining the natural beauty of 480 acres of land, including 14 miles of well-groomed trails clearly marked for your family to follow. A winding two-mile loop trail will take you up and down changing topography through towering cedars, oaks, dogwood, and laurels around the lake. Don’t forget to pack a picnic to enjoy at the scenic lakeside picnic tables. A playground adds to the fun for your youngsters. 

Mashomack Preserve

(79 S Ferry Rd, Shelter Island)

Choose from five flat trails amid over 2,000 acres of mature oak woodlands, freshwater marshes, floral fields, and tidal creeks. The accessible trails range from one or 1.5 miles to three, six, and 12 mile loops. The trails and visitor’s center are open every day (except Tuesdays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but we especially recommend “Souper Sunday,” which feature a guided six-mile green trail hike to Bass Creek Cottage for homemade soup, or “Nature’s Halloween Trail,” which offers friendly costumed characters and light refreshments.

Ogdens Brook Trail

(50 South Fairview Avenue, Montauk)

Ogdens Brook Trail is a section of the 125-mile long Pamanok Path inside Montauk Point State Park that follows Montauk’s famous Oyster Pond. This easy 1.5 miles of unpaved road conveniently starts at the parking area, continuing over a stream footbridge, through the wetlands, and into a maritime forest of undisturbed beech, black tupelo, red maple, and shadbush. Cool sights along the way include a lighthouse and abandoned military bunkers. Later in the season, harbor seals can be seen on the coastal rocks down the yellow-marked “seal haul-out” trail.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge

(3 Old Country Road, Quogue)

The 300-acre Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a favorite for kids, as the Outdoor Wildlife Complex houses injured bald eagles, owls, falcons, red fox, chinchillas, bearded dragon lizards, tortoises, and other New York native species. The Charles Banks Belt Nature Center offers additional wildlife exhibits, a nature library, touch table, children’s room, gift shop, and the best views of Old Ice Pond. Seven miles of walking trails take you through diverse habitats – bogs, fields, Pine Barrens, tidal estuaries, and wetlands. The main trail is not only scenic, but stroller-friendly, too. For $10, you can make a reservation for their annual “Enchanted Forest Trail” walk, taking place at noon on October 26th or 27th, featuring games, activities, and costumed characters.

Sears Bellows County Park

(63 Bellows Pond Road, Hampton Bays)

Sears Bellows takes you through clearly marked trails of 979-acre parkland, suitable for beginners. The easiest trail is the one-mile, stroller-friendly jaunt around Bellows Pond, but there are paths to continue on along Sears Pond. A fun playground overlooking the water is a great place to park for an extended lunch break. Older kids may enjoy fishing for bass, bluegill, pickerel, or perch. 

Pro Tip: We keep an eye on the I Love NY Fall Foliage Report to determine the best timing. (As of early October, we’re at about 15% color change, with an explosion of color expected in the coming weeks.)

Love the fall season? So do we! Join our team of educators in one of our fall classes for seasonal crafting, cooking, traveling, and learning opportunities aplenty. We have something for everyone ages six months to 10 years!

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Jamaican Recipes for Marcus Garvey Day

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Six years ago, the Government of Jamaica declared August 17th “Marcus Garvey Day” in honor of the nation’s first National Hero. Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), a Jamaican-born nationalist, civil rights activist, and Pan-Africanism movement leader, sought to unify and connect people of African descent worldwide.

“Garvey has influenced the world through so many different people, I don’t think the world and even some Jamaicans recognize the worth and impact of his influence – and, just through his sayings, how many freedom fighters and world leaders have brought their messages of confidence to masses of people,” said Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna.

His vision was one of prosperity for African people at home and abroad, and his legacy has caused others to view Jamaicans as equals “in every sphere of life… on the great human stage of activity,” she explained, adding: “As Jamaicans, we ought to be proud of our ancestry; we ought to be proud of our heroes…He was clearly ahead of his time.”  

Close to 600 Jamaicans live here — in New York City neighborhoods like Queens Village, Jamaica, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Wakefield, and Tremont. Perhaps that is why we have a Marcus Garvey Park (which is hosting Black Woodstock on Marcus Garvey Day this year).

What a great opportunity we have, now, to teach our children about Jamaica’s contributions on the world stage, including their many culinary delights. We love cooking with our children as a way of teaching life skills, while sharing valuable time and bonding closely with our kin. Here are five Jamaican recipes in honor of Marcus Garvey Day you’ll love making together.

Jamaican Rice & Peas

Recipe by Schnelle “Nellie” Acevedo, a.k.a. “Brooklyn Active Mama”

Nellie quit her cushy job in the high tech financial industry to bring this recipe to you. “My cousins and I (all 5,200 of us) got together and realized that we will NEED to continue this amazing authentic Jamaican cooking for our own children, or the culture will die with us,” she said in her blog. Flavored with creamy coconut milk, thyme, all-spice, and scotch bonnet pepper, this side tastes distinctively Caribbean. If you need help finding the pepper, try Trade Fair on Ditmars Blvd in Astoria, or Stop & Shop in Queens. In a pinch, you could substitute with a habanero, but you might want to portion out the kids’ servings before adding that spice!

Get the recipe here.

Miss Lily’s Jerk Chicken

Recipe by Chef Adam Schop (NYC) and Chef Andre Fowles (Jamaica) of Miss Lily’s in SoHo

According to Sam Slaughter, writer for The Manual, this is “the best Jerk Chicken recipe you’ll ever try.” It requires its fair share of work – brining, marinating, and grilling. Yet, the end result has just the right amount of spice and sweet. You’ll need to locate a few exotic ingredients – whole allspice berries, scotch bonnet chilies, tamarind puree, and liquid smoke – but most kids enjoy a trip to the food bazaar supermarket. If you’re more into the idea of tasting than cooking, you can always head to the cozy retro diner, Miss Lily’s at 132 Houston Street (at Thompson).

Get the recipe here.

Jamaican Beef Patty

Recipe by Imma at Immaculate Bites

The Jamaican Beef Patty has made its way out of family kitchens and into retail establishments like Walmart and Costco, as well as the New York City school system (which serves over three million a year!) With its flaky, delicate, golden crust and beef seasoned with Scotch bonnet, onion, garlic, and black pepper, the Jamaican Beef Patty is on its way to achieving a fanbase the way pizza and tacos have – at least in New York City. While NY Times offers a similar recipe, people who have made Imma’s particular recipe have been called “goddesses” at the school bake sale, were so excited they wanted to buy the author’s cookbook if she had one, and said they’ll never make another recipe again.  

Get the recipe here.

Vegan Jerk Tacos

Recipe by Chef Troy

Chef Troy grew up in the countryside of Glengoffe St. Catherine, Jamaica before serving as chef at BB King’s in Times Square and the Highline Ballroom in Chelsea. You’ll need some of Chef Troy’s special jerk seasoning wet rub for these kid-friendly tacos, but you can make a similar concoction from scratch if you prefer. The vegan protein is portabello mushroom, with tomatoes and peppers helping to fill out your tortilla. The magic is in the combination of flavorful sauces!

Get the recipe here.

Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding

Recipe Courtesy of The Food Network

Sweet potato pudding used to be a real labor of love with all that hand-grating, but thanks to food processors, it’s easy enough for a child to do. Filled with raisins, coconut, and vanilla milk, it’s a sweet the kids are sure to love for a Sunday treat or a holiday staple.

Get the recipe here.

Enjoy this little taste of international culture and cooking? Try one of Shine’s classes for more! Contact us to inquire about our cultural classes, monthly workshops (which may include cooking), and about our partnerships with local youth culinary schools. 

5 Options To Celebrate “Make Music New York” With Kids

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“Children are inherently musical beings. They love to sing, dance, shake, rattle, and roll!” says Shine Music Specialist Taylor Feygin. “Adults who provide developmentally appropriate learning environments for children incorporate music as a major component of a healthy and natural daily experience.”

Now in its 18th year, summer’s Make Music New York festival provides the opportunity to introduce your child to different styles of music around the city. Billed as “inclusive, adventurous, and fun,” you’ll find the energizing spirit of celebration is something your family can look forward to each year.

What Is Make Music New York?

Make Music New York (MMNY) claims to be “New York City’s only music festival for the people and by the people.” Run twice a year by Make Music New York Inc., a nonprofit organization that celebrations the musician in everyone, music makers of all ages are invited to share their skills and passions with the community in public parks, plazas, and sidewalks in all five boroughs. This year, there are more than 1,000 to choose from!

The next MMNY takes place on Friday, June 21st — the first day of summer — from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Where To Celebrate Make Music New York With Kids

  1. Who: Dr. Alex and Friends

What: Silly songs, dance, puppets, books, sing-a-longs; after the free concert, $5 buys you art project materials.

Where: Private Picassos’ Art Studio (237 5th Avenue – Brooklyn)

When: 1-2 p.m. with activities until 6 p.m.

What: Original children’s rock songs and puppetry

Where: Smiling Hogshead Urban Farm (25-30 Skillman Ave. – Long Island City industrial business district)

When: 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.

What: Tenor saxophone and flute; reggae / world / jazz

Where: Children’s Magical Garden (129 Stanton Street – Lower East Side)

When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

What: Free bands and block party, with craft and fitness activities for children and adults.

Where: Cobble Hill (car-free Court Street, between Atlantic and Bergen St. – Brooklyn)

When: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

What: A five-member, four-part harmony outfit, with lead guitar, bass, flute, keys, and drums playing originals, Beatles tunes, folk, blues, and tin pan alley. Afterward, a narrated guided shoreline walking tour takes you along NYC Parks and Conference House Conservancy.

Where: Conference House Park’s Great Lawn (Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street – Staten Island)

When: 6:30 – 9 p.m.

Do Your Kids Love Music?

Nearly all the classes Shine offers includes some type of music. From “Sing & Shine” (ages 0-2), to the mixed ages “Music Stars” class, to Group Music Theory (5+) and private instrument instruction (5+), we deliver a fun mix of education and imagination to a place of your choosing. Each class includes a trained Shine instructor, materials, setup, and cleanup. We also offer summer camps that foster a greater appreciation of the arts. Contact us for details.

Cultural Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Puerto Rican Recipes for National Puerto Rican Day

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June 9th marks New York City’s 62nd annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade. An estimated 2 million are expected to attend this enormous celebration, complete with marchers in colorful costumes and decorative floats. This year’s theme is “Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces” – One Nation, Many Voices – and will feature prominent Puerto Ricans like baseball legend Edgar Martinez, musician Jose Feliciano, and pop star (and this year’s grand marshal) Ricky Martin.

The parade kicks off at 11:00 am at the southern end of Fifth Avenue, traveling north between 42nd and 79th streets, to the Upper East Side. The official city festivities go until 5:00 pm, but you may also enjoy cooking an ethnic dish at home with your children as part of the celebration. Cooking can help preschoolers with mathematical concepts and language development, and leads to better nutrition a decade later, so what better gift to give your children?   

Arroz con Gandules

Recipe by The Freakin’ Rican

Anyone who has tasted Puerto Rican cuisine knows that rice is most assuredly NOT a “side dish.” Puerto Rican rice is one of those things you dream about at night, weeks after you’ve been to The Freakin’ Rican Restaurant in Astoria. You might have to visit the Lower East Side’s Essex Street Market to find some of the unique ingredients – like banana leaves; frozen gandules, which are also sometimes called pigeon peas; Sofrito, a powerful base sauce made of garlic, onions, different color bell peppers, tomatoes, annatto (achiote) seeds, cilantro, and Mexican oregano or parsley; and Sazon, a distinctly Spanish seasoning made of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, ground coriander, cumin, oregano, and annatto seed. There are enough ingredients in this recipe to keep the kids busy tossing items into the pot as it simmers.

Get the recipe here.

Shrimp Mofongo

Recipe by Manolo Lopez, proprietor of the MofonGO Smorgasburg stall, courtesy of NY Times Cooking

“Mofongo is the unofficial dish of the islands,” according to Old San Juan native Chef Manolo Lopez, who has earned a passionate following since offering his interpretation of the comfort food made from mashed plantains, pork rinds, and garlic. Manolo makes his own pork rinds, but you can buy yours. The plantain leaves and adobo seasoning (made from garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and dried citrus) add a distinctly Puerto Rican touch to this seafood dish. You’ll notice there is white wine in this recipe, but the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a slight taste, without the intoxicating quality.

Get the recipe here.

Tembleque with Mango-Kumquat Relish

Recipe by Carmen Gonzalez, Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Carmen Gonzalez is a New York Restaurant School graduate who is celebrated for combining contemporary cuisine with mouth-watering flavors of her Puerto Rican homeland. This simple-yet-sumptuous creamy custard is made from coconut milk, sugar, salt, mint leaves, cornstarch, and orange blossom water. The base is good enough to eat on its own, but most people love adding a tropical relish topping featuring kumquats, mangoes, anise, cinnamon, and cloves. If you’re worried about the one cup of orange rum, you may substitute orange juice to make it a more kid-friendly topper. 

Get the recipe here.

Garlicky Roasted Pernil

Recipe by Chef Jose Enrique, Courtesy of Food & Wine Magazine

Chef Jose Enrique was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico and graduated from New York’s Culinary Institute of America before opening a restaurant back home, where he gained a following for his “pared down cooking style” and “dedication to fresh, local ingredients.” After marinating a pork shoulder in orange and lime juices and seasonings, you’ll simply roast the meat in the oven four hours for a feast little foodies will love. Pair with black beans and rice for a full meal.

Get the recipe here.

Sorullitos de Maiz

Recipe Courtesy of AllRecipes

Sorullitos win kids over with their exterior crisp and interior buttery goodness. In the homeland, these Puerto Rican cornmeal fingers (similar to polenta or hushpuppies) are traditionally served as breakfast, but they can easily be converted into party appetizers or a side dish. This dish is fun to form and easy to fry up. Traditionally, they’re dipped in a mayo / ketchup / garlic salt sauce. 

Get the recipe here.

Whether your family simply enjoys learning about different cultures, or your kids are chefs-in-the-making, Shine has a program for you! Contact us  to inquire about our monthly workshops (which may include cooking) and about our partnerships with local youth culinary schools. 

Mother’s Day Keepsake Crafts Kids Can Make

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By mid-May our “spring cleaning” kick is in full swing – just in time for the kids to create toilet paper flower bouquets, construction paper tulip cards, and paper plate purses we simply can’t throw away. Instead, consider one of these more durable keepsake crafts you can do together or have a partner orchestrate.

Tile Coasters for the Coffee or Tea Loving Mom

For this craft, you’ll need 4.25 x 4.25 white ceramic tiles from the hardware store, ultra-fine black Sharpie markers, colored pencils, felt pads, acrylic sealer, and Modge Podge. A whole classroom can complete this craft for under $10.

  • Have the kids use this template or free-style their drawings on paper with the Sharpie and colored pencils.
  • Coat the tile with Modge Podge and stick the drawing on, aligning the top corners and smoothing downward.
  • After the paper dries, add a thin layer of Modge Podge over top.
  • Once the Modge Podge dries, spray with a sealant.
  • Glue circular felt pads onto the back corners to prevent scratching your tables.

Lady Bug Garden Rocks for the Green Thumb Mom

With the last frost having passed us on April 26th, our gardens are ready for plants and decorations. If you don’t live near a natural creek, you can easily pick up rounded “river rocks” at home improvement stores, craft stores, garden centers, dollar stores, or online. You’ll also need colorful acrylic Patio Paint and Patio Paint Clear Coat to withstand the elements, paintbrushes, and a toothpick.

  • Wash and dry your rocks.
  • Add the colorful Patio Paint on the tops of the rocks. Don’t paint the bottoms if you want these with your plants.
  • Paint on a black head and allow time to dry.
  • Use the handle of the paintbrush to dot black spots onto the lady bug. Let it dry completely.
  • Use the handle of the paintbrush to make two white dots for the eyes. Let it dry completely.
  • Use the toothpick dipped in black paint to add black pupils to the eyes. Let it dry completely.
  • Paint the tops of the ladybugs with Patio Paint Clear Coat to seal. You can also use outdoor Modge Podge.

Older kids like the lady bugs. If your family’s unconventional, you could also make “glowing monster rocks,” which are fantastically spooky Halloween decorations. We also love this butterfly footprint flower pot as an easier alternative when working with babies and toddlers.

Marbled Clay Jewelry Dish for the Fashionable Mom

It’s hard to believe these clay jewelry dishes didn’t come from a store. All you’ll need is Sculpey Premo! Polymer Clay (which you can find at Michaels, Joanns, or online), a rolling pin, plastic knife, muffin pan, and a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen.

  • Break off pieces of different colors you’d like in your dish.
  • Roll a long thin piece of each color and twist them together.
  • Smoosh the clay in a ball, mixing it with your hands until you notice a marbling effect.
  • Roll the clay to ¼” thickness. If you don’t have a jar or craft rolling pin, try Sculpey’s Essential Tool Kit.
  • Cut the clay into a circle with a cookie cutter or glass bottle top – something that won’t touch food.
  • Turn a muffin pan upside-down and center the clay circle over a muffin spot.
  • Drape the clay down the sides and create a few tucks for rippled edges.
  • Bake the pan upside-down in the oven, according to the clay package directions (about 15 minutes at 275.)
  • Once your dish cools, remove it from the muffin pan and use the gold leafing pen to decorate the edges.
  • If you want a glossier finish, you can also paint the bowl with clear glaze.

Rock or Seashell Picture Frame for the Sentimental Mom

Do you have bags and bags of shells from your last trip to Florida, or “special rocks” found on your nature walks? What can you do with all of these treasures? One practical idea is to super-glue them onto a picture frame for a rustic look. You can also supplement with polished rocks from the Dollar Tree if you prefer a more uniform aesthetic. Otherwise, you’ll just need a cheap frame from the Dollar Store, paint, and super glue or hot glue.

  • Wash and dry your rocks or shells.
  • Remove the glass and backing to paint the frame. Dark gray, dark brown, or black work well.
  • Super glue or hot glue your rocks onto the frame, starting at the outside edges and working your way in.
  • After the glue has dried, add the backing and glass, along with your favorite photo or hand-drawn picture.

Thumbprint Serving Platter for the Culinary Goddess Mom

It seems one can never have enough serving platters for a special event. All you need for this craft is a rectangular white porcelain serving tray, non-toxic glass paint or dishwasher-safe multi-surface paint, a fine-tipped Sharpie, and a wet rag handy to correct wiggly finger mishaps.

  • Divide the plate based on how many family members you have – into fourths for a family of four. Place a tiny dot of paint where you want each fingerprint so the spacing is equal.
  • Place a small amount of paint on foil, wax paper, or a paint tray. Dip your child’s finger into the paint and press two prints to form a heart shape.
  • Use the damp rag to wipe off the print and start over if the shape doesn’t look quite right.
  • Write names under each fingerprint heart with the Sharpie. You can add a date and any other text you like, too.
  • To cure, let the project dry for an hour and place it in a cool oven. Once the temperature reaches 350 degrees, bake for 30 minutes. Wait 72 hours before using.

If your children love crafting, consider all that Shine has to offer families in the East End. Our enrichment programs are geared toward ages six months to 12 years. You can see some of our little ones making gifts and sharing what they love most about their moms in this video or contact us to learn more.

Cultural Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Eastern Orthodox Recipes For Easter

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Eastern Orthodox churches base their Easter on the Julian calendar, which differs by the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries. Therefore, Christians who attend mass at Orthodox churches will end up celebrating “the miracle of Jesus Christ’s resurrection” on April 28thinstead of April 21stin 2019. Countries that observe Orthodox Easter include: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine. Whether you are part of New York City’s orthodox community or you like to educate your children about different religious and cultural observations, cooking authentic holiday feasts is a meaningful way to share all that life has to offer with your children. 

Russian Kulich with Paskha

Recipe Courtesy of the NY Times

Russian Easter coffee cake is a lightly sweetened, egg-glazed mix between challah and brioche, baked in a coffee cylinder for height. Though it’s time-consuming to make, the kulich sits prominently in the center of the family Easter basket, amid meats, cheeses, butter, and eggs. Any time after 4:00 am, the family matriarch may slice up the kulich, spreading the slices generously with unsalted butter or with creamy paskha made of vanilla bean, cream, butter, sugar, egg yolks, and large-curd pot cheese. Candied cherries and ground almonds are optional, but most kids love it. The kulich may also be served as a dessert.     

Get the recipe here.

Romanian Easter Lamb Soup

Recipe Courtesy of Patty Inglish at Delishibly.com 

Since lamb is the main course of choice, it makes practical sense to use the leftover bits into soup. The Greeks have their own version called magiritsa, but this particular Romanian version is a bit more kid-friendly because you can use leg of lamb if you don’t want to throw the whole head in. Soups are always a labor of love, taking up to two hours in the kitchen, so this recipe may work best with your little big kids who are in prime helping mode. With amaranth, kale, and dock greens, combined with garlic, scallions, parsley, and lovage, the recipe author likens this dish to “gyro meat in a soup.”    

Get the recipe here.

Greek Arni Sto Fourno

Recipe by Michael Psilakis, Courtesy of Delish 

Michael Psilakis is the Greek-American NYC restaurateur behind Ecco, Onera, Anthos, Kefi, Mia Donna, MP Taverna, and Allora Italian Kitchen and Bar. You may have seen him on “Iron Chef,” “Ultimate Recipe Showdown,” or “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” You don’t need an “animal roasting temple” in your backyard to roast a good lamb like Psilakis’ family did. You can bake a tasty leg of lamb in your oven in just a few hours with vegetables like carrots, fennel, and potatoes, along with oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sage. 

Get the recipe here.

Lebanese Maamoul Cookies

Recipe Courtesy of “Julie Taboulie”

Making maamoul is a multi-generational Easter tradition amongst Lebanese mothers, grandmothers, and granddaughters. The unique aroma of orange blossom water conjures memories of this springtime holiday like no other. After months of giving up dairy, sugar, and meat, this decadent dessert is a must for the post-Lenten feast. Maamoul is also served with chocolate and Arabic coffee during Eid. You’ll need a special mold for this melt-in-your-mouth butter cookie recipe (which you can buy online). Every family has their own secret recipe, but we liked this one from Julie Ann Sageer, a cookbook chef hailing from Marietta, New York because she gives you three different fillings – pistachio, date, and walnut.  

Get the recipe here.

Romanian Cheesecake

Recipe Courtesy of Simply Romanesco

Tired of American cheesecakes with too much cream cheese and not enough crust? “Grandma Vicki’s” Romanian version couldn’t be more perfect with the perfect balance of smooth ricotta cheese custard layered between two rows of sweet doughy crust. Cream of wheat adds a slightly dense texture to the filling. Lemon juice provides a punch of tartness, while the shower of confectioner’s sugar delivers the sweets. 

Get the recipe here.

Don’t forget to dye your Easter eggs red to symbolize the blood and sacrifice of Christ. You might enjoy a traditional Greek Easter game known as tsougrisma, which involves tapping the dyed eggs to see which ones crack.

If you like these recipes and your child enjoys cooking, CONTACT US  to inquire about our monthly workshops (which can include cooking).  

The Best Ways to Celebrate Spring in NYC

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The sun is crossing the celestial equator on Wednesday, ushering in the spring season with 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The first day of spring has been celebrated by cultures for some 8,000 years. Your celebration doesn’t have to be filled with wine, like the tribute to Dionysus held in Ancient Greece, or be spent cleaning your family’s grave sites like on Shunbun no Hi in Japan. We’ve got plenty of fun ways to celebrate the Spring Equinox with your children this Wednesday.

Celebrate new life by getting outdoors.

The weather is forecast to reach 53, with some sun, so it’s not a bad day to enjoy a little fresh air. If you’re short on time, at least try to revel in the sunrise (7:00 am) or sunset (7:08 pm). Look for the signs of spring in NYC parks, including: the blooming of delicate, pink magnolia trees; the arrival of timberdoodles; the emergence of daffodils, snowdrops, Lenten roses, and crocus from the hardened earth; the budding of red maple trees; and the springtime playlist ringing out from Central Park Zoo’s Delacorte clock, which includes “Easter Parade” and “Younger Than Springtime.”

Special events taking place in Central Park include:

Start your seeds indoors.

The  last spring frost for the New York City zone is forecast for April 5th, so it’s still risky to plant anything outdoors. Yet, it’s the perfect time to start your seeds indoors. Sunflowers in a Styrofoam cup are a fun project for kids who’ll love to see how large their plants grow over the summer. Place the seeds an inch down in a Styrofoam cup filled with loose commercial potting compost. Be sure to punch a hole in the bottom of the cup for drainage. Don’t over water, but see that the seedlings remain moist to the touch. Set the cup in a warm, ventilated place. You can place them near a window that receives a lot of sunlight, but a fluorescent light will work just as well. Hedge your bets by planting more than one cup, just in case. You can also take the kids to your local florist to hand-pick your favorite flowers for a fresh spring bouquet to brighten up your home while you wait.

Make a fingerprint tree.

Teach your child about the changing seasons, enjoy the “mess” of finger-paint, and create a great keepsake for the home or gift for loved ones with this craft project. Paint a mini canvas light green for spring with dots of light pink, dark pink, light green, and dark green fingerprint leaves for the spring. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can do the other seasons now as well. If your kids are as young as 2 or 3, it’s best to work on this project for no more than 20 minutes at a time, over a five-day period. 

Best Places To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in NYC

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Every March 17th, various locations around the world commemorate the life and death of St. Patrick (385-461 AD) with feasts, parades, parties, and festivities. The Irish have observed this date for more than 1,000 years, but the holiday is also revered in America, Japan, Singapore, Russia, and other countries where Catholics, Protestants, Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutherans are found.

For New York City’s Irish, St. Patrick’s Day is about more than celebrating the man who once explained the Holy Trinity using a shamrock or “expelled the snakes” from Ireland. It’s about recognizing the struggle of Potato Famine immigrants in America and how they overcame stereotypes and racial prejudice to gain acceptance in the New World.

But, as the saying goes, “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!” The food, music, dancing, and culture have much to offer revelers. Here are some of the more family-friendly events taking place around New York City this weekend.

NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Midtown, Manhattan

When: Saturday, March 16 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Where: Fifth Avenue, from 44th Street to 79th Street (ideally the calmer North End, with kids)

Cost: Free

While it’s not technically on St. Patrick’s Day itself, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the “10 Best St. Patrick’s Day Events in the Country,” as Country Living calls it. The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Manhattan is not just the oldest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States (dating back to 1762); it’s also the first St. Patrick’s Day parade anywhere in the world. Today the NYC procession is still the biggest, with roughly 150,000 marchers and 2 million spectators. If you can’t make it, you can also stream the parade live on nbcnewyork.com.

Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Park Slope, Brooklyn

When: Sunday, March 17th at 1:00 pm

Where: Prospect Park West and 15th Street to Seventh Avenue and Garfield Place

Cost: Free

The first Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade was founded by Irish American Parade Committee members whose forefathers fought in the Battle of Brooklyn. Following a Re-dedication Ceremony for the victims of 9/11, the beloved local parade has enough bag-piping, step-dancing, decked-out dogs, and leprechauns for the whole family. Also of note: for the first time in the parade’s 44-year history, LGBTQ marchers will be included in the procession. If you can’t make it to this parade, you can also try Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 24th.

Family Workshop at the Queens Museum

Flushing, Queens

When: Sunday, March 17th from 1:30 – 4:30 pm

Where: Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 11368

Cost: Free activity with admission ($8 adults, kids under 18 free)

Chase the rainbow and welcome spring with a gentle, holiday-appropriate activity. Families are invited to create rainbow suncatcher crafts together, while listening to fun stories about the natural spectrum of colors every hour starting at 1:30. All drop-in workshops are free and open to the public, with no need to register in advance.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Upper West Side, Manhattan

When: Sunday, March 17th from 10:00 am – 4:45 pm

Where: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024

Cost: Included with admission ($14 for adults and children over 1 year of age)

CMOM is hosting a variety of fun events for St. Patrick’s Day, including:

  • “Green Takeover” (All day) – Kids ages 6+ make art using the color green.
  • “Clover Green Mural Wall” (12:00 – 12:45 pm) – Kids under 6 finger-paint a clover green mural.
  •  “Lucky Leprechaun Hats” (1:00 – 1:45 pm) – Kids under 6 make hats and learn about traditions.
  • “Jewelry Design Workshop” (2:00 – 2:45 pm & 3:00 – 3:45 pm) – Kids 6+ make felt and bead jewelry.

Due to limited space, sign-up is required for the jewelry-making class hosted by guest artist Kendra Pariseault. As always, CMOM provides five floors of fun and discovery for kids of all ages.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day

Lower Manhattan

When: Saturday, March 16th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Where: St. Patrick’s Youth Center, 268 Mulberry Street

Cost: $10-$25

It’s no secret rowdy drinkers love St. Patrick’s Day. If you want to be sure your children aren’t exposed to bad behavior, you can head down to this family-friendly “sober” celebration. Here you’ll enjoy all the same classic Irish entertainment. This year’s attendance includes seven-time All-Ireland champion button accordion player John Whelan, five-time All-Ireland champion fiddler Brian Conway, the Donny Golden School of Irish Dancers, and a number of accomplished singers. Tickets to this popular event always sell-out in advance, so get yours today!

Taste Buds Kitchen

Chelsea, Manhattan

When: Sunday, March 17th from 9:00 – 10:00 am

Where: Taste Buds Kitchen, 109 W. 27th Street

Cost: $45 per parent/child pair

Want to bake with your child, but hate the mess in your kitchen? Taste Buds Kitchen is whipping up St. Patty’s Day Rainbow Cupcakes, with a tutorial geared toward little bakers ages five to eight and their parents. Learn the secret of perfect cupcake batter, practice your frosting skills, and enjoy an outing that is as delicious as it is colorful. 

Merchant’s House Museum

NoHo, Manhattan

When: Sunday, March 17th at 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, or 3:30 pm

Where: Merchant’s House Museum, 29 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

Cost: Included with admission ($15 adults, $10 for students, free for children under 12)

Older kids may appreciate a back-stairs tour of the only fully-preserved 19th Century family home. Experience the Merchant’s House through the eyes of Irish immigrants who worked as domestic servants for the Tredwell family. The servant’s quarters on the fourth floor are the oldest intact site of Irish habituation in New York City. Tredwell servant Bridget Murphy leads you back through time, treating your family to beautiful singing and celtic harp.    

While you’re here, check out our 5 Favorite Irish Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day. You may also contact Shine for more information on events, parties, and festivities; sign up for one of our popular classes or workshops; take a guided field trip with us; or hire us to entertain at your next party.

Cultural Kid-Friendly Food: 5 Cajun/Creole Recipes For Mardi Gras

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For foodies, Mardi Gras (which translates to “Fat Tuesday”) is an opportunity to indulge in fatty foods like meat, cheese, milk, and lard. Festivals this time of year are nothing new, dating back to springtime Saturnalia and Lupercalia celebrations of the ancient Romans. The Mardi Gras we know today is largely based on the Christian holiday calendar, falling the Tuesday before Lenten fasting begins. This year, Mardi Gras falls on March 5th. While other parts of the world like Brazil and Venice celebrate with Carnival, the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699 when French explorers first landed in New Orleans, Louisiana. There is no bigger modern-day celebration than the masquerades, street parties, and parades of NOLA. 

Even if your roots do not stretch back to Acadia or the Mississippi Delta, Mardi Gras represents an excellent opportunity to introduce your kids to a new culture and culinary palette. If you don’t want to battle the crowds at Great Jones Café in The East Village, The Boil in the Lower East Side, or Bourbon Street in Hell’s Kitchen, you can whip up homemade Cajun/Creole cuisine with your aspiring chefs. While it’s true many dishes happen to be spicy, there are plenty of kid-friendly Cajun and Creole recipes for the whole family to love.  

Beef Po Boys

Adapted by the NY Times from Benjamin Wicks, proprietor of Mahony’s Po-Boy Shop in New Orleans

Po Boys are scrappy sandwiches made of “leftover” meat – often seafood like crawfish, shrimp, oysters, crab, or fish – but they can also be made of hearty roast beef (which is preferable for many small palettes). A crusty French baguette is also a must for this recipe. Dressings may vary widely based on availability, but this particular version marries celery, onion, peppers, carrots, and garlic roasted in a Dutch oven and smothered in gravy with traditional toppings – mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. The NY Times recommends adding fries and cheese “for added pow.”

Get the recipe here.

Red Beans and Rice

From Saveur Magazine

Beans and rice are eaten in various cultures around the world, but what makes this recipe distinctly “Big Easy” are the savory smells of garlic, oregano, and thyme that are bound to get little tummies rumbling, in addition to the depth of smoky ham hocks that are intriguing enough for adult taste buds. Red beans and rice were traditionally served on Monday, “Laundry Day,” because they could be left to simmer on the stove while attending to other work. This is a simple recipe you can set and forget for two hours, but don’t forget to soak your dried beans overnight.

Get the recipe here.

Nanny’s Seafood Gumbo

By Adam Lathan, Executive Chef of The Gumbo Bros. in Brooklyn

Gumbo is the perfect example of the melting pot that is Louisiana cuisine. The French and West Africans both place claim on its origins, but either way, gumbo is a thick stew. You can make it Creole style made with a roux (flour and butter) base or Cajun-style with a tomato base. Everyone’s grandmother has their own variation, but each pot has something for everyone. There’s no wrong answer in the world of gumbo. Brooklyn Chef Adam Lathan’s nanny uses crab and shrimp with a roux base and backed by celery, bell pepper, and okra. You can use the Cajun seasoning if your kids are old enough to tolerate a pinch of cayenne and red pepper flakes. Otherwise, you may substitute your own seasoning blend of salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, and thyme. Or you might opt for a smaller “kid’s pot” that simply omits the Cajun seasoning. There’s also a version with chicken and andouille sausage if you prefer.

Get the recipe here.

Blackened Redfish

By the late “Superstar” Chef Paul Prudhomme, owner of K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen on Broadway

New Yorkers who lived here in the 80s are old enough to remember when his K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen outpost inspired lines around the block. Blackened Redfish was Chef Paul Prudhomme’s signature dish. “Redfish” includes four different species – the Red Snapper, Red Drum, Rose Fish, and Acadian Redfish. Some of these species can be difficult to come by, but Dorian’s Fish Market carries the Red Snapper, as well as two acceptable substitutes: Pompano and Tilefish. This recipe is best cooked in cast iron if you can.  Serve with Chef Prudhomme’s Shrimp and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms to enjoy a feast fit for a king!

Get the recipe here.

Beignets

By Jean-Paul Bourgeois, Native Louisianan and Executive Chef of Blue Smoke Restaurant in NYC 

Last, but not least, we’ve got the ultimate, mouth-watering Mardi Gras dessert. French-inspired Beignets are every bit as “New Orleans” as po’ boys and gumbo. These square dough fritters are comprised of yeast, bread flour, water, milk, eggs, butter, and salt – then deep-fried in clean vegetable oil, and topped with a mountain of powdered sugar. Chef Bourgeois describes NOLA’s favorite sweet as “deep-fried, sugary goodness,” and “the perfect vehicle for chicory coffee and breakfast in the morning.” 

Get the recipe here.

After your kids sample the new dish, teach them to say “Ca c’est bon” (SAH-say-bohn), which is the Cajun way of saying “That’s good!”

If you’re looking for more novel ways to spice up your kids’ lives with cultural enrichment, contact us to learn about our workshops, parties, and classes. If your child loves to cook, be sure to inquire about our “Kitchen Stars” cooking classes geared toward ages 3-5 or 6-8.

Additional Reading:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras

https://www.americanheritage.com/true-and-delectable-history-creole-cooking

The Difference Between Cajun And Creole Food

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