Vanilla and Strawberry Cakes

Healthier kids party food doesn’t have to be boring. Here is a nostalgic family favourite.

Serves: 10 children

Steps

1. Pre heat the oven to 180oc / Gas Mark 4
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla extract together until pale and fluffy.
3. Beat in 1 egg then sift in the half the flour. Then beat in the other egg and sift the remaining flour.
4. Fill each fairy cake paper holder with a spoonful of mixture
5. Place the cakes in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
6. Cool on a wire rack when cooked.
7. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of gently boiling water, and place a teaspoon of melted chocolate on each cake. Top with half a strawberry.

Vegetable Chips & Pumpkin Dip

Nutritious and a delicious snack full of beta-carotene, vitamins, and minerals. The beetroot promotes the development of healthy bacteria, so helpful if your child has been on antibiotics recently.

Serves: 4 children

Steps

1. Cut the vegetables into long thin strips (1cm thick) Julienne style.
2. Pour the olive oil onto a baking tray and heat in a preheated oven at 200oc / Gas Mark 6, until hot.
3. Place the vegetables on the tray making sure that they are covered in oil.
4. Place the tray back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until chips are a light golden brown.
5. While the chips are baking you can make the pumpkin dip
6. Dry fry the pumpkin seeds in a frying pan over a moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Turn them over as they pop and go golden brown.
7. Remove the cooked seeds from the frying pan and allow them to cool to the touch.
8. Place the seeds in a food processor and grind, adding the garlic, spring onions, ground cumin, tomatoes, tomato puree, and lime juice. Blend until smooth.
9. Pour the pureed soup back into the casserole dish and stir in the macaroni, parsley and basil.
10. Serve with the chips and dip together in separate bowls.

Piggies in blankets

I use vegetarian sausages, but you can use good quality sausages from a butchers. These are healthier alternatives to traditional sausage rolls.

Cooking Time: 10 mins

Serves: 20 children

Steps

1. Heat some olive oil in a frying pan and cook the sausages, drain on kitchen paper and allow to cool.
2. Preheat the oven to 200oc / gas mark 6
3. Greese a baking sheet.
4. Sift the flour, salt, baking powder into a large bowl.
5. Rub in the butter with your finger tips ( or use a food processor) until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
6. Stir into the mixture the sundried tomatoes, parsley, and cheese.
7. Make a well in the middle of the mixture and add enough milk to make a soft dough.
8. Roll into a square on a lightly floured surface until about 6mm thick. Cut into 20 squares.
9. Wrap each sausage into a square of dough, then use a little milk to stick down the edge.
10. Place them on the baking sheet, and brush the tops with a little beaten egg.
11. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes until they have risen and are golden brown.
12. Serve warm or cold and accompany with tomato ketchup.

Fresh fruit lollies

Fresh fruit lollies are a good way of giving your child a vitamin boost and these will help soothe the soorest of throats.

Cooking Time: 0 mins (needs time to freeze)

Serves: 4 children

Steps

1. Using a juice, juice the pineapple
2. Add the blackcurrants or mixed berries
3. Pour the juice into lolly moulds and freeze immediately
4. The lollies can be frozen for up to two months, eat them from frozen and enjoy as a heathy desert or treat
5. If your child is suffering from a cold and sore throat, boost the vitamin c and add a teaspoon of honey