Cat Cora in the Muppets Kitchen at Disney Studios
If you had told me that I would be visiting the Muppets Kitchen at Disney Studios I most certainly would have scoffed and looked at you as if you were delirious. But there I was ~ sitting in the front row, waiting for Iron Chef Cat Cora and muppets Chef Angelo and Pepe to make their entrance for a taping of Muppets Kitchen! I tweeted “you’re never too old for the muppets!”. Being a big fan of Cat Cora’s was the main reason I was one of the few moms there without a child under the age of 10 – not only is Cat the only female Iron Chef and Executive Chef at Bon Appétit, but I adore her Mississippi accent and the southern influence that you see in many of her culinary creations.
Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living
AND, now she’s joined Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living national multimedia initiative to partner with parents to raise healthy, happy kids. The initiative includes public service announcements by First Lady Michele Obama who started the Let’s Move! campaign for raising healthier, more active kids in 2006. The new content showcases fun, easy ways that healthy living can be woven into the fabric of everyday life, and The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora definitely does that with short video clips that show parents how to engage their kids in the kitchen and have fun while learning about healthy foods and cooking.
Kids in the Kitchen
We had fun watching Cat, in the parent’s role, make Popcorn Trail Mix with Chef Angelo, as the kid, while Pepe tweeted about it. Gentle banter, lessons on kitchen safety, and teachable moments abound. I’m sharing the recipe for the Popcorn Trail Mix below and you can also find the recipe and many other ideas and resources for parents by going to Disney’s website, Family.com/healthyfun. Their other new website has fun activities designed especially for the kids: Disney.com/healthyfun.
Naturally, kids are always included and take an active part in Disney events. During the taping, Cat asked questions directly to the audience and, you know kids! They say the darndest things!
Overheard: “Look even Cat Cora makes a mess when she cooks” 🙂
Cat Cora’s Recipe for Popcorn Trail Mix
- 2 9- oz bags of Microwave Popcorn we used Kettle Corn, popped according to package directions
- 1 C Raisins
- 1/2 C dried Apricots chopped
- 1/2 C dried Cranberries and/or Cherries we used Cranberries
- 1/2 C honey or Agave Nectar
- 2 Tbs. Butter
- 1/4 C finely chopped pecans walnuts, and/or peanuts (we used walnuts)
- 1/4 C raw Sunflower Seeds
- 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
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Oil hands to keep popcorn from sticking.
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In a large bowl combine popcorn with dried fruits and set aside.
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In a medium saucepan over low heat, stir honey with butter, nuts, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon and mix until well combined.
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Carefully drizzle mixture over popcorn and fruit, stirring constantly, until everything is well coated. Let sit overnight.
Serving size: 1/2 Cup — 291 calories; 3g Protein; 11g Fat; 50g Carbs; 4g Fiber, 27mg Calcium; 1mg Iron; 104mg Sodium.
For me, the big hit was the Mediterranean Hummus Wrap Pinwheels which are perfect for kids school lunches or entertaining. These colorful portable snacks are ideal for birthday parties, tailgating, football parties, etc. I guarantee these Mediterranean Hummus Wraps will disappear quickly as both big and little kids love them, plus, they’re deliciously nutritious!
Healthy Kids School Lunch – Cat Cora’s Mediterranean Hummus Wraps
- 6 vegetable wraps spinach, red pepper, or whole wheat
- 1 ½ cups hummus
- 6 large romaine lettuce leaves
- 2 red bell peppers thinly sliced
- 1 carrot grated
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
- 6 slices turkey bacon cooked until crispy according to package instructions
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 2 tablespoons
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Spread 1/4 cup of hummus on each vegetable wrap.
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On top of the hummus, place one lettuce leaf at the bottom edge of each wrap.
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On top of the lettuce, line the leaf with a single layer of sliced bell peppers.
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On top of the layer of peppers, spread about 1/4 cup of grated carrot.
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On top of the grated carrot, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
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On top of the sun-dried tomatoes sprinkle the chopped basil evenly among the 6 wraps.
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On top of the basil, place one whole slice of cooked turkey bacon.
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Finally, on top of the turkey bacon, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly among the 6 wraps.
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To roll the wrap, fold the left and right side of each wrap inward about 1 1/2 inches. Then starting from the bottom upward tightly roll the wrap keeping the layers intact.
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Cut the wraps into 1-inch pieces and serve.
More Nutritious, Kid-Approved Recipes:
Cauliflower Mac n’ Cheese Muffins
Awesome, I was supposed to go to the event as well, But I had attended the Rick Bayless event in the OC the very same day. I love that cookbook, I’m still making recipes from it. I just made the curried lentil soup, and it’s full of flavor and yummy!
Hopefully I’ll bump into you at the next foodie-fun event.
Oh this looks so fun!!! I <3 Cat Cora, with or without Bert and Ernie. I'm glad you got to go and be right there in the front!
This looks like so much fun! I would love to take my niece to something like this, I bet she would absolutely love it. The great thing about it is that it gets kids interested in healthy foods right from the start!
@Kystal – Too many events, not enough time! I would have liked to seen what Rick Bayless was cookin’ up 🙂
@Amanda – haha, Bert and Ernie are from Sesame Street – I said something about Elmo and was corrected! Hey, my kid is 19 years old – it’s been awhile 🙂
@Faith – You are absolutely right! It starts with the baby food 🙂 Your niece, and your future children, are very lucky to have you ♥
fun fun, looks like you had a great day!
I also adore Cat Cora (Isn’t her name just lovely too!?) I would have been right there with you…even though babies/children are years out of sight for me! I think it is so important to get kids excited about healthy food and cooking at a young age. I know that my mom got me in the kitchen as soon as I could walk…and its been a huge blessing throughout my entire life!
How fun…Those pinwheels do look delicious 🙂 I bet the kids has such a good time…
Pirsicila I love Cat Cora, I always see her recipes (nice ) in Bonn appetit,I loove her with sesame street! x gloria
Well, aren’t you just a busy bee?! I love Cat Cora, and would have liked to be a fly on the wall at this one. [K]
that looks like such fun! lucky you! it was so great meeting you this weekend. it was such fun!
Hey Pricsilla~
What a cool experience! I got to watch Cat and meet her at the South Beach Food & Wine Fest a couple years back! She was so down-to-earth and friendly with everyone! I love the Hummus wraps and will bookmark them for our Halloween party–always on the prowl for great party recipes!
@Sommer – My sister and I are planning on attending the South Beach Food & Wine Fest in February. Will we see you there this year? Would be great to meet!
This has to be one of the very best menus to get kids excited on healthier foods. Geez…this would be great for the adults too ;o)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
P.S. Priscilla, when you a chance…there’s a little something on my AWARDS page for you ;o)