Waffles

Waffles
Makes about 5, enough for 2 adults, 1 child plus some left over to freeze and reheat in the toaster for a quick snack.

1/4 cup of butter, melted
A scant cup of standard flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
a pinch of salt
2 small egg yolks
A scant cup of buttermilk
2 egg whites

Melt the butter, but only just, then leave to cool. Separate the eggs and put the yolks in a big bowl and add the the flour, baking powder and salt. With the clean beaters, beat the egg whites until stiff then with the same beaters mix the egg yolk and flour mixture adding the melted butter. Fold a third of the egg whites into the batter then gently fold in the rest. For best results use a metal spoon, but no one seems to particularly notice if I use the spatula!
Pour about 1/2 cup at a time into a preheated waffle iron. You will need to work out how hot your waffle iron should be but I set ours to about 10 o'clock, if you know what I mean!
I don't grease our waffle iron, but it is a new non stick version, so if yours is in need of greasing melt a little more butter in the first step then brush the iron lightly as required.
Serve with maple syrup. 

Puffed Cereal Bars

Makes about 21 small toddler slices

8 dates, washed to remove skin and pit removed - approximately 1/4 cup

1 Tablespoon butter

Splash of water

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup sultanas

pinch Cinnamon

1 cup puffed millet

Heat dates, butter and water in a pot large enough to hold all ingerdients.  When the butter has melted and the water is hot puree with a stick blender.  Mix in the peanut butter, sultanas and cinnamon thoroughly then fold through the puffed millet.  Press out to a rectangular log on some greaseproof paper and wrap up well then chill in the freezer for 30 minutes.  Slice into bars and store in the fridge.

Variations :

• The dried fruit can be varied, prunes or apricots (soaked) for the puree, raisins or chopped dried apricots for the sultanas.  
• Any nut butter can be used.  
• Any spice can be used.  
• Any puffed cereal can be used.  

Edible Playdough

Edible playdough

What you need
Peanut paste
Milk powder
sugar
Edible food colouring

What to do
Younger children often eat regular playdough. If this is happening with your younger child, put away the regular playdough until they are older and can understand not to eat it, and make a batch of edible playdough.

Simply mix on part of peanut paste to one part of milk powder and half a part of sugar. Double or triple the quantities if you require. Add food colouring if desired.