Sport Hill Farm: Caring for the Land & the Community Ingredients Kids Bites Easton Local Artisan Local Farm Organic Farm Fresh Jessica Ryan October 21, 2010 Sustainable, seasonal, local, organic, and green might be popular phrases these days among the media and the masses, but to those who truly care about where their food comes from, whether they contain pesticides and want to support their communities, these are very powerful words indeed. By buying locally, seasonally and organically, the consumer never has to worry about food recalls. More importantly, the consumers know not only where their food comes from, but get to know their farmers by name. These are the people who also truly care about the future of their children and of children for generations to come… These are the people who truly care about preserving the world around them. Patti Popp of Sport Hill Farm is just this type of person. Read More
Advertisement: Tasti D-Lite Is Coming to Fairfield! Kids Bites Restaurant Fairfield Kid Friendly Dessert Stephanie Webster October 14, 2010 Good news for Tasti D-Lite fans. Made with natural ingredients, this lower calorie frozen dessert treat is opening its doors in Fairfield CT on October 20th at 1201 King Highway in Fairfield's Staples Plaza. Tasti D Lite has long had a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities who line up to enjoy their guilt-free confections. Now Fairfield can enjoy the pleasure of Tasti without the commute, and CTbites readers get a FREE topping during the month of October! The Fairfield store will have nine tables, comfortable couches, and Wi-Fi access. Pair this with 100+ creamy delicious flavors (most of which are gluten free), including Toasted Coconut, Caramel Apple, and Mud Pie…why would you ever leave? Read More
Skillet Eggs & Potatoes from "The Parsley Thief" Kids Bites Features Recipe Breakfast Kid Friendly katie vitucci October 07, 2010 Katie Vitucci is a Norwalk resident and the Founder of The Parsley Thief, a blog about food and family. When I was a child, my grandmother's fried potatoes were one of my most favorite things in the world. She cooked them in a cast iron skillet, with nothing else but some oil, until they were perfectly crisped. Then, she would fry an egg on top. Whenever I wasn't feeling well, this is what she would make me...the ultimate comfort food. I recently made some for my kids. They are not potato fans...but, they do like french fries & these are so crispy, they don't taste like typical home fries, which sometimes have a mushy texture. They taste like french fries. They loved them!! So, this has become one of our "Breakfast for Dinner" options. This dish can be modified to suit your taste. Add some garlic, onion, bell or hot peppers...anything. I highly recommend using a cast iron skillet, as it does such a great job of browning the potatoes. Skillet Eggs & Potatoes Read More
Pinkberry Grand Opening Party Kids Bites Restaurant Events Fairfield Kid Friendly Dessert Stephanie Webster October 06, 2010
Ambler Farm Day Is This Weekend!! Kids Bites Events Local Farm kids activity Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster September 29, 2010
School Lunch Makeover: From Farm To Fork Kids Bites Education Fairfield Local Farm Recipe Jessica Ryan September 22, 2010 I walked into the Unquowa School kitchen this morning to talk to Chef Peter Gorman and Chef-in-Residence Lauren Issaeff, as they were busily making 80 gallons of heirloom tomato sauce to be served to the children, faculty and staff over the course of the school year. Peter and Lauren had their hands full with the seeds, pulp and juices from the various colored heirloom tomatoes that had been freshly picked from Sport Hill Farm, up the road in Easton. On top of the stove, garlic, (also from Sport Hill Farm), simmered in olive oil, and a large bundle of basil, from Gilbertie’s Farm, sat patiently waiting to be tossed in. I was overcome by the wonderful aromas swirling around the kitchen. It was just 9:00 a.m., but how I wished it was lunchtime! This is not an atypical scene in this private school’s kitchen. Read More
Ambler Farms Announces Great Kids Programs for Fall Kids Bites Events Local Artisan Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 14, 2010 Attention Fairfield County families: Are you always looking for a great weekend activity? Why not get away from the burbs and head to the farm! Ambler Farms has some great fall family friendly event you will not want to miss, (plus they make for great holiday card photo opps). These activities are both fun and educational, and most programs run $10-$20 per family. Saturday, September 18th - Family Garden Tour Sunday, September 19th - Honey Harvest Saturday, September 25th - Sheep Shearing Sunday, October 3rd - Ambler Farm Day Read More
Meat & Music @ The 3rd Annual Blues & BBQ Festival Kids Bites Restaurant BBQ Events Beer Stephanie Webster September 13, 2010 Westport’s annual Blues, Views & BBQ Festival will take place on September 24th, 25th and 26th. This event celebrates food, music and family with an exciting line-up of bands, barbecue and cooking events, as well as fun for the whole family. This year’s fest, sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, the country’s premier barbecue organization, features the amateur backyard Cookin’ For A Cause competition, in which teams of two to four participants compete in categories of chicken, ribs, and “chef’s choice.” At the same time, certified pit-masters will be grilling, smoking and barbecuing in the Pro Invitational competition. Both contests are followed by a Pro-Am Invitational “Throwdown” competition where amateur teams compete against the pros. The Pro-Am Invitational includes an “Iron Chef”-style twist where competitors must use three mystery ingredients. Our own contributor, Sarah Green will be there to help judge the Iron Chef event. Read More
CT Taste Organic Festival 2010 Ingredients Kids Bites Events Organic kids activity Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster August 09, 2010 Save the Date. Join CT National Organic Farming Organization to celebrate the 10th annual TASTE! ORGANIC CT 2010 on September 19th at Manchester Community College from 10 am to 4pm. Experience the only LOCAL & ORGANIC festival in Connecticut offering a farmer's market, fresh prepared food, live music, sustainable vendors, artisans, free workshops and free kids activities! Head Chef, John Turenne is busily sourcing the finest and freshest ingredients from Connecticut Farms to be on the event's menu. Three local celebrity chefs are designing recipes that will showcase our local and organic food. Chef John Turenne, fresh from his recent TV stint with “The Naked Chef” Jamie Oliver, will be cooking and running the NOFA Food Booth show. Read More
CT Berry Picking is On!! Ingredients Kids Bites Local Farm kids activity Farm Fresh Kid Friendly Dessert Stephanie Webster July 19, 2010
CTbites Shout Out: Where Do You Eat Out w/ Kids? Kids Bites Restaurant CTbites Shout Out Comfort Food Kid Friendly multiple Authors June 09, 2010 It's the age old problem. You want to go out for dinner with your family, but you simply can't bear the thought of the Diner again. Where can you eat out in Fairfield County where both adults and children will not just endure but enjoy their meals? To help us with this conundrum, I asked our contributors to share their suggestions in the latest CTbites Shoutout: What are your favorite places to eat out with kids? If you have favorite family restaurants, share them by posting a comment below! If my kids (10, 7, & 5) had their way, they would eat tacos, refried beans and rice every day of the week. Read More
Free Local Ice Cream Tasting Ingredients Kids Bites Education Events Local Artisan Westport Dessert Stephanie Webster June 01, 2010 What could make these glorious almost Summer days even better? Did you say "Ice cream?" Yeah…that's what we thought too, so we teamed up with The Whole Foods Market and The Fairfield Green Food Guide for a... Free Local Ice Cream Tasting!! On June 18th, please join us @ The Whole Foods Market in Westport as we sample some excellent ice creams, gelatos and sorbet from 12:00pm-2:00pm in the cafe. This sweet & creamy get ready for Summer event will feature LOCAL ice cream, gelato and sorbet (so even those who can't do dairy can still enjoy). Stop by to sample how good these summer treats can taste and chat about the local significance in our community. We will be answering questions about sustainability and why buying local is best for you, your family and your community. All of the samples are made with all natural or organic ingredients. Bring your appetite and your kids! Check out the frozen dessert lineup: Read More
Kids Talk: The Under 10 Set Reviews Sunny Daes Kids Bites Restaurant Fairfield Stamford Trumbull Westport ice cream Kid Friendly Dessert Multiple Eaters April 14, 2010 When Ben & Jerry's closed in Westport this Fall, there were murmurs of discontent amongst the younger crowd. Where does one get homemade ice cream with solid mix-ins in this town? Fortunately help was just around the corner...literally. Sunny Daes opened just months later and now Westporters young and old don't have to drive to Fairfield to get their fix. This full service ice cream shop has 68 flavors of frosty desserts says owner, Sergio Keskin. Plus, it isn't shipped in on trucks; it's made right behind the counter. If this isn't enough to get you in the door, they also serve gelato, frozen yogurt, soft-serve ice cream, and ice cream cakes. Sure, I could tell you how good the ice cream is, but I thought it made more sense to let the kids tell it like it is... Read More
Kids Cooking Party With "Cindy's Sous Chefs" Kids Bites kids activity kids cooking party Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster April 06, 2010 It's not easy finding a unique kids birthday party activity in Fairfield County. Sure, there is My Three Sons and Pump It Up but what if your kid doesn't want to jump around or collect coins? What if you just want something with more food science and less bouncy castle? With the emergence of the Food Network's 24/7 culinary programming, kids have been acquiring valuable cooking tips during their sick days and developing an interest in all things related to food. In fact, so many of our readers are looking for "cooking themed birthday parties" we decided we had best do some research. What better way to acquire data than to host a cooking party for my five year old daughter chez moi. Read on for Cooking Parties for Kids, Part 1. Read More
Free For Kids: Mondays Just Got A Little Bit Better Kids Bites Norwalk Comfort Food Kid Friendly Burgers Stephanie Webster March 30, 2010
Kids STILL at home? Bake Up Some Pizza Pops Kids Bites kids activity Recipe Comfort Food Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster March 16, 2010
Kid-friendly Cooking Project for Stir-Crazy Adults Kids Bites Features Holiday kids activity Recipe Kid Friendly Jennifer Spaide March 15, 2010 For those of you with functioning ovens and kids home from school, here is a tasty time consumer. For creative great tasting "homemade" cookies in a pinch, try this shortcut from Jennifer Spaide of Greenchic.com. As a chef it’s important to know your weaknesses in the kitchen. And I am fully willing to admit that mine is baking. If it’s more complicated than emptying a mix into a bowl, cracking a few eggs, and whisking, don’t expect me to do it well. So you can imagine the panic that pulsed through me when I was asked to bake cookies for some gift baskets. What, me? Really?! But I was up for the challenge… or the cheat. Don’t tell, but I decided to pull a Sandra Lee and take some “semi-homemade” help from the grocery store by purchasing premade sugar cookie dough. I chose an all-natural brand because it’s a little healthier (no trans fats or high fructose corn syrup). With the basic batter under control, and a little stress off my shoulders, I was free to get creative with the flavors & fillings. I decided to make three different kinds of cookie: Chocolate Cherry Almond, Ginger Sesame Coconut, and Orange Fig Thumb Drops. These recipes are so simple it's genius (not to toot my own horn, but “Toot toot”). Read More
What's in Your Lunchbox? Kids Bento Kids Bites What's in your Lunchbox? Nicole Straight March 02, 2010
IzzI B: Allergen Free Cupcakes Everyone Will Love Ingredients Kids Bites Bakery Norwalk Special Dietary Needs Kid Friendly Dessert Sarah Green February 07, 2010 Do you have a child with food allergies? I do. It stinks. It’s not the end of the world, I realize that, but it certainly makes everyday events (and I really mean just about EVERY day in this town!) like birthday parties a hassle. My son is allergic to dairy, egg, sesame, and tree nuts. OK, the sesame isn’t usually a cupcake issue. But there haven’t been a lot of options for dairy free or egg free desserts! And I have several friends whose children also need gluten-free food. ( Yikes!) There ARE products out there that you can bake yourself; Cherrybrook Kitchen has a whole line of boxed items that you can order on-line and even purchase in some grocery stores. But the cakes and cookies from Cherrybrook are just -ok. They are not particularly tasty, especially for the sophisticated and discerning taste buds of the seven-year-olds in Fairfield County! And, you have to bake them yourself. But there’s a new kid in town and she is singing my song- her name is Pam Nicholas and she is the owner and baker at Izzi B’s Allergen Free Cupcakes. I recently purchased Izzi B cupcakes for my son’s birthday party and they were a colossal hit! Delicious, ‘B’utiful, fun, and 100% allergen-free Read More
