Cooking Fun Zone: Mini-Sized Savoury Treats for Mini Chefs

• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry
• 6 tbsp pizza sauce
• 2 tsp Italian herbs
• 4 slices of chicken ham, diced
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
2. Spread each pastry sheet with 3 tablespoons of pizza sauce, sprinkle with Italian herbs and diced ham. Spread the pizza cheese over the top.
3. Roll each pastry sheet tightly into a scroll and slice the scroll evenly into 12 pieces.
4. Place in tray and bake for 10-15 minutes. 

     Tips for Mini Chefs:

1. Let kids pick and add their favourite toppings — corn, paneer, or even pineapple!
2. Teach them to roll the dough gently so the filling doesn’t spill.
3. Use cookie cutters for fun shapes before baking.

• 2 avocados, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tsp taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander
• ½ cup tomato salsa
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• ½ cup grated cheese
• Corn chips, to serve

1. Cut and deseed the avocado. Chop green onions. Cut and deseed tomatoes. Dice and deseed the cucumber.
2. In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, taco seasoning and coriander.
3. Spoon avocado into the base of 8 x 1/2-cup-capacity clear serving cups. Top each evenly with salsa. Spoon the sour cream mixture over the salsa. 
4. Top with tomato, cucumber and cheese. Serve with corn chips.

     Tips for Mini Chefs:

1. Let your child layer each ingredient like building blocks — it’s colourful and fun!
2. Encourage them to taste each layer separately before mixing.
3. Use small spoons or cups to help with neat portions.

• 8 cups of ready popcorn or microwave popcorn
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded) 
• Butter paper

1. If you are using kernels, pop them and cool them before you start. You can use readily-popped ones as well.
2. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl. You can use them whole to make the balls, or gently break them with your hand and use them as well.
3. Take a small pan and add butter. Melt it on a low flame and then add the shredded cheese. Stir till the cheese melts.
4. Pour layer by layer into the bowl of popcorn so it spreads and coats well.
5. Mix gently using a spoon.
6. Let it sit for up to a minute.
7. Take a large plate or tray and place a butter paper on it.
8. Grease your hands with a little oil.
9. Scoop half a handful and start forming a ball using both your palms and fingers.
10. Set them on the butter paper and let them cool.
11. Serve within the next hour, or the popcorn will lose its crunch.

     Tips for Mini Chefs:

1. Ask kids to count or shape the popcorn balls — makes it a playful math moment!
2. Let them mix the popcorn with melted cheese using a spoon (it feels magical!).
3. Remind them to cool the balls before tasting.

• 3 slices of white sandwich bread
• 6 tsp butter
• ¼ cup eggless mayonnaise
• 1 tsp green chutney
• ½ capsicum
• 3 slices of cheese
• ¼ tsp pepper powder
• 3 tsp shredded cabbage
• ½ carrot
• 1 tbsp tomato sauce
• 1 pinch salt
• Cling wrap as needed

1. Trim the sides of the bread slices and flatten them with a rolling pin.
2. Using a butter press and seal the 3 bread slices together by applying butter to the edges to make an elongated bread surface.
3. Spread the 3 tsp butter over the bread slices.
4. Prepare a sauce by taking 1/4 cup eggless mayonnaise and 1 tsp green chutney. Mix well to combine all.
5. Spread the prepared sauce over the buttered bread and top with the thinly sliced capsicum. Place 3 cheese slices and sprinkle 1/4 tsp pepper powder, and top with shredded cabbage and grated carrot.
6. Garnish with tomato sauce and a pinch of salt.
7. Roll tightly, making sure all the layers are intact. Wrap the sandwich in a cling wrap tightly.
8. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, remove the wrap and slice the sandwich. The pinwheel sandwich is ready to be served.

     Tips for Mini Chefs:

1. Kids can spread sauces or chutney using a spoon or butter knife safely.
2. Let them arrange veggies in colourful patterns before rolling.
3. Have them wrap and slice the roll with your help — they’ll love the spiral surprise!