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ELLEN'S KITCHEN
Cook Talk

recipes for teens
Cindy
hardy5@earthlink.net
02/26/04
I'm looking for recipes to make on a mexico missions trip for 50 teenagers.
ellen

04/22/04
Yikes. Please email tp the address below with details on cooking and storage facilities, budget, length of trip, etc
cookupdt@texas.net
beka
navybrat1031@hotmail.com
03/21/05
hi im trying to find out what to make for my sweet 16!! There will be a lot of people there and i want to make something that is easy, good, and something that teens will like!! Please email me at navybrat1031@hotmail.com
Thanx for your help!
ellen

03/23/05
If this is a mixed group of boys and girls, consider something like a taco buffet, where everyone can make tacos, taco salad, etc, with and without meat for all tastes. Also, relatively inexpensive and easy to serve and keep hot. If you likethe idea, email me the number of guests and I will try to help you with amounts.

Other options; baked chicken or sauasage spaghetti or lasagna. Baked potato bar. Check out whethwr there are any school cafeteria meals people actually like for other ideas.

And happy birthday!

Kyle

04/29/05
hi
naida cadwallader
naidacadwallader@yahoo.com
06/08/05
I'm working on a cookbook for incoming freshmen ....easy, healthy, simple step recipe ideas welcomed. Thank you, Naida
ellen

06/08/05
Oh how well I remember MY first cooking in the dorm room! What food storage and cooking facilities, eg in room microwave, floor kitchen, etc.?

If you can find a little out of print cookbook called, The Impoverished Students’ Book of Cookery, Drinkery and Housekeepery, originally published in 1965, you will get a lot of ideas.

I encourage adding veggies and fruits to many things since this helps avoid that 10-20 pound freshman weight gain.

ellen

06/08/05
http://www.bestteendiets.org/recipes.html
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/HealthyLiving/articles/feedingtweensontherun.htm
http://chefmom.com/articles/veggieteens.htm

Here are a few of my favorite teen recipe sights.

gordo

07/07/05
I'm cooking for a group of teens on a mission trip this month. We do have access to a kitchen and frig and the place is only 3 hours away. I'm going to pre-cook as much as possible and freeze it to help both with transportation and to reduce the amount of cooking I have to do when I get there. I've run this by several of the kids and they are excited. Here's what I'm having. Hope you get some ideas.

Dinner:

*Rice with teriyaki chicken, stir-fried veggies

*Taco meat –nachos, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, refried beans, salsa, sour cream

Hamburgers with chips, salad?, fruit unless they use the hamburgers for the rafting trip

*Lasagna with salad, garlic bread

*Sloppy Joes

Chicken fingers with fries

Breakfast: with fruit

*Breakfast casserole

*Waffles

Cereal and milk

English muffin egg sandwiches?

Lunch:

Sandwiches/chips or salad of some kind/veggies w/dip/fruit

Grilled cheese, tomato soup fruit, veggies and dip

French bread pizza?

Hotdogs

String cheese, fruit, crackers or bagels,

Snacks:

Quesadillas
Graham crackers and peanut butter
Popcorn
String cheese
Banana muffins

Cheesy rice?

ellen

07/08/05
Gordo, how many people including teens and adults? What are you doing about beverages and water? If you freeze, stuff need to STAY Frozen until it is thawed for cooking.
Here are a few breakfast ideas:
Scrambled eggs and hash browns
Breakfast tacos or burritos
Selection of yogurt, granola and cold cereals and muffins
Oven French toast (good recipe on the Big Pages section)

I suggest baked crispy potato wedges instead of fries, as frying is messy, expensive and dangerous, besides being, erh, unhealthy.

gordo

07/11/05
I was just making some suggestions for the person cooking for the mission trip to Mexico. I won't fry the french fries, just bake them on a cookie sheet in the oven. We'll be having more fruits and veggies with each meal too.
rachel

11/08/05
hey, what would be a good idea to cook someone for a date?
ellen

11/08/05
Hmm, I would pick someone who was tender and small enough to fit in the oven...

Seriously, Rock Cornish game hens are easy and fun to eat, much less challenging to cook than a steak and can be done in the oven with some baked potatoes and a hot cobbler or pie for dessert. Cook some whole green beans or broccoli on top of the stove, and you have a great meal.

Becky
tonyrea66@usfamily.net
11/12/05
Cooking for school lunch program.
Hi, I have just started cooking lunch for a school and was wondering if you know of any cookbooks to help with planing how much for and different recieps that kids like.The ages are Preschool to 8th grade.Thank you and I love your web page.
ellen

11/12/05
Yes, there are quite a few school cookbooks- you don't say how big your school is- start with the USDA school lunch website for links.

If you do a ggogl search for
recipes "school lunch"

including the quotes, you will see many more ideas

Jessica
jazz-eh@hotmail.com
11/16/05
I am a teen, and i would like to know if any of you have any good beverage recipes. For example, punches, smoothies etc. If you could send me some recipes that would be awesome! also if you have any snack recipies that i can make quickly and take to school, can you please send me those to? Thank you very much! :)
ellen

11/17/05
Hi, Jessica,

I like to make the hunky monkey breakfast bars and the OAMC frozen burritos ahead and take, they are very portable.

I make my smoothies using frozen fruits or frozen bananas in the blender because I like them thick. I use Designer Whey protein powder because I like the flavor, especially vanilla praline and chocolate. I use yogurt or milk for the liquid, if you do not do dairy you can use soy milk.

Naira

12/03/05
I'm throwing a party for my friends and i need something easy and good to make. Something that teens like to eat for a snake.
ellen

12/04/05
Hot queso dip with or without sausage added is popular. Tex Mex 7 layer taco dip is popular and easy,too, or you could consider a make it yourself taco bar. If you have a little bit extra to spend, hot wings are very popular, but for teens you need a lot- about 3/4 pound per person.
It take about 8 pounds of taco / Fritos chips or 6 pounds of potato chips for 100 adult people, you want to get a couple pounds more for teens.

Yopu can find the links for most of these recipes on the "new pages" page.
If you read the "Big Pots" page, it will give you more ideas.

Frances
walking_differently@hotmail.com
12/13/05
i hav to find sso recipies for my class (20 people) for our last day of school but i dont know what to make!
ellen

12/16/05
Frances, you have to start by telling me what an sso recipe is! Write back.
maria
mariajean@optusnet.com.au
01/23/06
hi,
I'am 13yrs.old and i am heading to yr.8.i am overweight and looking for fun lunches that will help me to lose weight and help give me be alert thorugh a busy day of school.lunches at the canteen(tuckshop) are yucky processed foods that i hardly know what its made up of,if i had a home-made lunch it will be a sandwhich that i get bored at the first bite.i need recipies and quick 'cos school starts in a week!

from maria

ellen

01/23/06
Hi, Maria! Congratulations on taking such good care of yourself. You have to add a little more activity such as some walking, every day.

This is not just a question of lunch. You need to eat a breakfast every school day with 12-16 grams or more protein- it can be as simple as 2 hard boiled eggs or a milk and protein shake- so you are not starving by lunch. Then you need a calcium source- you are building the bones for childbearing and to prevent osteoporosis in your lod age RIGHT NOW! If you add some veggies- I know this sound funny, but it is one of the secrets to feeling full without over-eating- this will help.

Then you want a lunch with the same protein amount or more, such as shaved deli meats or the new tuna in a packet, and some carbs; could be the 2 slices of bread or a hand full of crackers or baked chips. PLUS veggies- baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, slaw, etc easy to eat hand veggies.

Fruit juices and sodas are a huge source of calories. Eat only whole fruits, and try to limit to 2 a day. Use sugar free sodas or bottled water instead.

If you plan on Saturday for the week to come so you have everything you need in the refrigerator or cupboard, you will stick with it better. I have taken off about 40 pounds this year, it is hard, but it is really worth it!

gimpboy

01/25/06
hi i love this website it really helps me alot thanx everyone
Bria
02/08/06
Im doing a project for school where we have to start a company. My group members and I are going to make a bakery/coffee shop, so if you have any recipes please feel free to let us know!!!
Bria
02/08/06
Sorry I forgot to post my e-mail

gigsbria@yahoo.com

ellen
02/08/06
Bria, hi. There are a LOT of local and state regulations about making and selling food, such as having to have all the food that will be sold made in specially inspected-by-the-health-department kitchens. Do you have to learn about this? All the regulations are available at the health department.

Most companies that are successful start with developing one or a few special products that can be made commercially. Lately, biscotti are very popular because they are simple ad relatively cheap to make, keep well and do not have to be thrown away every day, and people really like them and will pay a dollar each for good ones.

Having an actual shop is much more expensive in start up and much more likely to fail, than developing a product that can be sold to existing coffee and tea shops. Something to think about.

Rana
02/10/06
Hi Ellen,

I work for a community center and each Friday night, we have a teen night at the center with different events, from basketball to graffiti contests, and I would really like to add some healthy snacks that the teens can make. We did english muffin pizzas last Fall and that worked pretty well. We have anywhere from 50-150 teens that drop in to the center during Friday nights and we do not have a readily available kitchen. We have an oven, stove and microwave, but they are away from the lobby. Do you have any suggestions for fun, healthy snacks that could be made entirely in our lobby?

ellen
02/11/06
I would get a cart and move a microwave in for the evening. Hot snacks "sell" better than cold, and melted cheese on almost anything is desirable; while cold cheese is a pass.

Hot dips like chili con queso are eternally popular. There are lots of other hot dips, too.
And a chocolate fondue with cake and fruit chunks and marshmallows is a big treat.

"Cute fruit animal" competit foursion with all kinds of fruit chunks pre-dipped in orange juice to prevent browning, plus gum drops, licorice sticks, etc, held/stuck together with thin pretzel sticks, are edible and you can even give prizes.

Natalie
02/27/06
Hello. What was the answer to your "cooking for teens on a Mexico mission trip" question? Did you have any great ideas?
Thanks, Natalie
ellen t
04/04/06
hey my names ellen too!
Christina
04/22/06
Hi, for my school assignment i have to make up a catering business and i have to cater for an organisation that has brought out a new clothing range for teens and is throwing an opening party, about 250 people are invited, The limit is $22 per head. Are there any fun cheap recipes i can include in my assignment, and i have to cook a serving for 1 person for marking. any suggestions would be great.
ellen
04/23/06
For $22, a professional caterer would want food plus beverage costs to be $6-7 per person. I might choose an expresso bar and fraprappacino punch party with biscotti cookies and brownies. There is a frappacino punch recipe on this site, and mMy biscotti baking binge would give you enough for all your classmates with a nice take-home box for the teacher.
Samantha
04/30/06
Deliciouse quick and easy meals.
Hi my name is Sam and I am 11 yrs old i LOVE cooking.I enjoy cooking leek & onion tarts and cheesy potato slices.Mum encourages me to cook In the kitchen and I want to be a chef when I am older.Thats how much mum has made me appriciate.
Samantha
04/30/06
Tonights supper.
I want to make some-thing healthy and tasty for supper I have bought a few things but I don'y know what I should make I have to cook for 2 adults a teen and my-self.Here are the Ingredients I have:

Leek (large)
Potatos (15)
brocolli (medium)
Snow pea sprouts (140g)
Brussel sprouts (15)
cauliflower (Small)
bok-choy (medium)
tomato (4)
Fish (4 pieces)
Steak (4 pieces)
Meat ball (15)

The appliences I have are:

Microwave.
Fry pan.
Wok.
Kettle.
Blender.
Oven.
Stove.
Fridge
and a Toaster.

ellen
05/03/06
Hi, Sam,

You might enjoy to start following the forums at chef2chef.com.

You know that this is way too much food for 1 dinner. Out of respect for freshness, I would cook the things that don't keep well, the fish, the snow pea sprouts and the bok choy. Start some steamed rice. Maybe, dip the fish in milk then crumbs or wheat germ and saute in the pan. Fire up the wok add some oil, garlic, ginger and soy sauce and the sliced bok choy and cook stirring frequently just until wilted and tender. Throw the pea sprouts on top of the rice the last few mintes and use to garnish the rice and fish, maybe with a bit of diced tomato for color. Pretty plate, well balanced meal.

Brenda
05/11/06
I am looking for recipes for teenagers. I work with a youth club and they are very interested in cooking. I am looking for some dinner recipes and possibly healthy options! If you have any suggestions I would be most grateful
ellen
05/12/06
Everybody needs to be able to cook a week's worth of dinners. Roast cornish game hen halves are stylish, easy and delicious; meat loaf and meat balls at the same time; an oven or crockpot stew; crepes and omelets; some kind of paella or baked fish dish. Baked apples with vanilla ice cream, dump cake or a fruit cobbler, maybe a whole day wit h all the variations of angel biscuits; and last but not least, some real bread.
brooke
05/13/06
What would be a good recipe fofr mother's day??
ellen
05/13/06
Moms usually like the halves Cornish game hens roasted. Ask the butcher to saw them in half while they are still frozen. By tomorrow they will thaw. Stuff and roast about 45 minutes at 350 degrees. You can use already cooked rice or a stove-top stuffing mix to make the stuffing- just add a little celery and onion diced up and cooked in butter, then some dried cranberries or raisins and maybe some slivered almonds or pecans. Serve with a spiced peach (available in jars) or cranberry relish, some broccoli or asparagus, and some lemon sherbet or other ice cream and cookies for dessert.
Nanny Shar
12/24/06
recipeornish Game Hens
I need basic idea for cornish game hen, I have not prep[ared for over 35 years, I have mixed wild rice, dressing, and potatoes on hand, two hens at 24oz ea. Need to cook om Christmas Dat, eve. Thanks
Nanny Shar
12/24/06
recipeornish Game Hens
I need basic idea for cornish game hen, I have not prepared for over 35 years, I have mixed wild rice, dressing, and potatoes on hand, two hens at 24oz ea. Need to cook on Christmas Day, eve. Thanks tubbshaw@earthlink.com
ellen
12/25/06
You can roast as halves for 40 minutes, put dressing in pan, place chickens over skin side up after marinating or rubbing on spices, bake at 325-350 for 40 minutes.
gordo
01/15/07
I'm cooking for another teen retreat, probably about 40-50 including adults. I'm tired of the typical baked pasta, taco or potato buffets. It's probably just me getting bored with the ideas, but since I'm doing the cooking.... I'd love at least a couple of new ideas I haven't done to death. Don't know yet what the cooking facilities are but I suspect they are not that good.
ellen
01/15/07
Hi, Gordo,

Stuffed baked chicken quarters, stuffed bell peppers or acorn squash, cabbage rolls, Greek-style pork or beef stew. Moussaka with potatoes and zucchini instead of just eggplant. Baked in the oven fish chowder, or baked white fish with crumbs and cheese. Cinncinati 5 way chili with spaghetti, beans, cheese. Redbeans ad rice with plenty of sausage. Jambalaya, ettouffee or dirty rice.

gordo
01/15/07
Thanks--that was fast!
ping
02/10/07
i like to cook
grace
03/17/07
hey! im 12 years old, and i need to prepare a QUICK main course recipe for my mum and dad. Any ideas? =)
ellen
03/17/07
Baked chicken pieces or meatloaf, baked potatoes, salad and green beans or another vegetable. Easy oven dinner, ready about 40 minutes after you start. Put the potatoes in the microwave for about 10 minutes, then into the oven with the chicken.
isla
03/19/07
i really cant give my mum enough to tell her how much she does so i wanted to prepare anice meal i do no how to work most thing and do bake cakes but was wandering for a tasty easy recipy to do for her and my dad maby a crab cake or a nice chicken dish ,maby a nice fish or something simple but very tasty my mum and dad also like currys and chineese but i have a nutalergy so cant cook with them please please help
kathy
07/08/07
first of all i must warn you that i am a very picky eater! [i dont like tomatos,onions,beef,or any other meat except for chicken.]

ok,
well im 13 yrs. old and i dont like the food my mom makes =[
so im trying to make my own meals from now on.
but im having trouble finding stuff i actually like.
have any suggestions???

p.s.
i love fruits..
and i always wanted to eat them for snacks
but they seem to boring/plain...and they dont fill me up enough.
have any other snack ideas?

ellen
07/09/07
Hi, Kathy,

It sounds like you have a lot to plan! Your body is forming all your adult bones and your reproductive health right now (your bones at age 80 depend on your diet now). You can eat a good diet without any of the things you don't like, but you have to PLAN.

You need proteins, iron, calcium pretty much at every meal, but they can be vegetarian, or chicken. Do you eat fish? cheese? cottage cheese? yogurt? milk? nuts (what kind, for example do you like sunflower seeds, peanut butter, etc.) How much soda do you drink every day? Do you every eat whole wheat bread, oatmeal, or other whole grain cereals? Are you happy with your weight and height?

Write back with more info, or email me at cookupdt@texas.net and we will talk further.

kathy
07/09/07
i dont like fish.
i do like cheese,milk,yogurt,and peanuts/almonds/peanutbutter.

i rarely drink soda [only on sundays]
and always eat whole wheat bread/crackers/and cereals.

Rebecca
07/20/07
im almost 15 and tired of the same old recipies i use for lunches. Could you suggest easy lunch ideas using ingredients just around the house so i could just make when i want them and don't need to go out and buy stuff. plez email me @ maygirl@cox.net
thank you.
Rebecca
07/20/07
im almost 15 and tired of the same old recipies i use for lunches. Could you suggest easy lunch ideas? using ingredients just around the house so i could just make when i want them and don't need to go out and buy stuff. plez email me @ maygirl@cox.net
thank you.
no nuts due 2 my braces plez.
ellen crysell
08/20/07
hi i need 2 recipes that include celery. but theres a catch they have to be recipes that teenagers will enjoy
Ellen Crysell
08/20/07
hi i need 2 recipes that include celery. but theres a catch they have to be recipes that teenagers will enjoy
please contact me asap on she_devil_teen@hotmail.com
gordo
08/21/07
How bout celery filled with peanut butter or cream cheese? The teens in my youth group seem to like it.
ellen
08/22/07
thanks gordo thats a good idea. ill try it and see if my mates will like it
Michelle
03/06/08
Hi, I am a math special ed teacher looking
to bring conversion of measurement sizes to life for my students. We are going through the book and next week I would like to make the lesson a little more interesting by giving them some easy, cheap recipes we co uld use in class. We have a microwave and I could borrow a hot plate. Any ideas? Thank you. The celery filled with peanut butter/cream cheese is good but I also wanted a liquid recipe. Thank you.
ellen
03/06/08
Hot chocolate with real chocolate recipe? You could convert to regular cocoa and butter to sub for the real chocolate- You can convert chocolate from ounces to tablespoons, etc. You could make the milk from dry milk powder and water.
Amber Dawn
03/15/08
Hi Ellen I'm trying to find good lunch ideas for my teenage friends. Something simple that I could make that isn't a sandwich but isn't greasy either.

If you can help me; your help would be greatly appreciated.

~ Amber Dawn

ellen
03/15/08
Wraps are a lunchy thing that is as popular as a sandwich as not greasy, and can be made ahead. Salads if it is girls. A baked potato bar is simple and delicious, not too expensive.
Sonia
03/25/08
I am thirteen and haven't really started cooking too much. I have made chocolates before and have helped my dad in the kitchen but really want to start cooking on my own. I want to make my parents a nice but simple dinner to show them that i can cook something so they will trust me a little more. Do you know anything that is simple enough for a beginner cook to make?

Thanks!
Sonia~

ellen
03/25/08
Great idea! Chicken halves or quarters roasted, side of either noodles or baked potatoes, and a simple frozen vegetable, maybe add a fruit salad; that is a simple meal that is delicious.
If you want a salad or fruit salad, make it first and put it in a baggi in the fridge to stay cold while you cook.

Preheat the oven to 375. If you are doing the baked potatoes, scrub them well, rub on some butter or oil, poke them with a fork and put them in as the oven warms up. It takes about 20 minutes.

While ithe oven is warming and the potatoes are cooking, rinse the chicken pieces, rub on some seasoning and place on a rack in a shallow tray or roasting pan. The skin side goes up so that the fat melts and bastes the chicken. The seasoning can be almost anything- Italian seasoning, paprika, creole or cajun seasoning, or some dried green herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or dill.

Pu the pan in the oven and let it cook 40 minutes, then check it. If it is halves, it will take about 10 more minutes. It will look all brown and golden when it is done and smell great.

If you did not make potatoes, as soon as the chicken goes in, start boiling a gallon of water with a bit of salt. This takes about 20 minutes. When it is boiling hard, add 8 to 12 ounces of noodles (12 if you are real noodle lovers), stir, bring back to a boil, boil about 8-10 minutes, depends on whether they are big or little noodles.

Once the noodles are cooking, cook the frozen vegetable- if it is a microwave bag, it is extra easy.

As soon as the noodles are done, you have to drain off all the water. A colander or sieve helps, put it in the sink and pour all the noodles in, then put some butter or olive oil in the warm pan and put the noodles back in, stir, set the lid half on and put it on the back of the stove (NOT on a burner) while you get the chicken and veggies into their bowls and plates.

Cookies and ice cream or sherbet are a simple dessert that everyone likes.

Good luck!

Rachel
03/30/08
Hi,
I am thirteen and I love to cook. All I've ever done so far is bake cakes and brownies etc. I would like to make something really special for my parents anniversary(22 years).Could you please suggest any easy yet delicious recipes?
Rachel
03/30/08
P.S: My parents anniversary is next week so please reply soon.
ellen
03/30/08
Rachel, that recipe right above for roasted chicken with noodles or potatoes is a GREAT simple party meal. If you want to get a little fancy, have the butcher cut 2 small chickens or two large Cornish game hens in half and sprinkle them with Italian seasoning, then brush the chickens with a mix of soy sauce plus apricot preserve or orange marmalade before roasting- it makes a pretty glaze and tastes really good.
Sonia
04/04/08
Thanks for the recipe-it worked great.
and for a lot of you, take a look at hungry-girl.com, they have a lot of healthy recipes.
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Kaitlyn
05/13/08
hello,

I am a junior in highschool, and do not have a ton of cooking experience, but enough to make a relatively simple meal for the family. I'm hoping to make dinner for 8 family members in a few weeks and am at a loss of rather simple meals. (I'm also trying to pick a dessert) Any ideas?

ellen
05/13/08
The recipes and menu for oven-roasted chicken, a few letters above, wouold be just right for this occasion. If you don't like that idea, I will post the recipe for an easy pot roast you cqn do in the crockpot or oven.
Kaitlyn
05/15/08
The oven-roasted chicken does sound good, but my family (Grandpa in particular;) loves pot roast! Thanks for the help.
ellen
05/15/08
OK, for the easiest pot roast, get a large boneless chuck roast, allowing 1/2 pound raw per person. Get a box of onion soup mix, 1 or 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (you won't notice these mushrooms in the gravy, they just add flavor); if the family likes mushrooms, get a can of mushrooms. Get the largest cooking bag, or extra wide aluminum foil if you are using the oven. Get a 6 quart or larger crockpot if you are using the crock pot.

Place the chuck in the bag, or in the middle of a really big piece of foil that gives you room to double fold the edges all around when you add a second piece on top, or in the crockpot that you have sprayed with non-stick spray. Sprinkle on the onion soup mix, spread on the mushroom soup mix, close the bag or crockpot, or put on a second piece of foil and fold up all the edges double tight.

Bake in a large pan in the oven at 250 degrees for 1 hour per pound, at least 4 and up to 8 hours, or cook in the crockpot on low for 6-8 hours. If you use the crock pot, take the lid off once after a few hours and stir all around to make sure the meat is thoroughly coated- DO NOT open the roaster or foil bags, if you use them. Serve with noodles or potatoes and your side vegetable.

This is easy easy. People really like it.

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