Author: jill
•2:20 PM
On Sunday morning, we always have The Big Breakfast. It is a breakfast that is very big. Sometimes it is waffles and bacon; other times it freshly baked cinnamon buns and ham; freshly juiced fruits or fruit salad. Yesterday we had it all - eggs, peameal bacon, two kinds of toast, and some leftover grilled potatoes made excellent fried potatoes.

But it was not on the table until after nine o'clock. And when the first meal of the day was finished, we all agreed that our tummies were very full.

So, when the Noon hour arrived nobody was very hungry. Well, nobody except for Addie C. but she is always hungry, so we don't really take her opinion very seriously around here. I made an executive decision and declared it was a perfect day for the The Grabby Lunch.

I wish that I had come up the concept and the expression ... The Grabby Lunch. But I didn't ...Jonesy did. While I painstakingly try to create fun, interesting and new meals that everyone will eat and still maintain a high health quotient, he throws a bunch of different food items on the table, calls it The Grabby Lunch and becomes a culinary hero. But it is a great idea, so I jumped on board and make use of it all the time.

It is an hors d'oeuvres party for kids ... and it doubles as a meal. Make hors d'oeuvre size platters of food, and let your children pick what they want to eat. Choose all fingers foods that do not require a fork or spoon ... otherwise it is just too messy to be included in The Grabby Lunch. You have to be able to grab it and eat it. Things like cheese, lunch meat or leftover slices of meat, cubes of fruit, pickles, crackers, nacho chips, fresh vegies - they all work great. Yesterday I made a black bean dip and sometimes I use leftovers from the day/night before. Pizza cut into bite-sized pieces, chicken wings, whole baby roasted potatoes ... anything you like, as long as it is "grabby."

And, if it is planned ahead, you can include some things that your kids have never tried before ... like exotic cheeses, or tropical fruits, or a cracker other than Ritz. Why not use those fancy toothpicks? The kids will feel like they are at a party ... even if it is just a regular ol' rainy Sunday afternoon.

Place the platters on your coffee table and turn on a family movie. Your kids will think you are the coolest. Have a glass of wine or a fancy cocktail while the kids drink their juice boxes and sample Luneberg cheese from Austria. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours with the most important little people in your life.



My kids absolutely love The Grabby Lunch ... try it sometime.
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2 comments:

On April 26, 2010 at 3:27 PM , Lynda said...

Cute! At our house it is called 'things on a plate'.

 
On April 26, 2010 at 4:18 PM , Mom said...

Looks like a fun party ---excellent idea!!!