“If you are an adult, cooking is a great way to spend quality time with the children in your life. A child’s memories in the kitchen often last a lifetime. It is a way to learn measurements, simple math and just plain time to bond. Don’t look at is as a chore that has to be done, but rather a chance to be as creative as possible in your preparation and presentation.”

“Think about your plate or the platter as the artist’s canvas; use contrasting colors, textures, consistencies and heights when combining and plating your food. What color plate should I use to showcase that dish…or what I will do to gain some height on the pile and to create something artful to look at are questions I always ask myself. Remember that children are very creative by nature and love to do things like paint and draw…so be as “artsy” as you can when building your dishes.”

“I really believe that regardless of how big or how small and regardless what you call home…home is where the heart is…and at the heart of every home is the kitchen. I believe that the kitchen should be a safe place, where you and the children and anyone in your life are not only free to make mistakes but also are able to talk freely about anything. I like to call my kitchen my “safe zone”, where I and anyone cooking with me are free to burn food, break dishes and talk about anything on their mind…without fear of reprisal!

“It is through the doors of your kitchen cabinets that a life full of health and happiness awaits you…all you have to do is make the most of it. As I cook my way across the nation, many call me the “Food Preacher”, because I am always preaching the “Power of Food”!” I am on a mission to share this power with all of you.

“Remember, eating healthy can be fun and easy…and great tasting too…and you can only be as good as you eat. Come on and join me on a little food adventure that is sure to bring people together to have some fun! ”

Cook- on!
Mike Russo

PS: If you have any food questions, feel free to get in touch; if you have any food ideas, food-photos or art, send it my way and I will see if I can post it on my website for foodies of all ages to enjoy!

Follow us as we grow; there will be many more exciting additions coming to this site soon!

Current Recipe Index:
Kids Corner… Fun Foods Fast! (Favorite recipes from my “Cooking for Kids”™ show)
• Playing with Pita Bread   Pita Pocket Sandwiches   (Taco Pockets, Salad Pockets,   Antipasto Pita Pockets) • Personal Pan Pita Pizzas • Make-your-own BBQ Sauce • Pita Calzones • Pita Garbage Bread • Pita Crisps Fun Desserts in a Flash • Balsamic & Brown Sugar   Reduction Apples • Apple Fritters • Strawberry Kisses • Fruit Salad Boats • Fruit Smoothies	Apple Fest. Recipes • Apple Crepes • Mixed Baby Lettuce Salad   w/Apples, Walnuts, Raisins   and Maple Vinaigrette • Apple Smoked BBQ Chicken &   Apple Sauce • Apple Glazed Pork Tenderloin   w/Walnut/Cranberry Stuffing • Apple Fritters • Balsamic Reduction Apple   Pound Cake • Hot Mulled Apple Cider • Apple Smoothies
Adult Recipes: (It doesn’t mean kids can’t do these dishes justice with your help; they may surprise you)
Italian Mediterranean Corner: • Sautéed Mixed Nuts &   Mediterranean Olive Medley • Wild Mushroom Pâté   (w/capers, sweet pickles &   red onion on crostini) • Quick & Easy Roasted Peppers • Quick Calamari • Putanesca • Garlic & Basil Stuffed Eggplant • Affagado   (Vanilla Gelato w/warm   Espresso Liquor) Healthy Salads: (in 10 minutes or less) • Spinach Salad with Warm   Maple Vinaigrette • Mixed Green Salad with   Orange Vinaigrette	Chicken, Fish & Lamb with a twist: • Poached Salmon w/Dill Cream Sauce • Dill Cream Sauce • Chicken al’Orange • Frenched Rack-o-Lamb “Lolli-pops” • Smash & Eat Potatoes Bisque of the Season: • Pumpkin Bisque Cheap & easy desserts: • Granny Smith Apples w/a Balsamic   Reduction Sauce • Mixed Berry Romanoff Shortcake • Banana Foster Summer Recipes: • Thirsty Bird • Sweet and Sour Kraut • Beer Bratwurst • Beer Baked Beans • Chunky Cheese Nachos • Cajun Beer Boiled Shrimp