I always have the pleasure of hosting a cooking demo during our flower show at work. I love doing live cooking demos and as much as I love setting them all up and working with other chefs, it is super fun for me to get to demo my own food. This year our flower theme was Journey To Paradisos. It was an outer space, cosmic, galaxy type theme. Each year they go above and beyond to create these amazing themes and then the flowers tell a story of the theme. Well, with the cooking demos, they ask us to tie the theme into the demo. I wanted to keep this super fun and make items that would not only go with the theme, but that you can make with the kiddos!
I created these recipes for this theme, but they can be used for other themes or for birthday parties or just for fun cooking activities on a rainy day. The first recipe is a little molecular and really cool. It is super simple to do and will get a WOW for sure from anyone that makes it. We all became big kids in the kitchen when I was testing this recipe and it actually worked! These noodles can be known as we did them as Cosmic Noodles or you can also call them Unicorn Noodles. No matter what you call them, they will be a huge hit with any crowd!
[lt_recipe name=”Cosmis Color Changing Noodles” summary=”These are so fun to make with the kids. The adults will have just as much fun watching them change! It is crazy how food and science can come together and make these awesome things!” total_time=”25M” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_8839-e1554823741181-278×300.jpg” ingredients=”8 Oz. Rice Noodles;Small Head Purple Cabbage, quartered;1 Lemon, Cut into wedges;” ]Bring a pot of salted water and the small head of purple cabbage to a boil. ;;Place the rice noodles into the water and cook according to the package directions. ;;Strain the noodles and toss ;;**To change the colors, simply squeeze the lemon juice over the noodles and watch the fun.[/lt_recipe]
Chef’s Tip-Â If you add baking soda,(about 1/2 tbsp.) to the water before adding the rice noodles, you will get a more blue colored noodle. Then you when you squeeze it with the lemon juice, that is when you will get the rainbow of colors. If you do not add the baking soda to the water and just add the noodles with the cabbage, you will get a more pink color. Then when you squeeze it with the lemon juice you will get a darker pink/purple color.
I then took those noodles and made a Thai Chicken Noodle Salad. I love this salad. Especially this time of year. It is perfect for a light lunch or dinner for your family or even to bring with you to a pot luck. It can be made ahead and it is super easy and can be transported or plated later. It is actually even one of those that if you let it sit a little, the flavors meld together and make it even better.
[lt_recipe name=”Thai Chicken Noodle Salad” summary=”This can be made with regular rice noodles or for extra fun; use the colored noodles you made with the kids!” total_time=”30M” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_8846-e1554829896586-300×230.jpg” ingredients=”4 1/2 ounces rice noodles-color changing noodles;4 large garlic cloves;1/4 cup soy sauce;1/3 cup fresh lime juice;2 tablespoons sugar;1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter;2 teaspoons chopped peeled fresh ginger;1/4 teaspoons hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek);1/4 cup vegetable oil;3 purchased roasted chicken breast halves, boned, skinned, shredded;3 cups shredded Napa cabbage;1 cup coarsely grated carrot;1 cup red bell pepper strips;1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion;2 medium cucumbers, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise;1/3 cup coarsely chopped roasted salted peanuts;” ]Make the cosmic noodles if using or make the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Spread out on platter.;;Puree next 7 ingredients in blender. With machine running, gradually add oil and blend until dressing is smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.;;Combine chicken, cabbage, carrot, pepper, onion, and cucumbers in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Arrange atop noodles, sprinkle with peanuts, and serve, passing remaining dressing alongside.;[/lt_recipe]
Chef’s Tip-This dressing can be made ahead and kept for up to a week in an air tight container in the fridge. The salad mixture can be made up to one day ahead and then you can just make the noodles and top with the salad and extra dressing when serving.
Lastly, I made dessert. You have to finish with something sweet, right!?! I wanted to keep with the theme for everything so I decided to make Galaxy Macarons. Now, to most people macarons are a huge feat. I am not going to lie, they are no chocolate chip cookies. However, they are not as hard as you may think. You just need some time and a little patience and you can make these easily. The kids will love to make this one with you as well. It is fun to watch the egg whites go from liquid to a light fluffy cloud. [lt_recipe name=”Galaxy Macarons” summary=”These are so fun and the whole family will enjoy them. You can use this same recipe and change out the colors and even the filling to make other colors and flavors. Be creative and Enjoy!” total_time=”1H30M” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_8845-e1554831303841-238×300.jpg” ingredients=”For the cookies:;3 egg whites, at room temperature;¼ cup white sugar;2 cups confectioner’s sugar;1 cup almond flour;¼ teaspoon cream of tartar;pinch of salt;;For the blackberry buttercream:;¼ cup salted butter;¾ cup powdered sugar;1 cup fresh blackberries, worked through a sieve to extract 3 tbsp of juice;;Items for decorating:;edible silver metallic paint;spray food coloring;” ]Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.;;Allow eggs to reach room temperature. Separate egg whites and beat until foamy. Add salt, cream of tartar, and white sugar, and whip for about 8 minutes (or until they form a stiff peak). Add the food coloring. Pro tip: Go a shade or two darker than you’d think, because the color fades as they cook.;;Sift almond flour and powdered sugar (really fine) and combine.;;Fold the flour mixture into the egg white mixture. Mix this well, by folding it n with a rubber spatula.;;Transfer the batter to a pastry bag and pipe 1-inch rounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or use a macaron silicon baking mat. Pro tip: Tap the pan hard to release any air bubbles;Let your unbaked macarons sit for 30 minutes before baking. Bake for 20 minutes.;;Meanwhile, make the buttercream. Whip butter until fluffy, and slowly add in sugar.;;Work the blackberries through a sieve with a spatula until you’ve obtained enough juice. Add to buttercream mixture. This is optional, but adds in some food coloring to create your desired hue, and mix until fully incorporated.;;Once your cookies have cooled, turn them over and pipe them with buttercream. Have fun decorating with edible silver paint and spray food coloring. Create that galaxy look by filling in a little darkness around the edges with the spray food coloring and adding silver flecks for stars. ;[/lt_recipe]
Chef’s Tip-To help make perfectly round macarons, I like to take a shot glass and dip the rim into the batter and make marks on my silpat, (silicon baking mat). This will help give you an outline to make your circles. Also, make sure you tap the sheet pan hard on the counter top to release all air bubbles. This will ensure a smooth cookie as well as the feet you are looking for.
