Blog Posts by Disney Spoonful

Slow Cooker Beef StroganoffA slow-cooker meal is a relief to come home to when you realize dinner is one step away from being on the table. Put down the "can of this" and "can of that" for this delicious homemade beef stroganoff. So creamy and comforting you will think that your grandma slaved away in the kitchen all day.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:
1 1/2 - 2 pounds beef chuck roast
2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
8 ounces sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh parsley or dill, chopped
cooked egg noodles, 1 cup per serving

Related: Beef enchiladas, taco cups and 12 more Mexican beef recipes

Helpful Tip: 1 1/2 pounds Round Steak Stew Meat can be substituted for a beef chuck roast.

Notes: serves 6

Directions:
1. With a sharp knife, cut beef diagonally

Learning Valuable SkillsTake Our Sons and Daughters to Work day inspires kids to follow their dreams for the future. Now we've heard it said that the jobs of the future have not yet been invented. So how can we help our kids prepare for jobs that don't yet exist? By helping them develop classic skills that will serve them well no matter what the future holds.

1. Persistence

Persistence can be a difficult thing to teach in our face paced world. It's natural for kids to want to give up if they think what they're working on will take too long for a payoff. But the fable was right, in the end the tortoise wins the race. How can we turn the fable into something more tangible for our kids?

We can start by encouraging projects that take a while to see results. Paper mache crafts are good for this since they require a few days of drying time. Sculptures, pinatas and even costume items like helmets can all be made with paper mache.

Gardening is another great activity for helping kids see the power of persistence.

Hummus StarThese fun bread-and-hummus star cutouts will shine at snack time! Accented with zucchini ribbons and a bright, plump grape tomato, snack time will never be the same. Want to try a different variation? Spread pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni and heat in the toaster oven for a star shaped individual pizza. Not only is this a great snack for kids but a great appetizer for party guests.

Hummus Star Snack

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons hummus
2 bread slices, toasted
1/2 zucchini, washed and rinsed
2 grape tomatoes

Related: 10 homemade Middle Eastern dishes that put food trucks to shame

Directions:
1. Spread hummus evenly on toasted bread.

2. Using a potato peeler, make zucchini ribbons and arrange them on hummus-covered bread in criss cross formation.

3. Cut out a star shape using a large cookie cutter.

4. Garnish with grape tomatoes fastened with fun bento picks.

By Ericka Sanchez
Follow Ericka on Spoonful

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Baked Orange Donut HolesReady to have some fun with your little chef? My almost-three-year-old daughter loves to help out in the kitchen (and I usually enjoy having her around while I cook). So this recipe, allows for my little helper to help mix up the batter AND dip the cooled donut holes in the glaze. Using a cooking sheet under the cooling rack means clean-up, no matter how messy your helpers are, is a breeze.

Baked Orange Donut Holes

Ingredients:
For Donut Batter:
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup tightly-packed brown sugar
2 eggs
zest from one orange
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon orange juice
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk

For Glaze:
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1 Tablespoon orange juice
1 cup powdered sugar

Related: BLT pizza, lemon sponge cake and 26 more recipes to cook

Is your chocolate cake always served with a side of guilt? You're in luck! These better-for-you chocolate treats are more nutritious and delicious - perfect for the whole family.

By Denisse Icaza

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Baked Chicken Parmesan SlidersSimple, delicious and cheesy, this recipe will earn a place on your family's list of favorites. Crispy chicken slathered with tangy marinara sauce and covered with a gooey blanket of cheese. This retro dish has always been one of my favorites and a "go to" meal when it comes to needing a meal I know everyone young and old will eat. Thankfully, this recipe is also healthier than the original.

Baked Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Ingredients:
4 small chicken breasts
1 cup grated parmesan
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup flour
cooking oil spray
1 cup marinara sauce
8 slices provolone
8 slider buns

Related: 20 quick-fixes for boneless chicken breasts

Notes:
makes 8 sliders

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or foil.

2. With a knife, slice chicken breasts in