Healthy spaghetti hoops, caramel popcorn and a cardboard computer

I bought a book with popcorn recipes lately.  Then I found a healthier caramel popcorn recipe online.  On the same day I also tried a homemade Spaghetti-Os recipe.  I was pleased that both these recipes were fairly quick to make and used ingredients I had on hand.  While I wont turn my nose up at convenience food when time is tight, I would far prefer to make it myself. 

Nothing like a bit of DIY.  Hey I even made Sylvia her own computer!  (Inspired by this computer.)  Well it doesn't actually work.  But you don't need to spend much time with kids to notice that their imagination is pretty powerful.  Sylvia and I had fun painting, designing a desktop and drawing in the keyboard.  Sylvia helped writing out the letters.  Then she used it for a seat and a dolls bed and kept tapping away at my own laptop at inappropriate moments!  Sigh!

Even harder was convincing her to eat the tomato sauce on any pasta.  When I was little my mum occasionally trotted out tinned spaghetti on weekends.  I loved it then.  Today it merely holds nostalgic value but tastewise is a flaccid flavourless imitation of home made pasta dishes.  I am not familiar with calling it 'Spaghetti-Os'.  However Spaghetti Hoops rang a bell.  However I think this is the British name and ours is just boring old Tinned Spaghetti. 

I am not sure I have ever given Sylvia tinned spaghetti.  Recently I have been trying to introduce her to some different tastes.  Something a bit more adventurous than the plain food she loves.  I thought these Spaghetti Hoops might appeal. 

She loves pasta.  So long as it is her way.  In her ideal world she only eats pasta with soy sauce, parmesan cheese or tomato sauce.  By tomato sauce, I mean the stuff from a bottle that Americans call ketchup and Australians call dead horse.  We had a chat about what was in the bought tomato sauce.

With a little gentle persuasion (ie cajoling and wheedling) she ate some of this slightly more sophisticated tomato sauce on pasta - covered in parmesan cheese.  So maybe there is hope that this very simple and smooth sauce might help her try some pasta sauces.  As for me, I loved it and ate the remaining sauce with more pasta for lunch the next day.

On the other hand, Sylvia will jump at any offer of sweet food.  When I suggested we make caramel popcorn she was excited.   She doesn't care if it is full of white sugar and butter or coconut sugar and cashew butter.  Just so long as it is sweet and sticky and finds its way into her hair.

I loved how easy this caramel was.  No faffing around with cooking caramel to the right colour and waiting for it to cool.  It probably doesn't last as long as the real caramel.  (Having said that I ate some about 4 days later and it was edible albeit soft and chewy.)  Even better that it was healthier and didn't make oodles.  A fun rainy day recipe.

I am sending the caramel popcorn to Ricki's Wellness Weekends and the Spaghetti Hoops to Jac for Bookmarked Recipes.

Previously on Green Gourmet Giraffe:
One year ago: Asparagus, potato and quinoa soup, mermaids and tulips
Two years ago: How to make gravy
Three years ago: GYO Tahini Caulflower and City Sights
Four years ago: Nicki’s Nana’s Chulent
Five years ago: Sticky toffee pudding - my kind of healthy!

Homemade spaghetti hoops
Lightly adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie
serves 2 (light meals for adults, a lot for a resistant child)

• 1 cup dried pasta hoops (or other small pasta)
• 1/2 jar of passata (about 350ml)
• 2 tbsp milk of choice (I used soy)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder (I only have granules so used these)
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 3/4 tsp to 1 tsp salt (according to taste, I used 1 tsp)
• 1 tbsp margarine (I used nuttalex)
• 3-4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp agave or other sweetener

Cook and drain the pasta according to the instructions on the packet.  Meanwhile mix the remaining ingredients together in a saucepan.  Check and adjust the seasoning. Bring to the boil and then heat for another minute or two until the margarine is melted.  Toss tomato sauce with the drained pasta.  Now all you have to do is convince your child (or your inner child) to eat it.

Healthy caramel popcorn
Lightly adapted from Sift Stir and Savour
Serves 2 (very generously)

• 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
• 1 brown paper bag
• 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or other granulated sugar)
• 2 tbsp agave (or other liquid sweetener)
• 1 tbsp cashew butter
• 1 tbsp soy milk
• 1 tbsp coconut cream
• sea salt, to taste (I used couple of good pinches)

Place popcorn into paper bag and fold over edge a few times to seal.  Microwave for about 2 minutes or until the popping slows down.  (I am not sure I got this right because I had some burnt popcorn and some that wasn't popped at all.)  Heat remaining ingredients over a low heat, stirring frequently, until it comes to the boil.  Then heat 30 seconds, remove from heat and sit another 30 seconds.  Toss through cooked popcorn and enjoy.

On the Stereo:
0898: The Beautiful South