You don’t need one of these to cook rice, but if you do have one then you know — nothing is better than perfect rice. One thing though.. If you spend too much time admiring the gadget’s glory — the two year old prep chef will do this with the rice while your back is turned.

Be Prepared.

For 2 1/2 people:
Brown Rice – One Cup (fresh rice– not the stuff from the floor)
Water – 1 3/4 Cup (or what your rice preparation requires) + 1 Cup for the Pork
Medium Sweet Onion – 1 chopped
Red Bell Pepper – 1/2 chopped
Orange Bell Pepper – 1/2 chopped
Canola Oil – 3 Tablespoons
Gomasio – 1 Tablespoon
Cinnamon – 3 Tablespoons
Black Pepper – 1 Tablespoon
Chili Powder – 1 Tablespoon
Sage – 2 Teaspoons
Boneless Pork Chops – 6 thin & lean chops

You will need: Rice Cooker or pot for preparing rice; Cutting Board; Knife for chopping – watch little fingers!; Spatula; Large Spoon; Wok or large skillet

And now, back to the Rice Cooker. Like I said, you don’t have to have one to make rice, but when you are cooking with a child, it makes life much easier. You can trust the rice cooker — you don’t have to keep checking in on the rice or worry about over/under cooking it. All you do is add the rice according to the directions that come with the gadget and then step aside. Once its all cooked through, the device sets to warm, and you’re ready to go.

Moving on to the Stir Fry, chop up the Bell Peppers and Onion, set aside and mix together the spices. Add the Canola Oil to your wok or skillet. Take out the Pork Chops, trim as much fat as possible and then cut into thin strips–Add to the wok and turn onto medium heat. Let the pork cook until all the pink is gone and then stir in your mixed spices, cook for another 2-3 minutes and then stir in the Onions and Bell Peppers. Cook everything together until the Onion becomes translucent and then turn the heat down to low — just above a simmer. Pour 1 Cup of water over the contents and cook down until a nice sauce forms. By the time the stir fry is done, your rice should be too. We like to add a little Earth Balance to the rice while it’s warming — it keeps it from becoming dry. Dish out the rice and then top with the stir fry… I also dash a little more Gomasio, but that’s just because I’m obsessed.

And the NOSH – Did Will eat it? Will loves rice, so that was easy. He ate the chopped Bell Peppers in raw form.. and said that he was going to try the pork. Funny how toddlers can change their minds so quickly — “No Mom, I fine.” Maybe next time.

CHICKEN-  2 1lb packages boneless tenders (or 1 2lb package)
CANOLA OIL – 1 Tablespoon
RED BELL PEPPER – 1 Chopped
MEDIUM SWEET ONION – 1 Chopped
SALT – 1 Teaspoon
GARLIC SALT – 1 Teaspoon
BLACK PEPPER – 2 Teaspoons
CHILI POWDER – 2 Teaspoons
ORANGE JUICE – 1 1/2 Cups
RIPE AVOCADO – 1 Shelled & Smashed
MEDIUM ROMA TOMATOES (or the best you can find depending on season) – 2 Diced
DAIRY & EGG FREE TORTILLAS – 1 package

If you want to spice this up, serve a nice Salsa on the side (we just wanted to say “salsa”)

You will need: Measuring tools; Skillet; Large Spatula; Brush for Oil; Cutting board; Knife for chopping – keep away from little hands; Spoon for smashing

Start by making your chicken work space away from your child — keep them busy playing with the veggies or brushing oil in the skillet. Rinse off the chicken tenders and chop them into small bits. Set the chicken aside, clean your tools and cutting board and chop the Red Pepper and Sweet Onion and set aside. Start to cook your chicken in the oiled skillet over medium heat.

Once the chicken is no longer pink, mix in the Red Pepper and Onion and let it cook until the onion starts to wilt. Add in the Salt, Garlic Salt, Black Pepper and Chili Powder and stir until covered. Pour in the Orange Juice and turn the heat to simmer. The chicken should just be covered by the juice. Stirring frequently, simmer until the liquid reduces to a sauce that just sits on the dish. Smash your Avocado and heat your Tortilla according to the package directions. Once ready, slather the Avocado onto the Tortilla, add Chicken mixture and Diced Tomatoes…. Yum. Have napkins on hand.

And the NOSH – Did Will eat it? Well – he bit into the Avocado before I cut it and that kind of led him astray…But he’s always liked the sweetness of Red Bells. He did sample the chicken after cooking, said “Yum” but then requested Dino Chicken instead. We ate it and although we loved it – both commented several hours later that we were still full.