Tag Archives: marmite et ponpon

My baby’s first sensory play – ziploc paint


ziplock paint | marmite et ponponSensory play includes any activity that stimulates your baby’s senses: touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing. When babies first interact with the world, they don’t have words to describe what they encounter, but they do absorb information through their senses.

Newborns begin to hear sounds in the womb and recognize their mother’s voice from other voices at birth. They distinguish sweet and sour taste, gravitate toward pleasant smells, and are soothed by warmth and a soft touch.

Babies may be limited by their mobility and dexterity, but not their ability to interact with the world. I was hesitating if i do this play with my 6 1/2 months baby, but knowing that he will be amused touching the smooth bag with his tiny fingers and discovering many vibrant colors encouraged me to do so. At the end your babies will grow to be toddlers, so don’t be afraid of giving them sensory experience for a cognitive growth and later a fine motor skills.

ziplock paint | marmite et ponpon

This sensory play is mess free and safe. All you need to do is put some paint in a ziploc, close it and hand it to your baby to play and discover. I recommend edible paint, because your baby will engage all his senses during the process and might try to taste it as well. There is a small chance he can tear the bag if he already have a tooth.

While babies may not have the words to describe their experiences, sensory play can help babies build vocabulary and understand language. It’s your turn now to articulate his sensory experience by using words to explain your baby’s experience. For example; Touch: “oh Joud touch this bag of paint, it is so soft, do you feel it ?” or you can add warm water with the paint to tell him “touch it it’s warm…” Sight:“do you see the yellow color, wow it’s shiny, i see also the red color here…” Using descriptive words such as cold, warm, soft, shiny, smooth… in the context will help solidify the meanings of these words in a young child’s mind.

ziplock paint | marmite et ponponziplock paint | marmite et ponpon

Kids at this age loose focus so quickly. After mixing the colors, Joud was trying to taste the paint but couldn’t obviously, he was insisting but at the end he lost patience. Such activities won’t last for long, it’s a matter of 10-15 minutes. As they grow you can extend the play duration by adding more elements to stimulate other senses.

It was a success, looking forward for our next activity. Happy playing!

ziplock paint | marmite et ponpon

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kibbet batata (lebanese vegan potato kibbe)


kibbet batata |marmite et ponpon

It’s one of the most popular Lebanese vegetarian dishes during lent. A versatile dish, with open ended versions, associated to each village customs.

Basically it’s mashed potato with bulgur (cracked wheat) and the additions or the presentation are various. My version calls for:

  • 500g potato boiled and mashed
  • 2 tbsp bulgur (cracked wheat)
  • 1 tbsp dried mint
  • a handful chopped walnut plus 4-5 whole walnuts for garnish
  • 2 big onion cut a la julienne
  • 5 tbsp olive oil divided
  • salt to taste

kibbet batata |marmite et ponpon

Fry the onion in 2 tbsp olive oil until golden brown and set aside.

Boil the potato in salty water, drain and mash. While still hot add the bulgur and mix well. Then add the dried mint and salt and combine. Fold in 3 tbsp olive oil and finally add the chopped walnut.

Spread the potato dough in a plate or shape it as balls or cylinder. Sprinkle the fried onions on top and garnish with whole walnut.

kibbet batata |marmite et ponponkibbet batata |marmite et ponpon

Most of vegetarian dishes (side dish or mezza) are eaten with lebanese bread. You can serve it with vegetables (tomato, cucumber, radish, mint…) and olives. But if you want to have a complete filling meal, present this kibbet potato with the famous adas bhamoud soup, they really pair well.

It’s a delicious and wholesome dish, we also make it at home at least twice a month even when it’s not lent, and none of us is vegetarian 🙂 I pair it also with hard boiled eggs.

kibbet batata |marmite et ponponkibbet batata |marmite et ponpon

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Spinach goat cheese tortellini


spinach goat cheese tortellini|marmite et ponpon

Do you believe that this succulent deep flavor dish is done in less than 15 minutes?! So if you are a working mum or just running short on time, this is the recipe you should save immediately; Spinach goat cheese tortellini!

The fresh tortellini (refrigerated type) are my favorite type, but if you don’t have at hands, the dry ones are just fine but requires more time to cook. This recipe calls for spinach goat cheese tortellini but any other tortellini type you find at your deli shop will also do, i know it’s not that easy to find in Doha.

spinach goat cheese tortellini|marmite et ponpon

This recipe yields 2 generous servings, you will need:

  • 300g spinach and goat cheese tortellini, fresh
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1tsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp powdered garlic
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup fresh or thawed chopped spinach
  • salt to taste

Cook tortellini according to package directions (usually it’s 3-5 minutes). Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

Whisk milk, cream, flour and garlic powder and bring to medium heat, when the firt bubble starts to form add the Parmesan and spinach and cook together to combine for 2-3 minutes before folding in the tortellini. Simmer for 5 minutes and serve warm with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.

spinach goat cheese tortellini|marmite et ponpon

Believe me you will never order tortellini at a restaurant anymore! Such a delicious creamy dish ready at your table with no time and efforts. Another meatless dish for those days.

After a delicious lunch I always wish if there is leftover for dinner, so i recommend to double the recipe not to regret it later!

spinach goat cheese tortellini|marmite et ponponspinach goat cheese tortellini|marmite et ponpon

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Guess, smash and splash -kids art activity


guess, smash and splash|marmite et ponpon

A messy art activity, teaching kids geometric shapes and colors while enjoying and having fun. All you need is

  • large white cardboard
  • watercolors (washable ones)
  • geometric shapes paper cutout (circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, rhombus)
  • toy hammer

Squirt a generous amount of different colors of paint all over and cover up each one with a geometric shape.

guess, smash and splash|marmite et ponpon

Let the kids name the shape and predict which color is underneath, then splat it with their hammer. The color splash will prove them right or wrong!

guess, smash and splash|marmite et ponponguess, smash and splash|marmite et ponpon

This educational activity in the same time so fun and crazy. You will hear so much laughs and cheers during the process. It helps your kids practice their knowledge (geometric shape and colors) and develop a love for the creative process, enlarge their brain and set them up as creative thinkers in all walks of life. Without forgetting the use of the hammer requires fine motor skills; let’s exercise those tiny muscles!

guess, smash and splash|marmite et ponpon

guess, smash and splash|marmite et ponpon

Once your kid is done smashing all the shapes, pull them off to reveal an awesome art piece to frame!

It’s a messy game, better be done outdoors if you have space and if not, cover well the things you want to protect from the paint splash. Try not to stress about the mess and let your kid enjoy. Of course shouldn’t be a war zone as well, set the rules and boundaries and leave the space for exploration and amusement. It’s washable paint at the end!

guess, smash and splash|marmite et ponponguess, smash and splash|marmite et ponponguess, smash and splash|marmite et ponponIf you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.

 

Roast pumpkin soup


roast pumpkin soup

I am a big fan of any kind of soup and I believe you can make soup with almost any vegetable you have on hand! And the fact that we are abstaining from eating meat for the lent, i am trying all types of meatless soup.

Today i am sharing with you this incredibly delicious pumpkin soup. The secret of the depth of flavor is in roasting the pumpkin, no other method will do.

roast pumpkin soup

Did you know that a cup of cooked pumpkin contains more than 200% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A?! Pumpkin is an excellent food for sharp eyesight! I think this soup will be a staple one in my kitchen as long as pumpkin is in season.

roast pumpkin soup

You will need: (serving 2 generous bowls)

  • 500g  butternut pumpkin cut into large pieces (skin and seeds removed)
  • 1 medium onion halved
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper for seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a tray with baking paper to place the pumpkin and onion. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle the olive oil. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until the pumpkin is soft. Transfer the pumpkin and onion to a saucepan. Add the vegetable broth and blend. Put on medium-low heat, add the cream and simmer for 10 minutes.

roast pumpkin souproast pumpkin soup

Serve with croutons or cheese crusty bread to have a complete combo! For me soup and croutons comes together like Romeo and Juliet. The crunchiness of croutons and the smooth texture of the soup are made for each other, a heavenly match. Oh yes i am in love with bread!

roast pumpkin soup

Some people like to top it with sour cream before serving. Feel free to add anything you like to pair with your soup and enjoy! Don’t hesitate to try it and let me know if you heart soup like me 🙂

roast pumpkin soup

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.