A Five-Star Kids' Menu

Sea-Theme Pasta & Parfaits

Under-the-Sea Shells

Quentin Bacon

For years, Chef Reaux couldn't convince his own children to eat their peas-and he couldn't cajole the kids at the resort, either. But peas are no longer a problem since he developed this recipe using sea-theme pasta from The Pasta Shoppe (800-247-0188; www.pastashoppe.com). An unexpected benefit: A single serving of this creamy entree packs nearly 70% of the bone-building calcium that children ages 4 to 8 need for the entire day.

Serves:
4

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cooking Time:
12 to 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. shells or sea-theme pasta

• 1 Tbs. butter

• 1/2 cup low-fat milk

• 1/2 cup frozen peas, at room temperature

• 8 slices 2% American cheese, such as Kraft

• 1/8 tsp. salt

• 1/8 tsp. pepper

• 1/8 cup cheddar Goldfish crackers

Instructions:

Step 1:  Cook the shells or sea-theme pasta according to the package directions.

Step 2:  In the meantime, in a medium-size saucepan, heat butter on medium-low. Add milk and bring to a slow boil. Stir in peas and add cheese, a slice at a time, stirring until melted. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3:  Toss cheese sauce with cooked pasta and top with Goldfish crackers.

Nutritional Facts:

Each serving: 404 calories, 18 g protein, 55 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat (7 g saturated), 3 g fiber, 32 1/2 mg cholesterol, 551 mg calcium, 2 g iron, 980 mg sodium.

Dirt Cups

Quentin Bacon

A parfait made with a trio of low-fat yogurts, sugar-free pudding, and-the special ingredient-Gummi worms, Dirt Cups will appeal to children's desire for desserts that sound adventuresome, says Reaux.

Serves:
4

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cooking Time:
0 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Oreo cookie crumbs

• 1 1-oz. pkg. fat-free, sugar-free instant

• butterscotch pudding mix, such as Jell-O

• 2 cups cold skim milk

• 6 oz. low-fat lime or lemon yogurt

• 6 oz. low-fat mixed-berry yogurt

• 6 oz. low-fat strawberry yogurt

• 16 Gummi worms

Instructions:

Step 1:  Layer the bottom of four medium-size sundae glasses with about 1/2 tablespoon of Oreo cookie crumbs. Set aside.

Step 2:  In a mixing bowl, combine pudding mix and milk. Beat with a wire whisk until smooth, about two to three minutes. Chill uncovered for one hour.

Step 3:  Gently stir lime yogurt with a spoon and divide among four glasses. Coat with 1/2 tablespoon of Oreo crumbs. Repeat with the mixed-berry yogurt, butterscotch pudding, and strawberry yogurt.

Step 4:  Top each glass with 1/2 tablespoon of Oreo crumbs. Garnish each dessert with four Gummi worms.

Nutritional Facts:

351 calories, 11 g protein, 68 g carbohydrate, 4 g fat (2 g saturated), 1 g fiber, 11 mg cholesterol, 331 mg calcium, 1 g iron, 613 mg sodium.