Lowe Greg - Party in a cup!: Easy party treats kids can cook in silicone cups

To my children and their friendsall my little
party animalswho inspired me.J. M.

Party in a Cup! makes cooking for a party funand easyfrom start to finish. All you need is in here: over 25 mouthwatering recipes using 6 silicone cups you (and your friends!) will cook, step-by-step instructions for whipping those recipes up, party favor and decorating ideas, and more. You just need to bring your creativity and open mind, friends, and family to the table. Are you ready to party? Here we go! The secret ingredient to any great party is having a plan, staying organized, and getting a head start on preparation. Keep these party musts in mind and youll guarantee yourself (and your friends) a great time.

Pick a theme. What type of party would you like to have? A slumber party? A tea party? Something to celebrate the end of the school year? Or maybe youd like to get your girlfriends together for a day of pampering. The type of party you choose will help guide the rest of your choices, like the style of invitations, the decorations, and especially the food! Think friends. Good company is key! You may be tempted to invite as many people as possible, but another party secret is that a perfect party isnt about quantity. The best way to guarantee a fun time for all is to invite friends who make you feel good, friends who get along well with each other, or people youd just like to get to know better. A party is also a great way to have friends bond.

Just remember: You can have as much fun with four friends as with fifteen! Dont forget food! All the recipes you need for your party are in here! Use six cups to cook up tasty treats that match your partys theme. You may find silicone cups at most kitchenware stores. You will need 6 cups for each recipe. How will you have fun? You dont have to plan every part of your party to have a good timeyou may just want to let the party take its course and be spontaneous! It can be good to have a general idea of how you want the party to play out, though. Think about games and things to do in the kitchen (or outdoors) to keep your guests entertained. Theres no wrong way to throw a party.

Youll be bringing people together and giving them an experience theyll always remember. The recipes in this book will help you along the way, and hopefully theyll inspire you to see the kitchen as a key element of your party planningand even the party experience itself! Lets start cooking and get the party started!

Silicone cups make cooking simple and fun!
You may find silicone cups at most kitchenware stores.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you use them. Wash and dry the cups before using them the first time. Always use a hot pad or an oven mitt when handling cups that are fresh from the oven. Soon after cooking, the edges of the cup may be cool, but the part with the food in it will still be hot. So be careful! And dont forget about steam. If something doesnt slide right out of a cup, give it more time to cool. If something doesnt slide right out of a cup, give it more time to cool.

Then try gently squeezing the base, using an oven mitt if the cup is still too warm to touch. Squeeze the base a few times in different spots, and then try to release the food again. If that doesnt help, slide a spoon or a butter knife between the edge of the cup and the food to help ease it out.

Cleaning the cups is easy. You can give them a quick wash with a soapy sponge in the sink, or you can put them in the top rack of the dishwasher. Youll see this symbol whenever a recipe step involves cutting with a sharp knife, using a kitchen appliance, or handling hot things.

Thats when you should be especially careful. Ask for adult help whenever the step requires it, or whenever youre doing something thats totally new to you. Also, when an ingredient list calls for a pre-chopped item, ask an adult for help. No matter what, an adult should always be around when youre cooking so you can get help anytime you need it.

Slumber parties are the classic party! You can have a spur-of-the-moment slumber party with just you and one or two friends. Or you can have a more planned party for a special occasion, like for your birthday or to celebrate the end of the school year with a handful of friendsor more.

Heres what to keep in mind as you plan a slumber party your friends will never forget!

Whos sleeping over? Start with a guest list and invitations. Depending on the type of slumber party youre having, you can work that theme into your invitations. They can have a sleeping bag shape, or you can let your friends know theyll be heading over to your house for an overnight camping party with an invitation shaped like a tent. Be creative, and let your guests know youre really putting some thought into a fun night. Serve it up! What makes a slumber party extra special is the food! You may want to use the silicone cups and do some cooking before your guests arrive. Is anyone actually going to sleep? You may want to get your guests sleepy somehow, so try stepping out of the kitchen and getting crafty. Is anyone actually going to sleep? You may want to get your guests sleepy somehow, so try stepping out of the kitchen and getting crafty.

You and your guests can make pretty pillowcases they can take home. And who says you cant spill secrets while you craft away?

Fondue is the ultimate party dip. Find out your friends favorite cheeses. Then serve em up in each cup.Ingredients for 6 cups:1/4 cup chopped broccoli1/4 cup bite-size pattypan squash pieces1/4 cup diced bread (like sourdough, rye, wheat, or French)1/4 cup cooked chopped potatoes1/4 cup pickle wedges11/2 cups grated cheese (your choice)pattypan squash Place the broccoli and squash in a saut pan with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil.Next page