Elevenses & a Menu

"Still life with Cheeses" by Floris Claesz. van Dijck

This is the beginning of Easter week and the reality of my daughter not going to daycare just hit. Along with planning the menu for the week, play dates must be organized. The playdate is a wonderful event and though my daughter is not old enough to be dropped off at another child’s house, it is an opportunity to gather and, well, play!  But having a house full of children means one thing, lots of elevenses.

Elevenses are a very English tradition and, I think, aptly named for that time in the late morning when one starts feeling peaky. Grouchiness always descends on my daughter in the late morning and when I look at the clock, it is always 11! The body knows… Though the current trend is not to snack, with obesity on the rise any extra intake of calories is deemed gluttony, I believe that the elevenses is absolutely necessary. It is the most informal of meals, a meal on the run, for the park, or to be enjoyed at your desk. I eat a light breakfast, umm 3 to 4 cups of coffee, and my daughter does plenty of jumping and running so, as far as I’m concerned, a snack around 11 in the morning is suitable and necessary! And I don’t think an elevenses has to be a caloric beast now a days. 

Here is a list of my daughter’s favorite elevenses and I’m sure we will discover new ones in this week of play dates:

• raisins with sliced almonds and candied ginger
• plain yoghurt with honey
• fruit – berries, bananas, a tangerine
• apple slices with peanut butter
• cheese and crackers
• a pickle! or capers! or olives!
• rice cracker with almond butter
• half a bagel with avocado
• half an avocado
• a fruit roll, without additional sugar
• hummus with sliced cucumbers, carrots, and celery
• jello!
• a spoonful of homemade jam
• a cookie or home baked goodie

I admit to being a tyrant when it comes to juice. I only let my daughter have one serving of juice a day and that is always heavily diluted with water. Water, water, water. (note to self, less coffee more water)

Menu for Easter week

• Lentils vert du pay with duck confit
• Ceci bean potage
• Pasta with chorizo and asparagus
• Salmon with potatoes and apple salad
• Pot of beans!
• Lunch for the kiddos

1. grilled cheese sandwiches with ham and apples
2. bean and cheese burritos
3. bagels with cream cheese and lox

I think I’m ready…