Styling by Esther Ottensoser
Photography by Hudi Greenberger

No matter the temperature outside, you can enjoy wholesome and fun activities with your children this midwinter vacation. The warm and cozy memories created in your kitchen will last for years!

Poke the Snowman

For those of you who are planning a relaxing (ha ha) and exciting staycation, here’s a fun and delicious way to prepare lunch or supper. Cook and prepare the components yourself, or have your local sushi store prepare the rice and toppings for you.

You will need:

• large platter or cutting board
• rice
• sushi toppings (we used avocado, kani, spiralized beets, mango, edamame, sweet potato tempura, cucumber, spiralized carrots, and fresh tuna for the scarf)
• chopsticks
• nori
• carrot
• wasabi

1. Form small, medium, and large balls out of rice to create the snowman. You can use cookie cutters to help you shape them. Place on your platter or board.
2. Arrange rice and toppings around the snowman as shown, or create your own pattern.
3. Break a chopstick in half for snowman arms.
4. Cut a hat shape out of the nori and place it on the snowman. 
5. Stick in a carrot nose.
6. Form a mouth out of spiralized beets.
7. Place fresh tuna around the neck to resemble a scarf.
8. Roll wasabi into pea-sized balls for the buttons and place on snowman.

Enjoy!

Tip: You can also create a competition where competitors have to come up with creative and original sushi styling boards.

Sweet Snowflakes

Cutting paper snowflakes is such a classic winter activity and fun for all ages! It’s actually quite addictive — especially when made edible! 

You will need:

• wraps (I used small size)
• kitchen shears
• cookie sheet
• cooking spray
• cinnamon and sugar 
• confectioners’ sugar shaker, filled

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Using kitchen shears, cut a wrap like you would cut a paper snowflake. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Flip over and repeat on the other side. Repeat with as many wraps as you’d like. 

Bake 8–12 minutes until crispy. 

Allow to cool, and sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

Credits Sushi components: That Sushi Spot, thatsushispot.com

(Originally featured in Family Table, Issue 777)