Kid-friendly sushi idea

Barbara Beery knows how to throw a party. The author of 12 cookbooks, including her latest, “The Pink Princess Party Cookbook,” (Simon & Schuster, 2011), has more than two decades experience entertaining children with creative theme parties in her hometown of Austin, Texas.


Barbara Beery, author of "The Pink Princess Party Cookbook" (Simon & Schuster, 2011)

 She hosted her first Pink Princess Party when her now-grown daughter was just four years old and its success led to a party-planning business and a culinary store, Kids Cooking Shop. Beery’s ideas are simple and time-tested, “Every recipe has been used in my parties and in my store,” Beery said of the 34 recipes and crafts featured in the book. “I keep the ideas simple so that kids can be a part of the party. That’s a big deal.”

“The Pink Princess Party Cookbook” features six princess-themed parties, including a Spa Princess Party with a a Sparkling Princess Body Lotion and two flip-flop crafts. The menu includes Spa-Te-Dah Fruit Tea, Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallow Wands and this clever sushi recipe made from sandwich bread, carrots and apples. Serve with fruit tea or Snow Princess Punch.




Enchanted Sushi Roll-Ups from "The Pink Princess Party Cookbook" Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books



Enchanted Sushi Roll-Ups

6 slices whole-wheat bread, crusts removed

¼ cup soft-spread cream cheese

3 tablespoons sour cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon honey

Salt and pepper

12 (6-inch long) carrot matchsticks

24 (3-inch long) peeled apple matchsticks

3 strawberries, minced

1. Place a sheet of parchment paper on the countertop. With a rolling pin, lightly roll each bread slice on the paper to flatten it.

2. Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, mustard, honey and salt and pepper to taste. Spread over each bread slice.

3. Lay 2 carrot matchsticks and 2 apple matchsticks across the bottom of each slice of bread, letting the fruit and veggies hang over the sides. Roll up the bread, pressing gently to seal. With a serrated-edge knife, cut each roll into 4 equal pieces.

4. Garnish with the strawberries and serve.

The sushi roll-ups are a clever and tasty lunchbox item. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

From “The Pink Princess Party Cookbook” (Simon and Schuster, published 2011). Spiral bound, 64 pages, list price $15.99. A review copy was provided by the publisher. I did not receive compensation for this post. My opinions are my own. And I happen to think they're excellent.