The approaching long weekend promises a variety of opportunities for quality time spent with our household family! With Valentine’s Day on Sunday and Family Day on Monday, PLASP encourages you and your children to spend some quality time together in the spirit of love, friendship and family!

Happy Family Day, plus two PLASP friends play a Valentine’s Day themed game in February, 2020.

Additionally, this Friday, February 12^th marks the beginning of Chinese New Year (often referred to as Lunar New Year). Though celebrations will be altered this year for health and safety reasons, many in our community will celebrate virtually and with in-home family members. The Toronto District School Board provides resources for those interested in learning more about Chinese New Year.

PLASP children and staff get crafty in celebration of Chinese New Year 2020.

Beginning February 11^th, The City of Brampton is providing free craft kits for families to enjoy. Kit pick-up times are on February 11^th and 12^th from 3:30 pm to 7 pm at Greenbriar Recreation Centre or South Fletcher’s Sportsplex. Please note that one kit per family will be provided on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last.

More Family-friendly activities can be found here on the City of Mississauga’s Recreation website.

Inspired by our celebrations of Black History Month, perhaps you and your children would like to try out some new recipes!

Creamy Fruit Salad – Recipe courtesy of PLASP staff, Christine Reece

(Also known as Matrimony Salad due to the marrying of the fruit!)

Will definitely satisfy any sweet tooth!!

What’s great about this recipe? - You can pretty much use or substitute any fruit.

Tip: If using a banana, choose one that is more firm and not too ripe.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Mango - diced

10 – 15 Grapes

½ Small Cantaloupe - diced

½   Small Honeydew (or green Melon) - diced

2 Kiwi - sliced

1 Nectarine - diced

1 can drained pineapple chunks or ½ fresh Pineapple - diced

1 Apple- diced

1 Pear - diced

1 pink grapefruit - pegged

1 seedless Orange (substitute: mandarin; clementine) - pegged

6 strawberries - sliced

½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 can condensed milk

Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)

PREPARATION:

• Mix all fruit in a Large Bowl (*except shredded coconut)
• Pour can of condensed milk evenly over fruit.
• Add shredded coconut.
• Lightly fold until all fruit coated with condensed milk.
• Evenly sprinkle pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg on top of mixture.
• Refrigerate for 1 hour or until ready to serve!

Caribbean Beef Patties (as seen on BBC Good Food website)

Ingredients

• A drizzle of oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 250g beef minced
• 1 potato, cut into 1cm cubes
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• A few thyme sprigs
• 2 tbsp hot pepper sauce
• 500g block shortcrust pastry
• 1 egg, beaten

PREPARATION:

STEP 1

In a pan, heat the oil, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add in the beef and garlic, increasing the heat until the meat browns. Add the potato, half the turmeric, the tomato purée, the thyme, and 200ml water. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and let cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add the hot pepper sauce, then leave the mixture to cool.

STEP 2

Heat the oven to 220 C. Roll out the pastry to .5mm thickness. Using a small plate as a template, cut out 6 x 15cm circles. Divide the mixture from step 1 between the circles, piling it up on one side. Mix the egg with the remaining turmeric and brush it around the edge of each circle, then fold over and use a fork to push the edges together. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Arrange the patties on the baking and brush on a little more egg. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

*(hot pepper sauce can be optional if serving to young children)