Cooking with Nestle Koko Krunch Cereal

Nestle Koko Krunch was recently awarded with the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) by the Singapore Health Promotion Board and introduced a new ambassador to front the brand – radio producer-presenter, Violet Fenying.

I was invited with my parents and Asher to attend a Koko Krunch kids cooking class last Saturday, in conjunction with the announcements.

Asher was absolutely delighted. Koko Krunch happens to be his favourite snack. With the HCS award, I feel less guilty when I give Asher Koko Krunch as an occasional treat. Products carrying the HCS are lower in total fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugar. Some are also higher in dietary fibre and calcium compared to similar products within the same food category.

Over a two-hours session at My Private Pantry, we were taught to make two simple Koko Krunch breakfast items:

[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/13353557675_7e683029c5_o.jpg”] Cooking set-up [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/13353695063_b002b993a8_o.jpg”] Cooking class [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/13353540995_a936e565b9_o.jpg”] Asher helping my mum [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/13351783655_a70c259441_o.jpg”] Busy cooking [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/13352167854_4593055330_o.jpg”] Asher learning to cook [/image_slider]

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The recipes were conceived by Chef Nicole Loh. Chef Nicole was trained professionally at the At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy and has been featured in numerous magazines and also appeared in a few tv shows.

Violet made an appearance at the event with her son, joining us in the cooking class:

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[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/13353556495_376bba584f_o.jpg”] Violet sharing her experience with Koko Krunch cereal [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/13353710223_76283edeba_o.jpg”] Violet and his son greeting everyone [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/13353938404_6b64e14362_o.jpg”] Violet and her son observing Chef Nicole while she cooks [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/13353937284_9624013c09_o.jpg”]Violet’s son cooking [/image_slider]

[image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/13353549125_dc1a36a7e2_o.jpg”] Mother and son teamwork [/image_slider] [/image_sliders]

At the end of the event, Koko the Koala surprised everyone by popping by, to the delight of all the kids present:

[image_sliders] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/13351932903_aff84f8c97_o.jpg”] Here comes Koko! [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/13351779655_ba4627af47_o.jpg”] Patting Asher on the head [/image_slider] [image_slider link=”http://on.fb.me/1gNvT3n” source=”http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/13351778425_3c686ab912_o.jpg”] Happy kids with Koko [/image_slider]

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Asher went home with the Koko Krunch sandwich and chicken nuggets which he helped prepared. He ate most of it and made sure my parents kept his boxes of Koko Krunch cereal safe in the car before heading off.

The two recipes are very easy to follow, even for someone like me who seldom enter the kitchen. Below are the details for you to try out:

Crispy Grilled Cheese with NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 8 slices wholemeal bread
• 10 ounces cheddar, divided (4 ounces grated, 6 ounces sliced)
• Whole grain mustard, optional
• 8 slices ham, optional
• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter
• 1 cup NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH HEALTHIER CHOICE CEREAL, divided and crushed

Procedures:

Working 2 slices of bread at a time, lightly toast in toaster. While toast is still hot, immediately sprinkle 1⁄4 of the grated cheddar evenly over the toast. As cheese begins to melt, evenly sprinkle 1⁄4 cup of NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH over cheese, pressing firmly to adhere. Repeat with remaining slices of bread.

Assemble sandwiches with mustard and ham (if using), and sliced cheddar. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add sandwiches to skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Press sandwiches gently with spatula and cook until bottom side is deep golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary to keep sandwiches from burning.

Transfer sandwiches to large plate and melt remaining butter in skillet. Cook second side of sandwich to deep golden brown and crispy, pressing gently with spatula, about 5 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Healthy Chicken Nuggets in crusted NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH

Ingredients:

• 12 chicken tenders
• 5 cups NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH HEALTHIER CHOICE CEREAL (makes 2 cups crushed NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH)
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon mixed herbs
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil spray or canola oil spray
• Ketchup or ranch dressing, to serve

Procedure:

Adjust rack of your oven to the middle level and preheat oven to 200.

In a large ziplock bag, add NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH. Squeeze out as much air as possible and then seal bag. Using a rolling pin, roll over cereal, crushing the NESTLÉ KOKO KRUNCH into small uniform pieces for coating chicken tenders (try *not* to pulverize cereal into a fine powder). You should end up with about 2 cups of crushed cereal. In a large deep dish, mix crushed cereal with garlic powder, salt, black pepper until thoroughly combined. In another deep dish, whisk together eggs and 1 tablespoon of water until evenly mixed.

Working with about 4 chicken strips at a time, dip chicken in egg mixture, shaking off excess, then coat with seasoned cornflakes, pressing mixture to help them adhere to chicken. Shake off excess coating. Place coated chicken strips on baking sheet, leaving about 2 centimeters of space between each strip.

Bake chicken tenders for about 6 minutes, and then flip over on other side using tongs. Bake for another 6-9 minutes (for a total cooking time of 12 to 15 minutes) until golden brown, crisp, and cooked through. Sprinkle with a little salt before serving, if desired. Serve with ketchup or ranch for dipping.