The first recipe is easy to do with the kids.
Use 1 large can of chow mein noodles, 1/4 cup peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of honey. Over medium heat, blend the peanut butter and honey. Pour over the noodles and shape into nests. The quantity depends on the size of the nests. Fill with a cut strawberry or chopped apple and top with yogurt.
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The next bird nest recipe has more steps and offers a pinch more nutritional value.
You will need 2 large shredded-style wheat biscuits or 2 cups of the mini biscuits, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 tablespoons finely chopped almonds, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/3 cup melted butter.
To make the nests, stir all the ingredients except the melted butter into the crumbled wheat biscuits. Melt the butter and drizzle over the mixture. Line muffin tins with foil or muffin papers and pat the mixture into the tins to resemble a nest.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the nests are crisp. Let nests cool then fill with fruit and top with yogurt.
For a bird nest salad, combine 1 cup shredded carrots, 1cup pre-shredded broccoli slaw and enough vanilla yogurt to bind the mixture. Form into nests and fill with peas.
How about a bird's nest as main course? Break in half, cook and drain 8 ounces of whole wheat spaghetti. Stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 beaten eggs, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Pat mixture in well oiled baking dish, leaving a well in the middle. Mix 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 1/2 cup low fat sour cream with chopped herbs. (1 tablespoon fresh basil, 1 tablespoon fresh oregano and 1 tablespoon fresh parsley.) Pour into the center. Top with 2 cups of a favorite pasta sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese and continue baking until cheese melts.
