Food Fun Family

Magnus Chase’s Favorite Falafel Recipe

Lolli — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:17:09 +0000

This recipe for Magnus Chase’s favorite falafel is brought to you as part of my Percy Pack Ambassadorship (which sadly, is coming to an end). Promotional products have been received in exchange for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Note: affiliate codes used within post.

I recently finished reading Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer – the latest book from Rick Riordan (author of the Percy Jackson series and more). I am dying to read the next installment about Magnus Chase, but the next book, The Hammer of Thor, doesn’t come out until next October. Sob! While I was reading The Sword of Summer, I developed quite the craving for falafel, since falafel is Magnus Chase’s favorite food to eat. After making this recipe, I can see why. I could not stop eating it!

ABOUT MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD: THE SWORD OF SUMMER

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants, and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarök, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

While Magnus is living on the streets, he develops a taste for falafel (maybe because there’s a kind street vendor willing to feed him falafel). Falafel may seem like a strange dish for the son of a Norse god to take a liking to…but after you try this recipe, there will be no question in your mind.

It’s that good!

Magnus Chase’s Favorite Falafel Recipe

Yum

Magnus Chase's Favorite Falafel Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup dried chickpeas (or 2 cans of chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry)
1 cup diced onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 to 2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon baking powder
5 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Soak dry chickepeas overnight (8-12 hours) in a large bowl with enough cold water to cover them by about 2 inches. I added salt to the water.
Drain chickpeas. Place chickpeas, diced onion, and spices in a blender or food processor (I use my Ninja blender) and pulse until blended (it's ok for the mixture to be a little chunky and not finely pureed).
Mix in baking powder, flour, and panko until you can form the mixture into balls. You can add a little bit of additional flour if needed.
Heat oil (enough to cover your falafel balls) in a medium pot. Form mixture into balls using a cookie scoop and press with your hands til the balls are packed well. Drop balls into hot oil. I recommend dropping one test falafel ball into the oil until you've got the right temperature.
Cook falafel balls in oil, flipping once, for about 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned and crispy.
Serve with dill yogurt sauce.

Notes

To make a simple dill yogurt dipping sauce, combine one 5.3 ounce carton of plain Greek yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir and serve with falafel.

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And now for some process pictures. I don’t fry foods very often, but these were totally worth it! I may or may not have justified frying because the ingredients were so healthy…and vegetarian! Ha!

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword Of Summer by Rick Riordan

Lolli — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 14:00:00 +0000

If you’ve been following any of my daily free Kindle book posts this past week, you’ll know that I’ve been obsessed with reading Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, the newest book by Rick Riordan, which I had the privilege of reading early. And now – finally – I am thrilled to be able to tell you about the book (without giving too much away, of course) and give the book away, too! Note: this post and giveaway are brought to you by Disney-Hyperion but all thoughts and enthusiasm are my own.

I love reading lots of genres….but I admit that I LOVE (as in capital L – O – V – E) reading fantasy/adventure novels geared toward youth. I love that I can read these books and then discuss them with my kids. My kids have grown up with Rick Riordan books, and I’m thrilled that I’ve had the chance to be a part of the Percy Pack the last few months.

ABOUT MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD: THE SWORD OF SUMMER

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants, and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarök, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

Magnus Chase is available October 6, 2015!

Check out this fun trailer for the book:

My 10-year-old son was so excited to read Magnus Chase, but since he is currently engrossed in another book for his reading club at school, I grabbed it first (insert evil laugh!). If only I had more time to read! Those of you who have read the Percy Jackson series will recognize Rick Riordan’s fun and unique style, though Magnus has a distinct voice (that I’m sure you will come to love as much as I did!). I have been fascinated to learn about Norse mythology – there are so many intriguing stories and symbols and lessons to be learned. I’m looking forward to the weekend finally being here so that I can spend more time with my nose inside the book!

Meet Some of the Characters From Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard:

BONUS: Gear Up for Magnus Chase with #NorseCrashCourse and Scene Setters

Follow @RickRiordan on Instagram and @CampHalfBlood on Twitter for a series of scene-setters and #NorseCrashCourse content gearing up for MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD!

CONNECT WITH RICK RIORDAN ONLINE

Visit the Official Website
Follow Rick Riordan on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Follow hashtag #ReadRiordan
Buy Magnus Chase HERE

MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD GIVEAWAY

One (1) winner will receive a copy of MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD: Sword of Summer!

Note: this giveaway is open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion. This giveaway will end on October 16, 2015 at 11:59 pm ET. A winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes #ReadRiordan

Lolli — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 04:43:42 +0000

I am thrilled to be a part of the Percy Pack Ambassadorship as we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief AND Percy Jackson’s birthday, August 18, 2015. Promotional products have been received in exchange for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Note: affiliate codes used within post.

Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes:

There is something about a collection of stories that screams “read aloud,” and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing with Rick Riordan’s newest book, Greek Heroes.

What makes this collection of stories so much fun? Each story is told in Percy Jackson’s voice, relating the ancient Greek experiences and culture to modern life so kids can understand and appreciate the story all the better.

We love that we can get a taste of the classic Greek stories that are written for kids. And we love that the format is perfect to share together – the stories are the perfect length and there are just the right amount of colorful, full-page illustrations.

I’ve even caught my teenage son (who usually deems himself too old for “kid” books) reading the stories on his own. He’s definitely not too old for Percy Jackson!

About Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes:

Who cut off Medusa’s head? Who was raised by a she-bear? Who tamed Pegasus? It takes a demigod to know, and Percy Jackson can fill you in on the all the dincluding a maze, word search, aring deeds of Perseus, Atalanta, Bellerophon, and the rest of the major Greek heroes. Told in the funny, irreverent style readers have come to expect from Percy, ( I’ve had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I’m going to tell you about were the original old school hard luck cases. They boldly screwed up where no one had screwed up before. . .) and enhanced with vibrant artwork by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, this story collection will become the new must-have classic for Rick Riordan’s legions of devoted fans–and for anyone who needs a hero. So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you’ve got arrows in your quiver. We’re going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, save some kingdoms, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld, and steal loot from evil people. Then, for dessert, we’ll die painful tragic deaths. Ready? Sweet. Let’s do this.

Greek Heroes is available on Percy Jackson’s birthday, August 18!

Greek Heroes Activity Pack – Free Printables!

If your kids love printables as much as mine do, or if you’ve got a Percy Jackson fan in your house (or both!) then you’ll love this new Activity Pack inspired by Rick Riordan’s newest book, Greek Heroes. The activity pack includes a maze, word search, lots of games, and more! Download it for free here.

Visit the Official Website

Follow Rick Riordan on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

#ReadRiordan

Percy Jackson Back-to-School Giveaway

Be back-to-school ready with GREEK HEROES! One (1) winner will receive:

a copy of GREEK HEROES
plus a “Percy Pack” limited edition backpack!

Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion. This giveaway will end on September 1, 2015. A winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

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The Demigods of Olympus: An Interactive Adventure #ReadRiordan

Lolli — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:10:09 +0000

Calling all Percy Jackson fans (old, new, and undiscovered)! I am thrilled to be a part of the Percy Pack Ambassadorship as we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief this summer. Promotional products have been received in exchange for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Note: affiliate codes used within post.

As a member of the Percy Pack, I have the inside scoop on exciting Percy Jackson news….and giveaways!

Be sure to enter my giveaway to win a Percy Jackson and the Olympians 10th Anniversary Box Set!

There’s no better time than the summer to discover a new favorite series, rediscover an old love, or simply dive into a good book. We’re doing it all with Percy Jackson this summer!

As a mother, I hold Percy Jackson very close to my heart because I credit the Percy Jackson series for getting my older son into reading. Watching him enjoy the books inspired me to read the series, too.

So when a package arrived last week with some fun Camp Half-Blood summertime goodies, I secretly wanted to keep them all for myself. I mean, mom gets first dibs, right?

Unfortunately for me, when my son saw the Camp Half-Blood backpack filled with Percy Jackson goodies, he claimed them as his own. And who can say no to a kid that looks THIS cool reading books?

PERCY PACK EXCLUSIVE: First Look at a New Rick Riordan eBook

Introducing The Demigods of Olympus: An Interactive Adventure – the newest book from Rick Riordan!

About the book: Your quest begins! Use your demigod skills in this interactive and customizable adventure story written by New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan. Combining four short stories, The Two-Headed Guidance Counselor, The Library of Deadly Weapons, My Demon Satyr Tea Party, and My Personal Zombie Apocalypse, your choices will have consequences in this first interactive demigod adventure.

Available July 14, 2015 | $8.99 / $7.99

MAGNUS CHASE COVER REVEAL & EXCERPT

How amazing does this new cover look? I can’t wait to read it!

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

About the book: Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants, and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarök, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

Download a free excerpt here.
Available October 6, 2015

GREEK HEROES PRE-ORDER

Don’t forget to pre-order Percy Jackson’s GREEK HEROES, the companion to the national best seller Percy Jackson’s GREEK GODS available on Percy Jackson’s birthday, August 18, 2015.

About the book: Who cut off Medusa’s head? Who was raised by a she-bear? Who tamed Pegasus? It takes a demigod to know, and Percy Jackson can fill you in on the all the daring deeds of Perseus, Atalanta, Bellerophon, and the rest of the major Greek heroes. Told in the funny, irreverent style readers have come to expect from Percy, ( I’ve had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I’m going to tell you about were the original old school hard luck cases. They boldly screwed up where no one had screwed up before. . .) and enhanced with vibrant artwork by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, this story collection will become the new must-have classic for Rick Riordan’s legions of devoted fans–and for anyone who needs a hero. So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you’ve got arrows in your quiver. We’re going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, save some kingdoms, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld, and steal loot from evil people. Then, for dessert, we’ll die painful tragic deaths. Ready? Sweet. Let’s do this.

Make this an awesome summer and dive into a good book!

RICK RIORDAN ONLINE

Visit the Official Website

Follow Rick Riordan on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

#ReadRiordan

10 Things I Learned From Percy Jackson #ReadRiordan

Lolli — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:00:18 +0000

I am thrilled to be a part of the Percy Pack Ambassadorship as we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Promotional products have been received in exchange for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion. Note: affiliate codes used within post.

SUMMER SPECIAL DEAL: JUNE 15 – JUNE 22

This is the perfect deal for old and new fans alike! From June 15 to June 22, The Lightning Thief will be a LOW $.99 across all eBook accounts. It also includes a sneak peek chapter excerpt from Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer which will be available October 2015!

When The Lightning Thief originally came out, my now-14-year-old son was too young to read. It was a few years before we discovered Percy Jackson in our home. Back then, my son was a hesitant reader. His reading skills were just fine, but he found very little joy in reading. Reading was homework. Reading was a chore. And it drove me crazy that there was no amount of persuasion that could convince him that reading could be fun.

Until Percy Jackson came around.

My son went from don’t-force-me-to-read to flashlight-in-the-bed, don’t-make-me-stop-reading. He couldn’t get enough of Percy Jackson, and over the next few years, he re-read the entire series at least 5 times.

We are honored to be celebrating 10 years of Percy Jackson with author Rick Riordan and fellow fans of the series.

This weekend, my son and I came up with a list of 10 things we learned from Percy Jackson. Although we got off to a slow start, once we got rolling, the ideas came pouring out. There are so many amazing lessons to be learned from Percy Jackson (I bet we could think of 10 more, easy!).

10 Things I Learned From Percy Jackson

1. Always have more than one plan.
2. Never give up, even if the road ahead seems dark and the future seems bleak.
3. Trust your friends and be loyal.
4. Just because things aren’t perfect doesn’t mean they can’t be fixed.
5. Even heroes drool in their sleep.
6. There is magic in the world, and it’s a lot closer than you think.
7. Carry yourself with confidence.
8. Expect the unexpected.
9. Don’t butt heads with people you don’t know.
10. Everyone has a hero in them. They just have to find it.

About the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse–Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends–one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena–Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

THE LIGHTNING THIEF (the first book in the Percy Jackson series) has sold millions of copies worldwide, appears on school reading lists nationwide, and inspired a major motion picture. Here are a few of the awards that the book has received:

Included in Time Magazine’s 2014 List of 100 best Young-Adult Books of All Times
A New York Times Notable Book of 2055
A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2005
More than 6 year on the New York Times Best Sellers List (and counting!)

Hurry! Get The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) for 99 cents!

Celebrate Percy’s 10th Anniversary With Extras!

BARNES & NOBLE COLLECTOR’S EDITION

The perfect gift for new and faithful Percy fans: Barnes & Noble offers customers an exclusive Collector’s Edition of The Lightning Thief to celebrate the 10th anniversary. This version includes extra content from both author and illustrator as well as a specially designed jacket and endpapers. Purchase here.

10^TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITY KIT

Visit ReadRiordan.com to download a special 10th anniversary Percy Pack Activity Kit. Download the activities here.

MAGNUS CHASE SNEAK PEEK ON RICKRIORDAN.COM

Catch a sneak peek of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer online at ReadRiordan.com!

Connect with Rick Riordan:

Visit the Official Website
Follow Rick Riordan on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Check out hashtag #ReadRiordan

Win a Percy Jackson and the Olympians Box Set

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Percy Jackson, one (1) winner will receive the complete Percy Jackson and the Olympians box set! Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion. Giveaway ends on July 6, 2015 at 11:59 PM ET, after which a winner will be drawn at random and notified via email. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will need to be selected. Enter on the widget below.

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