Cooking with Kids 101

Let's face it -  parenting doesn't usually come with a lot of positive reinforcement.  Nor does it come with a handbook on even the most basic concepts, such as getting our kids to eat!

Despite the fact that I run a successful cooking program for children, I was hit full force with these issues a year ago with my own daughter, now age 6.  She complained about our "yucky" dinner one time too many...and a light went on in my head.

It was time that I started to practice more of what I teach to my students and their families.  I needed to get my daughter to participate more in both the selection and preparation of our family meals! 

Here are some tried and true suggestions to help you feel more confident in bringing your kids into the kitchen:

What should we make and how do I get organized?

• Get your child's input on recipes that sound good.  For ideas, you can simply go through recipe names out of your favorite cookbook.
• Mark all of the pages of recipes that have been child-approved and decide which 3-5 you plan to make for the following week.
• Make a master grocery list, so that you only have to go to the market once.  Feel free to use our Grocery List Template if you'd like.  It's organized so that you can navigate your way around the store more easily.
• Visit your local farmer's market with your children, and aim to purchase as much of your produce there.  You'll be amazed how much you and your children will learn about selecting fresh produce from the people who grow it.  And as a special bonus, they frequently let you taste their foods before you buy!

When should I try this and how do I set up?

• Select a time of the day when your kids are well fed, happy, and willing to spend some quality time with you.  For us, this is usually after snack, homework or an after school activity.  Getting our meal started earlier in the day, instead of  30-40 minutes before I hoped to have it on the table, made it less stressful than I ever thought possible!   For working families, this can be done for several meals at once during the weekend.  Many meals can easily be prepared in advance.
• Before calling kids into the kitchen, get out all of the ingredients and tools required to make the meal.
• Discuss the recipe with your child and have them help you confirm that you have everything out and ready to go.  (Don't forget that this is a GREAT learning opportunity to practice vocabulary and math skills that they are learning in school.)
• Wash your hands.

What can my kids really do to help?  What if my child is too young? 

Children as young as 2 years of age can help you do productive jobs in the kitchen!  This list includes tasks for children of all ages.  Please use your discretion, as you know your child best.

• Rinse and dry fresh produce
• Tear up lettuce for salad
• Break off the ends of fresh beans
• Stir and mix
• Use a vegetable peeler to peel carrots and potatoes
• Juice lemons or oranges
• Pull cloves of garlic from bulb, and peel the "paper" (skin) off
• Grate cheese with a rotary cheese grater (this keeps her knuckles safe)
• Slice mushrooms, olives and other soft foods with a child-safe knife or with an egg slicer.
• Crack eggs (do this into a separate bowl, in case you have to fish out bits of shell)
• Dip chicken or fish in egg and then again in bread crumbs (this is called "dredging").  Kids love when food is crispy on the outside!
• Measure dry and wet ingredients for sauces, marinades and dressings
• Measure rice and liquid that goes into the rice cooker

Some amazing things happened to me (and my family) when I started implementing these concepts.  My meals were prepared and ready to go into the oven up to 2 hours (yes, hours) earlier than before.  I was relaxed and able to spend quality time with my kids before dinner, after our prep work was finished.  And my daughter was very proud of her work and started eating dinner with gusto!  I love spending quality time together with my family in the kitchen, as I am sure you will enjoy with yours.

Here is a fun and simple recipe to help you get started cooking with your children:

Mini Tostadas

Created by Michelle Stern and daughter, Amelia

24 small round wonton wrappers
Canola oil spray
Sour cream, lowfat
Refried Beans
Guacamole (already prepared, or you can make your own)*
Cheddar Cheese
Olives
Corn
Tomatoes or Salsa
Lettuce or Spinach leaves

1. Preheat oven to 350 º.
2. Press each wonton wrapper into the cups of a nonstick Mini-Muffin Pan using a tart shaper or your fingers.
3. Spray each wrapper lightly with oil.
4. Bake 6-7 minutes until the edges are golden brown.  Remove wonton shells from pan.
5. Open the cans of refried beans and olives.
6. Grate Cheese with a rotary cheese grater.
7. Slice lettuce or spinach leaves into strips.
8. Slice olives with an egg slicer.
9. Layer fillings of your choice into the wonton shells and garnish the top with a slice of olive.

CALL THE KIDS:

• Kids can scoop the refried beans out of the can.
• Ask your children to pour the can of olives into a colander in your sink to drain them.
• If you have a rotary cheese grater, your child can turn the handle.  If you have a traditional cheese grater, your child can help, but keep an eye on them so they don't scrape their skin.
• Children can tear the lettuce or spinach leaves.
• If you have an egg slicer, use it with your child to slice olives.  If not, use a table knife.
• Place all of the toppings in bowls and let your child fill her own tostada as she likes.
  
  Cooks tips: 

• Wonton wrappers can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores.  The round ones work best, since there are no sharp corners to poke the roof of your mouth!
• Unfilled wontons can be made up to a week ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. 
• Be creative with the filling you use. Let your children help you come up with ideas to try!