Cooking With Your Kids

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

13 May 2006 12:43 PM

It used to be that the art of cooking was patiently handed down from mother to daughter, but with the prevalence of boxed dinners, take-out, and pizza places the art of cooking is quickly disappearing.

As a child and teenager I remember helping my mother roll out piecrust, make dough for rolls, mash potatoes, stir gravy, and of course make cookies. Many girls get married not knowing how to cook the basics, let alone something fancy like apple pie.

In order to prevent this, mothers need to spend time with their children in the kitchen. The best way to teach is by example. My daughters are constantly pulling up chairs to "help Mommy cook".

Have your child help you stir and measure ingredients. As I measure the ingredients I discuss what and how much I am adding. This helps teach what ingredients go into different things and how much they need. It's also teaches great fraction skills.

Hands-on learning is important. It is important that kids actually touch the dough, help mix it, and measure ingredients. Cooking with your kids does take more time (sometimes I do cook in secret, just to get it done quicker) but it is worth it.

Start with easy recipes. You don't need to start with complex recipes. Make some easy dishes, with few ingredients, that your child can help with the entire time.

Cook a variety of things. Have your children help you cook main dishes not just the treats. Make sure that they get a chance to cook everything. My sister never learned to make gravy, because she always mashed the potatoes while I made the gravy.

Don't be afraid to experiment. If you have never made something, don't be afraid to try. Let your children know that they don't have to perfect cooks and that we learn by making mistakes.

So get in the kitchen and cook with your kids.

Here are two of my favorite recipes for young cooks:

Muddy Buddies

1 cup milk chocolate chips ¼ cup peanut butter 6 cups corn chex cereal 1 cup powdered sugar

In a large microwavable bowl melt the chocolate chips for 1 minute, stir, then melt in 20 second intervals until melted. Then mix in the peanut butter. Add the cereal and stir until completely coated (stir gently so the cereal doesn't get crunched). Place powdered sugar in a gallon plastic bag. Add the cereal and close the bag. Toss the bag until the cereal is completely coated with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Graham Cracker Bars

1 package milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips ¼ cup butter 1/3 cup light karo syrup 8 whole graham crackers (each with two halves)

Put the chocolate chips, butter, and karo syrup in a large microwaveable bowl, cover with wax paper, and microwave for 1 minute, stir, then melt in 20 second intervals until melted (or you can melt in a pan on the stovetop). Break the graham crackers into small pieces and add to the chocolate mixture. Line a square pan with aluminum foil. Spoon the chocolate covered graham crackers into the pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 13 May 2006 01:45 PM

Great article - and so true. I love to cook and to cook with my children, but find that many of my friends just don't. They don't cook and they don't cook with their kids. It's been a wonderful thing for me to do with my children and I agree with you and hope more parents will give it a try, whether it be the mom or the dad in the kitchen!

Lisa P (24013) 14 May 2006 06:08 AM

My son always wants to help when I cook (he's 19 months old). Last month, he made his first Marinara Sauce. (Ok, so he shook the seasonings in until I told him to stop, but he loved it!) This month, he made Apple Crisp. (Well, I measured and he poured and stirred.) He also helped me tenderize chicken. The meat tenderizer was a bit heavy for him but he loved the pounding.

I agree, I think hands-on learning in the kitchen is really important for kids. It is also important for us to teach our kids how to take care of themselves when they grow up - teaching them how to prepare their own food properly is part of that.