Anyone who has children knows that having a child in the kitchen is usually the equivalent of a deep cleaning (sometimes even a renovation). Therefore, many parents are usually not happy when the child wants to help prepare food. However, cooking with children has many benefitsBenefits for developmentto offer the little ones and can also be fun. In this article we will explain what kitchen activities teach your children and what you need to pay attention to when cooking together. A few simple recipes that are perfect for getting started are also available in the article.
Rules when cooking with children: What you should pay attention to
Sooner or later you will have to teach your child to cook for himself. But when should you start? The ideal age is 5-10 years. From the age of 5, children want to be independent and can already do at least onePrepare part of the meal yourself. Younger children will need more attention and older children may be able to do without you. Before we get to the recipe ideas, we would like to mention a few rules and important steps that you should pay attention to when cooking with children.
Choose a suitable recipe
To cook with children, choose a dish that you are familiar with. It is also important that the preparation does not take longer than 30 minutes. Ready-made dough, peeled tomatoes, canned goods, fruit and dried fruits as well as vegetables that can be eaten raw can prove helpful. The dish should also be able to be tasted immediately after preparation. Recipes that require a long cooking time in the oven or time to rest should be avoided. If a step like “leave it in the fridge overnight” occurs, then it’s better to choose a different recipe.
Remodel the kitchen if necessary
If the kitchen where you will be cooking together is small, consider moving the table (where everything is prepared) to the center. It is important that the table is easily accessible from all sides.
Prepare the necessary ingredients
Measure the ingredients you need in advance and wash the vegetables and fruits. Accurate quantities are crucial when baking, so weigh and measure any loose ingredients before calling the kids. Prepare everything you need: kitchen utensils, kitchen towels, oven mitts, etc.
Talk about safety and etiquette in the kitchen
Before you cook with your children, you should familiarize them with kitchen appliances and utensils. Let them feel the weight of a mixer, gently hold a knife, and show them how to turn the oven on and off, heat a pan, and control the heat. Even if the child cannot yet use these objects, he will assess them soberly so as not to handle them thoughtlessly.
Also explain to your child(ren) which games you shouldn't play in the kitchen and why pranks can put you in a bad mood.
Read the recipe together
Give the children an idea of how the process works: what you will do first, second and third, and what foods need to be prepared before turning on the oven.
Distribute the roles
Cooking with children is fun: Agree in advance that one person will break the chocolate, another will roll out the dough, the third will grease the tray, etc.
After cooking comes cleaning
Even a five-year-old can wipe the table and put the bowls in the dishwasher. Suggest he or she “cover the tracks” so no one can guess what you cooked. Do not avoid or take on this routine. As your child gets older and starts cooking at home, you won't have any unpleasant surprises in the kitchen.
Enjoy the result
It doesn't matter if the cookies came out a little burnt or the dough didn't rise this time. What's important is that you cooked in the kitchen with your child, that they listened to you and did what you did, and that you spent this time together as a family.
Cooking with children – simple recipes to get you started
There are many simple recipes that are great for cooking with children. For the first time cooking together, pizza, hot sandwiches, simple lasagne - all layered - are ideal. Stews, salads and fruit desserts that require a lot of chopping and mixing are also a good choice. Here are a few suitable recipes.
Pasta salad with vegetables for children
Try this onedelicious and quick recipefor pasta salad with vegetables with your child and prepare a simple and healthy meal for the summer.
Ingredients:
- 250 g pasta (any shape)
- 150 g chopped frozen vegetables
- 50 g canned corn
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon dried herb mixture
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard
Place the pasta in a pot of boiling water and cook according to the package instructions. Add the frozen vegetables four minutes before the end of the cooking time. Drain the pasta and vegetables, rinse under cold water for 30 seconds, then place in a large bowl. Mix in the corn and red pepper. Place the olive oil, honey, dried herbs and mustard in a small container. Put the lid on and shake well. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and mix well. Enjoy immediately.
Healthy crustless pizza (filled with peppers)
Of course you can have a very classic oneMaking pizza with the kids, but if you're looking for an alternative, you can try these pizza stuffed peppers.
Ingredients:
- 4 peppers, halved and deseeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 100 g pizza sauce
- 250 g grated mozzarella
- 50 g finely grated Parmesan
- 1 mini salami, sliced (or other toppings of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Drizzle the peppers on a tray with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce onto each pepper half. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan and top with salami. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the pepper halves are crisp-tender and the cheese has melted.
Simple recipe for protein balls
Rolling these protein balls into shape is a fun activity for little ones! It's a win that they're packed with healthy ingredients for your body too!
Ingredients:
- 250 g nut butter (almond, peanut or sunflower butter)
- 5 dates, pitted
- 30 g Protein powder
- 120g hemp seeds
- 50 g chia seeds
Place the mixture in a food processor and blend until well combined. Using a tablespoon, take a little of the dough and roll the mixture into balls. If desired, you can roll the balls in coconut flakes or cover them with chocolate icing.
For the chocolate icing (optional): Melt 40 g of dark chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Allow to cool and then drizzle over the protein balls.
Cooking and baking with children: strawberry banana cake
A sheet of recipesare super easy and great for cooking with children. Here is a suggestion that the children will definitely like. The strawberry banana sheet cake is ready in 30 minutes and can be eaten for both dessert and breakfast.
Ingredients:
- 100 g wheat flour
- 100g wholemeal flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 100 g natural yogurt
- 50g coconut oil or butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 medium egg
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 Orange
- 150 g strawberries, chopped
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line a baking tray with baking paper. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients with a spoon. Add the yogurt, melted coconut oil, honey and egg and stir until well combined. Add the mashed banana and the zest and juice of the orange. Mix again and finally fold in the strawberries.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 22-25 minutes until the cake is baked through. Allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes and then place on a wire rack. Cut the cooled cake into slices and decorate with fresh bananas and strawberries if desired.
5 reasons why you should cook with your children
What are the benefits of cooking with children? This activity not only has a great fun factor (at least for the children), but also important educational goals. Here we list 5 reasons for cooking together with children.
Better nutrition as an adult
A study of the eating habits of people between the ages of 18 and 30 found that children who had adequate cooking skills at age 18 ate better as they grew older. When you cook with your children, your children learn life skills for later life. Cooking nutritious food takes some practice and skill, and children who have some cooking skills are more likely to want to cook when they grow up.
Eat more fruits and vegetables
There are a number of studies that prove that children who have been exposed to various cooking programs in kindergarten or school are more willing to try fruits and vegetables and even eat more fruits and vegetables.
Reading and arithmetic are also practiced while cooking
When you cook with your children, you can also help them with reading and math. Give little ones the task of reading food labels or selecting and reading recipes from a cookbook. Discussing different units of measurement such as tablespoons, grams, and milliliters can help your child with their math skills.
Helps if the child is picky about eating
One of the ways you can get your picky eater to try new foods is to constantly expose him or her to different types of foods. Cooking together is a great way to introduce children to new foods. But never force your child to try a new food.
Getting children to eat healthy
Telling your child that a food is healthy or unhealthy is not the best way to tell himto teach long-term good eating habits. You should even avoid words like “unhealthy” and “healthy” if possible. The best way to talk to your child about food is to talk about the nature of the food and its benefits for the child. When cooking with your child, talk about each ingredient and explain how it can help your child grow up.
