Do you have trouble cooking when your kids are home swinging from your ankles and Mod Podging the drapes to the ceiling? How about involving them in the meal preparation? Below are eight easy recipes to get you started cooking with your children. Not only will your kids learn wonderful life skills, but everyone will have a great time and you might even save your dining room from that Mod Podge masterpiece, too!
Smoothies
Smoothies are a delicious, healthy treat and they are so much fun to make! Kids love dumping the different fruits in the blender and watching everything whiz around. And the best part? No matter how messy your kids are while they cook, a smoothie is almost impossible to ruin.
Start by chopping up some favorite fruits. Bananas, mango, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries… Pretty much anything goes. Have your children take turns tossing the fruit into the blender, then add a cup of milk. Any kind will do. Cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk or even coconut milk. Add a half a cup of yogurt and a handful of ice. You can also add protein powder and milled flax seed for extra nutrition. Turn the blender on and voila! Instant smiles all around.
French Toast
Not sure what to do with your leftover bread that is going stale? How about whipping up a batch of yummy French Toast? Your kids will love helping you prepare this delicious breakfast treat. Let one child start by cracking two eggs in a bowl. Next have someone add 1/2 cup milk and a dash of vanilla extract. Give your oldest child a fork and let him mix up the batter, then have your children dip slices of bread into the batter and coat well on both sides. If you have leftover sweet breads like banana or pumpkin, they also make delicious French Toast. Heat a little butter in a pan and fry the toast on both sides. Cover with fresh berries or homemade fruit compote and breakfast is served!
Salads
The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that we should be filling up half our plate with fruits and veggies at each meal, but sometimes it can be hard to get kids to eat their veggies. One good way to encourage them is by involving them in making tasty salads. Kids are often much more willing to try foods if they’ve helped to prepare them.
Start by having your children wash the lettuce in the sink. (This can get messy, so make sure the sink is clean and the kids are wearing waterproof aprons.) Afterwards, have them sit at the table and break up the lettuce into pieces by hand. At the kitchen counter, you can chop the veggies while their little roving fingers are nowhere near.
Put the chopped veggies in separate bowls. The kids will enjoy adding them one at a time. You might also want to include some fruit in your salad, especially if you have a sweet dressing like honey lime or white balsamic. Have the children take turns adding all the ingredients and mixing in the dressing. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and serve!
Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber sandwiches are yummy and so easy to prepare. Lay out slices of bread on a clean workspace. Heat up the cream cheese in the microwave for about 10 seconds so it is easy to spread. Give the children butter knives and have them spread the cream cheese on the bread. In the meantime, cut up slices of cucumber. Let the children cover the cream cheese with cucumber slices. Close up the sandwiches and serve.
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