The kitchen is the heart of the home, a central place where families gather to relax, work, share stories and most importantly—cook and eat meals together. By teaching your kids how to help in the kitchen, from meal prep to cleanup, you’re also helping them understand how to prepare healthy meals and appreciate food for years to come.
Parents can always use an extra pair of hands, and when encouraged, kids can enjoy spending time cooking and preparing meals. Plus, helping in the kitchen teaches useful skills that will last long past dinner time. The good news is most children like to cook.
If you have little chefs in the making, you might be wondering what activities are appropriate for what ages. Setting the table and retrieving ingredients from the pantry or refrigerator are good activities for younger children who might not have the skills necessary to prepare food. Parents indicate age eight, on average, is the appropriate age to start participating in meal preparation.
If you want to get your kids motivated in the kitchen, and help them learn about food preparation, healthy eating, math and measurements, try these helpful tips from Chef Peter Thornhill. Your kitchen will be transformed into a family fun cooking school in no time.
First, take the kids grocery shopping with you to jump start creative cooking juices. After all, picking out ingredients is the first step in cooking a meal. Plus, when children are involved in choosing new foods, such as an exciting new vegetable, they’re more likely to try new things, helping to expand their palate.
Keep your kids’ favorite ingredients in easy-access areas around the kitchen. Ninety-seven percent of parents agree that keeping greens and healthy snacks in areas of the refrigerator where children can reach them easily, is an important part of teaching your child healthy eating habits.
Don’t let meal preparation seem like a chore. The more excited you are to cook with your kids, the more excited they will be, too. Turn on some music and share tidbits about your day, as you whip up something delicious.
During the cooking process, taste the food and talk with your children about adding spices. This will encourage them to engage their palate and analyze the flavors they taste. Just watch as your little rosemary-lover or garlic connoisseur blossoms.
As your child gains more experience in the kitchen, allow him or her more control over recipes, cooking methods and cleanup. Start with simple cleaning tasks like clearing the table and loading the dishwasher.
Armed with these tips, consider trying this kid-friendly recipe from Chef Thornill and gather your whole family in the kitchen for some cooking fun.
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This recipe is easily adapted to the ingredients that you have in your house and gives your kids the opportunity to play with different flavors. You can easily make a large batch of the flatbread dough in advance and freeze smaller portions for individual use. Store bought pizza dough and flatbread (or naan bread) work great, too.
Dough
• 1 packet instant dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
Directions
Combine water, yeast, salt and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer and let sit for five minutes.
Add flour to mixture and place dough hook attachment on mixer.
Combine ingredients on low speed for 30 seconds, then turn onto medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes more, or until dough is smooth and no longer clings to the sides of the bowl.
Rub top of dough with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel.
Store somewhere warm for one hour.
Topping
• 1/4 teaspoon cornmeal
• 2 tablespoon raspberry jam
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches, thawed
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, thawed
• 1/2 cup apples, sliced thin
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 500˚ with a cookie sheet or pizza stone positioned on center rack.
Divide dough into three pieces, set two aside (you can freeze these and use later or make multiple flatbreads).
Using a rolling pin, evenly roll dough to 1/3 inch thick.
Place dough on a smooth surface, sprinkled with cornmeal.
Spread jam evenly over entire surface, then top with peaches, apples and strawberries, lightly press these down for better adhesion.
Sprinkle cinnamon and drizzle honey over the fruit.
Slide carefully onto preheated pan or pizza stone and let bake for 6 to 8 minutes.
Remove from oven, let stand three minutes, cut into six pieces and serve.[/tcontent]
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