Santa Tip... 'Tis the Season to Get Kids Cooking!

Santa Tip!

Let the kids do as much as possible! Baking and Christmas cooking is "hands-on fun!" The adult helper needs to be at the helm with anything electric... like the mixer... however, let the kids measure everything out and dump it in the mixing bowl. Stop the mixer and scrap the sides... this is a good time to taste the dough... one of my favorite things!

Even the youngest kids can help stir up batter and do a bit of measuring and they will be thrilled!

Some kids are great "egg breakers" and after they've broken the eggs in a small bowl, do the old-fashioned thing of handing them a salad fork and whipping them up a bit... .is it really necessary to the recipe? Maybe not... but it sure makes them feel important and a real part of the process... and that's what counts!

This is a great time to be able to show kids the "right way" in the kitchen... you'll find them SO eager to learn. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect!

Let them stir and roll out dough, shape and press dough flat with a glass or a fork... bring out the cookie cutters... and then the frosting and decorating is the icing on the cake (pun intended)!

'Tis the season to get kids cooking! Merry, Merry!

Happy Holiday Cooking with Kids,

Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach

Old English "Sallet"... History & Cooking!

This recipe comes from a very old book that was read by the Pilgrims. It's a recipe for a great "sallet" or salad as we call it today.

It's fun for the kids to learn just a little bit of history along with the fun of cooking!

Here's the list of ingredients:

1 cucumber

Raw spinach

Lettuce

Cabbage

1 red onion

1 Tablespoon mint  (chopped)

1 teaspoon sage (chopped)

1/4 cup walnuts

1/4 cup almonds

1/4 cup raspberries

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

Utensils:

Measuring cup and measuring spoons

Cutting board and knife

Colander

Salad Bowl

Salad tossing fork and spoon

Do some of the ingredients look a bit strange for a salad today? Let the kids know that there were nuts and fruits available in the wild as well as fresh sage and mint.

Okay, let's make this "Sallet!"

Have the kids peel off enough leaves of spinach, lettuce and cabbage to fill about half of the large salad bowl of choice. Wash and drain the leaves well in the colander.

Put the greens in the big salad bowl and toss together with the salad fork and spoon.

Now it's time to ask for your adult sous chef's help. Ask your grown-up helper to please chop the onion, cucumber, wanuts and almonds.

Add the freshly chopped ingredients to the salad greens. Toss again.

In a smal bowl, mix the sugar, oil and vinegar mixing well. Pour mixture over salad, toss and serve.

Wasn't it fun learning about something the Pilgrims ate while actually making it yourself? 

More Thanksgiving recipes are coming soon so stop back by!
Happy Thanksgiving Cooking,
Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach

Santa Tip!

When you're cooking with kids one of the secrets to success and tons of fun is to "allow plenty of time!" If you're rushed, no one will enjoy this very creative time together. 

Be sure that you have all of the ingredients on hand before you start to avoid disappointments... and check for the proper baking pans. The more organized you are with the little details, the more fun everyone will have... and, it doesn't take much time to check the recipe and set everything out on the counter including the measuring cups and spoons!

Cooking with Kids makes Christmas an even merrier time! 'Tis the season to get kids cooking!

Merry, Merry!

Happy Holiday Cooking with Kids,

Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach

Santa Tip!

Plan on a mess so be ready... If you have a small table that can be set up as a temporary work station for the kids that is just at the height for them to stand and work, that is great. 

I use a small 30" x 30" table and then cover it with a Christmas plastic flannel back tablecloth from the $ store... it adds to the festivity and makes for easier clean-up!

The floor can get pretty sticky sometimes... if you're concerned buy a cloth paint "drop cloth"... I would advise you to wash it a couple of times and even throw in some bleach as they are a bit stiff when they are new. Spread the drop cloth on the floor and tape it down with blue painter's tape (it won't damage the floor)... and then you pick it up and shake it out and throw it in the washer!

A really fun thing to do is to have the kids actually paint on the drop cloth and personalize it!

Keep the waxed paper handy during your creating... it's magical stuff! 

'Tis the season to get cooking with kids! Merry, Merry!

Happy Holiday Cooking with Kids,

Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach

For the Love of Avocados!

Homemade guacamole is just the best!

Letting the kids make guacamole can be enlightening, fun, very educational plus there's an added benefit when the guacamole is "all gone!"

Let's get started...

Here's what you'll need to have on hand for this double-fun project!

3 ripe avocados
1 green onion
1 ripe tomato
1 tablespoon lemon juice (you can use fresh squeezed or out of the bottle)
Fresh garlic or garlic powder (yes, some kids like garlic)!
Salt to taste
1 bag "healthy whole grain" dippin' chips
Toothpicks

Let the kids wash the green onion and the tomato. The adult helper can use the cutting board and the knife, demonstrating knife safety and how to chop in tiny pieces. If you have one of those handy dandy little electric choppers... use it (I really like mine!). Meanwhile, be sure when you use these electrical devices, begin teaching the kids kitchen safety... talk the talk and walk the walk!

The adult helper will need to halve the avocados and remove the avocado pits. Save the pits for later.

Let the kids scoop out the inside of the avocados into a small, deep bowl. Mash the insides of the avocado with a fork... yes, the kids can do this!

Have the kids add the cut up tomato, the lemon juice, a dash of salt and a dash of garlic salt if they want it. This is where you can supervise and let them start learning how to stir things up with a dash of this and a pinch of that without measuring... they will think it's pretty special!

Let them stir all the ingredients together until smooth and mixing thoroughly. Now it's time to literally dig in with some healthy chips!

Meanwhile, let the kids wash the pits and stick four toothpicks in each one. With the pointy end of the pit up, place the rounded end down. Balance on a clear glass and add water so the rounded end is resting in the water.

Yep, we're windowsill gardening now! The kids will be excited because it will only take about a week for the avocado to start sprouting. New growth is exciting in all areas of life! This helps kids learn where their food really comes from and how it grows.

Have fun for the love of avocados!
Jan McCracken, Culinary Coach for Kids