Cooking with Kids

Kids of all ages love to get into the kitchen and help make cakes, cookies and easy meals. By taking the time to teach your child basic cooking skills and simple recipes you will be equipping them with practical skills that will last their lifetime. Sure cooking with the kids can be messy, chaotic and the finished product sometimes inedible.

However with a bit of patience and practice they will soon be whipping up culinary masterpieces, and the look of immense pride on their faces, sure makes up for a little mess in the kitchen.

Where to Start

Let the kids choose the recipe, there are lots of great cookbooks for kids on the market today, that include step-by-step instructions and pictures so kids can see what the finished product will look like.

Read through the recipe they have chosen to make sure you have all the ingredients required and that the recipe is not too complicated - or everyone will get frustrated.

Take the kids shopping to get any ingredients you don't have. By getting the kids involved in all stages of cooking they will learn about healthy food, choosing produce and planning meals.

Before Cooking

* Get everyone to wash their hands, with warm soapy water

* Tie back long hair

* Pop on an apron

Cooking

Let the fun begin, now you can get down to the fun part and actually begin creating something.

* Put all the ingredients that you need on the bench.

* Pre-heat the oven if necessary.

* Find the measuring cups and spoons explain the different types to the kids.

* Explain the basic cooking terms (see list below).

* Grease cake tins or trays.

* Let the kids help measure out the ingredients and grease trays or lay out the patty pans.

* Teach them how to crack eggs and measure liquids.

* Read the recipe aloud and follow it step by step. Let the kids read the recipe to you if they can.

* Mix the ingredients – this is lots of fun and usually messy!

* If you are cooking with several children let them all have a turn.

* Show them how to place trays and pans carefully into the oven.

Clean Up

Try and clean up as you go, pop the dirty measuring cups and utensils on the sink and wipe the benches over if anything is spilt.

The kids will usually clean the bowl and beaters by licking the mixture off, sometimes this is the only reason they want to cook.

Make sure the kids know that cleaning ups is part of the cooking process and involves washing the dishes, benches and floors, storing and packing away all ingredients.

Safety Tips

* Move saucepan handles to the middle of the stove to avoid accidentally tipping hot liquids.

* Use potholders or oven mitts when handling hot pans and make sure the potholders are not wet.

* Always cut food by chopping downwards on a chopping board.

* For young children, having kitchen equipment and tools that are their own size makes cooking more fun and easier too. Kid-sized kitchen utensils and equipment can be found at many department or specialty stores.

Eating

When the food is ready it’s time to eat it! Make sure they share their treats with Mum, Dad, Sisters, Brothers, Grandparents and Friends. They will love to show off what they have made and let everyone have a taste.

Simple Cooking Terms

Bake: To cook by dry heat, usually in an oven.

Beat: To lift a mixture with a spoon or an electric mixer to inject air and make the mixture smooth and creamy.

Chop: To cut into small pieces using a knife or other sharp utensil.

Cream: (as in butter and sugar): a baking technique involving combining butter or margarine and sugar together together to a fluffy consistency. Done by thoroughly beating butter in a bowl, then gradually adding sugar until mixture is fluffy and creamy.

Fold: (Nothing to do with computers this time!!)To mix, using a motion beginning vertically down through the mixture, continuing across the bottom of the bowl and ending with an upward and over movement.

Knead: To place dough on a flat surface and work it, pressing down with your hands, then folding over and over again.

Simmer: To cook liquid just below the boiling point.

Whip: To beat rapidly to increase volume and incorporate air.

Article Source: http://www.therepozitory.com.au

This article is courtesy of Sandy Prosdocimo, Owner/Editor of Smart-Mums everything Mums need...

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