Cooking with Kids

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

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Ask a kid to help you make a batch of chocolate chip cookies usually there's a mad sprint to the kitchen along with the battle of calling out who gets to lick the mixer bowl and who gets to lick the spatula. Full disclosure, we lived in the years that licking the bowl with raw cookie dough was acceptable. Yes, we are old but we also got to dig out all of the extra cookie dough out of the mixing bowl. We win. Though to make everyone happy, don't let your kids do this because, well, ingredients. But when it comes to getting kids excited about cooking vegetables and pasta, the kids are now where to be found. So how do you kids excited about the boring stuff? While we can write a bulletproof-ish guide on getting kids to cook. We can almost guarantee that the more you can get your kids to cook the less likely there are to become picky eaters. If you doubt us, go to the refrigerator and look at the endless flow of art masterpieces they have made you over the years. Kids are always proud of the things they make. Getting them involved makes them want to eat the things they make. To help make things a success we have 6 rules to follow:

Let them do the fun stuff

Kids love to stir. Or pick the leaves off of herbs. Or mold meat into patties. Give them fun stuff. Yes, it won't be perfect but that's where you come in. Show them what you are looking for. Teach them that you have to stir slowly at first. Though also letting them let the mixer rip with a bowl full of flour teaches them something as well. One being not to do it, second being you have to clean up your mess.

Prep First

For younger kids, get all of the cutting and measuring done ahead of time. You can help reduce the mess and keep fingers intact. As they get old, teach the control of pouring flour out of the bag or how packing brown sugar makes room for more in the measuring cup.

There will be a mess

We will be the first to admit we are still learning this one but there will be messes. Deep breathes but teaching to clean as they go helps as well.

Allow for more time

You are teaching not doing. You are also bonding. Remember that and you will be fine.

They will probably quit on you

There is a balance in making sure everything is exciting enough to keep their attention. We have a Sonos in the kitchen and a little dance between every two steps help to keep things going.

Hide the knives

This should be pretty self-explanatory. Though if your are ready to introduce them to cutting there are some great kids knives and protective gloves out there.

Cooking is also a great way those life lessons and educates along the way. You know, patience, reading instructions, measuring, science, cleaning up and presentation to name a few.

Patience

With everything available in seconds, teaching patience, well, takes patience.

Soft scrambled eggs

Make sure to figure out the right setting for the stove but have them stir the eggs back and forth with a spatula. Teaching them to scrap the bottom. When the curds begin to form you will know. I don't know a kid yet that hasn't gotten excited when it happens.

Rissotto

Have them stir the risotto as you add the stock. Take a small spoonful out and have them test it. It will show them how the rice absorbs the broth and become softer. It will also help them learn about seasoning when you add a pinch of salt, a bit more cheese or some lemon juice for acid. Plus they will feel special when they get to add wine to a recipe.

Reading Instructions

There's a difference between tsp. and Tbl. Also, kids like to see things all the way through. Make them in charge of the recipe. Have them verify you have everything to make a recipe. Help create a grocery list. Give them money to grocery shopping and get their ingredients.

Mastering a skill

A quick way to keep a kid coming back is to give them a tool they can master. Let it be their thing. Buy one just for them. So they have a sense of ownership of using it, cleaning it and maintaining it.

Potato peeler

The potato peeler is great a beginning tool. Not only does the peeling give them a quick sense of accomplishment, teach them to take the peeling and put them in a compost, which leads to a good science lesson.

Apple slicer

Teaching your child to use an apple splicer helps teach to create healthy snacks and independence.

Mortar and Pestle

Got a boy who likes to beat things. The mortar and pestle are perfect. Teach them to smash garlic. How do you think pesto was made before a food processor. Or making a flavored oil to go with some bread for dinner. It's a great way to get rid of some energy while also teaching them about flavors.

Salt

Have them be the "Salter of Meats". Teach them to salt high. Show them how spices are enhanced with salt.

Measuring

Wanna teach a kid fractions? Create a chart for them to help learn how man cups are in a quart. It's four. Or make it a game and have them give you an answer and then have them ask Alexa. Using a large measuring cup is perfect for this and help reduces spills. For measuring spices and flour, put them in a large bowl and then let them use their own measuring spoons to help reduce the mess.

Science

Heavy Cream Butter

Take a bottle of Shatto heavy cream and put in the blender with the whisk on. Teach them about how the whipping motion throws air into the cream and eventually creates "whipped cream". After the whipped cream has formed keep it going on high and teach them how high speed breaks the molecules of the cream and eventually you will end up with butter. You knew that right?

Salad Dressing

Olive oil and vinegar. Give them a whisk or put it all in a jar and have them shake. Teach them about emulsion.

Caring for a Cast-iron Skillet

Show them how not drying a cast-iron skillet creates rust. Show them how rubbing it back down with oil removes the rust.

Cleaning up

Clean as you go. Teach them how wooden things don't go in the dishwasher. Teach them problem-solving and efficiency by learning how to load the dishwasher. Give them their own scrub brush, handwashing teaches them attention to detail.

Presentation

Garnishing

Take a picture before and after. It shows them attention to detail.

Setting the table

It helps them choose the right tool for the job. It also helps with manners.

Have them present their food

Have them present to the table what they made. Or have them go around and serve the bread. It teaches public speaking and everyone around manners. It also helps them learn how to articulate their thoughts plus have them show off their new words like saute or emulsion.