Cooking with your kiddos!
Summer is here. It’s been really hot, and then not as hot. What to do for lunch or snacks? Get the children involved of course! If you’re like me, you probably don’t want the oven on any more than is absolutely necessary.
When children are cooking, they are learning math skills through measurement and science skills through the changes in the foods. They are also learning cooperation and team work. They also learn and practice health and safety skills, because only the adults should handle knives. Everyone should wash their hands, multiple times if needed. When having children in the kitchen, please make sure that they are constantly supervised. Also, these recipes might not be for all. Take into consideration any food allergies that might be present in your home or child care.
After you are done cooking and preparing the food, it is always fun to taste what you have created.
Here are some recipes to try.
Fruit SaladIngredients:
• 1 (17-oz.) can fruit cocktail, drained
• 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/4 cup drained maraschino cherries, halved
• 2 medium bananas, sliced
• 1 medium apple, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed, or sweetened whipped cream
• Lettuce leaves
1. In large bowl, combine all ingredients except whipped topping and lettuce; mix lightly. Gently fold in whipped topping. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.
2. To serve, spoon salad onto lettuce-lined plates. If desired, garnish with additional maraschino cherries.
Of course, you can also make a fruit salad using the fresh fruits of your choice. Children could use spoons to spoon out pieces of watermelon or cantaloupe or kiwi fruit. Smaller children could break off pieces of bananas or move apple pieces around in lemon juice to prevent browning in a baggie.
Ham Salad rollsThis ham salad sandwich is a snap to mix up in the food processor, or mince the ham by hand and mix the ingredients together for delicious sandwiches or filled rolls.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups diced ham
• 1 rib of celery, cut up
• 1 onion sliced, about 1/4-inch thick
• 6 to 8 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons minced sweet pickles or sweet pickle relish
• 1 to 2 teaspoons sweet pickle juice, optional
• dash pepper
• 1 hard-cooked egg, diced
• lettuce
• soft rolls, split
In a food processor, combine the ham, celery, onion, and pickles or pickle relish. Pulse until minced; transfer to a bowl. Mix in mayonnaise until well-moistened, along with sweet pickle juice, if using. Add pepper, to taste, and stir in the diced hard-cooked egg. Arrange lettuce on rolls; fill with the ham salad.
Mini Pizzas
Ingredients:
• Canned refrigerator biscuits
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Toppings of choice – pepperoni, sausage (cooked), chopped veggies
Have the children spread their biscuit dough out on a cookie sheet. With a spoon, spread the sauce around the dough. Sprinkle with cheese and add desired toppings. You can enhance this activity by using specific measurements for toppings such as one quarter cup of cheese, two teaspoons of green peppers, etc. Maybe you have a garden and can use the veggies straight from your garden. This is also an excellent opportunity to talk about the food pyramid and which foods you should eat more of.
Cereal BraceletsIngredients:
• O shaped cereals (fruity or grain)
• Cereal straws cut into 1 inch pieces
• Red licorice lace (pull apart licorice)
Using the licorice lace as a string, have your kiddos string on cereal O’s and cereal straws to create their own gorgeous, edible piece of jewelry. Utilize this activity with math by asking them to make patterns with the cereal or sort the cereal before starting the activity.
Try making some of these snacks or meals with your kids. They should be a great activity that is fun and also educational. Enjoy spending quality time together in the kitchen and then around the table eating your work! Bon Appetite!
For all the child care providers and parents shopping for that "perfect" Christmas present or 2011's "hot" toy of the year, the staff at Child Care Solutions would like to introduce you to "Wired" magazine's 5 Best Toys of all time that a child should never be without:
