Kids in the Kitchen Ease into cooking!

 

 

If you’re new to cooking with your child, it might seem scary. The mess, the confusion, the possible hazards…why would anyone want to attempt this?  There are easy ways to make the transition gradual, beginning with little helping tasks for youngsters. After you see that they’re up to more advanced tasks, you can increase their involvement, little by little, and before you know it, you’ll have your own junior Emeril!

Start small. Don’t think about preparing an entire meal. Instead, try a snack, or one simple part of tonight’s dinner. And until you’re comfortable, skip the stove, and focus more on no-heat-required foods.

Pick an unhurried time and gather in the kitchen for some cooking fun. The following are easy, no-recipe-required meal ideas:

• Mexican pizza: top pita bread with salsa, refried beans and grated cheese. Melt in the oven or microwave.
• Peanut butter roll-ups: spread a soft tortilla with peanut butter and shredded carrots. Roll it up!
• Fun sandwiches: cut bread in fun shapes with cookie cutters. Top with deli meat, cheese or peanut butter.
• Lunch pockets: Stuff half a pita pocket with sliced chicken, shredded lettuce and carrot and a bit of salad dressing.
• Chili boat: microwave a potato. Cut it in half, hollow out the middle, and fill it with chili.
• Muffin pizza: Top an English muffin half with tomato sauce, chopped broccoli and shredded cheese. Heat it in a toaster oven or broiler.