Kids Cooking and Cookbook Blog

How would your kids like to take a taste tour of foods from around the country? What better way to learn about each other

than by sharing foods and customs of the different areas of the country.

As immigrants settled America they brought with them their memories and tastes of foods from the far reaches of the world. These reflections of their traditions, history, religion, celebrations, and family have turned into dishes now traditionally cooked in different parts of the country.

The childrens’ cookbook, Cooking Around the Country with Kids: USA Regional Recipes and Fun Activities by Amy Houts incorporates these tastes from across America to help children expand their global awareness.

Kids really do like to cook and create if given an opportunity. Take a look at how one school is getting the interest of the kids and cooking. Read about it here:    http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-schools/ci_20236805/boulder-valley-middle-schoolers-battle-best-sandwich

Popovers-1 (Photo credit: stevewhitaker)

Here are some more suggestions for different foods using the ingredients given on the previous blog. I have listed them from those that are the fastest to prepare for eating to the slowest. If you are very hungry and don’t have much time, start at the top. If you have more time, go further down the list.

Here is my top 6 list. Can you add more?

1. nuts or raisins to eat in hand
2. cornflakes with milk
3. prepare oatmeal and raisins
4. “boil” eggs for cooked eggs
5. make vanilla or chocolate pudding (cupcakes have come back in popularity, so why not pudding?)
6. custard, in individual cups or in a baking dish

It’s been a busy week-end, with St. Patrick’s Day and other activities for warmer days. Perhaps you haven’t had time to check your cookbook or creative spirit for healthy snacks made only from the ingredients in the last post.

I want to share a cookie recipe I like that has some redeeming qualities as far as nutrition is concerned. But the time factor is way off the chart as far as “right- now- eat-ability” (if that is a word) is concerned. Check it out. Kids will love making them but they won’t like not being able to eat them right away.

On another blog, someone asked for suggestions and recipes on what to make with only ingredients as listed at the end here. They were hungry for something sweet and wanted it to be fast.

I would like to challenge you to see what you could come up with, but we’ll turn it up a notch and see who can use those ingredients for the healthiest recipe.

If you had these ingredients on hand, what would you make? I would really like to hear from you to see what you would make. Let’s bring on the healthy recipes using these ingredients only and post your suggestions.

You already know the importance of cooking with children – how much worthwhile information they gain from working in the kitchen. And why they need to be exposed to this skill at an early age.

Amy Houts, who has been a preschool teacher, now has a cookbook on cooking with children through the four seasons. Best of all, this hardcover childrens cookbook is incredibly priced. There is a special this week only for $16.95 when purchased through our website. This is a reduction from the regular price of $24.95 for this quality hardcover book. Amy said she wants every child to be able to cook with the seasons and sense the different rhythms of life.

It’s important that children not only learn to appreciate food, but also learn to cook for themselves. Even preschool children can learn how to help with meals and prepare or help cook simple foods.

Teaching children to cook is probably the best way to get kids to eat right and respect food. The whole point of getting them in the kitchen and involved is to get them to feel and taste the food. Let them use their sense of smell, taste, and touch. Children need to be exposed to different foods several times before they will taste it. Preparing it themselves increases their interest and desire to try it.

Image via Wikipedia

Vegetables have received a bad rap when it comes to being accepted by kids. But what other food is as colorful and as varied in taste and texture as vegetables? As parents we need to get across to kids that vegetables are really a most interesting and colorful food.

The way vegetables are presented and talked about in the family makes a real difference. If big brother or sister says that some food is yucky, then chances are, that is what the younger child believes. It’s amazing what lasting effect words can have on children. Then there are the positive words you can use as well: It will make you grow big and strong. It will make your hair shine. It will give you rosy cheeks. What a difference words can make!

Image via Wikipedia

With the emphasis on kids eating healthy, one of the biggest challenges is to get them to eat enough vegetables. Here are 10 suggestions for helping kids eat their veggies and enjoy them, too.

1. Cut up raw veggies and put them in little baggies in the refrigerator. This way they can have their own single-serve snack sack.

2. Let your child help choose vegetables at the store for your family to eat. Talk about the different kinds of vegetables while you are there. They can even feel some of the vegetables and note the different textures.