There are few things that can more readily bring a smile to your kid’s face than when she’s accomplished something that she thinks only grown-ups can handle. And when you see that smile, you’ll be smiling too.
Case in point: cooking.
Our Plum couldn’t be more pleased than when she successfully makes herself an egg sandwich, or some mac & cheese. She beams from ear to ear—and well she should. Cooking for herself is a skill that will serve her through life.
Although these are relatively simple cooking tasks, they are the first steps on the road to becoming a happy adult, who knows how to make her own meals. She is rapidly moving on to more complex recipes.
We also do special nights, like Make Your Own Pizza
, that encourage creating your own food, and developing your palette.
Bonus! Cooking is quality together time. We explain each step and the purpose thereof. Why do we oil the pan? Why do we cook on medium heat? We work together through each step so that she is confident and happy in the kitchen. And there are stories to tell, family history to share, and music to dance to—all while learning how to cook. Plum has progressed steadily, from a kid who couldn’t get her own cold cereal, to a young chef with a few dishes under her belt.
And Bluey, too, is learning the ropes. He samples from the dishes, and learns what different spices smell like. He rolls out pizza dough and drops cookies. He mixes eggs and batters.
Worst side effect of Bluey in the kitchen? Sometimes he samples so much he’s not hungry when dinner rolls around.
[…] Your entire family can contribute to the creation of this wholesome meal. While our veggie sausage is defrosting on the counter, we slice and saute the mushrooms in a little butter or oil. Add some salt, black pepper and oregano to get a really delicious mix going. While that is cooking up, we start mixing the ingredients for our crust. The kids measure the flour and salt and help with the stirring. The kiddoes really like mixing the butter in, which we do with clean hands instead of a dough cutter. Add in the water a little at a time, until the dough comes together. (You might not need all the water.) While your dough chills in the fridge for a few minutes, slice and add your sausage right into the sauteing mushrooms. […]
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