Fun Cooking With Kids

The Nutritious Kitchen: Healthy Recipes For Kids

admin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:04:51 +0000

In the hussle and bussle of today’s world, finding and preparing easy and healthy recipes for kids can be a struggle! And then when you find them, there is so much that can goes into them: planning the menu, making the grocery list, driving to the store, doing the shopping, checking out in the long line, paying the bill, and driving home not to mention preparing the meal and sitting down to feast on your hard work.

Without missing a beat, the inevitable always seems to happen…the complaints.

“I don’t like this”.

“This looks weird”.

“I don’t like this color.”

“I want pizza!”

“Can I have a cookie instead?”

Nutrition plays a vital role in our children’s development, and we know this. But how easy is it to just grab a frozen pizza and call it a day! While tempting as it sounds, it’s our responsibility as parents to find healthy recipes for kids that can be prepared and enjoyed at the family table.

Below are a few healthy recipes for kids that have been a hit at my own family table. But before I get to them, let’s first discuss some tips on helping us plan some healthy recipes for kids and ways to get our kids excited for them!

1) Make a quick list of the foods your children love, hate, and are allergic to. With this in mind, it will be easy to pinpoint the recipes you’re targeting and onto the healthy recipes for kids your family will love.

2) When kids are invested in a project, they are more readily accepting. Find healthy recipes for kids that your family can contribute to. For example, get your kids involved in the selection of the recipes, let them help with the shopping, or get the kids help in preparing the meal and setting the table.

3) Select one new vegetable, fruit, or food to try each week. Make it a game with your kids. They may love it or hate it, but it will teach them to be open to new foods and experiences at the table.

With these tips in mind, here are a few healthy recipes for kids that have been a hit with my own. Give them a try and see if this could be a meal your family will love!

Healthy Recipes for Kids #1: Oven-Baked Carrot Fries

My kids love these healthy fries!

Oven-Baked Carrot Fries

1 ½ lbs. Carrots

1 tsp. Sugar

2 T Olive Oil

½ tsp. Salt

2 T Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped

Pinch of Pepper

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a shallow pan with foil. Peel each carrot and cut off the tip and the end off of each one. Cut carrots in half cross-wise, then cut length-wise, then cut length-wise again.

Combine the carrot sticks, olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary and stir until they are evenly coated. Spread the carrots over the pan as much as possible.

Bake your carrots for about 20 minutes or until carrots are tender. Serve them hot or cool them a bit to room temperature.

Healthy Recipes for Kids #2: Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is a family favorite and is easy on Mom and Dad in both the prep and the clean-up!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

½ Onion, chopped

½ tsp. Garlic, minced

4 tsp. Cilantro, chopped

1 T Butter

30 oz. Chicken Stock

8 oz. can Tomato Sauce

½ package of Taco Seasoning

14 oz. can Mexican Style or Plain Stewed Tomatoes

4 ½ oz. can Diced Green Chilis

1 small can of Corn, drained

1T Worchestire Sauce

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (these can be frozen)

Put all the ingredients into a Crock Pot and cook on low for 8 hours. A half an hour prior to serving, pull out the chicken and shred. Put the chicken back into the soup and cook the remainder of the time (half an hour).

Serve with cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, and sour cream.

Healthy Recipes for Kids #3: Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

1 lb. lean Ground Beef

10 oz. Whole Wheat Spaghetti

2 C Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

2 26 oz. jars of your favorite Spaghetti Sauce (make sure your sauce contains healthy ingredients and no sugars)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, drain and mix in your spaghetti sauce to the ground beef.

Prepare your pasta according to the packaged directions and drain.

Spoon one-third of your spaghetti sauce mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan and then mix the remaining spaghetti sauce mixture with the cooked spaghetti. Pour into the prepared pan and then top with the shredded cheese.

Bake for 25-35 minutes until brown and bubbly. Let baked spaghetti rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve with a healthy salad and garlic bread. Enjoy!

By: Emily Watson

About the Author:
Get Your Free Report On 16 Proven Ways To Motivate Your Child To Do Better In School…Plus, receive a “Live Demonstration Inside Our Unique 1 On 1 Online Classroom.” Go to http://www.tutorfi.com/parents/

3 Benefits Of Teaching Your Child To Cook

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:37:24 +0000

Most of us think that kids and cooking school does not suit together but the truth is very much different from this thinking. All of us are aware of the fact that children are good at learning. They learn quickly how to create and design then why not opt for cooking. The best part is that childhood is the time which is most suitable to learn cooking.

Kids and cooking schools can go together easily. Many schools undertake this responsibility to teach kids and parents the art of cooking. You can also teach the same to them at home. If you feel that it is difficult to do so, then let them attend cooking school courses from local schools near to your place. For several reasons, this could be an ideal arrangement.

Now the question arises of what kids should cook. There are various reasons for which kids and cooking schools work. Some of the reasons on why you should invest your time or money in teaching children cooking is as follows:

1) If your kid wants to become a professional chef, then it would be a boost for his or her morale and career to enrol him or her in a cooking school. Kids always love such arrangement. Some may become baker one day or a next restaurateur who would rule the world by his or her taste. By letting the kids to explore their interest you would help them work for their future.

2) Art of cooking would help chidren develop life skills that would be beneficial for them all over the life. It would help them to take proper care of themselves even after they leave nest. Such children would not have to suffice on junk meals as they can prepare healthy snacks and meals for themselves.

3) Cooking helps to teach kids responsibility, eating healthy food and learn about the foods. In long haul, the knowledge about the food they consume makes them aware of what they are intaking in their bodies and helps them to control their diet. It also helps them to teach food safety, kitchen safety tips and how to manage their money if they had to purchase vegetables or other types of food.

These are only some of the many reasons for which you should teach your kids the art of cooking. Various opportunities are there if you are looking for a cooking school. You may opt for professional culinary arts schools or community colleges for people of any age group.

Moreover, if your child is capable of prepairing his food then he or she can try various new foods. Kids would love to eat this healthy diet they have cooked.

By: Abhishek Agarwal

About the Author:

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets . up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, “Cooking Mastery!” from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Setting Up the Cooking Zone

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:46:20 +0000

Do you have a picky eater? Are you looking for a new way to spend quality time with the children? It is proven that kids eat better when they are involved in food preparation. Even the youngest children can be a part of the experience. Have smaller children choose between several ingredients. If you are having guests over, or if you are planning ahead for a special occasion, get the kids involved in planning out the meal courses. It is almost a guarantee that you will get many creative ideas and plenty of giggles. Let the children take care of easy side dishes and dessert details.

Childhood passes by quickly, and as a parent you will soon find yourself hoisting the kids off to college or other life adventures. For more details www.tailgating-recipe.com. Take advantage of the time you have now to teach the young ones a love for the kitchen and healthy home cooking. Being proficient cooks can be a great way to boost self confidence. Your encouragement and words of support are incredibly important for your child’s development.

Math Skills

Take those fractions off the page and into the real world. Measuring ingredients can work wonders to hone those math skills. Measure ingredients together with the kids and teach fractions and conversion as you go. Sometimes visualizing what is so abstract on paper can make all the difference. Your children will hardly notice they are doing math!

Setting up the cooking zone. Once the kids are in the kitchen and up to their elbows in dough, you will hardly have time to do anything other than instruct and watch closely. Instead of scrambling for things once you get started, plan ahead of time by setting up all of the needed ingredients, measuring tools, pots, pans and cleaning supplies. This will allow you to concentrate on the kids instead of looking for that tiny bottle of vanilla extract. Make sure the recipes you select are suitable for your child’s age and ability.

The rules are golden. Before undertaking any food recipe. children should be well aware of their boundaries. The kitchen is full of hazards, and no cooking project should be undertaken until the rules are clear and understood. For more details www.apples-recipes.com .Hidden dangers such as droplets of searing oil from a hot skillet should be taken into account. Knives and other sharp objects should not be handled by small or inexperienced children. Start them off with cutting eggs or tofu with a plastic knife.

Mom’s Bakery. Kids love sweets, and they will love learning how it is all put together. There are many simple cake and pie recipes that are suitable for young ages. Your kids will have plenty of opportunity to get creative with decorating their own treats. From frosting designs on cupcakes to making their own ginger bread house, baking desserts can bring out the artist in any child.

Including children in the cooking process is a wonderful way to bond and spend quality time together. You can instill your little ones with a love for the culinary arts that will last a lifetime!

By: cmsfebSonu

About the Author:

www.atkins-diets-recipes.com

www.cooking-chinese-style.com

Getting Kids Interested in Cooking

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:41:16 +0000

Getting the older kids cooking healthy snacks that are simple will help keep them occupied and train them into healthy habits. Young children always want to help out in the kitchen and letting them mix, measure and chop – with a plastic knife – will help develop their hand-eye coordination and their maths skills. Easy recipes for kids can be no-cook meals such as fresh fruit salad and coleslaw. As they get older they will be able to cope with simple meals.

When children are interested in cooking it improves their palate and teaches them healthy habits as they experiment with different recipes. Then when they leave home for uni or wherever, they won’t be so reliant on junk food to survive. Getting the older kids cooking healthy snacks that are simple will help keep them occupied and train them into healthy habits. Young children always want to help out in the kitchen and letting them mix, measure and chop – with a plastic knife – will help develop their hand-eye coordination and their maths skills. Easy recipes for kids can be no-cook meals such as fresh fruit salad and coleslaw. As they get older they will be able to cope with simple meals. Taking children to a farmers market will expose them to a variety of fresh and nutritious foods; letting them grow their own will provide variety too.

When children are used to helping out in the kitchen it gives them a sense of responsibility and makes them feel more confident. Cooking together strengthens family bonds and may even lead your child into a career in cooking that can take them to many different countries. Better still, cooking together can be great fun.

By: Melanie Click

About the Author:

Jennifer writes about a range of parenting topics. For more information about recipes for kids and preschool activity log onto www.kidspot.com.au

Cool and Fun Kids Recipes, Classic Snack Recipes for Children

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:27:02 +0000

Making fun kids snacks is a great way to stave off boredom and keep the kids interested. Learning to cook is a great activity that kids of all ages can do. When the food is something fun that the kids are interested in, it can not only be a fun activity but a great learning experience as well. Be sure to prepare a large area so that the kids can help measure, pour, stir and shake lots of fun recipes. It’s a great idea to get out the aprons, tablecloths, and plan for a semi-messy kitchen while the kids have great fun making all kinds of fun and creative snacks for kids. If you love cooking, you should share that love with your children. Fun Kids recipes you can try at home are listed below. Be sure to visit our Ebook Library for more great recipe downloads, including Fun Recipes for Kids!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

2 c Sugar

2 c Corn syrup

18 oz Peanut butter

8 c Rice Krispies

6 oz Butterscotch morsels

6 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Bring sugar and syrup to a boil. Add peanut butter and cook, stirring until well blended. Remove from heat and pour hot mixture over cereal. Mix quickly and thoroughly. Spread in a greased 9×12x2 inch pan. Sprinkle butterscotch and chocolate morsels over top. Press morsels into bar mixture lightly with spoon. When cool, cut into bars and store at room temperature.

Kids Trail Mix

4 c Chex cereal

1/2 c Dried fruit bits

1/2 c Raisins

1/2 c Yogurt covered peanuts

1/2 c Reeces Pieces

Put into a large ziploc bag and shake to mix.

For More Great Kids Recipes, check out Fun Recipes for Kids

By: Angela Sullivan

About the Author:

Angela Sullivan is a professional interior designer, decorator and author. Sign up for a free decorating newslettter, and download or purchase the book Designing On a Budget at http://www.designingonabudget.com The e-book features a great bonus package with worksheets and kitchen ideas. For great decorating information, articles and resources, visit http://www.houseinteriordecorating.com. Also visit Our Ebook Digital Store for great home, family and business self improvement e-books starting at just $1.

Child Friendly Recipes

admin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:22:39 +0000

Kids like to help in the kitchen. Kids enjoy cooking. I think one of my favorite recipes for kids is Dump Cake. This is literally a cake where you dump everything into the baking dish and then bake.

Dump Cake

20 ounces crushed pineapple

16 ounces cherry pie filling

1 package yellow cake mix, dry

1 1/2 sticks butter, sliced

Dump all ingredients into baking pan and bake at 350 F until brown, approximately 1 hour.

Have fun with the kids. Try blueberry or strawberry instead of the cherry pie filling. If you like nuts or coconut, throw some of that in the dish also.

If you prefer a chocolate cake, try a chocolate cake mix instead of the yellow cake mix.

This is such a fun recipe and kids love that they made the cake.

Another of my favorite kid recipes is trail mix. The kids get to make their own trail mix. Buy a bag of nuts, a box of Chex cereal, a bag of chocolate chips, a bag of pretzels, a bag of raisins and any other goodies you want in the trail mix and then get out the snack size Ziplocs. The kids get to make the trail mix and bag it up for lunches and snacks. When they make it, they love eating it. This is a great healthy snack.

Have you ever had a waffle sandwich? Buy some Eggo waffles. Let the kids toast the waffles and then spread peanut butter and jelly on them. You can also let the kids cut up bananas and add them. They love this breakfast sandwich that they can make all by themselves.

Do your kids like burritos? Let them make their own burritos. Set out containers of tomatoes, cheese, olives, chopped chicken and anything else you might have in the fridge. Give the kids tortillas and let them add the ingredients they like and then wrap and eat.

My final suggestion is kabobs. Kids love to make their own kabobs. Chop up some apples, pineapple or melons. Cut some cheese squares and let the kids make their own fruit and cheese kabobs. Use a yellow cheese and a white cheese. Use a red melon and an orange melon. This lets the kids make colorful and delightful kabobs that they

Cooking With Kids

admin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:15:32 +0000

Cooking can translate into a wonderful hobby for children. Children learn a lot about the food they eat by cooking themselves. Cooking is also very creative, besides being a lot of fun. The kitchen can be a very adventurous and exciting place for a holidaying child. Cooking classes for children are becoming very popular in most cities, for this reason.

Most children love it when they are allowed to knead dough, roll pancakes, crack eggs and mix batter. Cooking has emerged as an education tool for growing children. It is also a great way towards better bonding. For more details www.breakfasts-recipes.com Children can be taught skills like counting, weighing, measuring, tracking time and fractioning in a delicious way through cooking. However, very few schools include cooking in their curriculum. Parent should use holidays to cook with their children, or send them to cooking workshops in their free time.

Cooking is also very therapeutic from the psychological point of view. It can work as a de-stressor after a long period of study. Hands on training in cooking teach kids to be independent, self responsible and better prepared for an adult life. It is also a great way to whet appetites, as one loves to tuck into things which one prepares. It also gives immense pleasure to see someone eat and appreciate your cooking. Small children can also cook with adult supervision.

It is ideal to read and revise the recipe with the child before embarking on any cooking adventure. It’s more fun for them if they know what they are doing. An adult should also clear a workplace and stack all the equipments and ingredients together to prevent confusion in the child. The recipes chosen should be in sync with the child’s age and ability. Children should be made to follow hygienic rules like washing hands before cooking. For more details www.chef-123.com .They can be taught to measure ingredients and organize them. Older kids can be allowed to remove bake dishes from the oven after wearing gloves and handle pans on the heater. However an adult should do hazardous tasks like taking out rice or pasta from boiling water, deep frying etc. A personal set of tools can also be provided for children to cook more efficiently. Children can also be taught to shop for their own cooking. Many families have improved their eating habits and optimized their life styles by bringing kids in the kitchen.

http://www.classic-dessert-collection.com

http://www.cooking-chinese-style.com

By: Shanta Singh

About the Author:

Article Writer

4 Fast and Easy Snacks For Kids

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:52:56 +0000

If you are a busy mom with small children, you know how tough it can be to find quick snacks to feed to your children. In our house, I avoid the easy choice of feeding potato chips, pretzels, candy bars and other store bought food to our daughter by preparing homemade snacks.

Yes, we should all be feeding our children healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, but there is nothing wrong with letting them snack on crackers, cereal mixes and peanut butter fried tortillas. I believe foods such as these, should be given in moderation.

These 4 recipes have always been a favorite here in our house. You can easily prepare any of these recipes in just a few minutes.

Peanut Butter Banana Tortilla

1 flour tortilla

2-3 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 banana, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons butter

Place butter in a frying pan and melt over low heat. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of peanut butter on one side of a tortilla, layer sliced banana on top. Fold tortilla in half, place in fry pan and lightly fry on each side for 1 minute or until lightly browned. Remove. Let cool and slice into wedges.

Cereal Snack Mix

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

12 oz. butterscotch chips

1 teaspoon butter

1 box of Chex cereal

2 cups confectioner’s sugar

Place cereal in a large mixing bowl. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips with butter in a large saucepan, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; pour mixture over cereal and mix well. Pour confectioner’s sugar over cereal. Cover bowl and shake until all ingredients are mixed.

Baked Mozzarella Bites

Mozzarella Cheese

crackers

Cut Mozzarella cheese to fit between 2 crackers and place on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and put crackers with cheese in them into the oven for 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

Strawberry Cracker Sandwiches

1 teaspoon strawberry cream cheese

2 Ritz Crackers

1 teaspoon strawberry preserves

Spread cream cheese and strawberry preserves onto your cracker. Top with an additional cracker.

By: Shelly Hill

About the Author:

Shelly Hill has been working from home in Direct Sales since 1989 and is a Manager with Tupperware. Shelly enjoys cooking and baking for her family. You can visit Shelly online at: http://www.classybusinesswomen.com or her recipe blog at http://wahmshelly.blogspot.com

Coconut Ginger Ice Cream Recipe , This is a Must Try, it is Excellent and Very Easy,great Kid Recipe

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:22:37 +0000

I made this dessert for my final class in culinary school. We had to prepare a dessert with a four course meal, that we had to complete before we were able to move on. We had to select out of a hat, the items we were to prepare, and do so in a slotted time period to be graded. We knew that we had to make a dessert, and were allowed to bring any items into class that we wanted to use within reason. I decided to bring in rock salt, coconut milk, and shredded coconut. We always had fresh ginger, nutmeg and sugar at our disposal, so I knew that I would have that at my disposal for any dish. I very much believe that my instructors loved my coconut dessert dish, due to they ate every last bite, and I made a perfect score.

This is a great recipe, and it is very fun to make, and probably the easiest to make, too. I am glad that I am able to share this recipe with you!

Ingredients you will need:

1 Can of coconut milk (or) 16 ounces

1/4 Teaspoon of fresh ginger

1/2 Cup of shredded coconut

1/8 Teaspoon of nutmeg

1/4 Cup of sugar – you can go much less on the sugar if you like. Adjust it to you taste. If you want to totally remove it that is an option too. You can use a sugar substitute, but follow the directions on the box.

2 Cups of rock salt

4-5 Cups of cubed or crushed ice.

4 small ramekins

2 Large zip lock bags

1 mixing bowl

You are now ready to make your ice cream. You will add in a mixing bowl the 16 ounces of coconut milk. It is always best to shake the can of coconut milk before you open it, to get the built up coconut milk fat solids incorporated back into the liquid. You will ten cut off a piece of ginger and peel it, and then cut it, and make a paste, and add it to the milk. Add you nutmeg, and sugar, and give it a good mix. You will need to taste it to make sure it has the flavor component you want. If you want to add more nutmeg, or ginger now would be the time to do so.

If you are a diabetic you could use a sugar substitute, or no sugar at all. I have not tried it without the sugar, so I would be interested in any feedback on this matter. I do believe that it would work though.

You will now need to get ready for the fun to start. You can roast of your coconut before or after. Just get a small saute pan, and add your coconut to a pan over med to med high heat and toss until golden brown. Remove from pan and save for topping your finished ice cream later.

Add your milk ice cream mixture to the first zip lock bag and make sure it is sealed very well. If you have a rubber band to go around to keep it from flapping around this is a good thing. In your second bag you are going to add half of the rock salt, and half of the ice to the bag. Next ad your 1st zip lock bag with the milk mixture, and then the rest of the ice, and rock salt. You will then let the kids take over if they are helping you out.

This is best done outside in an area that is not going to matter if things get a little out of hand. You will need to shake vigorously for around 5-10 minutes, or until the milk starts turning into a frozen solid. You will then remove from the bag of ice, and rock salt. Mix very gently with cold water, and pat dry. Immediately put the semi-frozen mixture into the ramekins, and put into the freezer for about 5-10 minutes. Pull from freezer and add your roasted coconut to the top and dig in.

I love this recipe, and it is so fun to make. It is also one of the best desserts I have ever eaten as well.

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and Executive Research and Development Chef, for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Pogue

By: Chef Shelley R. Pogue

About the Author:

Chef Shelley Pogue is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate from The Texas Culinary Academy located in Austin, Texas. Chef Pogue graduated with honors of cum laude with a GPA of 3.71. Shelley went to work for The Hills Fitness Center in Westlake Hills after graduation and stayed the for one year as the Executive Chef. She then left The Hills and went to work for a company Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA. CHef Pogue is currently developing sauces and meal concepts for large retail markets in the US. Chef Pogue lives in Austin, TX, and is also a personal chef and caterer, and also working on developing a recipe and cook book.

Quick And Easy Cookie Recipes Your Kids Will Love

admin — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 05:46:00 +0000

If you