Cooking with Connor - Adventures in the
Kitchen with a Toddler
Kitchen with a Toddler
Cooking together has always been a favorite activity in our family. My
mother began to cook with me before I started school. One of my earliest
school memories was when I was a first grader: our class was invited to be
guests of the eighth grade cooking class and we were treated to hot cocoa
and oatmeal cookies made by the "big kids." At the end of the party, we
were allowed to help the eighth graders clean up, and I remember
volunteering to wash a very large floured baking sheet. As the class was
ending, I was still at the sink laboring with the industrial-sized baking sheet
that was as big as I was. As a reward for my efforts, I was given a gold star
on my forehead. Even now, many years later, I still remember that day as
one of the proudest of my life.
And maybe it was that day that started me on a life in which my best
memories involve cooking for myself, my family, and my friends. The best
of the best memories are the times I cooked with my own children who have
now grown up and have given me five grandkids (aged from 20 months to
18 years), with whom I can continue what I started with my children over 40
years ago.
Cooking gives children a wonderful sense of accomplishment and they
learn early that hard work can pay big (sweet) rewards. Cooking allows you
to talk to kids on many levels: they learn about their family histories when
you use recipes handed down in the family (the names of their great
grandparents, the foods that derive from their family roots in countries far
away), they learn to follow directions, they learn to count (depending on
their ages, this can range from simple to more involved calculations), they
learn cooperation, they learn the joy of work that can give pleasure not
only to themselves but to others, they learn to try and to experience
different foods and cooking methods, they learn lessons of self-sufficiency
that will serve them all their lives, they learn they must clean up after
themselves, they learn to follow directions and how to plan ahead
(shopping and prep time).
All the while they're learning all these things, they're having fun and so are
you.
Children learn to enjoy food from the first moments of their lives, and they
can learn the joy of cooking even as toddlers. When you cook with
toddlers, it's important that you concentrate only on the task at hand, and
it's best to limit your cooking class to just one short one at a time. I've
found it best if the recipes are simple, and have an enjoyable anticipated
outcome.
Getting started
These days, I've been cooking a lot with my three-year-old grandchild,
Connor. I like to begin talking with Connor about what I want to cook with
him. I describe how much he will like the dish, and when I get his interest, I
give the recipe a fun name. I can keep his interest through the whole
process if I start by writing the recipe down and discussing the ingredients
and steps involved.
Then I plan a trip to the store for the ingredients. Again I involve the child.
We look for the ingredients together, and we watch while the checker bags
our stuff, and after we pay her (Connor learns that everything has a price),
we go home to cook.
Washing hands is always the way we begin. It's fun washing up with
Connor, who generally resists washing up at other times -- as he seriously
throws himself into this activity when its for cooking. Next we gather our
ingredients and utensils. And then we begin.
Fun and safety
I discuss the fact that we will need to warm up the oven while we're making
our food; explaining that the stove is "very hot" and that he must never
touch the oven; and that he only cooks with me, or his Mommy or Daddy. I
usually tell him about the times I would cook with Daddy when he was a
little boy. This usually gets Connor's interest. I measure out each of the
ingredients, and Connor gets the fun and important mixing job.
If I'm using an electric blender or mixer, Connor gets to turn the appliance
on and off (again discussing safety issues and the importance of not using
these appliances by himself). If something has to be cooked on the
stove-top, Connor stands close by watching the activity and depending on
what's cooking he get a chance to stir the pot (under very close
supervision).
By this time, things in the kitchen are starting to smell really good, and that
gives us a chance to discuss what we smell and to build excitement about
the end result.
Connor gets the honor of greasing the cake or muffin pans, or he can roll
out dough (with some help). Depending on what we're cooking, he also
gets the opportunity to help pour the batter into the pans if we're making a
cake, cupcakes, or muffins. If we're making cookies, he can use the cookie
cutters and later he can sprinkle the colored sugar over them.
Finally, we are ready to put the dish into the oven or onto the stove, set
the timer, and anticipate the outcome. While waiting, Connor always helps
with the clean up, and I admit this is his least favorite thing to do. But this is
one of the lessons that are learned we must always clean up our own
messes. It's not all work. While we're cleaning up, we get to look into the
oven and watch the progress of the dish as it cooks. We discuss how the
food will get to smell better and better, how it browns, and how the cake
gets bigger as it cooks.
When the timer rings, with Connor closely watching, I take the food out of
the oven and place it on the cooling rack. If the dish calls for icing, we use
the cooling time to make the icing, and Connor helps put the icing on the
cakes or cookies (and into his mouth).
At last, the dish is done and we get to eat it, sharing it of course with
Mommy and Daddy, and anyone else who wants some. Since eating is a
social activity, Connor basks in the glow of his accomplishment and enjoys
the compliments and the conversation. In our family, after eating everyone
helps clean up, so once again Connor is in on the action.
In general, anything that I choose to cook with Connor (or any other young
child) has got to be simple and quick, recognizing that young children have
finite attention spans. The time I spend cooking with Connor (or any of the
kids) leaves me happy, tired, full, and contented; it leaves them feeling the
same way, too, and proud of themselves as well.
The following are a few recipes that I have used successfully with Connor
and with my younger grandchildren. I hope that you will try them for
yourselves and add your own while you make memories for yourself, your
children, and your grandchildren (or any kid who happens to be in your
life).
The Recipes
"BaNANA" Bread
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Baking Time: 60 minutes Makes 1 Loaf
You will need: a large fork and a wooden spoon, 2 bowls, oven gloves, loaf
pan, cooking rack.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
½ cup cooking oil
2 or 3 very ripe bananas
Pam or some other spray to grease the pan
* Note: You can add ½ cup chopped walnuts to this recipe BUT I DO NOT
GIVE NUTS TO YOUNG CHILDREN
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray the sides and bottom of loaf pan
with PAM and sprinkle with a little flour (shake out the excess flour)
2. Peel the bananas and mash the bananas with a fork into a small bowl
3. In the other bowl, mix the sugar, oil and egg with the wooden spoon until
the mixture looks creamy and is a light yellow color
4. Blend in the bananas
5. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Break up any lumps in the batter
and stir until the batter is smooth and all the flour is mixed in.
To Bake: Spoon the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. (Test
for doneness: if the top of the loaf spring back after you touch
it, or if you stick a clean toothpick in and it comes out clean,
it's done.
Cool on the cooling rack for about 20 minutes, then flip the bread out onto
the rack and cool some more before slicing.
Creamy, Dreamy Oatmeal
(to wake a guy up)
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Serves: 4
You will need measuring cups, small pot (prefer a non-stick one), a long
handled wooden spoon, 4 bowls, 4 spoons.
Ingredients:
2 cups of water
1 cup old-fashioned oats
Pinch of salt
Possible Toppings:
(i.e. the good stuff) Milk or Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar
or honey
Butter
Raisins
Sliced Bananas
Crunchy Wheat Germ
1. Pour the water into the pot. Add the oats and salt.
2. Ask a grown-up to help bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to a
simmer.
3. Cook for 5 minutes or until the desired thickness, stirring occasionally.
THEN: Spoon into bowls and serve with the topping dejour.
"Butter and Nana Jama" Jam Sandwiches
You will need 2 tablespoons, a butter knife, and a cutting board
Ingredients:
2 slices of bread (or more depending on who is eating)
1 tablespoon strawberry jam
1 tablespoon butter (soften to room temperature to spread
easy)
1. Spread jam evenly on one slice of bread (again depending on how many
are eating) and evenly butter the other slice.
2. Press the jammed and buttered sides of the slices together to make a
a sandwich
3. Place on cutting board and cut into halves or quarters.
A variation that my family enjoys: substitute softened cream cheese for the
butter and make Cream Cheese And Nana Jama Jam Sandwiches.
Shamrock Lucky Glass Cookies
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 8 to 10 minutes oven
preheated
to 375 degrees
You will need:
One (1) package of pre-made sugar cookie dough (may
be store bought)
Green hard candy (Lifesavers etc.)
Zip Lock Bags and Small Kitchen Hammer (or any other
thing a child can use to "bam" the hard candy to little
bits)
Two (2) shamrock shaped cookie cutters (1 large and 1
small)
Some tin foil
A cookie sheet
To Prepare:
1. Roll out the cookie dough and cut out cookies using the large shamrock
cookie cutter. Using the small cookie cutter, cut a hole in the center of
each of the cookies
2. Place the cookies on a foil covered cookie sheet
3. Put hard candies into a plastic zip lock bag and crush them using the
kitchen hammer, rolling pin or any thing else that will "bam" the candy (the
kids LOVE this part!)
4. Use the crushed candy to fill the holes in the center of the cookies.
To Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the over (adult only) and bake the
cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Watch these
cookies because depending on your oven, they may require less time to
brown.
Let these cookies cool completely and then peel the cookies off the foil
and EAT!
Variations: Depending on the Holiday or Celebration (or just because), you
can use other cookie cutters and colored candy---as for example,
Christmas 1/4Tree Cookie cutters and red and green candy for Christmas.
Pruney Loony Muffins
Preparation Time: 30 minutes Baking Time: 15 to 20 minutes in regular
sized muffin tin or 7 to 9 minutes in mini muffin tins.
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees Makes 12 regular sized muffins or 36 mini
muffins. NOTE: Kids LOVE the mini muffin size.
You will need:
Muffin tin (regular sized or mini sized)
1 and 3/4 cups of flour
1/4 cups of sugar
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup salad oil
2 (4 oz. Baby Jars) of Pureed Prunes or you can use Pureed Apples
1/3 cup milk
Mixing Bowl and Flour Sifter and Measuring Cups and spoons
For the Topping (goes on before baking):
2 Tablespoon Wheat Germ
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
To Make:
1. Sift dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon into
a bowl and make a well in the center.
2. Place eggs, milk and prunes (or apples) into a medium bowl and beat
with a fork until well mixed.
3. Pour liquid mixture into the flour well and mix until just moistened. Batter
will be lumpy.
4. Fill greased muffin tins to 3/4 full
5. Mix the topping ingredients together in a small bowl and sprinkle the
topping on the muffins and gently pat on.
Bake in the preheated oven (400 degrees) for 15 to 20 minutes for regular
sized muffins or 7 to 9 minutes for mini muffins.
mother began to cook with me before I started school. One of my earliest
school memories was when I was a first grader: our class was invited to be
guests of the eighth grade cooking class and we were treated to hot cocoa
and oatmeal cookies made by the "big kids." At the end of the party, we
were allowed to help the eighth graders clean up, and I remember
volunteering to wash a very large floured baking sheet. As the class was
ending, I was still at the sink laboring with the industrial-sized baking sheet
that was as big as I was. As a reward for my efforts, I was given a gold star
on my forehead. Even now, many years later, I still remember that day as
one of the proudest of my life.
And maybe it was that day that started me on a life in which my best
memories involve cooking for myself, my family, and my friends. The best
of the best memories are the times I cooked with my own children who have
now grown up and have given me five grandkids (aged from 20 months to
18 years), with whom I can continue what I started with my children over 40
years ago.
Cooking gives children a wonderful sense of accomplishment and they
learn early that hard work can pay big (sweet) rewards. Cooking allows you
to talk to kids on many levels: they learn about their family histories when
you use recipes handed down in the family (the names of their great
grandparents, the foods that derive from their family roots in countries far
away), they learn to follow directions, they learn to count (depending on
their ages, this can range from simple to more involved calculations), they
learn cooperation, they learn the joy of work that can give pleasure not
only to themselves but to others, they learn to try and to experience
different foods and cooking methods, they learn lessons of self-sufficiency
that will serve them all their lives, they learn they must clean up after
themselves, they learn to follow directions and how to plan ahead
(shopping and prep time).
All the while they're learning all these things, they're having fun and so are
you.
Children learn to enjoy food from the first moments of their lives, and they
can learn the joy of cooking even as toddlers. When you cook with
toddlers, it's important that you concentrate only on the task at hand, and
it's best to limit your cooking class to just one short one at a time. I've
found it best if the recipes are simple, and have an enjoyable anticipated
outcome.
Getting started
These days, I've been cooking a lot with my three-year-old grandchild,
Connor. I like to begin talking with Connor about what I want to cook with
him. I describe how much he will like the dish, and when I get his interest, I
give the recipe a fun name. I can keep his interest through the whole
process if I start by writing the recipe down and discussing the ingredients
and steps involved.
Then I plan a trip to the store for the ingredients. Again I involve the child.
We look for the ingredients together, and we watch while the checker bags
our stuff, and after we pay her (Connor learns that everything has a price),
we go home to cook.
Washing hands is always the way we begin. It's fun washing up with
Connor, who generally resists washing up at other times -- as he seriously
throws himself into this activity when its for cooking. Next we gather our
ingredients and utensils. And then we begin.
Fun and safety
I discuss the fact that we will need to warm up the oven while we're making
our food; explaining that the stove is "very hot" and that he must never
touch the oven; and that he only cooks with me, or his Mommy or Daddy. I
usually tell him about the times I would cook with Daddy when he was a
little boy. This usually gets Connor's interest. I measure out each of the
ingredients, and Connor gets the fun and important mixing job.
If I'm using an electric blender or mixer, Connor gets to turn the appliance
on and off (again discussing safety issues and the importance of not using
these appliances by himself). If something has to be cooked on the
stove-top, Connor stands close by watching the activity and depending on
what's cooking he get a chance to stir the pot (under very close
supervision).
By this time, things in the kitchen are starting to smell really good, and that
gives us a chance to discuss what we smell and to build excitement about
the end result.
Connor gets the honor of greasing the cake or muffin pans, or he can roll
out dough (with some help). Depending on what we're cooking, he also
gets the opportunity to help pour the batter into the pans if we're making a
cake, cupcakes, or muffins. If we're making cookies, he can use the cookie
cutters and later he can sprinkle the colored sugar over them.
Finally, we are ready to put the dish into the oven or onto the stove, set
the timer, and anticipate the outcome. While waiting, Connor always helps
with the clean up, and I admit this is his least favorite thing to do. But this is
one of the lessons that are learned we must always clean up our own
messes. It's not all work. While we're cleaning up, we get to look into the
oven and watch the progress of the dish as it cooks. We discuss how the
food will get to smell better and better, how it browns, and how the cake
gets bigger as it cooks.
When the timer rings, with Connor closely watching, I take the food out of
the oven and place it on the cooling rack. If the dish calls for icing, we use
the cooling time to make the icing, and Connor helps put the icing on the
cakes or cookies (and into his mouth).
At last, the dish is done and we get to eat it, sharing it of course with
Mommy and Daddy, and anyone else who wants some. Since eating is a
social activity, Connor basks in the glow of his accomplishment and enjoys
the compliments and the conversation. In our family, after eating everyone
helps clean up, so once again Connor is in on the action.
In general, anything that I choose to cook with Connor (or any other young
child) has got to be simple and quick, recognizing that young children have
finite attention spans. The time I spend cooking with Connor (or any of the
kids) leaves me happy, tired, full, and contented; it leaves them feeling the
same way, too, and proud of themselves as well.
The following are a few recipes that I have used successfully with Connor
and with my younger grandchildren. I hope that you will try them for
yourselves and add your own while you make memories for yourself, your
children, and your grandchildren (or any kid who happens to be in your
life).
The Recipes
"BaNANA" Bread
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Baking Time: 60 minutes Makes 1 Loaf
You will need: a large fork and a wooden spoon, 2 bowls, oven gloves, loaf
pan, cooking rack.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
½ cup cooking oil
2 or 3 very ripe bananas
Pam or some other spray to grease the pan
* Note: You can add ½ cup chopped walnuts to this recipe BUT I DO NOT
GIVE NUTS TO YOUNG CHILDREN
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray the sides and bottom of loaf pan
with PAM and sprinkle with a little flour (shake out the excess flour)
2. Peel the bananas and mash the bananas with a fork into a small bowl
3. In the other bowl, mix the sugar, oil and egg with the wooden spoon until
the mixture looks creamy and is a light yellow color
4. Blend in the bananas
5. Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Break up any lumps in the batter
and stir until the batter is smooth and all the flour is mixed in.
To Bake: Spoon the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. (Test
for doneness: if the top of the loaf spring back after you touch
it, or if you stick a clean toothpick in and it comes out clean,
it's done.
Cool on the cooling rack for about 20 minutes, then flip the bread out onto
the rack and cool some more before slicing.
Creamy, Dreamy Oatmeal
(to wake a guy up)
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Serves: 4
You will need measuring cups, small pot (prefer a non-stick one), a long
handled wooden spoon, 4 bowls, 4 spoons.
Ingredients:
2 cups of water
1 cup old-fashioned oats
Pinch of salt
Possible Toppings:
(i.e. the good stuff) Milk or Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar
or honey
Butter
Raisins
Sliced Bananas
Crunchy Wheat Germ
1. Pour the water into the pot. Add the oats and salt.
2. Ask a grown-up to help bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to a
simmer.
3. Cook for 5 minutes or until the desired thickness, stirring occasionally.
THEN: Spoon into bowls and serve with the topping dejour.
"Butter and Nana Jama" Jam Sandwiches
You will need 2 tablespoons, a butter knife, and a cutting board
Ingredients:
2 slices of bread (or more depending on who is eating)
1 tablespoon strawberry jam
1 tablespoon butter (soften to room temperature to spread
easy)
1. Spread jam evenly on one slice of bread (again depending on how many
are eating) and evenly butter the other slice.
2. Press the jammed and buttered sides of the slices together to make a
a sandwich
3. Place on cutting board and cut into halves or quarters.
A variation that my family enjoys: substitute softened cream cheese for the
butter and make Cream Cheese And Nana Jama Jam Sandwiches.
Shamrock Lucky Glass Cookies
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 8 to 10 minutes oven
preheated
to 375 degrees
You will need:
One (1) package of pre-made sugar cookie dough (may
be store bought)
Green hard candy (Lifesavers etc.)
Zip Lock Bags and Small Kitchen Hammer (or any other
thing a child can use to "bam" the hard candy to little
bits)
Two (2) shamrock shaped cookie cutters (1 large and 1
small)
Some tin foil
A cookie sheet
To Prepare:
1. Roll out the cookie dough and cut out cookies using the large shamrock
cookie cutter. Using the small cookie cutter, cut a hole in the center of
each of the cookies
2. Place the cookies on a foil covered cookie sheet
3. Put hard candies into a plastic zip lock bag and crush them using the
kitchen hammer, rolling pin or any thing else that will "bam" the candy (the
kids LOVE this part!)
4. Use the crushed candy to fill the holes in the center of the cookies.
To Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the over (adult only) and bake the
cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned. Watch these
cookies because depending on your oven, they may require less time to
brown.
Let these cookies cool completely and then peel the cookies off the foil
and EAT!
Variations: Depending on the Holiday or Celebration (or just because), you
can use other cookie cutters and colored candy---as for example,
Christmas 1/4Tree Cookie cutters and red and green candy for Christmas.
Pruney Loony Muffins
Preparation Time: 30 minutes Baking Time: 15 to 20 minutes in regular
sized muffin tin or 7 to 9 minutes in mini muffin tins.
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees Makes 12 regular sized muffins or 36 mini
muffins. NOTE: Kids LOVE the mini muffin size.
You will need:
Muffin tin (regular sized or mini sized)
1 and 3/4 cups of flour
1/4 cups of sugar
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup salad oil
2 (4 oz. Baby Jars) of Pureed Prunes or you can use Pureed Apples
1/3 cup milk
Mixing Bowl and Flour Sifter and Measuring Cups and spoons
For the Topping (goes on before baking):
2 Tablespoon Wheat Germ
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
To Make:
1. Sift dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon into
a bowl and make a well in the center.
2. Place eggs, milk and prunes (or apples) into a medium bowl and beat
with a fork until well mixed.
3. Pour liquid mixture into the flour well and mix until just moistened. Batter
will be lumpy.
4. Fill greased muffin tins to 3/4 full
5. Mix the topping ingredients together in a small bowl and sprinkle the
topping on the muffins and gently pat on.
Bake in the preheated oven (400 degrees) for 15 to 20 minutes for regular
sized muffins or 7 to 9 minutes for mini muffins.
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About the Author
Submitted to Online Cooking by Maureen R. Sinclair
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maureen_R._Sinclair
Submitted to Online Cooking by Maureen R. Sinclair
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maureen_R._Sinclair
By Maureen R. Sinclair
