Cooking with Your Child

The benefits of Cooking with your child include:

Provides quality bonding time with our children
Builds positive self image
Encourages self-discipline
Rewards hard work and diligence
Promotes eye-hand coordination
Cultivates a love of learning
Fosters cooperation with others
Encourages their imagination

COOKING WITH YOUR CHILD-YUMMY NACHOS

(with adult supervision)

1 large bag tortilla chips salted or unsalted (extra thick kind if available)

2-3 cups canned refried beans

½ pound grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese or mix ½ and ½

Optional-Sliced Jalapeno peppers, chopped tomato and green pepper

Optional but recommended - Salsa and Guacamole

Sour Cream

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Arrange a layer of tortilla chips along the bottom of a wide, shallow baking pan that can be used as serving platter also. The layer of tortilla chips can be a couple of chips thick.

Spread the refried beans over the chips (this is why you need extra thick chips, so they don't break when encountering the beans). Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top of chips and beans. Sprinkle slices of jalapeño peppers if desired over the cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 5 minutes in a convection oven. Sprinkle with chopped fresh tomato and green pepper if desired.

Serve in baking pan with dollops of salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

COOKING WITH YOUR CHILD - MORE RECIPES...

APPLE CRUMBLE

4 cups apple slices, peeled
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup oats, rolled (raw)
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup butter

Put apples in shell baking dish and sprinkle with lemon juice. Combine dry ingredients, add melted butter and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle crumb mixture over apples. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until apples are tender. Makes six servings. Serve with crème fraiche yoghurt or whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE

Quick and healthy snack that teens can make in a flash

1 large banana
2 handfuls of ripe strawberries
4 heaping Tbsp of applesauce
6-10 cubes of ice

Add ice and the applesauce first (applesauce provides the liquid necessary in the crushing of the ice). Crush the ice until substance is smoothie-like, and then add the other ingredients. Enjoy!!!

Frozen Pudding Pops (with adult supervision)

Perfect treat to beat the heat

1 (3.9 ounce) package instant pudding mix
1/2 cup white sugar
3 cups milk

Combine pudding, sugar, and milk in a mixing bowl. Pour mixture into small plastic cups (if you do not have ice pop molds) and freeze. Before it sets completely, place a wooden craft sticks into them. Serve when frozen. For an added treat, layer two different kinds of pudding such as vanilla and chocolate. cooking with child - lollies

Recipe - Fruit Cone

Ingredients:

A mixture of fresh fruit, like banana, apple and strawberry (or whatever is in season) - cut into small pieces
ice cream cone
honey
granola
real fruit flavoured yogurt (frozen or regular)

Fill the ice cream cones with the diced fresh fruit and yogurt, drizzle with honey if desired, and use a little granola as a topping. Enjoy!!!

COOKING WITH YOUR CHILD- EASY BANANA BREAD

3 large mashed bananas
½ cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
½ tsp. Salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
Walnuts (optional)

Add all to the bowl: mix: Put in loaf pan and bake at 350 F oven for 40-45 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting toothpick in centre when it comes out dry it is done. Enjoy.

LIVER COOKIES FOR YOUR DOG

Warning: This recipe is rather smelly!

Ingredients:

500g raw liver (any kind is fine, you can just ask your butcher for some cheap liver for your dog)
125g plain flour
1 large egg
Teaspoon of mustard or garlic (for extra tasty cookies, use both!)

Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend until you have a smooth, thick mixture. It should be a pourable consistency.

Line a large shallow baking tray with baking paper and pour the mixture on. Spread it out to about ¼ or ½ inch thickness.

Bake in a medium to hot oven for about 20 minutes or until a knife stuck in the cookies comes out clean.

Turn out, let cool then cut into small squares with a pizza cutter. Now you have some great tasting treats to help train your dog with!

ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZAS TO COOK WITH YOUR CHILD

1 package (6) English muffins
1 can pizza sauce
1 8-ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese
Desired toppings

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Split English muffins and arrange halves on a cookie sheet. Spread desired amount of sauce on each muffin half, top with favorite toppings. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, until cheese melts. Serve with soup, salad or cut-up vegetables. Store any leftovers in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and reheat under the broiler.

APPLE BRAN POWER MUFFINS TO COOK WITH YOUR CHILD

(great for breakfast on the run!)

Ingredients

1/2 Cup All-Bran of 100% bran cereal
3/4-1 Cup milk (whichever type you prefer)
1 Cup oat bran
1 1/4 Cup whole grain flour
2-3 scoops unflavoured protein powder
1/4 cup brown sugar or honey
2 Tsp baking powder
1 Tsp baking soda
1 Tsp of each: ground allspice, ground cloves, ground cinnamon
1Tsp salt
1 large apple cut in small chunks
1/4 Cup of raisins
1/2 Cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 egg
2 Tbsp canola or other vegetable oil

Method:

In a bowl, combine the cereal and milk and let it stand for five minutes. In another large bowl, combine the oat bran, flour, protein powder, sugar, baking powder, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir in apple and raisins. In a small bowl, whisk together the apple sauce, egg and oil. Pour over the flour mixture, along with the cereal mixture and stir until combined and moistened. Divide the batter among 12 lined or greased muffin cups. Bake in 175C/350F/gas mark 4 oven for about 20 minutes or until golden and firm to the touch.

ANTS ON A LOG

(easy to prepare snack for the little ones)

INGREDIENTS:
Celery Stick
Peanut Butter
Raisins

PREPARATION:

A very simple snack idea! Fill the center of the celery stick with peanut butter. Place a few raisins on top to be your ants. Eat and enjoy!

CHOCOLATE COIN COOKIES TO COOK WITH YOUR CHILD

(WITH ADULT SUPERVISION)

Makes about 3 dozen

8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 Cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light-brown sugar
1 Large egg
1 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 Cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)
1/4 Cup granulated sugar

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg; mix until well combined.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, salt, and orange zest, if using. Add flour mixture to egg mixture; continue mixing until the ingredients are just combined, scraping down sides of the bowl.

3. Scrape dough onto a piece of plastic wrap; flatten into a disk. Wrap, and chill at least 1 hour or overnight.

4. Heat oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place granulated sugar in a small bowl.

5. On a lightly floured work surface roll out dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch-round cutter cut out cookies. Carefully press each cookie into granulated sugar. Transfer cookies to sheets, spaced 1/2 inch apart.

6. Bake until cookies are firm, about 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

EGG FOO FUN TO COOK WITH YOUR CHILD

Egg Foo Fun to cook with your child
Note: rather than crack eggs blow out the contents and use in the Egg Men Craft on the Kids Crafts page

1 c. shredded pork roast, cooked pork chicken, shrimp or crab
1 tbsp. soy sauce
4 tbsp. cooking oil
1 c. canned bean sprouts, drained
1/2 c. sliced celery
1 c. chopped green onions (optional)
1 tsp. salt
1 can (4 oz.) sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 eggs, well beaten

Put choice of meat or seafood in a small bowl; sprinkle with soy sauce let stand for a few minutes.

In skillet over high heat add 1 tablespoon oil; cook bean sprouts, celery, and onions for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Add salt and stir well. Turn into large bowl. Add another tablespoon oil to skillet, stir fry pork 1 minute. Add mushrooms and pepper. Stir-fry 1 minute. Drain. Turn mixture into the bowl with vegetables. Add eggs, stir well. Put enough oil in skillet to grease it. Pour in 1/6 of the egg mixture and fry on both sides. Repeat until all mixture is fried.

COOKING WITH YOUR CHILD - CHOCOLATE SPIDERS

Chocolate Spiders ( with adult supervision for younger children)

1 package (6oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
16 large marshmallows
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups oatmeal (quick cook oats)
1 cup flaked coconut
uncooked ramen noodles for spider legs / red candies for spider eyes

Heat chocolate chips, butter, and marshmallows in 3 quart pan, over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat. Drop by teaspoons full, onto waxed paper or onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Shape into clusters with your hands, to look like spider bodies. Break off romaine noodles to look like legs, put 8 on each spider. Refrigerate until firm. (about 30 minutes) Put the eyes on after refrigerating. If you put the eyes on before refrigerating, the candy will get soft and the colour will smear.

CINNAMON SNACK MIX TO COOK WITH YOUR CHILD

(age 5 and up with adult supervision)

5 8 oz. Cups of graham cereal
3 cups bear shaped graham cookies (any flavour)
2 cups broken ramen noodles
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup golden raisins
1/3-cup butter
1/3-cup honey
1 teaspoon orange juice
1-teaspoon cinnamon

1-Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees centigrade)

2-In a large bowl combine honey graham cereal; bear shaped graham cookies, ramen noodles, almonds and golden raisins

3-In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and blend in honey and orange juice and cinnamon. Spread over honey graham cereal mixture and toss to coat.

4-Spread mixture on a large baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

5- Cool and enjoy

EASY CHEESY QUESADILLAS TO COOK WITH YOUR CHILD

(*ages 10 and up)

What you need: Ready made tortillas, Grated Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, chopped green onions (optional)

Heat tortillas in dry frying pan (let parent or supervisor help with that) on medium high heat for 10 seconds on each side. Take tortilla out of pan. Place about 1/2 cup-grated cheese on tortilla and sprinkle chopped green onion on top of cheese. Fold tortilla in half. Place back in pan. Heat until both sides are browned and cheese is melted. Cut in two pieces (cut up leftover cooked chicken can be added to the cheese and onions for easy Chicken quesadillas (*with adult supervision).

COOKING SWEETHEART CAKES WITH YOUR CHILD

(age six and up with adult supervision)

1 package (2 layer size) white cake mix

1 package (85 gram) strawberry jelly powder, or your favourite red colour such as cherry, raspberry etc.

3 cups whipped topping or if you prefer white frosting

Colourful candy sprinkles

Prepare cake batter as directed on the package. Stir in dry jelly powder until well blended.

Line 24 medium muffin tins with paper liners. Pour cake batter evenly into cups so each is about one half full. Place a half-inch ball of tin foil between each liner and side of muffin tin to form a heart shape, as shown in the picture:

Bake as directed on package. Cool completely and remove foil ball.

Spread 2 tablespoons of the whipped topping or frosting onto each cupcake. Decorate as desired with candy sprinkles. Store in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE EARTH BALLS

(Kids of all ages love cooking and eating these)

1-cup peanut butter

1/3-cup honey

2 Tsp. Unsweetened Cocoa powder

1/2 half-cup raisins

3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2- cup chocolate chips

1/4-cup sesame seed

1/4-cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, peanuts, pecans whichever you prefer)

Mix the peanut butter, honey and cocoa powder, until well combined. Stir in the raisins and only 1/8th cup of the coconut. Stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate mixture for 1 hour.

Place the remaining coconut, sesame seeds and nuts into three separate bowls. Using a spoon scoop small scoops of the peanut mixture from the bowl and roll into 1 and a half -inch balls. Roll into the coconut, sesame seeds and chopped nuts. Arrange balls on a plate and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Enjoy!!

WACKY CAKE

(not quite sure where the name came from, maybe because it is so, so simple to make) ages 10 and up

1 1/2 cup cake or pastry flour
1 C. sugar
3 T. cocoa (unsweetened like Hershey's)
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
6 T. applesauce
1 T. white vinegar
1 t. vanilla
1 C. cold water

If you aren't fussy, you can make this as a "snack cake", mixing, baking and serving from the same pan. No need to oil the pan.

Sift dry ingredients into pan. Add liquids, covering with water. Mix thoroughly.

Bake at 350 degrees (moderate oven) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Makes one very moist chocolate cake. Frost as desired or dust on confectioner's sugar.

For any recipes if you need help with the conversions for your specific country please email us and we will be more than glad to email you the conversions!

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