It is easy to tell which recipes we liked to make the most, the pages are spattered and stained. A bobby pin still marks the recipe for Egg Nog even though I never make it anymore because it uses raw eggs.
Today there are many cook books available targeting the youngest cooks in the family. Before buying cookbooks, your kid's have to develop an interest in cooking. How do you persuade kid's to participate in what goes on in the kitchen before it is time to eat? Many mothers have found ways to entice the kid's into the preparation stages of their favorite foods.
Before starting anything with kids in the kitchen set some rules. Depending on the age of the children involved the rules may differ. For the youngest children the rule should be they must have supervision at all times. With the older kid's they may only need assistance with stoves and knives. You know your children best and are the best person to determine what they can and cannot handle.
There are some simple recipes that do not require cooking that are a good way to start the young cooks. Perhaps a fun salad to start:
PEANUT-BANANA SALAD*
4 large firm bananas
Peanut Butter, crunch or smooth
Lettuce
Mayonnaise
1. Peel and cut each banana in half, crosswise. Then cut each piece of banana in half, lengthwise.
2. Spread the cut side of half of the banana pieces with peanut butter. Put the other banana halves on top and gently press together. The bananas will look like half bananas, only there will be a strip of peanut butter showing along the sides.
3. Cut the bananas again into crosswise slices and place them on lettuce. Serve with mayonnaise, if desired. Makes 6 servings.
When they are a bit older but not ready to use a hot stove they may be able to make some microwave recipes (they didn't have those in my first cookbook).
POP SNACK**
Skill level: 1
Ingredients
1 package light microwave popcorn
¼ cup dried apples, peaches, or other favorite dried fruit
½ cup small, unsalted pretzels
¼ cup dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts
¼ cup raisins
Equipment
Oven mitts
Measuring cups
Large bowl
Kitchen scissors
Wooden spoon
Instructions
1. Pop corn in microwave oven as directed on package. Use oven mitts to remove bag from oven. Open very carefully, turning bag opening away from your face.
2. Measure 1 ½ to 2 cups popcorn into bowl.
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