Are you keen to get your little ones working in the kitchen, all set to be the next generation of junior masterchefs? Well it’s important not to start by being too ambitious! Giving them simple recipes and simple ideas to start with will ensure they are able to achieve their goals, which will instill them with confidence for the future! That way they’ll grow to love experimenting in the kitchen. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started.
Apricot Cashew Bites
Aimee Clark, a food and cooking coach, has a great, healthy easy recipe for kids who are learning to cook. It is in fact a raw recipe, and they thus won’t have to deal with the hot oven, but will be able to become familiar with healthy ingredients and making their way around a kitchen. The recipe is included below:
Ingredients:
1 cup organic dried apricots (sulphite-free)
1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 1 hr and strained
3-4 tbsp coconut oil, liquefied
1 cup organic desiccated coconut (or shredded, or chips, whichever you like, it doesn’t matter because it’s getting blended anyway)
Method:
1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and blitz until it’s a fine sticky-but-sorta-crumbly mixture. The kids need to be careful of the blade inside the food processor but other than that, this part is easy for kids to help with or do themselves.
2. Use a teaspoon to press some mixture into moulds. Silicon mini cupcake moulds work really well.
3. Place the filled moulds in the fridge to firm up, for about 30 mins or so. The coconut oil will solidify making the mixture less oily to handle.
4. Keep the moulds on and the bites cool until it’s time to serve them otherwise warm temps will melt the coconut oil and they’ll become very messy to eat (not necessarily something the kids will be concerned about though!). Peel back the mould and bite into the bites… yum!
Free from: gluten / grains / refined sugar / lactose / soy / dairy
Ideas:
- Once the bites have firmed up in the fridge add a yummy chocolate element by drizzling on a basic chocolate sauce based on coconut oil, which will set quickly because the bites are cold. Simply whisk together some liquefied coconut oil, raw honey and organic cocoa powder to make a healthy chocolate sauce
- Roll the mixture into balls or logs if you don’t have moulds
For more great recipe ideas from Aimee, check out Primal Influence and check out the company on Facebook as well!
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are always a favourite, and almost all kids absolutely love them. They are also relatively easy to make, and a good way to introduce kids to using an oven, and dealing with the subject matter of being safe around heated devices in the kitchen. Before doing so, you are going to make sure you are all set up with any tools and equipment you could possibly need. Browse discount baby equipment online for any special chairs, aprons or devices you require to adjust your little ones to work in the kitchen.
If you have more than one kid, teaching a little one to bake can be a struggle - which is why it’s good to have a recipe on hand. All you have to do is google “chocolate chip cookies” and a gazillion recipe suggestions of all different types will come up so you can pick whatever takes your fancy. If you have one child who is too young to get involved, pop your little one in a high chair, put some music on and make them feel a part of the experience as well. That way they won’t be nagging you and you’ll be able to enjoy this bonding experience with your children.
Cooking and baking can be a fabulous way to spend quality time with your family, and teach your little ones life skills all at the same time. If you’ve been having trouble finding stuff your little ones love eating, check out these Amazingly Easy Kid-Friendly Recipes and perhaps once they’ve learnt to whip up a storm you can throw an outdoor dinner party to show off their skills!
