Kids in the kitchen
LET THE FUN TIMES ROLL WITH YOUR LITTLE CHEFS DURING THE HOLIDAYS, MASTERING SOME SIMPLE, TASTY MEALS AS A FAMILY SERVES 4. PREP 5 MINS. COOK 10 MINS
SFOOD ummer holidays are the perfect time to teach the kids how to cook.
The days are long, there’s no need to rush, and you get to spend precious time with your children, teaching them how to prepare food.
It’s no surprise that plenty of parents use the holiday period to teach their children how to make simple, easy dishes. Not only do they have enough time to practise their newfound cooking skills, but once the school term arrives, they may have even mastered a thing or two!
While the idea of cooking is exciting, things can go awry quickly if you don’t have a plan. Start with the basics, then build from there.
Choose a suitable recipe
There’s no point trying to teach complicated recipes if your kids haven’t had any experience in the kitchen before. Begin with a recipe that the kids can help you make. This easy rainbow vegie slice is the perfect recipe because it uses frozen vegies that make it extra quick to
SCAN WITH YOUR PHONE FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY RECIPES prepare. Plus, there’s no need for slicing vegetables.
Prepare for mess
Even adults create a mess in the kitchen, so kids will definitely do the same. Mess is part of life, so expect not only to teach your children to cook but to clean up after themselves
INGREDIENTS
in the kitchen, too. Simple one-pan dishes are another way to minimise any mess.
Embrace imperfection
It’s a given that there will be mistakes. Remember that every one of us learns by initially missing the mark. Teach your child how to think in the kitchen. If something was a little overcooked, explain what could have happened to create this result. Teach them suitable techniques by helping them develop cooking muscle memory.
• 2 cups frozen peas
• 2 eggs, whisked
• 1 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
• ½ cup milk
• 100g reduced-fat feta
• 1 splash olive oil
• ½ cup Greek yoghurt, to serve
METHOD
1 Cook peas in a microwave or on a stovetop until tender. Drain well and roughly mash the peas. 2 In a separate bowl, mix together the whisked egg, flour and milk. Stir in the crumbled feta and mashed peas.
3 Lightly coat a non-stick frying pan with oil and place over medium heat. Cook
2-3 tablespoon-sized portions of batter until golden on each side and cooked through.
4 Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm while you cook the remaining fritters. Serve with Greek yoghurt. – Susie Burrell, Thermos
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