Kooking with Kids - Smoothies

Whew is it hot out there in south Florida these days. There are some very and I mean very simple ways to get your kids off the Nintendo or away from the TV and into the kitchen to cook off. Especially if they are at summer camp this year. What kid doesn't like a smoothie? Especially one they helped make.
Out comes the blender. Please folks, lets not plug it in quite yet. That should be the last thing you do before hitting the pulse button. Here is a great and easy recipe that I make with my daughter all the time.
Chop up one (1) cup of strawberries and have the kids dump it into the blender.
Cut up a banana and have the kids throw that into the blender too.
Now you want to have them fill up one (1) cup of shaved ice and along with one (1) cup of milk, you guessed it. Into the blender.
Top it off with a tablespoon or two of honey. At this point I'm sure it will be made clear they can do it themselves.
This is where supervision becomes mandatory. Benders are certainly dangerous so if you are going to allow the kids to hit the pulse button, make sure you are supervising. Go ahead and let the engine run for about 30-45 seconds or until the drink has a smooth consistency. For garnish place a small piece of fruit on the edge of the cup and pour away. This is much healthier then a juice box and guess what, you made it together.
I want everyone to try this or some other version at least once over the next week and write back with your experiences. I'm sure the kids will have as much fun as you do. So blenders on and lets cook!

Please check out this article at

http://www.examiner.com/x-48843-Boynton-Beach-Cooking-Examiner~y2010m5d14-Kooking-with-Kids---Smoothie-Time

Kooking with Kids - Yemen Fatah

So we spin the globe and where my daughter puts her finger, that's where we cook from. This week her finger landed on Yemen. What do we know about Yemen? Located in the Middle East on the Arabian Peninsula just south of Saudi Arabia, Yemen was a hot spot of activity in biblical times as a center of the spice trade. Spices such as frankincense and myrrh were highly sought after commodities and Yemen was a critical trading hub for Asia and the Middle East. I wanted to bring the flavors of Yemen into my home and teach my daughter about what food tastes like half a world away. The dish is called Yemen Fatah and is cooked lamb over a bed of couscous. We had fun crushing the coriander and she was able to smell the different aromas of the spices. We seasoned with allspice, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper added a little beef stock and the dish was a huge success. The flavors of the middle east were alive and well and best of all, everyone finished their dinner. So spices out and lets cook!

Kooking with Kids - Meatballz

I don't know if I have ever met a kid who doesn't like meatballs and pasghetti. Otherwise known as spaghetti. Although my kids love those long thin noodles, I decided on penne as I also have a 16 month old and the penne is much easier for her to eat. My daughter loves to mix, like I've mentioned before. During this coo...king exercise I explained the importance of proper spicing. After putting the meat in the bowl she was responsible for adding the spices in amounts predetermined by dad. She added the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, basil, oregano and garlic and mixed it all in. Also, since the sauce is only simmering she was able to place the meatballs directly into the sauce. This dish is a staple to many families throughout the country and so easy to make. It is important that kids understand the importance of proper spicing. I have seen too many dishes destroyed by the use of too much seasoning. Less is more people and that lesson is never to early to teach. So sauce up and lets cook!

Kooking with Kids - Arroz con Pollo

I have always believed that you don't need to travel far to taste the flavors of the world. Watching children all over eating nothing but grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly got me to thinking. We encourage this because it is easy, because we don't know there is in this bloggers opinion a better way to teach ourselves and our children that the world is full of flavor. I want my kids to grow up having tasted to cultures of hundreds of countries around the world so that when she meets someone from Malaysia, Vietnam, England or Cuba they have something to discuss. Food. I have begun a tradition in my home. We have a small globe that sits in the kitchen. We spin the globe and my daughter who is almost 4 places her finger on that spinning celestial body and where that finger lands our dinner is decided. We have traveled long and far. We have cooked food from New Zealand, Vietnam, Mexico, Malaysia, France, England, Morocco, Israel and tonight we went to Cuba for Arroz con Pollo. I hope that parents can encourage their kids to travel the culinary world and break down traditional food boundaries in the American home. Perhaps the best way to understand the world around us is to eat it. Encourage your kids to shop with you for the ingredients. Make it a scavenger hunt to try new flavors and experience new tastes. You will open their eyes to the cultural diversity of our planet and give them a geography lesson in the process. Good luck and lets eat!

Kooking with Kids - Turkey Sausage

It is never too early to teach children about where cooking all began, the open flame. Taking meat and placing it over fire to transform it into something else, something delicious has been done by cooks for 100,000 years. Once kids understand the different types of meat and can with ease identify steak, chicken, ground beef, fish and so on, a simple lesson on the grill is in order. Teaching some basic ideas and rules about grilling is not a bad idea. Of course do not let them anywhere near open fire and people, I can't stress this enough but do not let them work the food while it is cooking. VERY DANGEROUS. My daughter rides shotgun and watches as I cook the meat and veg while I introduce her to perfect grill lines and sausages caramelized to perfection. Instead of cooking hot dogs which is too easy we offer something a little different. Turkey Sausage grilled to perfection. On the side we cooked peppers and onions. The kids can help wash the veggies and then when platting the food. As you turn the food on the grill ask them if it looks good to them, can they clearly see the grill lines? There is not too much else the kids can do with this one but it gets them away from plain hot dogs and allows them to taste a little flavor. Plus its delicious and perfect for a summer bar-b-q. Cheers and let's cook!

Kooking with Kids - Challa French Toast

One of the great joys of Shabbat dinner is the left over Challa. The next morning becomes a menagerie of aromas and flavors that warms the heart. With a few eggs, vanilla extract, maple syrup, milk, cinnamon and of course Challa a warm and flavorful breakfast the whole family can make together and enjoy. One thing I have learned is that kids love to mix. Put the ingredients into a bowl and have the kids blend everything together. Then dip the bread into the bowl, soak and throw into a pan with the heat on medium. Brown both sides and serve with syrup and fresh fruit. Make sure the pan is not too hot otherwise you will most likely burn the second batch. Dont forget to re grease the pan with a little butter after each batch. If you feel like taking it to another level, dust with some confectioner sugar. Guaranteed, everyone will love breakfast.