Wednesday, July 21

{splatter} let your kids cook!



My daughter goes over to a friends house this week. Their plan ... to cook dinner. Shrimp scampi and a creamy orzo on the menu. Sue, my very good friend, is sooooo good at letting her daughter get in the kitchen. She lets her daughter find a menu, plan, and cook the entire meal. At age 13 - 14 that is wonderful! Those girls, with very little help, executed a beautiful dinner for their family. What a treat.... what a lesson... wonderful!



I think kids are a little more interested in getting in the kitchen than we give them credit for. They see the shows, "Chopped", "America's Next Food Star," "Cup Cake Wars" and lets not forget "Jamie's Food Revolution." Actually my kids would rather watch one of these types of cooking show that American Idol. I like that these shows inspire and intrigue!

A Dad I know, even staged his own episode of Chopped. He gave each of the kid teams in his kitchen some random ingredients from their pantry and asked them to make an "edible" creation. I mean how fun is that for kids. Brilliant I say!


So what does it take?????
Some letting go of the control (this might be the hardest for me)
some patience (this can be challenging too!)
a trip to the store ... not much more!

Now -What's the return?
kids gaining confidence with food
reinforcing that fresh, good food is the best
and also the real kicker ... they learn what it takes to put on a meal at night...
possibly they might understand why you ask (loudly) that everyone get to the table while the meal it hot.
They understand that time, love and patience goes into every meal
and that YOU are AWESOME.
(ok that might be a little Pollyannaish but I can dream!)



So now I will climb down from my soap box and simply say ... I love and want my kids in my kitchen, creating with me. And I need to do it more often!


happy cooking kids!

17 comments:

Kristen In London said...

I am so with you on this Ann, on so many levels: I WANT my child to cook, but letting go control is so hard for me! The best I ever did was one day after a trip to the orchard in fall, in England, we came home with apples, raspberries, the works, and I actually managed to invite Avery and her little friend into the kitchen to create whatever they wanted (with a little help!). The result was an apple cake with raspberry filling AND frosting, or some such thing, and they had so much fun!

Avery will make a dessert any day of the week, as you can see from my recipe index: they're nearly all by her!

Have fun in that kitchen: is it air-conditioned??

amy said...

beautiful post ann! yea for kids cooking!!!

Bryan said...

I don't know if you are dreaming that much! I try to get my kiddos in the kitchen often we all enjoy it. WOnderful pictures by the way.

knack said...

I loved this!! And I totally agree;)

What a great post!

Have a great day!

xo

Stacey said...

Each year right before Christmas I have my best friend's children over for an afternoon of baking. It is pure joy, a little messy, but the smiles and happy moments are tucked away in my heart forever.

KatieMac said...

Emma misses you guys! and she thinks this all looks yummy.

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