The 10 Commandments of Cooking With Kids

Here are some great tips for sharing the kitchen with kids. Let me know what you think about them and feel free to add to the list.

10 Commandments of Cooking With Kids
1. Cook with supervision. Consider the age and maturity of your kids and adjust the cooking accordingly.
2. Be clean. Wash and dry hands. Also, make sure cutting boards and all utensils used in food preparation are clean. I have found that my 2 daughters love washing dishes more than anything!
3. Protect yourself. Make sure long hair is pulled back and that loose sleeves or clothing are out of the way while cooking.
4. Use caution when dealing with water. Boiling water can cause burns. Also, when using electrical appliances, ensure that the counter is free of spills that might pose an electric shock risk.
5. Use knives properly and carefully. I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.
6. Practice food-handling safety. Avoid cross-contamination.
7. Keep safety items handy (i.e. fire extinguishers and a first aid kit).
8. Use common sense. Parents, always carry heavy or hot things for your child.
9. Don't spill the pot. Always keep handles turned in to avoid being bumped off the stove.
10. Enjoy yourself. I think this is the most important consideration when cooking with your kids. Make it fun and try to relax and create a positive experience for them.

Kids Say the Cutest Things!

Emma said the funniest thing, and I had to write it down before I forgot. In preschool, her class each received a little paper turkey. They were told to write about how you cook a turkey. Emma said, "Grandma makes it. She puts teeth on it. Puts it in the oven. Cook it for 1 min." Spoken like a true 4-year-old! It was so cute and funny! I had to hold my laughter in because she was giving me one a serious look. I tried thinking whether she had ever eaten turkey with teeth or what might have given her the idea that you put teeth on the turkey.

As a side note, my personal experience with baking turkeys hasn't been too great. The (one) time I attempted it, I had to call my Dad for emergency help. The caring Dad that he is, he left work and helped me gut it. As much as I like eating turkey, the gory contents of the cold, wet turkey made me lose my appetite for the bird (at least for a day or so). As my Dad and I struggled with that crazy turkey, I vowed to never again attempt the impossible (or at least the unlikely). I love to cook and bake, but that silly turkey was all I could take.

Anyway, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and . . .yes, my Mom cooked the turkey and it was delicious!

Awesome Rachel Ray Recipe for Kids

Drew received Rachel Ray's Cooking Rocks, Rachel Ray 30-Minute Meals for Kids http://www.rachaelray.com/ for his birthday last year. It features great recipes for children in different age groups. Most of the ingredients are easily found at our small town grocery store. I love this one because all of my kids love pasta. You can vary this recipe according to what you have in your pantry.

Pasta and Trees

Makes 4 Servings

1 pound broccoli tops

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 pound pasta: penne regate, corkscrew cavatappi, elbows, or medium shells

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil (evoo)

2 T. butter, cut up

1 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano Reggiano, or Romano cheese

Boil a large pot of water for the pasta. Separate the broccoli into small trees by pulling them apart. Put the broccoli florets into a pot and add water to cover the tops of the trees. Bring the water to a boil and add 4 pinches of salt to the water. Cook the broccoli 5 minutes and drain.

When the pasta water boils add 4 pinches of salt. Add pasta to pan. Cook to al dente according to package directions.

Put the evoo and butter in a big bowl. Add the hot drained pasta and broccoli to the bowl. Add the cheese and stir until the butter melts and the cheese mixes in.Add salt and pepper to suit your taste.

PS. I've found that referring to broccoli as baby trees helps endear the the veggie to the child, mine anyway.

Special Meals

David-steak, homemade creamed corn, hash brown casserole, and blackberry cobbler with ice cream.

Drew-supreme pizza, cooked cinnamon carrots, fruit salad, and oatmeal raisin cookies,

Cooper-hamburger pizza, corn on the cob, yellow sliced apples without the peels, chocolate cake with chocolate icing.

Maddie-spiral-shaped pasta with meat sauce, green beans, and apple pie with ice cream.

More Special Meals

Here are some more menu favorites from our family to yours. Please note that recipes are coming the near future!

David-scrambled eggs, hash brown casserole, and fruit salad.

Drew-tacos, peas, pineapple and apple slices, and vanilla milkshakes.

Cooper-hot dogs on buns, hash browns, corn on the cob, pears, and homemade chocolate cake with chocolate icing.

Maddie-pepperoni pizza, green beans, peaches, and chocolate chip cookies.

Lori-stuffed manicotti, Caesar salad, kiwi, and lemonade pie.

Past Special Meals

I'm busy gathering some of our past Special Meals and will be adding favorite recipes in the near future. If you're looking for a new menu, perhaps this will give you some new ideas. Please note that the menus were created and chosen by our four children and my dear hubby. Enjoy!

Special Meal's #1

Drew-soft tacos, cinnamon carrots, pear slices with peels, and white cupcakes with white icing.

Cooper-hot dogs with buns, corn on the cob, pears without peels, and strawberry shortcake.

Maddie-spaghetti and meatballs, cheesy broccoli, oranges, and ice cream sundaes.

David-roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and Sawdust Pie (one of our favorites!)

What are Special Meals?

I originally came up with the idea of Special Meals to encourage some picky eaters in our family. The idea is to allow each child (and spouse) to choose a main course, vegetable side, fruit, and dessert. I usually write the menu on a sheet of paper and hang it on the fridge with a magnet. We try to create a new menu each month. That way the kids can look forward to their Special Meal each month. The only thing I ask is that they don't repeat more than one food a month. This encourages them to venture out a bit and try new foods. Each child gets to help prepare his or her Special Meal. This includes setting the table and cleaning up after mealtime. I try to make the entire process as special and fun as possible.

After implementing the Special Meal concept for a few years, I've noticed a dramatic change in the children, one in particular. Cooper, now 9, was our pickiest eater for several years. However, I'm happy to report that he now loves a variety of foods and will try just about anything!

Between soccer and t-ball, gymnastics and piano lessons it is so challenging for our family to make time to sit down together to a nourishing home cooked meal. We still hit the fast food drive-through's when time necessitates. However, in our busy little family of six, we have found our Special Meals to be. . . well . . . special.

Welcome to Special Meals!

This website was born out of my love for my family and food. As a mom to 4 growing kids and wife to a wonderful man with a hearty appetite, I positively enjoy preparing quick, nutritious, and fun meals for and with my family. Our kids love to cook and bake, so I try including them in meal preparation whenever possible.

I have such fond memories of baking with my dear grandmother, Nanny, whom I adored. She taught me that time spent in the kitchen and love go hand in hand. This site is lovingly dedicated to her.