Teaching kids to cook

daska

how about something in the kitchen that doesn't need to be 'cooked' - the only thing that springs to mind immediately is sugar mice (ready for christmas) but I'm sure there are savoury recipes as well. Mum often used to keep us occupied making cold things, just wish I could remember what they were.

InfamyInfamy

Well done for taking the time to teach them! They are doing this less & less in schools now....in fact my 13 yr old has never done cooking in school despite them having a state of the art cookery room!!!
:mad:

badkitti

I really wish I'd learnt to cook as a child, would have made life easier at uni!

How about some of the no-bake cheesecakes you can make, or a flapjack that sets in the fridge?
I love the idea of pizza - even the youngest can help add their own toppings

SailorSam

The nearest my sister has come to teaching my nieces how to cook is to show them the way to McDonalds.

pandora205

When my lot were younger I bought this book which has lots of photos and very clear instructions. We still use it now (they are 15+).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kids-First-Cook-Activity-Guides/dp/0751366331/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256386554&sr=8-1

MadDogWoman_2

I have 2 year old and last weekend she made (with help) chocolate rice crispie cakes.

She also likes mixing up the ingredients for jam sponge - it really does make a difference.

This afternoon we're attempting biscuits.

The way I'm currently do it is that I have everything weighed out and she controls when and how much gets added.

She also likes to be picked up and have a go at stirring at whatever is on the hob. She likes to check what's cooking in the oven for me.

lickylonglips

InfamyInfamy wrote: »

Well done for taking the time to teach them! They are doing this less & less in schools now....in fact my 13 yr old has never done cooking in school despite them having a state of the art cookery room!!!
:mad:

they love it! the washing-up less so!

BitterAndTwisted

Once, when my sister and BIL went away on a trip and I looked after the little uns (7 and 4) I had them making shortbread, scones and biscuits. They were pretty good at having a go with shortcrust pastry as well. In fact, they loved anything which they could get right down and squish with their hands, so we had a go at making bread and pizza. The pizzas were a huge hit as they could choose their own toppings. Coconut-ice with some food colouring was a huge hit: that had to be taken to school to show off and share

jamanda

Thanks for all the very helpful replies. Kids have just visited and gone, and I'm now committed to making all this stuff (not all at once I hope), and we are going to make the coconut ice and sugar mice for them to give as Christmas pressies.

They are very, very excited at all the suggestions on here, which I have saved in a file for them.

Pandora - I've got to buy that book now and it is supposed to be a no-spend week!

Thanks everyone. I love this site.

BitterAndTwisted

On the Christmas presents thing: how about some peppermint creams? They're pretty easy to make and it might be fun to dip them or dribble chocolate on them as well to make them look professional. Or plain chocolate melted in a bain marie with unsalted butter, rolled into balls and dredged in cocoa: easy truffles! Plus, you can add all sorts of yummy flavours like grated orange or mint. MMMMMM! I'm getting peckish