People are not really all that surprised when a man says he can cook… we’re all getting used to that. It does raise an eyebrow in surprise, when folks discover that your children cook very well… and they naturally ask how ?
Here are a few thoughts:
1) Children — boys and girls alike — enjoy cooking food that they will eat, especially if a) it is something they will enjoy and b) it is relatively simple to make.
I was only a few years old when I cooked up my first pot of rice… it burned at the bottom , I then added butter and I was in heaven!
2) Desserts are usually the first things children are willing to learn. Roughly 80% of all cookies baked are Chocolate Chip, so this is a good place to start. Getting children involved in holiday cookie making, cookies for school birthdays and cake making starts to expand their baking experience!
Karen’s first effort was “Death Cupcakes.” A chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting smothered with chocolate chips and topped with a “Blow-pop”. Obviously, Karen brought cola to school to add to the excitement of her birthdays!
Both Kristin and Karen enjoyed making Mudbars for themselves and their friends!
3) Personally, I never forget the wonderful smell of bread. Baking bread the old fashioned way or with a breadmaker is a logical next step.
Kristin loved her bread and her yummy cheesey breadsticks!
4) Simple meals are next: learning sandwich making, the art of the barbecue and a home made Pizza are always interesting for children!
My nephew Scott loved my “Meat-za Pizza”! Although I don’t know if he ever made one for himself?
“Bobotie” is an easy ‘fun’ dish to make from South Africa!
5) Children are ready for a more ‘academic exercise”… some people call it ‘learning.’ This is where I present them with a simple cookbook (Better Homes and Garden’s is perfect).
Once you get to this point there is no stopping them … Plus… then even Mom and Dad van take a break now and then! Karen & Kristin have developed their own style.
Roger Freberg
PS. When everyone is ready, Seafood Gumbo is fun to make and can be frozen in many little contaniers to extend the enjoyment for the days ahead!