Children, take over the
kitchen
By Oluwatoyin Oluwastoyin
Friday,
June 8, 2007
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Green Pea
•Pix: Sun News Publishing |
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Children were taught some basic cooking terms; how to read
recipes and certain food safety tips recently. If you are
one of those parents who used the information provided in
that edition to cook with your children, you must be convinced
now of its fun-filled rewards.
Did the children enjoy and not eat under duress even the vegetables?
And was it not stimulating and cheery to watch them fascinated
with this ‘food business?’ Not to mention their
development of useful lifelong cooking skills.
Well, as promised, this edition is for practice. Parents are
expected to allow their children to actually take over the
kitchen, and why not? last Sunday was their day. You could
allow them to practice the family meal, on a small scale.
This weekend, let them take on the preparation of the meal
completely.
However, before they set out, they need to know some basic
kitchen safety tips to avoid cooking mishaps.
Kitchen safety following these simple tips can help children
become safe and responsible cooks. They may even clean up,
too.
• Find an adult who can help you(probably mum or dad).
Always read through the recipe with your adult helper so you
can ask questions.
• Wear an apron to keep your clothes clean. Do not wear
shirts with long, loose sleeves. If your hair is long, tie
it back. Long sleeves or long hair can get in the way while
you are cooking and cause accidents.
• Wash your hands with lots of soap and water before
you start. Keep your hands dry while cooking so you can have
a good grip on your utensils.
• Keep a damp cloth or paper towel nearby to wipe up
spills. Wiping up spills when they happen prevents accidents.
• Always use hot pads to handle hot items. Remember,
anything you take from the oven, microwave oven, or stove
will be hot and will stay hot for awhile.
• Know where the first aid kit is. If you touch something
hot, immediately hold your hand under cold water.
• Always pick up a knife or kitchen scissors by the
handle. Leave all sharp items on the counter until you are
ready to wash them. If you put them in a sink full of soapy
water, you might reach in and accidentally cut yourself.
One more thing, children: Remember to clean up. Put away all
the ingredients and equipment you have used. Store leftover
food properly. Wash, dry, and put away dishes. Clean up all
spills. If you do not clean the kitchen, the head cook may
not let you use it again.
Children, here are sample meals to try out: Corny Egg and
Ham Sandwiches Makes four servings. Start to Finish: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Non-stick cooking spray
• 4 beaten eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked ham
• 1/3 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
• 4 English muffins, halved and toasted
• 4 slices reduced-fat American cheese, halved
Directions
• Lightly coat a medium skillet with cooking spray.
Heat skillet over medium heat. In a small bowl beat together
eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Add to skillet. Cook, without
stirring, until egg mixture begins to set on the bottom and
around the edge. Using a spatula, lift and fold the partially
cooked egg mixture so uncooked portion flows underneath. Continue
cooking and folding until egg mixture is cooked through, but
still glossy and moist. Remove from heat. Stir in the ham
and corn.
• Place four English muffin halves on a baking sheet.
Top each with a half slice of cheese, then top with some of
the egg mixture. Add remaining cheese slices. Broil 4 to 5
inches from the heat for one to two minutes or until the cheese
melts. Top with remaining muffin halves. Serve immediately.
Makes four servings.
Bunch of Banana Bread
Makes one loaf (16 servings)
Preparation:15minutes
Bake: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Non-stick cooking spray
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 slightly beaten egg whites
• 1 cup mashed banana (3 medium)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
Directions
• Lightly coat an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan with cooking spray;
set aside. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder,
baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together the egg whites, banana,
sugar, and oil. Add flour mixture all at once to banana mixture.
Stir just until moistened (the batter should be lumpy). Spoon
batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 to 50 minutes or
until a wooden toothpick inserted near the centre comes out
clean.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove
from pan. Cool completely on rack. Wrap and store overnight
before slicing. Makes one loaf (16 servings).
Peanut Butter Breakfast Sandwiches
Makes eight servings
Start to Finish: 30 minutes
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat or regular peanut butter
• 8 1/2-inch slices French bread
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 medium bananas
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup fruit preserves or jam (any flavour)
Directions
• Spread peanut butter evenly onto one side of each
slice of bread. Drizzle honey over the peanut butter. Cut
each banana in half lengthwise and then cut in half crosswise
(eight pieces in all). Arrange two banana pieces on four of
the prepared bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices,
peanut butter-sides down.
• In a shallow bowl combine eggs, milk, and cinnamon.
Carefully dip sandwiches into egg mixture, coating both sides.
• Melt butter in a large skillet or on a large griddle
over medium heat. Cook sandwiches in hot butter about two
minutes on each side or until golden.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan heat fruit preserves
over medium-low heat until melted, stirring frequently. To
serve, cut warm sandwiches in half crosswise. Drizzle with
warm fruit preserves. Makes eight servings.
Food is set! How about table manners? Children’s day
is equally a nice period to perfect or start to give your
child helpful hints on how to act like an angel and become
a terrific tablemate.
Hints on good table manners
• Wait until the whole family is seated before you begin
eating. You may even want to help seat a special guest when
you have one.
• Contribute to the table conversation. Say ‘excuse
me’ if you must interrupt when someone else is talking
or telling a story.
• Talk about pleasant subjects. Maybe you could tell
about the new girl or boy at school or how the basketball
team did.
• Be interested in what family members have to say and
they will be interested in what you say.
• Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
when you want something to be passed to you. Do not reach
in front of other people.
• Keep your arms and elbows in your lap while eating;
do not rest them on the table.
• Place your knife and fork across the top of your plate
when you have finished eating.
• Wait for the family to finish eating and then offer
to help your mom or dad clean up. You could take the dishes
to the sink, help load the dishwasher, or help put away leftover
food.
Though, you cook this meal, be sure to say ‘thank you’
to your mom or dad for this meal and every other meal, whether
you are the cook of not.
Why?
They bought the ingredients. They owned the gadgets you used.
In addition to the fact that the kitchen is theirs, among
others.
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