Cooking with Kids!

I have a confession to make- cooking with my kids hasn't always been one of my most favorite things to do as a parent. This time in the kitchen has been my "mommy alone" time. I enjoy cooking while my husband spends a little bit of time with the kids. But the teacher in me whispers in my ears- "You know that they are missing out on so many learning experiences right now." (learning to cook, measuring, science of food, and building relationships-just to name a few.) So last night, the selfish side of me almost ran into the kitchen to be alone, when I thought why don't I include my older daughter this evening. Her face was lit up as I taught her how to make lasagna. It wasn't overwhelming just having one child in the kitchen, because there wasn't the fighting over who was going to do what or spilling my ingredients all over my kitchen floor. Over dinner, Sunshine proudly shared with her sister and Daddy how she helped to make the lasagna. Peanut was actually cool with the fact that she didn't get a chance to help this time. I reassured her that she would be able to help with the next recipe. I'll still make some cooking times for me, but I'm going to include my girls more in the future! Seeing my daughter smile as she cooked was so well worth it! I even put one of my cooking aprons on her and she told me that I was just "the best Mom ever!"

For more cooking fun, check out the following websites and cookbooks:

Nick Jr. Cooking with Kids
Family Fun- kid's recipes
Kids Aprons, Kids Chef Hats, Cooking Party Kits & Kids Cooking Supplies
Children's Recipes
Kid's Health- (good article on cooking with kids!)
Usborne Books at Home: Cooking

I actually have over a dozen different cookbooks for kids over at my Usborne book store, but I haven't had a chance to review all of the them yet. I can recommend the following- being I just purchased it for my daughter:

Christmas Fairy Cooking by Leonie Pratt and Catherine Atkinson I'm giving this to my youngest for Christmas- she adores fairies!! She is just going to love it and I can't wait to try a few of the recipes with her. Christmas Fairy Cooking is eye-appealing and kid friendly(step-by-step instructions with illustrations). See, I'm starting to like cooking with my kids already!! Here's a sneak peak of some of the recipes in this book:

Chritmas Castle Cake
Iced fairy crowns
Fairy fruit crispies
Snowball truffles
I was totally trying to hide this cookbook and the little stinker just found it. She is so excited and is now telling me everything that we are going to be cooking! She's too funny! Looks like I'm going to be in the kitchen with her sooner than expected. Oh well, so much for that being a Christmas present!

Have fun cooking with your kids! Be sure to share a favorite recipe that you enjoy making with your children.

Jen