Does Anybody Know

When I was about 5 I received a copy of Betty Crocker's Cookbook for Boys and Girls. I loved this book because it has recipes that were appropriate for me at that age like cereal fix-ups or salads that I could make without help and as I got older there were more and more things I could make. My daughters have used the cookbook as well and I plan to buy them each a copy (it was out of print for a time but was recently re-released). The thing I like most about this cookbook is that it appealed to me as a child and now as an adult I still find myself occasionally gravitating toward it especially when I am working on a kids party with a theme or want something simple and tasty.

Try these:

Experiment with soft and crunchy. Cut apples and pears into slices and top some with peanut butter, others with cream cheese. Roll some of these in oats. Place soft banana slices on graham crackers.

Liquid and solids. Peel a hard boiled egg and cut it in half. Crack a regular egg into a bowl. Talk about what you see. Remove the hard-boiled egg's yolk and mix it with salt and pepper. Cut 2 paper triangles and tape them to toothpicks. Put the yolk mixture and toothpick sails into the egg halves, place on top of lettuce and let it sail into your mouth.

Fruit flavors. This is a good one to get kids to taste different and new fruits. Cut bananas, melons, jicamas, apples, etc. Place on a skewer and enjoy! You can also add chesse. Another variation is to dip the whole thing in orange juice and roll it in shaved coconut . . . delicious!

Place a thin piece of ham or other lunch meat on a four tortilla. Spread mustard and pickle relish on the meat. Roll up the tortilla and hold it together with a toothpick.

Protein builder. Mix 1/2 cup peanut butter, 2 1/2 tablespoons dry milk, 2 tablespoons raisins, 2 tablespoons honey and 1/4 cup of cocunut in a bowl. Form it into balls and roll in sesame seeds.

These are from a DISCOVERY TOYS cookbook called "Kinder Krunchies Too!" which is on sale for $10.99 at www. discoverytoyslink.com/fatimac

There are tons of recipes for playdough and edible playdough made with peanut butter. Do a search online and there are tons of fun recipes. My son loves playdough and loves to eat it. Even the salty kind, so the peanut butter one makes it more fun.

you should look at foodtv or foodnetwork.com but they have a section on cooking with kids and Rachel Rays cook book on cooking with kids is really good

Hey, here are a few websites, hope they help :)

http://www.recipeladies.com/kidscooking.html

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/kidscooking.htm

http://chefmom.com/recipebox/Kids/Cooking_with_Kids/

http://www.spatulatta.com/

http://www.childrensrecipes.com/

http://kids.cdkitchen.com/

http://www.surfnetkids.com/recipes.htm

http://www.ability.org.uk/kids_recipes.html

http://www.supernanny.us.com/Advice/-/Food-and-Nutrition/...

www.kraftfoods.com

Go to your local book store. they have kids cooking books for gender and age appropriate. For example when my son was 5 I bought a Star Wars cook book. They had receipts for Wookie Cookies, R2-D2 treats & Ewok eats. I have seen Dora the Explorer cookbooks. Since Pirates of the Caribbean and Shrek are out, you may find cookbooks for those. Good luck

I suggest looking on the foodnetwork.com there are several things there or even look into magazines online. you can print out what you want.

rahael ray has some fun kid-oriented cookbooks, as does the naked chef whose name i cant remember. yahoo food is great for recipes as well, and they have a whole kids section.

The following websites have Kid friendly recipes:
www.pillsbury.com

www.kraftfoods.com

www.bettycrocker.com

Google search: kid friendly recipes or cooking with children or children cookbooks

I also have these 2 cookbooks which are designed to be used with the parents help:
Someone's in the Kitchen with Mommy by Elaine Magee
and
Kids Cooking A Slightly Messy Manual from the Klutz Press(comes with measuring cups and spoons)

I bought both books from www.amazon.com
I typically buy from the used book section on this website. You can always get a great deal.

I was 9 when my parents bought my very 1st cookbook which was Betty Crocker cookbook then the next year they bought me Better Homes and Garden cookbook (with the checkered binder). These 2 cookbooks are a must for a young chef.

My daughter is 3-1/2 and loves to help put the ingredients into the mixer as well as use the cookie scoop to place dough on the baking pan for cookies.

I also set up a decorating area with different color frostings and decorative candies and colored sugars when I bake sugar cookies or cupcakes. She loves to decorate. I set this area up with a sheet under the table and over the top of table for easy cleaning afterwards.

Here to a great summer of cooking and baking with your children.

Hi D.,

I love baking bread, and challah is the best bread in the world! It's sweet (from honey) you can add raisins, and it makes the best french toast in the world. It's the traditional Jewish sabbath bread, and making it can really be an all day project - it's a good rainy or lazy day thing to do.

You can get the kids involved by having them help you knead the bread once it gets doughy enough. It doesn't need too much kneading before the first rise, but they'll love getting their hands dirty and helping you pour the flour into the batter.

Then, after it's risen for two to three hours, it's time for the real fun. You separate out the dough into six pieces and then break those portions into three. They can roll snakes of even size, and if they're old enough they can braid the three snakes together (or you can help them with that part). Once all six loaves are braided, you leave them to rise for another hour, brush them with egg white or whole egg and then sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds (if you like, it's great without them, too).

Once they're baked you'll have six beautiful little loaves of bread, and the kids can give a few to friends or neighbors or you can freeze the extra. It's also an opportunity for learning about Jewish culture and the Jewish sabbath (if you're open to that). Below are some links to my favorite recipes and information on challah from a cultural perspective.

If you're really open, when you begin to separate the dough, there is a blessing you can say and you can take a portion as a burnt offering, which represents g-d's portion of your bread. I think it's really beautiful.

My Favorite Challah Recipe (add the 1/2 cup of honey under variations for the best challah ever)
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/culture/food/Overview_Ash...

Information on the Challah and the Sabbath
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challah

http://www.pbs.org/mpt/jewishcooking/history/season1/101h...

for more information google 'challah' and 'jewish sabbath'

Enjoy!

I'm not sure if you are familiar with Pampered Chef, but they have a great cook book for kids. It has recipes for you and your child to do together. I think it costs $14.95. If you are interested, I can give you the name and number of a Pampered Chef consultant for you to get in touch with. They also have kitchen tools that are designed for children that are safe. I would say sandwiches are a good thing to make together, and use cookie cutters to cut them into fun shapes. Cookies are a lot of fun to make together. Hope you have fun.

Hi D.,

I sell Discovery Toys, and we have a book called "Kinder Krunchies Too!" for $12.99. It has health, fun recipes designed especially for working with kids ages 4-10. If you're interested, I could order it for you. Just let me know!

C. : )

My kids LOVE to make pizza - I get the frozen bread dough and let them squish it out flat onto a cookie tray with oiled hands (very sensory). Then we add toppings of whatever. You could even grow some toppings in a garden this summer - tomatoes, basil, peppers, onions!!

Hi D., I sale Southern Living at HOME. We have a fabulous cookbook titled "Busy Moms Weeknight Favorites". 130 Suppers your family will love. There are lots of dishes in this cookbook that can get your children into the kitchen for some fun with mom. There are even dishes that children over 12 can make themselves. This book is available year round. If you are interested, please give me an email; Id be happy to give you a discount.
Good Luck!
____@____.com

Hey D.,

Well I do have a couple in mind. I have a really easy homemade Mac and Cheese recipe that I could email me. Also, the company that I work with has recently added a great book and music line. One of the books is called Noodles from Scratch. It comes with a apron, chef's hat, a book and a cd. After you read the story in the book, it has a recipe of homemade noodles. It looks easy for kids ( I have not made it myself, but I have heard it is quite popular). I you are interested, send me an email and I will give you my web address (otherwise I cannot promote my business).

Talk to you soon!
B.