[Eats] Cooking with Kids

What is the best way to get kids eating a healthy, balanced diet? Get them in the kitchen with you! If they see how fun it is to cook and what ingredients you are actually eating...then they will most likely eat it too! Here is a great dinner menu for you and the kiddos:

[Entree] Mini Turkey Burgers

You will need: 1 pound of ground dark turkey meat, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, olive oil for brushing, 8 mini burger buns

Topping ideas: plum tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, pickle slices, ketchup, mustard, mayonaise

Makes 8 mini burgers [serves 4]

Work time: 15 minutes, cook time: 12 minutes

Directions:

1. An adult should oil a grill or grill pan, and heat until hot. If using grill pan heat to medium-high heat. Meanwhile, kids can flavor the ground turkey by adding the salt, pepper and ketchup. Mix everything together with hands.

2. Roll the ground meat into 8 equal balls. Gently press down to make 1/2 inch thick patties. Make sure they are all the same size. You can prepare slightly in advance and cover the patties with wax paper. Put them in refrigerator until ready to cook.

3. Rinse tomatoes and lettuce in cold water and gently dry them with paper towels. An adult can slice the tomatoes into thin slices while the kids are seperating the lettuce into leaves.

4. Use a pastry brush to lightly cover the insides of the mini buns with olive oil.

5. An adult should handle the grilling: cook burgers for 6 minutes, then turn them over with tongs. If you'd like, put cheese slices on top. Grill about 6 minutes more until burgers are cooked through and an instant read thermometer inserted in the center reads 165 degrees. For crisp buns, place them face down on grill or grill pan just before burgers are done.

6. An adult should remove burgers and transfer them to a clean plate. [Don't ever use the same plate that help the raw patties.] Let burgers sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Arrange burgers on buns and add toppings!

[recipe from Cooking with Kids on MarthaStewart.com]

[Side] Baked Sweet Potato Fries

You will need: Olive oil, 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 2 inch long x 1/4 inch wide slices [an adult should do this prior to kiddos joining for cooking], 1 tablespoon of house seasoning, 1/2 a teaspoon of paprika

Ingredients for house seasoning: 1 cup of salt, 1/4 cup of black pepper, 1/4 cup of garlic powder

Makes 3 to 5 servings

Cook time: 20 minutes

Directions:

1. Mix together all of the ingredients for the house seasoning and set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. In a large mixing bowl, toss sweet potatoes with just enough olive oil to coat, sprinkle with house seasoning and paprika.

5. Spread sweet potatoes on baking sheet in a single layer [try not to overlap].

6. Bake until fries are golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. [An adult will have to do the baking part that involves the oven].

7. Let sit10 to 15 minutes before serving.

[recipe from Paula Deen, modified by me!]

[Dessert] Whoopie Pies

You will need:

For the pies: 2 cups of all purpose flour, 1/2 a cup of cocoa, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 a teaspoon of baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 a cup of butter, 1 1/4 cups of brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup of buttermilk at room temperature

For the vanilla filling: 1 3/4 cups of plus 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1o tablespoons of water, 1 envelope of gelatin powder, 3/4 cups of egg whites, 1 1/2 pounds of butter, room temperature [substitute 1/2 a pound of peanut butter for butter and omit vanilla for a peanut butter filling], 1/8 of a teaspoon of salt, 1/2 a teaspoon of vanilla extract

Makes 12 pies

Directions:

For the pies:

1. In a bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt together.

2. In a mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. [An adult will have to use mixture].

3. Slowly add the egg and vanilla extract. Scrape the bowl thoroughly and add a little bit of the dry ingredients. Mix and then add a little bit of the buttermilk. Alternate this process until all of the dry ingredients and buttermilk are used.

4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop 1/4 cup of batter on baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes, rotating once.

5. Remove baking sheets from oven and let cool. [An adult will need to do all parts using the oven].

For the vanilla filling:

1. Soak gelatin in 2 tablespoons of water.

2. In a heavy duty pot, stir sugar and water until dissolved. Cook at high heat until 266 degrees. [An adult will need to do all parts using the stove].

3. Meanwhile, in a mixer, whisk egg whites until light and foamy, and carefully pour the hot syrup concoction into the egg whites. While still hot and whisking, add the gelatin.

4. Still on the mixer, slowly add butter, a tablespoon at a time, until it is all mixed in. Add salt and vanilla extract and mix.

5. Scoop the filling in between two of your pies and ENJOY!

[recipe from Jansen Chen via the Today Show]

Most importantly, be light hearted when cooking with your kids. It should be a fun experience. If your fries turn out a little burned or your whoopie pies are a little sideways--WHO CARES?

Also, have fun with the presentation. Put little flags in your burgers and throw your fries in mini paper baggies. It helps your kids get excited about the meal!

Happy Cooking!