Make Memorable Moments In The Kitchen Stiring, Baking And Mixing
No matter the cooking task at hand-whether it's rolling dough or mixing ingredients-getting children more involved in the kitchen is a great way to begin new traditions and spend good, quality time as a family.
From baking cookies to stirring up pudding, introducing children to the joys of cooking begins with exciting, simple cookie recipes.
Christine Garboski, a mother of triplets who just happens to be a manager at the Nestle Culinary Center, believes that simplicity is the key. When a recipe is simple it makes novices enjoy cooking and become more creative.
In addition to using trouble-free recipes, here are a few more tips for getting children more involved in the kitchen.
- Let the chef inside you reveal itself. By allowing small children to measure ingredients,season recipes,brush marinade on pork or chicken before grilling,baking or sauteing,you wll teach them the fundamentals of cooking.
- Sticky, drippy and just plain icky. You can stay away from unneeded messes by stacking and rinsing utilized dishes in the sink while you're cooking, and by storing ingredients away directly after you utilize them.
- No goofs. Blunt scissors or plastic or serrated dinner knives are a great way to ensure safety when slicing meats, fruits or vegetables.
- Keep it simple. Remember that kids have short attention spans and lose interest quickly. Use simple cookie recipes, such as the one below for Alphabet Cookies.
Your child will love using these cookie cutters, and using tube icing to decorate and frost the letters with tube icing and bright-colored candied sprinkles.
Alphabet Cookies
All-purpose flour
1 package (18 ounces) Nestlé® Toll House® Refrigerated Mini Sugar Cookie Bar Dough
3-inch alphabet cookie cutters
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup Strawberry Flavor Nestlé® Nesquik® Syrup
1 to 2 tablespoons water
Small tubes decorator icing
Decorator candies
Preheat oven to 325° F. Sprinkle flour over cutting board or kitchen work surface. Break off two rows of cookie dough. Roll out dough to about 1/8-inch thickness, using additional flour as needed to prevent sticking. Press cookie cutters into dough and transfer letters to ungreased baking sheets with spatula.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Combine sugar, Nesquik and water in medium bowl; beat with whisk or hand-held mixer until smooth. Spread icing over cookies. Allow icing to dry before adding any additional decorations.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies.
Making cookies together is a recipe for family fun.