Easy Recipes For Kids

This week Tasty Tuesday is being dedicated to the younger set.  We’re cooking with kids!

Growing up, I baked with my Grandmother in her kitchen nearly every Saturday morning.  We made bread for my entire extended family, and Gram would whip up big batches of baked beans and potato salad.  Those memories are very vivid – and cherished – and they were nurtured from a very young age.

I would love for Baby C. to share my love of creativity in the kitchen.  I also want to create special memories for her and have been looking for ways to start doing that even now.  Baby C. loves to shake things and it’s an instruction she understands.  Asking “Can you shake your Pooh toy for me?  Can you shake Clifford?” while we’re driving in the car keeps her entertained for a bit if she’s getting fidgety.

When I was tossing red potatoes with oil and spices the other night, it kind of struck me – she could definitely do that part for me!  If I put the items in a small bowl with a lid she’d be able to shake away.  Since she loves sweet potatoes, I decided she and I would use those instead for her “lesson”.

Roasted Sweet Potato Shapes

1 medium sweet potato
2T olive oil

First I peeled and washed the sweet potato (I did this over the garbage can with her highchair pulled up next to it so she could watch).  Next I sliced the potato into rounds, about 1/4 inch thick.  After that I cut some of them into basic shapes (triangle, square, etc.), showing and explaining each shape to her.  I have a fairly decent-sized collection of cookie cutters so I grabbed a few of the little ones – like stars, hearts, teddy bears, and gingerbread men – and cut shapes out of a few of the rounds.

Now the part that has some action for the kiddos: I put all the shapes into a small bowl and added 2T of olive oil.   I snapped the lid on tight and gave it a quick demonstration shake, then handed the bowl to Baby C.  She had such a fun time shaking the bowl.  She kept grinning as if to say “Are you sure I should be doing this?”  When the excitement wore off and she started trying to peel the lid off, I spread the shapes out on a baking sheet and roasted them for 30 minutes at 350.

Since she had such a good time with the activity, and because she loves eating them, it’s definitely something we’ll be doing again soon!  Maybe next time we’ll doctor them up a little and sprinkle on a small bit of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Do you have a favorite easy recipe for kids?  I’d love to hear about your own experiences cooking in the kitchen with your kiddos!