Look Who's Cooking!
Not only is it important that I provide well balanced and nutritious snacks for the children during preschool, I believe it is equally important to let kids have fun in the kitchen. Each day your child will participate in a hands on kitchen lesson where they will not only learn the importance of eating nutritious foods but they will prepare their own snacks.
Ten GREAT reasons to cook with children:
Learn about nutrition and increase their willingness to try a new food.
Develop valuable self-help skills and increase independence.
Develop math concepts through counting, measuring, timing, and ordering events.
Work cooperatively with others.
Develop reading skills, recognizing symbols and words.
Learn to follow directions and complete all the steps necessary to finish a task.
Explore the world’s foods and learn about the customs of people from around the world.
Learn science concepts: temperature, volume, how something can change when it is heated, etc.
Improve fine motor control through using hand muscles.
Express themselves creatively.
Kid Friendly Recipes
Turkey Bacon Bagel For each sandwich you will need: 1 whole wheat bagel toasted, 1 slice of turkey bacon-cooked (break in 1/2 to make 2 pieces), 2 egg whites scrambled or 1/4 cup of egg beaters scrambled, 1 slice of reduced fat american cheese. Assemble like a sandwich, cut in half and serve with a side of fruit and a glass of milk for a well balanced breakfast. *You may substitute the bagel with a multi-grain English muffin or whole wheat toast.
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait This makes a wonderful breakfast or snack. Ingredients: Favorite flavor of low-fat yogurt (Very Cherry is a favorite) Banana slices, Sliced strawberries, Fresh Blueberries, Granola. In a coffee mug layer yogurt, bananas, yogurt, granola, strawberries, yogurt, then top with blueberries.
Child Friendly Wraps
Take a sun-dried tomato tortilla (kids like the red color) and spread a thin layer of whipped cream cheese evenly to coat. Layer thin slices of lean turkey or ham lunchmeat to cover cream cheese. Sprinkle a thin layer of reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese, followed by a thin layer of diced black olives, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and diced cucumbers. Start from one end and roll up. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes. You cut in halves or quarters and serve.
Apples or Strawberries with Chocolate Dip ~ Prepare a package of instant sugar free/fat free chocolate pudding using skim milk. Chill for 10 minutes and serve with sliced apples and/or fresh strawberries.
Fruit Skewers ~ Gather assorted fruits such as strawberries, melon, grapes, pineapple and banana and let the children help you assemble them on wooden skewers. You can snip the pointy end of the skewer off prior to assembling for safety reasons.
Cottage Cheese & Yogurt ~ Your child will love this! Mix 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese with 1 container of fat free yogurt. Use your child's favorite flavor such as very cherry or blueberry. Mix the cottage cheese and yogurt together then top with a tablespoon of granola.
Craft Recipes
Peanut-Buddy Play Dough (edible)
3 1/2 cups Creamy Peanut Butter, 4 cups powdered sugar, 4 cups powdered milk, 3 1/2 cups corn syrup. Mix ingredients by hand. Have fun!
Kool-Aid Playdough
3 cups Flour
1/2 cups salt
2 Koolaid packages
2 cups Boiling water
Mix dry ingredients together. Add boiling water. Knead on floured board can add flour by sprinkles until desired consistency. This playdough will last for a long time when stored right.
Gingerbread Play-Dough
1 Cup flour
1/2 Cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tsp. vegetable oil
Spices--Cinnamon, Allspice, Ginger, Nutmeg
*Green and Red food coloring to make Brown (optional--the spices usually
give the dough a good Brown color.)
DIRECTIONS--
1. Mix the dry ingredients. Experiment with the spices until you get
a scent and color that you like.
2. Mix water and oil together first and then add them to the dry ingredients
and stir.
3. In a pot, cook the mixture for three to five minutes on low/medium, stirring
constantly.
4. The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the pot and
stick together in a large ball. I take it out of the pan when I see a VERY faint
brown skin on the dough one each side when I flip it.
5. Take the dough out of the pan and knead the dough until it becomes soft
and smooth.
6. Allow the dough to cool and then store it in an airtight container.
Finger Paint
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups water
food coloring
Mix ingredients in saucepan. Boil until mixture thickens. Allow to cool, then pour into jars or other storage containers and color with food coloring. Best when used on a glossy paper, such as butcher or shelf paper.
Colored Pasta
1 Tablespoon Rubbing Alcohol
Food Coloring
Pasta
In a small tupperware container or ZIPLOCK bag put one tablespoon of Rubbing Alcohol and a few drops of food coloring. Place the pasta in the container or baggie and seal tightly. Shake the container or baggie until all of the pasta is coated with the mixture. Spread out the pasta on newspaper or paper towels to dry.