Veggie Roll ups

A simple and healthy snack or lunch are these yummy veggie roll ups. You can take or leave whatever vegetables you'd like.

Stress Free Cooking with Your Kids

 Stress free cooking and kids, should not ever go in the same sentence. Well, that is, other than to say they shouldn’t go in the same sentence. Believe it or not, there are plenty of things that you can do in order to make cooking with kids more enjoyable and less stressful. Let’s take a look at just a few tips for making cooking with kids, or your spouse for that matter, more enjoyable and much less stressful.

           Delegate Tasks

 From the ripe ole age of four, children learn to follow direction and duplicate tasks. This is a great time to begin working with them on delegating tasks. From cutting soft vegetables, like steamed broccoli, to pealing a potato, children can take a lot of the redundant tasks off of your hands; and they will be happy to do so.

Kids love to be in the kitchen, it makes them feel important and grown up because they believe the kitchen is reserved for “big people.” Giving them a few tasks to perform helps to build their confidence and begins teaching them about kitchen safety. As they get older, you will find yourself needing to do less and less as they become more comfortable around the tools and foods of the kitchen.

  

Curious Chef Products

          Use Kid-Safe Devices

 While delegating tasks to kids, as mentioned above, might actually increase the amount of stress you have, making sure you have the proper tools will help to remove any of the stress that tries to creep back in. Here is a short list of tools and gadgets you should have on hand in order to make working with kids as stress free as possible.

1. Plastic or porcelain knives – will cut vegetables, but not fingers.

2. Self-contained vegetable chopper – kids get to pound on something while being helpful and dicing vegetables to your liking.

3. Garlic peeler and garlic press – no need to teach the smash and peel, let them roll the skin off and then squeeze the garlic until it turns to a semi-mush.

4. Wooden stirring utensils – wooden utensils work on all surfaces, no need to worry about scratching the non-stick skillet.

5. Small skillets and pans (good for little hands) – these are the little 5”-7” pans which are great to learn temperature settings and how to properly handle pots and pans.

           Have Them Clean Up Afterwards

Sometimes, cooking with kids isn’t stressful until it is time to clean up. This could be another delegated task, but just having them help can remove a big part of stress. Let one wipe the scraps into the trash while the other rinses the plate off to hand to you. Make cleaning up just as much fun as the cooking and it will not be a problem getting your kids to help out.

Cooking with your kids can be an extremely joyous and fun time. It takes a little thinking ahead, the right tools and a good attitude, but nothing you can’t accomplish on your own. Call the little ones, give them a peeler and a task and watch as your stress levels are peeled off like that potato.

Handstand Kids

The Handstand Kids have a series of fun, bright colorful cookbooks. These multicultural cookbooks are designed to not only teach kids to cook but learn the language. They have several cookbooks covering different geographical locations such as Chinese, Italian and Mexican cuisine. 

Another fun feature of these cookbooks are they aren't just cookbooks, each book comes in a kit. For example our Italian Cookbook came inside a pizza box and included a chef hat. Some added fun!


We tried cheese Paninis at our house with the Italian Cookbook and next in line is Parmesan popcorn for our next movie night.


You can read more from the author Yvette Garfield and her Handstand Products including a recipe for Mac &Cheese in our interview.

Breakfast Ideas for Valentine’s Day

February 14^th is a special day. It goes without saying that we show our love to those in our lives throughout the year but on that day we like to do something extra special. Start of the morning with a breakfast that screams, “I love you.”

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It provides us with the nutrition we need to make it until lunch time without passing out. There are plenty of suggestions for Valentine’s Day breakfast meals that kids can make for parents or one spouse can make for the other (women do make breakfast for their husbands, too).

Let’s start with casseroles. These are man-friendly breakfast dishes that don’t require too many steps. Most casseroles can be put together ahead of time and baked on demand in the morning.

Most breakfast casseroles contain eggs. They hold the entire meal together. If your sweetie doesn’t like them or doesn’t eat them, you can choose something else to make. Some popular add-ins for casseroles include: sausage, bacon, hashbrowns, chopped peppers, chopped onions, ham, and cheese. Yum!

How about breakfast in bed? We’ve all heard about it and probably thought it was some type of urban legend, but it does happen and Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion. Keep it simple so there’s room on the tray for a rose or a beautiful card.

The centerpiece of that breakfast place can be pancakes or French toast. Metal cookie cutters are placed in the pan and batter poured in to make heart-shaped pancakes. For French toast, it’s easier to cook the toast and then use the heart-shaped cutter to create your loving masterpiece.

Some people don’t like to eat too much in the morning. For them, try a simple breakfast of fruit and toast. Cube their favorite fruit and top with yogurt. Some toast and jam adds substance to the meal. This is a Valentine’s breakfast that would satisfy that vegetarian in your life.

The season is still winter when Valentine’s Day rolls around. If it happens to be a particularly cold morning where you are, try a bit of hot cereal like oatmeal or cream of wheat for that special day. Use honey or syrup to drizzle a sweet “I love you” on the top.

Valentine’s Day is that time when we show the folks we love an extra special good time. This year, start with an invigorating meal that comes from the heart to show them how we feel.

You can add a Valentine strawberry smoothie for breakfast.

Sweetheart Breakfast Fritters with Love Syrup

What You Need:

2 C + 1 T canola oil, divided

1 lg. egg, slightly beaten

1/2 C milk

1 C sweet apple, peeled, cored and chopped

1 C all purpose flour

1/2 C sugar + 1 T sugar, divided

1 t baking powder

1 1/4 t cinnamon, divided

1/4 t salt

1/2 C strawberry or maple syrup

How to Make It:

Place the 2 C of canola oil into a deep fryer or heavy pan and allow to heat to 365 degrees.

Pour the milk into a bowl with the slightly beaten egg and whisk to combine.

Add the apples to the mixture and gently stir to incorporate.

In a separate mixing bowl toss together the flour, 1 T sugar, the baking powder, 1/4 t cinnamon and the salt.

Add the flour mixture to the egg and milk and blend until all the dry ingredients are just moistened.

Drop 3 to 4 teaspoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry 4 minutes, turning occasionally for even browning.

Remove the fritters when they are a golden brown with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.

Continue deep frying in this manner being sure to allow the oil to return to the correct temperature before adding a new batch.

Place the remaining sugar and 3/4 t of the cinnamon into a sealable plastic bag.

Add the fritters a couple at time.

Seal the bag after each addition and shake to cover the fritters well.

Place the fritters on plates.

Place the syrup into a microwave safe bowl.

Stir in the remaining cinnamon until well combined.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds or until the syrup is warmed.

Pour the syrup over the fritters just before serving.

See more Valentine cooking ideas

Valentine Dessert ideas

Valentine’s Day Desserts for Kids

Kids love to cook. They especially love to cook sweet treats that they can gobble down later. Here are some ideas for Valentine’s Day desserts kids will enjoy making and eating.

Everybody loves chocolate or at least they should. Recent research shows that eating a little chocolate is good for you. Don’t tell your kids though, or they’ll never let you forget it.

Valentine’s Day was made for chocolate. Let the kids make some chocolate cupcakes. Top them with icing fit for the occasion—red or pink.

Jell-O has been a kid favorite since it was introduced to the world. Turn the popular treat into a Valentine’s Day treat with some cookie cutters. Cookie cutters shaped like hearts, kissing lips, cupid, or letters create holiday cut-outs for the kids. Let the kids cut the shapes after the gelatin has set.

Kids love to decorate with icing and sprinkles and candy. If you make cupcakes, brownies, or cake for them this Valentine’s Day, let them decide how the finished confections will look. Put the icing in a bag designed for that purpose so the kids can pipe the icing through to create words or pictures on the dessert. A plastic storage bag with a small hole cut into the corner works just as well as a cake decorating bag.

Cookies go well with any holiday. For Valentine’s Day, use sugar cookies. With sugar cookies, they can be topped with icing, sugar, and sprinkles. Try to get sprinkles shaped like hearts. Our tried and true cookie cutters can be used again to cut the chilled dough into the same shapes as the gelatin treats.

How about a dessert pizza? Using cookie dough, roll it out to the shape and diameter of a large pizza. Follow package instructions for baking the cookie. Once it’s done and cooled, top with icing. White or vanilla icing can be tinted pink or darker with some red food coloring. Then, let the kids top the dessert pizza with their favorite candies. Plain M&M’s, candy sprinkles, and other chewy sweets can top the pizza.

Try a new twist on some dessert favorites. Add large candy hearts to the top of cupcakes.  Create a cake shaped like cupid. Use heart-shaped foil cups to bake brownies. All of these ideas are easy enough for your kids to help you create them.

Feed that sweet tooth with some great treat ideas this year. Your kids might have a few ideas of their own to add to the pot for more Valentine’s Day fun.

Learn how to make homemade chocolates.

Cherish You Strawberry Delight 

1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 C heavy whipping cream

2 T orange juice

2 C fresh strawberries, sliced

4 slices pound cake, cubed

Place the chocolate chips into a small saucepan.

Pour the whipping cream over the chips.

Place the pan on low heat and stirring constantly melt the chips until they are smooth.

Remove the pan from heat and blend in the orange juice.

Cool the mixture about 30 or until room temperature.

Place the sliced strawberries in the bottom of dessert cups.

Layer the pound cake on top of the strawberries.

Spoon the chocolate mixture over the top.

Serving Size:  4

See more Valentine cooking ideas

Valentine Dessert ideas

Family Valentine’s Dinner Ideas

Kids like to celebrate Valentine’s Day just like adults. Even if you have ideas about romantic plans for the evening, consider having dinner with the kids. Here are some ideas for a great dinner with the entire family.

Kids love to cook. It is an opportunity for them to make a mess and not get in trouble for it. Let them help with the dinner on Valentine’s Day. They probably have a few ideas for the meal.

Don’t expect a full seven course meal. Besides the fact that it takes too long to prepare, kids have simpler tastes than that. And, if you want to get them to bed at a decent hour so you still have time to spend together, choose a dish with minimal preparation.

Italians are known for love. Try an Italian dish for Valentine’s Day. Instead of ordering from Domino’s, create a pizza at home. Using a store-bought crust, roll it out and cut it into the shape of a heart. The heart will have to be exaggerated because once the dough rises the pizza will spread out and not look like a heart anymore.

Italians are also big on spaghetti. It takes about thirty minutes at the most to put together a spaghetti dinner. Add a salad for a filling meal to celebrate the holiday.

Burgers and fries are a simple meal but one that kids and the entire family can enjoy. Get the grill going or a grill pan. After the burgers are done, place them on a bun and use a heart shaped cookie cutter to turn those ordinary burgers into lovin’ from the grill.

When it comes to family, the meal will be special because it involves everyone celebrating their love together. For parents, a dinner complete with some of your child’s favorite dishes will make them smile. Family dinners on Valentine’s Day can be eclectic-the meal doesn’t have to have one theme but can be a combination.

Allow each person in the family to make a dish for the dinner. They can come up with their own idea of what to surprise everyone with for dinner. The kids will need your help shopping for what they need and using the stove, but you can still act surprised when they bring their finished creation to the table.

Valentine’s Day dinner for the family offers an opportunity to express sentiments of love to each member of your family. With busy schedules, making time to celebrate love together is a rare treat.

See more Valentine cooking ideas

Valentine Dessert ideas

An easy cooking on the stovetop lesson

When your kids are just learning how to cook on the stovetop one of the best recipes to have them start with is scrambled eggs.

Have them mix their eggs, salt, pepper, shredded cheese or other toppings they like in a bowl. Blend together.

Warm the pan on the stovetop, if you'd like you could put a dot of butter to help grease the pan. Pour in your eggs. And continue to stir back and forth until your eggs are completely cooked.

This is (almost) instant gratification for kids as it doesn't take long to cook and they'll have a major burst of self confidence that they made this themselves.

In this picture my daughter is cooking eggs for each member of the family and she was super proud of herself too!

More Help and Resources:

Learning to cook eggs
Learning to cook on the stovetop