Snow Days? Keep Kids Busy Cooking!

How does the song go? "The weather outside is frightful..."
Having been a teacher, I know the challenge of keeping the kids occupied on days it's too cold to go outside! Cooking is a great way to keep them busy, so grab the Bisquick box or the bag of chocolate chips and follow recipes on the packages! As long as you involve the kids in the cooking process, you are all set!

For those of us who are "geographically challenged" at this time of year, we stock up and finding basic ingredients shouldn't be hard. The below recipe is for cinnamon muffins and you should have most, if not all of what you need.

Feel free to add blueberries, whatever you have in the house! If you don't have certain ingredients, your neighbors might! Involve the kids and get them cooking!

CINNAMON MUFFINS
Adapted from www.Epicurious.com
Gourmet Magazine, April 1998

MAKES 6 MUFFINS

For Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
1/4 cup sugar (Feel free to use less sugar!)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

For Muffins:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup milk

To Make Topping:
In a small bowl stir together sugar and cinnamon. Preheat oven to 375°F. and butter six 1/3-cup muffin cups.

In a bowl mixtogether flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until combined well. Beat in flour mixture and add milk, beating until mixture is just combined. Divide batter evenly among cups and sprinkle with topping. Bake muffins in middle of oven 15 to 20 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Remove muffins from cups and cool on a rack. Muffins keep in an airtight container 2 days.

2009 Resolution - Get your Kids Cooking!

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Kids LOVE hands on activities and cooking fits the bill! Like a science project, they measure, pour, mix and poof! Childhood obesity is on the rise, so get your children involved in cooking and it will instill healthy eating habits for a lifetime! I've never met a picky eater who doesn't enjoy eating their own creation!

Meal Maven 5 Steps to get your Kids Cooking!

Step #1 PLANNING:

*Plan a family dinner and start simple - create individual pizzas with healthy toppings! Most stores have dough in freezer section or Boboli makes great thin individual crusts. Gluten free and whole grain options are out there!

*Share a pizza recipe in a cookbook and talk about the ingredients needed. If age appropriate, have them write down the grocery list.

Step #3 SHOPPING:

*Involve them in food shopping, reading grocery list and hand picking the ingredients.

*Make them aware of the check out/money process and ask them to hold on to the receipt for you until you get home.

*Unpack car and bags together and put items in the refrigerator etc.

Step #4 COOKING:

*Wash hands and get cooking!

*While you are slicing and dicing the toppings, they can roll out the dough and mix the pre measured spices into sauce in a bowl on counter (TIP: Thaw frozen broccoli or cauliflower cuts in microwave and mince. Nearly tasteless when added to tomato sauce and looks like spices – wink wink! Add broccoli to sauce before you give it to them to mix in “more” spices!).

*Let them create their own pizza by adding the cheese and toppings!

Step #5 EATING:

*This is the exciting part for them when Mom and Dad rave about the job well done!

Get your kids cooking as often as possible even if they watch you or help you with minor things each day! We are all busy and work hard and the effort will pay off! They will learn to try foods and take pride in what they eat! I have very special memories helping my Mother and Grandmother in the kitchen!

Contact Meal Maven for recipes, grocery lists and other services to help you get your kids cooking! mealmaven@gmail.com