Would we all agree that meal prep is easier done without involving the kiddos? Just me? Nah. Yes, it's easier for me to head in the kitchen while they are preoccupied and get dinner prepared and be done with it. Most of the time that's exactly what I do. But occasionally, I include them when I'm cooking something that involves simple steps.
For instance, they love to help with English Muffin (or tortilla) pizzas. That's an easy one for them. They also help with any baking that involves pouring ingredients into a bowl and stirring. But browning hamburger meat, boiling noodles, amongst other things are just easier for me to handle. We'll get there one day.
AG and Edy helping with lunch
I do most of my meal planning on the 1st and 15th--payday, people! I plan out the meals for a two week span and make my grocery list accordingly. I try to include a few meals in which the girls can help.
One easy meal my family loves are Hawaiian Sliders. I know, I know...Pinterest is blowing up with this recipe, but I stole it from my mom years ago and we love them. They are yummy and SO healthy. el...ooooohhh...el!
the girls prepare Hawaiian Sliders for lunch
Hawaiian Sliders
Ingredients:
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (make sure to get the "sweet" rolls)
- thinly sliced turkey and ham
- grated cheddar cheese
- Swiss cheese
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp. minced onion
- 1 tbsp. mustard
- poppy seeds
Directions:
- preheat oven to 375
- slice rolls in half
- stack bun, turkey, ham, cheddar, Swiss cheese, and bun
- use a toothpick to poke holes through sandwiches
- mix melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and minced onion
- pour liquid on sandwiches
- top with poppy seeds
- bake for 30 minutes
two happy helpers
Although it's easier to cook alone, I'm grateful to have two little girls that want to help. Plus, it's so easy to incorporate math into this important life skill! Oh yeah...double whammy!
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Somday your girls may thank you. My mom (no offense to her) wasn't much of a cook, and my sister and I didn't cook much when we were younger. We both did 4-H and such so that helped some. Now that we are older we do cook but I think the basics when you are younger is a great starting block.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement. I sure hope they enjoy to cook later in life. Honestly, it's not my thing, but I hope they will learn from me!
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