Cooking with Kids

A couple of weeks ago Kieran and I were making crackers.  He loves to help with them, and it's usually fun to have him in the kitchen with me.  I usually give a bowl or pot and spoon to Charlotte so she can pretend to cook, too.  I do have to watch my reactions, because I can get irritated with making a mess in the kitchen.  Well, Kieran and I had measured out the flour and put in the bowl and I'd then turned around to return the flour to its proper location.  When I turned back around, I found this:

My first impulse was to get upset, but I quickly mastered that impulse and realised she just wanted to help.  So I got the camera and laughed instead.  Once I got it cleaned up, we began again, and I just made sure the bowl was set back far enough so Charlotte couldn't reach it.  The crackers were delicious, as always.

Kids in the Kitchen

I'm learning more and more how to include my kids when I'm working in the kitchen.  Kieran loves to help (provided I'm not using the electric mixer or blender, in which case he runs away) and is always asking to bring a chair in so he can help.  This is forcing me to give up some control and to allow for more messes.  I do enjoy working with him, though.  Right now Charlotte is content to be given a bowl and a spoon and play on the floor.

I've also found that this is providing him with valuable skills and information.  He's learnt how to stir mixes, and he's in charge of the spices sometimes (he's especially fond of rosemary and garlic).  He insists on helping to roll out pizza dough and grind up pepper or crush garlic with the mortar and pestle.   He loves to stir sauces and put noodles in the pot and help me with the pasta maker.  I'm having to learn to be more patient and allow more time for cooking, though I really do love watching him in the kitchen with me.

Of course, his favourite part of helping is when he gets to eat the food being prepared.