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My Little Foodie
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,757Member
    So DD8 has recently taken up a huge interest in cooking. Does anyone out there have kiddos that started learning around that age? What are some good recipes to start her on? I've thought about some basic stuff, but I'm thinking along the lines of cold (no stove/oven) recipes that she can do herself. Also, if anyone knows of cookware/utensils that I could get her of her very own, suggestions are welcome!
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • AnonUser33
    Posts: 743Guest

    My son started cooking at 8, now at 13 he is an excellent cook. I don't think there is anything I wouldn't trust him to make. Although sometimes his recipe choices leave a lot to be desired. I didn't change the way I did things for him though. He wasn't allowed to use the stove,  oven or grill without me. He could use the griddle and george foreman and microwave. I decided to let him learn to use everything in the kitchen because thats how I learned. He has never gotten hurt. Safety was the very first thing I taught him On the other hand my daughter is 14 and can barely heat a hot pocket.

    I know thats not real helpful, just my experience

     

  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,241Member
    Check Amazon.  There are a number of kid cookbooks out there with recipes that may/may not need your help with the cooking part.  I've got a cookbook from when I was a little girl as well as one from a "class" I took at our Parks and Rec department about the same age.
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • NorthernMommyNorthernMommy
    Posts: 347Member

    Try some no-bake recipies as a way to get her familiar with the kitchen; or have her start on different types of salads (outside of a regular tossed salad).  Try quinoa with cranberries and almonds, or let her start experimenting with tastes and flavours that she likes.

    I loved no-bake oh henry bars when i was a kid :)

    http://www.onelovelylife.com/?p=2633

    I started a little earlier than your DD (around age 5/6) but spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my grandmother. She baked up a storm and I absorbed a lot just by watching and being allowed to assist.

    Good luck!

  • NorthernMommyNorthernMommy
    Posts: 347Member

    Try this website:

    http://www.curiouschef.com/cookingwithkids

    They have utensils, some starter recipies, etc.  Might give you an idea where to start!

  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,253Member
    my DD turned 8 in March and she got her own stand mixer, and a few kits for baking made just for kids. I got them at big lots but I've also seen similar onesat Kmart and Walmart. since dh likes to bake, DD decided she likes it too.
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,253Member
    oh, and at half price books, we got her some cookbooks just for kids.
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,757Member
    @katz_meow, when is your DDs birthday?? My DDs is March 11th!

    @NorthernMommy, that's an excellent website! I'll have to show her when I get home...I think she'll love it.

    I'm all about safety...as a matter of fact, that's probably why I haven't been too keen on teaching her until now, and I'm still a little leery. She's kind of absent-minded sometimes, which makes me nervous when it comes to working in the kitchen.

    @BellaBefana, I've actually checked to see if there are any cooking classes for kids in our area, but no. Not in my little town. Amazon might be worth a shot...I'll check it out.

    I'm a pretty good cook myself, but most of my recipes are a little too complicated for her, although I'm sure she'll get there. Anyone ever try a recipe with a kiddo you wouldn't recommend??
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,253Member
    it's March 9th @grits. dh is the 3rd. my brother is the 2nd. fil is the 10th and mil is the 24th. I got a ton of Moody Pisces to deal with...lol.
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,757Member
    That's funny @katz_meow! Me, too! DH is the 5th and DS 4 months is the 9th, and my step-dad is the 17th.
     Hijack
    Pisces are a handful, that's for sure!
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,253Member
    u said it...lmao. love the little emoticon. can't do too many if those from my phone
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,727Member
    My 3yo told me at age only just 2, that he wanted to be a chef! He LOVES to cook! Every day he helps me with at least one meal. He ALWAYS says 'IM cooking dinner tonight mummy, okay? But only you are allowed to do the hot bit, cause thats too tricky and dangerous. Ill stir maybe if i feel like it.' 
    I let him do just about anything, that doesnt involve sharp knives or anything too hot. He can make a cake completely by himself (with supervision obviously!) Its very cute. Making a cake it is a really good thing to do, and you just have to put it in the oven and take it out, then they get to decorate it. You can get a bowl of icing/smarties/raisins/whatever and the kids can go nuts! 


    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • bluemom
    Posts: 154Member
    My 10 year old loves to cook. I taught her to cut safely, and some other kitchen safety rules and let her at it. She can make spaghetti, burgers on the griddle, pancakes, eggs, hamburger helper, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and lots of baked goods. All completely on her own. She swears she's going to cooking school and opening her own restaurant.   
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,757Member
    @irishlass, I did let her help me with a cake a couple of weekends ago. I think it's the perfectionist in me when it comes to recipes that freaks out a little bit. I find myself stepping in and taking over before I realize it, so maybe I just need to let go of the reins.

    @bluemom, my DD is totally addicted to the Food Network! She has told me she's going to culinary school when she graduates high school. I think that would be awesome!!
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • pistolpackingmomma
    Posts: 1,068Member
    mine is only four but he loves to 'help' puor stuff and cook and loves to eat what he cooks.  have you thought a bout getting a bread maker?  i know ds4 loves to help pour stuff in and watch it progress as it makes.  we were given a machien that a friend picked up at a thrift store that the top is totally clear so you can see the whole kneading/rising/baking process.  granted with him being only 4 i still help measure everything but with yours being 8 might be a good start.  it's really fairly fool proof.  just dump it all in in the order the recipe calls for.  turn it on and it's good to go.  i would suggest start with a basic recipe and as she progresses move on to the more elaborate one's.  there are way more recipes out there than you would imagine for a bread machine.  many that get really fancy.  even one's for doughs and such you take out and roll and bake for doughnuts, pretzels, pizza, etc as she gets ready for that.  as she moves along and gets more confident she could even try her hand at converting a recipe from a standard recipe to one suited for a bread machine or move from the bread machine to making bread the old fashioned way.  everythign from gluten free to overly decadent sweet and gooey breads to veggie breads and you can even make jams and jellies and lasagna stuff in bread machines!  if you are interested let me know and i will compile a list of the sites i use for recipes and send it to you.  lol.  can you tell i am somewhat addicted to my bread machine???
    Photobucket
  • GritsGrits
    Posts: 3,757Member
    @pistolpackinmomma, I had no idea you could do all that with a bread machine! I might have to see if I can find one used somewhere. If I can, I will and then I'll PM you for those sites. Sounds safer than using a hot stove or oven, for sure!!
    "I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn
  • Mommyliciousx4Mommyliciousx4
    Posts: 1,769Member
    Dd9 started showing interest around 7. She can make her own ramen and eggs.
    They all help stir and pour.
    Dd13 has been capable of making an entire supper on her own for over a year.
    She started w boxed mac n cheese.
    For me its a territory thing, but I'm slowly loosening up.
    Betty Crocker has a kids recipe book. Dd13 got it for Christmas a few years ago.
  • SaraSara
    Posts: 1,037Member
    @katz_meow, another moody Pisces here for ya, the 2nd. (%)
    Think of your problems as challenges to overcome not obstacles to be avoided.
  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,253Member
    that's my brothers bday @Sara. ill throw you a bone though, Pisces are the most loving and affectionate of all the signs, imo, and even though sometimes they don't say much, there's a lot going on inside. I love my Pisces people. (except for when they're being Moody....lol)
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • SaraSara
    Posts: 1,037Member
    @katz_meow, SO accuses me of not being affectionate enough...maybe I am on the border...I can be pretty moody though.
    Think of your problems as challenges to overcome not obstacles to be avoided.
  • etherieletheriel
    Posts: 715Member

    You'd be surprised at how early kids can learn things in the kitchen. I started with all of mine around 3 or 4 as they showed an interest. At that age, they can mostly pour and stir.

    Around 7 or so, all of mine could scramble their own eggs and brown ground meat. I was nervous and hovered over them to make sure they didn't burn themselves but they never had any accidents in the kitchen.

    In my house, when you turn 11, your chore is to help me cook every night for 2 years until the next kid turns 11. My 2 kids that have gone through it have gone from doing the basic chopping, measuring, etc. to planning and cooking entire meals by themselves. I started doing that because my kids had an interest and I also didn't want them turning into adults like me without a clue how to feed themselves or their future children.

    Start small with lots of supervision and gradually work your way up to more complicated things. If you're not ready for her to use the stove or oven yet, try to find some microwave recipes.

    If I'm not supposed to do it, how come I can?
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