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Posted to rec.food.cooking
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Cooking by kids, for kids
On Feb 1, 3:47*pm, "cshenk" > wrote:
> "Horry" wrote
>
> > Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
> > prepare?
>
> Generally stick to ones that have not too much more than 5 ingredients
> (unless the extras are a little measure of dried spices etc). *This is a
> good age to learn some simple cassaroles.
> nonstr
> > At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and I'd
> > like to expand his repertoire.
>
> Definately time.
>
> > Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant to
> > cook things he doesn't like to eat 
>
> What does he like? *There's really little a kid age 12 cant manage unless
> they arent used to a knife yet, and if so, supervise for a few months til
> they get the hang of it.
>
> > Obviously, no naked flames, hot liquids, sharp knives (unless it'd be
> > possible for an adult to pre-prepare the parts of the recipe requiring
> > those things).
>
> Actually, naked flames as in gas stove is fine. *Hot liquids fine but teach
> him to use a ladle to pull out a portion of soup, and get a strainer on a
> handle so he can dip out hot pastas (eblows and the like shapes) from the
> boiling water (vice lifting the pot to the sink). *Get some tongs for that
> too as spagetti shaped things are easier to manage that way.
>
> On knives, 12 is old enough but no matter what the age, supervision and
> showing 'safe cutting techniques' is needed at the start.
>
> In my opinion, 12 is actually past the age when I expect a kid to be able to
> handle basics in the kitchen with a knife. *Maybe not yet to the 'slit a
> pork loin so we can stuff it' level, but common things like chopping carrots
> and such are well in line with that age. *It's ok though if you are just
> starting that. *Not all kids are the same on all things and if this is the
> age when you start, it's still in plenty of time.
>
> In our home,cookingis a fun little event and normally involves all 3 of us
> doing some portion. *Charlotte could load the breadmaker by age 8 though
> we'd have to put the pan in for her (not tall enough). *By age 6 she was
> helping wash vegetables and by age 7 able to handle a safety peeler (looks a
> bit like a cheese slicer). *By age 10 she was well into cutting vegetables
> but not yet to 'fancy cuts' (home fries were her level). *She's 15 now and i
> can call her and tell her I'm running late and ask what's for dinner ;-)
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