In the Kitchen with Miss Stacie

With the holidays here and so many gatherings of family and friends, you may find yourself in the kitchen more than usual the next few weeks. Why not make use of the little helping hands you may have around the house? There are plenty of kid-friendly recipes available online, and with a few simple kitchen rules established, your child will love to help you measure, mix, pour and knead. Inviting children to cook with you helps develop many skills, including following directions, measuring, fine motor, and cooperation.  Below is an example set of kitchen rules you might find helpful to read and use with older children, and one fun kid-friendly recipe.  Bon appetite!


Rules for the Kitchen
1. Always ask an adult if you can use the kitchen.

2. Know which kitchen tools you are allowed to use.

3. Hands off the oven or stove without help from an adult.

4. Wash your hands with soap and water before starting your preparations. Wash hands as needed like after touching the trash can or picking items up from the floor.

5. Re-read the recipe several times.

6. Make sure you have all the ingredients you need before you start. Put them out on the counter.

7. Put all equipment, such as pans, measuring cups and measuring spoons out on the counter.

8. Clean up when you are finished.

Tag-a-Longs
These are very much like the Girl Scout cookies.

1 box Ritz crackers
1 small jar peanut butter
Coating chocolate

Cover Ritz crackers with peanut butter and top with another Ritz crackers to make a "sandwich." Melt chocolate and dip sandwiches in chocolate until covered. Allow to dry.

 -Posted by Stacie Lopeman (a.k.a. Miss Stacie)