Making Applesauce and Other Kid-Friendly Recipes

Teaching kids life skills doesn’t have to be boring! Cooking with kids is a great way for parents and teachers to share valuable life skills and have a little fun along the way. Whether you’re at home, or cooking in the classroom, MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter’s Cooking Art: Easy Edible Art for Young Children, is full of activities sure to inspire your budding chefs. 

Teaching kids life skills doesn’t have to be boring! Cooking with kids is a great way for parents and teachers to share valuable life skills and have a little fun along the way. Whether you’re at home, or cooking in the classroom, MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter’s Cooking Art: Easy Edible Art for Young Children, is full of activities sure to inspire your budding chefs.

Here are a few kid-friendly recipes you can try at home or in the classroom today.

Smiley Snack

Time: 10-15 minutes

Level: easier

Serves: 2 to 5

Ingredients

• 1 to 5 red apples
• ¼ cup peanut butter
• Choice of food items for “teeth”, such ass miniature marshmallows, berries, raisins, white (or other) cooked beans, peas
• Squirt can of cheese (optional)
• Slice fruits or other foods, such as tomato slices, olives, kiwi fruit, orange slices, cherries or strawberries, and banana circles

Utensils

• Knife and cutting board
• Spreading knife

Process

1. Cut the apple into quarters with a knife.
2. Cut each quarter in half again to make two thin slices for each “smile.”
3. Spread peanut butter on one side of each thin smiley-slice to act as a glue.
4. Choose the foods that will be the teeth of the smile. Arrange the teeth foods - marshmallows, berries, raisins, other foods or any combination of them- on the peanut butter.
5. Assemble the second apple slice with the peanut butter slice facing down on top of the first slice and the “teeth.” This forms a mouth with teeth inside.
6. Decorate other features around each smile, if desired, by using any remaining ingredients.
7. Serve the smile faces on a cheerful plate as a snack.
8. Read funny books or tell funny jokes while eating.

Bread Braids

Time: 1 hour or more

Level: easy

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• ½ package yeast
• ½ tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups flour plus extra butter
• 1 cup warm water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Honey

Utensils

• Oven preheated to 400°F
• Large mixing bowl
• Cookie sheet
• Medium mixing bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Oven mitts

Process

1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a medium mixing bowl, Let sit for 5 minutes. Add the sugar, salt, and flour to the yeast mixture and mx with hands until the dough is well mixed.
2. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of flour on a work surface. Put the dough on the floured work surface. Knead until smooth.
3. Spray cooking spray on the inside of the large mixing bowl. Place the dough in the large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put the bowl in a warm place. Let the dough rise until it doubles in bulk (about 1 ½ to 2 hours).
4. After the dough has doubled, punch it down, leaving it in the bowl to double again, about ½ hour.

To braid the dough ropes

1. Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll the 3 dough parts into long ropes.
2. Lay the three long ropes in a line next to one another on the work surface.
3. Take the top ends of the ropes and pinch them together until they stick and are joined and hold well. Then, spread out the bottom sections of the rope so they fan outward.
4. Beginning at the top, take the rope on the right and lay it across the middle rope.
5. Continuing from the top, take the rope on the left and lay it over the rope just positioned, which is now the middle rope. (This makes all of the ropes change their original positions.)
6. Continue braiding by selecting the rope closest to the top and weaving it over the present middle rope.
7. When there is only a little rope left to braid, stop and tuck the ends under the braided loaf. Pinch to hold, if you like.
8. Spray the baking sheet with cooking spray and put the braided dough on the cookie sheet. Spray the braided dough with the cooking spray, too.
9. Bake the bread at 400°F for 30 minutes, until it is browned and makes a hollow sound when tapped with a knife handle. Remove the braid from the oven and serve on a breadboard or large plate.

The fragrance of fresh baking bread should have brought everyone into the kitchen by now. Each hungry person can pull off pieces of fresh bread, spread with a little butter or honey, and devour.

Making Applesauce

Materials

• 7 apples
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• Cinnamon
• Vegetable peeler
• Sharp knife (adult only)
• Large saucepan
• Stove

What to do

1. Let the children help peel the apples. Remove the core from each one (adult only).
2. Cook the apples in boiling water until tender.  *Note: Supervise closely, and do not let the children near the boiling water.
3. Drain the apples and let cool. Ask the children to mash them with a fork.
4. Add sugar and a bit of cinnamon and mix. The applesauce is ready to eat!