Tag Archive for: kids cooking

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Chilled Soba Noodle Soup

Chilled Soba Noodle Soup

Chilled Soba Noodle Soup

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes

CAUTION: The pure yummy-ness of this dish may cause you to dance happily and uncontrollably around the room.

Ingredients

  • 1 Package of Soba (or Somen) Noodles
  • 1 cup seedless cucumber, peeled, chopped-bite size
  • 2 green onions chopped finely
  • 1/4 teaspoon Asian tea Rub
  • Handful of freshly chopped spinach or baby bok choy
  • 2 tablespoons each serving Soba Noodle soup base
  • Sesame Seeds (as garnish)
  • Cilantro (as optional garnish)
  • Cooked shrimp or crab (protein add )
  • 2 finely chopped bite size roma or grape tomatoes (optional)
  • A dash of Ponzu sauce optional)
  • A Dash or two Sriracha hot sauce or Furikake Seasoning (optional)
  • 2 Nori Sea Weed wrappers ripped into bit size pieces (packaged type used for sushi rolls (as optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. This dish is meant to be served cold.
  2. Cook your Somen Noodles, (per package directions. Be careful, they quick fast).
  3. Rinse /soak for a few minutes in an ice bath, then drain noodles.
  4. Place a 1/2-3/4 cup drained Somen noodles in each serving bowl, top with cucumber, green onion, Asian Tea Rub, spinach or bok choy, and bit of seed weed and sesame seeds along with 1-2 Tbsp. Soba Noodle Base.
  5. Add on any of the other suggestions that you might like or add you own ideas

Notes

Soba is the Japanese name for buckwheat. It usually refers to thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, or a combination of buckwheat and wheat flours. They contrast to thick wheat noodles, called udon. In Japan, the word can refer to any thin noodle.

You can learn more about Buckwheat here.

Pre-packaged noodle soups are a kiddie favorite because they're quick and tasty. The downside is that the prepackaged versions aren't exactly healthy with all of that sodium loaded into their spice packets. Using this soba noodle base with the ponzu adds a rich tangy flavor. Using only a bit reduces much of the sodium. It only takes a few minutes to make your own, and it’s fun to serve them in a cup alongside kid friendly chopsticks. You can add different vegetables, shrimp or crab to make this heartier or get a protein bump. So good as an after school snack or a meal.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 213Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1016mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 20g

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© Carol Takakura
Cuisine: Healthy / Category: Soup

 

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Kids in the Kitchen

Getting kids in the kitchen early is a healthy pursuit in more ways than one.

Food is a sensory experience. As we see from the time they are babies and start putting hand to mouth, kids learn through sight, touch, taste and smell. The sooner we get little ones into the kitchen to enjoy food as a sensory experience, the more likely they will be to experiment with color and texture at meal time.

Since cooking is a tactile activity that you can break down into dozens of tasks, each child can take on easy or challenging ones. First, show them the task and then let them do it on their own. Only step in to help if they are truly struggling or if you see a danger. Maturity and dexterity differs in each child so work within your child’s ability and interest level.

Of course, safety is a big concern but it presents parents with a teaching and bonding opportunity that benefits not only the child but Mom and Dad too.Here are some valuable SAFETY TIPS.

Working together to create simple dishes will help kids build their math skills by counting and measuring ingredients for a recipe.  It can also increase their dexterity and improve their fine motor skills and overall coordination. How about reading the recipe out loud and hunting down the ingredients? That is mini scavenger hunt in the making.

Let’s not forget the feeling of accomplishment which builds self-esteem and sharing skills.  Getting kids into the kitchen can be a joyful experience for all. Motivating your kiddo to expand their interest and the variety of foods they are willing to eat: Bonus! Be adventurous and create memories that will be there for years to come.

Try my Kid-friendly Pizza recipe!

Depending on the age of your little ones, they may be able to do many of the prep tasks in this recipe. Use this guide to help you decide what will be age/ability appropriate. I will tell you that my little one did most all of the tasks (except oven/grill) with my supervision and she is just 4 years old.

 

RESOURCES

https://www.nutrition.gov/life-stages/children/kids-kitchen

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/sites/default/files/audiences/KitchenHelperActivities.pdf

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Documents/NE/WIC-NE-CookingWithChildren-SafetyTipsForCookingWithChildren.pdf

One of my favorite cooking sprays-http://winonapure.com/

http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/food/toddler-kitchen-safety-basics/

 

 

 

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Kid Friendly Pizza

This is just one of my Kids in the Kitchen friendly recipes for you to try out.

Depending on the age of your little ones, they may be able to do many of the prep tasks in this recipe. Use this guide to help you decide what will be age/ability appropriate. I will tell you that my little one did most all of the tasks (except oven/grill) with my supervision and she is just 4 years old.

Check out my blog post on Kids in the Kitchen

 

Shows an image of a little girl making mini pizzas

Kid friendly Pizza

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Easy Kid friendly Pizza recipe to enjoy with your kiddos.

Ingredients

  • 6 whole grain or sourdough English muffins
  • 1 tablespoon mild BBQ sauce mixed with one teaspoon filtered water
  • 3 (1/2-inch-thick) fresh or canned (drain if canned) pineapple slices
  • 1 (4-ounce) cooked chicken breast, sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
  • Winona pure Cooking spray **
  • 2/3 cup organic pizza sauce
  • 4 ounces organic grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Remove English muffins from package and split into 12 halves
  2. Arrange English muffins on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray or covered in parchment paper
  3. Place BBQ sauce/water in a medium bowl. Add pineapple and cooked chicken breast toss to coat. Drain sauce, then add pineapple and chicken to grill or grill-skillet rack coated with cooking spray; grill 3 minutes on each side or until well marked. Remove from grill/grill skillet; cut into 1-inch pieces.
  4. Preheat oven or BBQ grill to 325 degrees
  5. Spread marinara evenly over pizzas, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Arrange pineapple and chicken over pizzas; sprinkle with cheese.
  6. Place pizzas in oven or on grill rack or BBQ and grill pizzas 5-8 minutes or until cheese melts.
  7. Sprinkle with pepper.
  8. Allow to cool to avoid burns from the cheese


**WINONA PURE COOKING SPRAY can be found here

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© Carol Takakura
Cuisine: Healthy / Category: Entrees, Snacks

 

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