Thread: Cooking by kids, for kids

On 2009-02-01, Horry <[email protected]> wrote:

> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and I'd
> like to expand his repertoire.

> Obviously, no naked flames, hot liquids, sharp knives....

Why don't you just wrap him in animal balloons and pack him in a cotton
lined coffin?

By time I was twelve, I was building campfires with a flint and steel, had
earned my marksmanship and cooking merit badges, carried my own sheath
knife, and could cook a dinner for three. Give the kid a freakin' break,
fergawdsakes!

nb

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:47:16 +0000, notbob wrote:

> On 2009-02-01, Horry <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and
>> I'd like to expand his repertoire.
>
>> Obviously, no naked flames, hot liquids, sharp knives....
>
> Why don't you just wrap him in animal balloons and pack him in a cotton
> lined coffin?
>
> By time I was twelve, I was building campfires with a flint and steel,
> had earned my marksmanship and cooking merit badges, carried my own
> sheath knife, and could cook a dinner for three. Give the kid a
> freakin' break, fergawdsakes!

Who were the three?

Horry said...

>
> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
> prepare?
>
> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and I'd
> like to expand his repertoire.
>
> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant to
> cook things he doesn't like to eat
>
> 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).
>
> Thanks!


Horry,

Cheesesteaks?

Parent or butcher would have to machine thin slice the chilled rib eye meat
(grey kangaroo, lamb, beef?)

Parent would also have to medium dice onions. The kids could do the rest.

Andy
Cheesesteak BUM!!!

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:28:03 +0000, Andy wrote:

> Horry said...
>
>
>> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
>> prepare?
>>
>> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and
>> I'd like to expand his repertoire.
>>
>> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant
>> to cook things he doesn't like to eat
>>
>> 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).
>>
>> Thanks!
>
>
> Horry,
>
> Cheesesteaks?
>
> Parent or butcher would have to machine thin slice the chilled rib eye
> meat (grey kangaroo, lamb, beef?)
>
> Parent would also have to medium dice onions. The kids could do the
> rest.

Sounds good... and appealing food for a kid.

Has anyone tried kangaroo meat cheesesteaks? A quick google search
didn't uncover anything... (AFAIK, cheesesteaks aren't particularly
common down here).

Thanks...

"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.

> 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, cooking is 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 ;-)

Horry said...

> On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:28:03 +0000, Andy wrote:
>
>> Horry said...
>>
>>
>>> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
>>> prepare?
>>>
>>> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and
>>> I'd like to expand his repertoire.
>>>
>>> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant
>>> to cook things he doesn't like to eat
>>>
>>> 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).
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>> Horry,
>>
>> Cheesesteaks?
>>
>> Parent or butcher would have to machine thin slice the chilled rib eye
>> meat (grey kangaroo, lamb, beef?)
>>
>> Parent would also have to medium dice onions. The kids could do the
>> rest.
>
> Sounds good... and appealing food for a kid.
>
> Has anyone tried kangaroo meat cheesesteaks? A quick google search
> didn't uncover anything... (AFAIK, cheesesteaks aren't particularly
> common down here).
>
> Thanks...


Horry,

I've enjoyed grey kangaroo steaks! Nothing like Philly cheesesteaks.

Prepared to perfection by the boss's Mom in Adelaide!

I prefer hers! Catherine Mary Joseph [RIP]

Best,

Andy

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:22:15 +0000, Horry wrote:

> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
> prepare?
>
> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and I'd
> like to expand his repertoire.
>
> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant
> to cook things he doesn't like to eat
>
> 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).

The kid is 12 years old and can't handle hot liquids or naked flames?

In article <gm32ej$v9m$[email protected]>,
Horry <[email protected]> wrote:

> Has anyone tried kangaroo meat cheesesteaks? A quick google search
> didn't uncover anything... (AFAIK, cheesesteaks aren't particularly
> common down here).

You might start a national trend by being the first to cook it. You
might also throw the whole thing in the trash. I've never had the
opportunity to try kangaroo. The closest I could guess is "tastes like
possum" which I haven't eaten either.

leo

"Andy" wrote
> Horry said...

> Cheesesteaks?
>
> Parent or butcher would have to machine thin slice the chilled rib eye
> meat
> (grey kangaroo, lamb, beef?)

Agreed. Taught Charlotte the 'half frozen slicing' but later, was nearing
14. (in our case, for making jerky in the dehydrator).

> Parent would also have to medium dice onions. The kids could do the rest.

Not really, parent may have to do the initial cut to say, quarters though
since it seems he (Horry's son I presume) is just starting knife skills.
Charlotte started earlier with knives so was able to handle this alone by
that age but a really big vidalia, I might halve for her back then.

Keeping in mind that you learn by doing, his initial cuts wont be so perfect
but they work fine for cooking!

Horry, here's a sample of a meal Charlotte liked then (still does) and well
in her level by then and I think for your 12YO. It's a semi- home made but
that's ok at this level.

1 can (28oz) chicken stock (we actually used our own home made)
1 small block firm tofu (100-150g or so will be used)
1 fistful of fresh green beans
3-4 large cabbage leaves
1 green onion

Set the tofu on a plate with another plate on top to press as much water out
as reasonable. While it presses, get the rest out. Set the stock to
warming on lowest setting. Wash the green beans and snap the ends off then
add to the stock (may cut smaller if desired or just snap smaller). Tear up
the cabbage to smaller bits (may cut or use hands). Cut green onion top to
about 1/2 to 1 inch bits and add to stock (can be hand torn too). Remove
palate from tofu the slice as reasonably even as a kid can to about 1/2 inch
thick (show him how to use a finger joint for this) then slice that down to
strips and add as much as seems right to the stock (put rest back in the
fridge). Let simmer and serve.

If tofu isnt a good one for him, try small sliced sausage bits in it's place
or some cooked bacon (warning to non-OZ and OZ folks, OZ bacon is NOT like
USA Bacon although it is used like it. Quite a different flavor).

"Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:gm2tg6$v9m$[email protected]..
>
> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
> prepare?
>
> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and I'd
> like to expand his repertoire.
>
> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant to
> cook things he doesn't like to eat
>
> 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).
>
> Thanks!

I call bull****.
Baking a decent cake requires skills that should have been acquired after
learning ones way around a kitchen, where hot liquids, sharp knives, and
open flames are a given. My kids could boil water for tea, use a
pocketknife, and were safe with a campfire at age eight or so.

"Horry" wrote:

> Has anyone tried kangaroo meat cheesesteaks? A quick google search
> didn't uncover anything... (AFAIK, cheesesteaks aren't particularly
> common down here).

Yes, at least that's what I would have called it. A meal in Darwin. I
forget what *they* called'em though. They were fast cooked thin meat bits
layered on a toasted long bun with white cheeses in there and grilled
onions.

Same place that had the warning sign for us USA types that the 'Hamburgers'
were just that. Ham steaks on a burger bun <grin>. Right side of the
street by the big baobob tree with the Possum-looking family living in it.

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:10:39 +0000, Administrator wrote:

> On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:22:15 +0000, Horry wrote:
>
>> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
>> prepare?
>>
>> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and
>> I'd like to expand his repertoire.
>>
>> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant
>> to cook things he doesn't like to eat
>>
>> 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).
>
> The kid is 12 years old and can't handle hot liquids or naked flames?

He's probably quite capable of handling hot liquids and naked flames.

On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:28:33 -0500, dejablues wrote:

> "Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:gm2tg6$v9m$[email protected]..
>>
>> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
>> prepare?
>>
>> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and
>> I'd like to expand his repertoire.
>>
>> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant
>> to cook things he doesn't like to eat
>>
>> 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).
>>
>> Thanks!
>
> I call bull****.

My God this is a strange group...


> Baking a decent cake requires skills that should have been acquired
> after learning ones way around a kitchen, where hot liquids, sharp
> knives, and open flames are a given.

They're not a "given" when the kitchen is being used for baking cakes.

"Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:gm35mo$v9m$[email protected]..
> On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:28:33 -0500, dejablues wrote:
>
>> "Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:gm2tg6$v9m$[email protected]..
>>>
>>> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
>>> prepare?
>>>
>>> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and
>>> I'd like to expand his repertoire.
>>>
>>> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be reluctant
>>> to cook things he doesn't like to eat
>>>
>>> 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).
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>
>> I call bull****.
>
> My God this is a strange group...
>
>
>> Baking a decent cake requires skills that should have been acquired
>> after learning ones way around a kitchen, where hot liquids, sharp
>> knives, and open flames are a given.
>
> They're not a "given" when the kitchen is being used for baking cakes.

What sort of a kitchen is it, then? An Easy-Bake Oven, perhaps? A remedial
kitchen? One that has no sink, no hot water, no cooktop, no utensils, no
heat source?

"dejablues" wrote

> Baking a decent cake requires skills that should have been acquired after
> learning ones way around a kitchen, where hot liquids, sharp knives, and
> open flames are a given. My kids could boil water for tea, use a
> pocketknife, and were safe with a campfire at age eight or so.

Not everyone has the same backgrounds and some kids are a little klutzier
still at 12 than others. It's about the age where they even up. As to the
cake, he may be still at the level of 'add what the box says, stir, then
bake' and there's nothing wrong with starting a kid of with that.

Lets face it. Plenty of parents dont bother to teach kids cooking at all,
til at least 15 and may not then. I wouldnt abuse someone who's at least
trying.

When we lived in Sasebo in the Navy housing, we used to get what we called
'Flock Attacks'. Thats when the flocks of kids would travel around in our
highrise and visit various places. We were a frequent stop and the reason
was we had something different than just a nintendo and computer games.
Most houses had snacks (we parents had a little group too and we made sure
it was generally healthy stuff). In our house, the kids got to *make* the
snacks.

They LOVED it. It was also *very* apparent which kids had parents who
either couldnt cook, didnt bother to cook, or did but didnt teach the kids.
I had 13-14 YO's who I would supervise with a butter knife, and 8 YO's who
showed *me* how to debone a whole chicken.

A common thing was to get a group of 6-8 of them (Charlotte in tow), let
them wander the fridge and freezer, put out everything 'interesting' and
design a meal using as many of the things as we could make match. So many
of these used a crockpot, that sales went up at the exchange for a bit
(grin). Saturday they'd start the pot, and Sunday they'd come back and eat
it all up.

Popular things to let them make:

Pancit (no 2 mixes were the same but all were good)
Rice Porridge (think fancy congee or juk)
Chicken soup (crockpot)- starting with a whole chicken and water
Stuffed whole squid (the boys loved doing that one as it looked icky)
Blooming Soy-sauce onions
Breadmaker breads, (often dough only then turned to hard rolls etc)
Pretzels and breadsticks
southern boiled peanuts
spagetti with sauce (starting with canned chopped tomatos and a spice rack)
udon (starting with flour, water etc)
Dashi (starting with dried fish and dried seaweed)

Thats just ones that come to mind over the 4 years we lived in housing. Age
of the flock members was mostly from 8-13.

On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:47:40 -0500, 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.
>
>> 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.

Save for gherkins/pickles, he's not fussy.

We might try your recipe (after replacing the tofu with sliced
sausage ).


>> 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, cooking is 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).

Thanks for that. My main concern, at least for another year or so, is to
eradicate the possibility of accidents. If that necessitates wrapping
him in animal balloons and packing him in a cotton-lined coffin, so be
it...

I like your idea of involving everyone doing a portion.


> She's 15 now and i can call her and tell her I'm running late
> and ask what's for dinner ;-)

That's what I'm ultimately aiming for

"Horry" wrote:

>> I call bull****.
>
> My God this is a strange group...

Grin, sometimes! I gather there's a little cross cultural thing going on
just now, but not 'OZ vs USA' more like 'country vs city'. Camping out in
the woods seems common to the 'OP' but not to my kid. On the other hand,
she's used to tending the fireplace and just like me, she thinks it's fun to
occasionally cook over it.

>> Baking a decent cake requires skills that should have been acquired
>> after learning ones way around a kitchen, where hot liquids, sharp
>> knives, and open flames are a given.
>
> They're not a "given" when the kitchen is being used for baking cakes.

Grin, like when teaching a bunch of kids to make udon. Needs a knife but a
plastic butter knife will do! 6YO's to 12 YO's really find it fun to make
up that one.

Since your 12YO is comfortable with flour but may not have done much with a
rolling pin yet (or anything you have handy like a smooth sided jar or can
will work), this one is fun.

Set the mixing bowl in the sink so he doesnt pluff too much flour about and
you can show him how to use an egg separator (getting the white in there
will not hurt the recipe if it happens).

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

Title: Xxcarol's Homemade Udon
Categories: Xxcarol, Japan, Pasta
Yield: 8 Servings

4 c All purpose flour, or wheat
1 ts Salt
1 ea Egg yolk

So simple! It has one more ingredient, cold water. These are the
home noodles of Japan and much of the orient.

Sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl then add the yolk
and enough water to make a stiff paste. Kneed this completely then
let sit for about 30 mins or so. Sprinkle a board and rolling pin
with more flour then roll it out thin as possible. Roll up the
flattened noodle and cut to long thin strips (about 8 to an inch). To
cook, just boil in salted water or in Japanese fish broth (called
Dashi).

To kick this up a tad, you can add some powdered wasabi to the flour,
about a teaspoon. This won't make them 'hot' or bitter, but add just
a tang.

From the Japan kitchen of: xxcarol, Sasebo Japan, 25May2003

MMMMM

On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:01:47 -0500, dejablues wrote:

> "Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:gm35mo$v9m$[email protected]..
>> On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:28:33 -0500, dejablues wrote:
>>
>>> "Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:gm2tg6$v9m$[email protected]..
>>>>
>>>> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
>>>> prepare?
>>>>
>>>> At the moment, he's basically limited himself to baking cakes -- and
>>>> I'd like to expand his repertoire.
>>>>
>>>> Dishes suited to a 12yo's palate would be best -- as he'd be
>>>> reluctant to cook things he doesn't like to eat
>>>>
>>>> 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).
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>> I call bull****.
>>
>> My God this is a strange group...
>>
>>
>>> Baking a decent cake requires skills that should have been acquired
>>> after learning ones way around a kitchen, where hot liquids, sharp
>>> knives, and open flames are a given.
>>
>> They're not a "given" when the kitchen is being used for baking cakes.
>
> What sort of a kitchen is it, then? An Easy-Bake Oven, perhaps? A
> remedial kitchen? One that has no sink, no hot water, no cooktop, no
> utensils, no heat source?

Yes.

In article <gm3jt4$ko9$[email protected]>,
Horry <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:01:47 -0500, dejablues wrote:
>
> > "Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:gm35mo$v9m$[email protected]..
> >> On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:28:33 -0500, dejablues wrote:
> >>
> >>> "Horry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >>> news:gm2tg6$v9m$[email protected]..
> >>>>
> >>>> Is anyone able to suggest recipes suitable for a 12-year-old to cook/
> >>>> prepare?

> >>> I call bull****.
> >>
> >> My God this is a strange group...

That's true. Sometimes I get tired of "strange", and skim or skip some
posts. Other times I find them entertaining.

My wife does a lot of cooking with kids. She finds it very rewarding,
although it requires some patience.

If your son is mostly stuck on sweets, cupcakes can be fun. Many kids
really get into decorating. Have an assortment of candies and such for
decorating. Cookies can be decorated also. An apple crisp sounds good
to me. Pies require a lot more manual dexterity, so I don't think
that's a good starter. If he isn't ready for a knife, have him peel the
apples and then watch while you slice them.

Pizza is another good one for kids, especially the decorating. Make
several small ones so they can experiment some.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
[email protected]