Food Network

COOKING
•  Baking
•  Cooking Guides
•  Cooking Demos
•  Cooking For Kids
•  Culinary Q&A
•  Encyclopedia
•  Holiday Baking
•  International Cooking
•  Recipe Collections
•  Recipes of the Day

In Our Store

Emeril Junior Sous Chef Kit
$39.95


Sassafras Little Cook's Tool Kit
$19.95


Sassafras Gingerbread Man Kit
$24.95

Top 10 Kid-friendly Cooking Demos

PHOTO
1. Wash Leafy Greens
Since proper food handling is essential, cleaning produce is a great habit to teach early. Plus, letting your child choose a salad he or she likes means they are more likely to eat it. This technique will also ensure your leaves remain crisp and dirt free.
Recipe to try: Your Basic Tossed Salad

PHOTO
2. Forming Pizza
Pizza, which originally meant "pie" in Italian, is a favorite dish of both children and adults. Teach your kids the science of bread making and then have fun shaping the pies together. Let the little ones get creative with unique toppings.
Recipe to try: Pizza Pizzas

PHOTO
3. Forming Gnocchi
Gnocchi (Italian for "dumplings") are generally made from potatoes, flour, and eggs, then shaped into little balls and cooked in boiling water much like pasta. Not only are they fun to make, but they’re also a delicious accompaniment to meat and poultry dishes.
Recipe to try: Gnocchi

PHOTO
4. Fold Batter
Folding is a technique used to prevent deflating a light and airy mixture--such as whipped cream or egg whites--when combining it with a denser mixture. A great technique that goes beyond basic stirring, folding can also teach your children about food science. Use it when making souffles, mousses, fluffy cakes, and more.
Recipe to try: Raspberry Mousse

PHOTO
5. Separate Eggs
A staple in the kitchen, separating eggs can be used in all kinds of recipes. Learn both methods -- using the shell or your hands, then let your child find out which works best. Don’t forget to teach the importance of handwashing after touching raw eggs.
Recipe to try: Cheese Souffle

PHOTO
6. Pie Dough
Homemade pie dough is fun to make by hand. Try this basic technique that doesn’t require knives, and can be used with a variety of pastry recipes and fillings.
Recipe to try: No Sugar Pecan Pie

PHOTO
7. Cookie Logs
Forming a cookie dough into a round log means that your cookies will all be the same size. This technique will save your hands from getting sticky, plus it’ll ensure that cookies bake evenly. Let your kids roll the log, then help them cut the desired size -- or let them practice their knife skills with you.
Recipe to try: Snappy Gingers

PHOTO
8. Icing Cookies
Icing cookies comes in handy at holiday time for gingerbread men and houses. But it is a great year-round skill for gifts, an afternoon activity, or just plain eating! Use plastic knives for easy spreading and quick cleanup.
Recipe to try: Black and Whites

PHOTO
9. Icing a Cake
Icing a cake requires some patience, but the results are well worth it. Give your child a head start by spreading on a crumb coat (a thin layer of icing) on a completely cooled cake. This will keep the crumbs from spreading.
Recipe to try: Devil's Food Cake

PHOTO
10. Pound Meat
Sometimes meat is pounded to break down its fibers and make it more tender. Show your child the correct method to get paper-thin meat without tearing the flesh.
Recipe to try: Chicken Piccata

Newsletter
Sign up for our popular recipe and 12 Days of Cookies newsletters.





Topics
Find popular searches here.
Shopping for Organic Food