This Class Is Perfect for Kids Who Are Ready to Tackle New Cooking Tasks
Bonus: It’s based on a recipe they’ll love eating, too!
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It all started this past October when my daughter brought a kids-can-cook-themed cookbook home from her school library. She was barely in the front door when she pulled it out of her bookbag and said, "Look, Mom! I’m going to make you and Dad a special dinner for your anniversary!" She’s an incredibly thoughtful person so I didn’t think anything of it.
But then, she started waking up early on Saturday mornings and putting together breakfast trays for everyone in the family ... and asking if she could serve our dinner and pretend that she worked at a restaurant ... and visiting the Food Network website on her Chromebook whenever she had free time. And that’s when it struck me: she was ready to start learning how to cook more independently.
She loves being on her phone so naturally, we turned to the Food Network Kitchen app for classes. So fun! One of our favorites right now is Cheesy Eggs-in-the-Hole with Bacon. Not only is it an incredibly delicious dish but Food Network recipe developer Arlyn Osborne shares so many good tips that make the recipe even easier. There are a few tasks that I still handle (like frying the bacon and grating the cheese) but this has been a great recipe for my daughter to make again and again, trying new tasks each time.
Kids that are beginners can help crumble bacon, cut the shapes from the slices of bread and maybe even crack eggs (into a separate bowl). Arlyn also suggests letting the kiddos help brush the bread with a mix of rendered bacon fat and melted butter — but only after a grown-up takes it off the heat. Good call, Arlyn! When little ones have graduated from those tasks, it’s time to try simple tasks at the stove — ones that will allow them to build their confidence while focusing on staying safe — like pouring the egg into the hole or sprinkling the cheese onto the toast. Watch those arms around the edge of the hot pan! The most advanced kids can do most of the tasks that this recipe calls for, including flipping the toast (with parental supervision, of course!).
Giving this recipe a try with one of your kiddos? Don’t forget to post your picture on Instagram using #WeCook so that we can see what you made! And be sure to check out all of the kid-friendly classes on the app — it's the perfect way to spend some time with your little ones (and help them grown their cooking skills) while you’re home together!
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