I really appreciated so many of your comments and suggestions as to how to get my daughter Faith to begin cooking on her own. I spent some time searching for a children’s cookbook. I didn’t want one that used many mixes. I rarely use them at home, and I want her to learn how to cook from scratch. One recipe I found online for kids went something like this, “Cake recipe: one box of cake mix and one tub of frosting.” That one made me laugh!
So many of you wrote in that I should start with breakfast foods like eggs, pancakes, french toast etc. So when I ran across Williams-Sonoma’s The Cookbook For Kids I knew it was the right one. The first chapter is very simple breakfast foods!
Last week I had her read through the first recipe several times and told her she was making lunch! “But I can’t! I don’t know how!!
“I’m right here. If you have a question I’ll help you.”
The recipe called for Cinnamon Swirl bread. I knew it wasn’t necessary, but it did sound yummy. I thought about making some. Then I made a quick trip to the grocery store! Faith had no trouble mixing the ingredients up and leaving the bread to soak.
I gave her a little direction with the griddle as she had never used a stove before. Then I just stood there as she had no trouble at all turning the toast–though she was a little stressed about it!
This was perfect to build her confidence. She did well by herself and the best part was that everyone LOVED it. Her sisters raved and wanted to know if Faith could cook lunch again the next day! She was so proud!
This was week four. Week 1: Oatmeal Cookies. Week 2: Rice Krispi Treats. Week 3: Resurrection Rolls
I’m linked to Raising Homemakers, Hip Homeschool Hop and Tips and Trick’s Tuesdays!
Good for Faith! Tell her I’m proud of her. I’m proud of you too. I still remember my mother letting me make jello and cringing as I tried to slice a banana for it. How did you ever learn to cook anyway? (Anything besides sopa.) I still remember your disappearing from the kitchen when your sisters or I were going to cook. . . . I know–you resented being the “gopher.” We’ll see what kind of luck you have with the younger girls.
Wow! Can I come to your house? My mom never taught me to cook and even now it’d be nice to have someone “right there” I could get help from if I needed it 🙂
I think I need someone like you to get me cooking too…
Yeah! Great job! 😀
Great job, a cook 🙂 Yums
Yummy! I love the idea of using cinnamon swirl bread!
That is wonderful starting early…kids love it and so does mom it another way mom and child bond
Yay Faith! The french toast looks delicious and what a great mom you are!
I really need to get my 10y/o son “at the stove”. He can whip up ramen noodles in the microwave, but, that’s about it. My 12y/o does a pretty good job, but, really, I home school them. I SHOULD be doing more! Thanks for the inspiration!
Yummy…
Yummy! We had french toast for breakfast today. We eat it for supper too, and I often make pancakes for supper instead of breakfast. Some of the best foods are breakfast foods, so why not eat breakfast all day long?
Faith will *love* having this skill. Besides building self-confidence, it will make for a super happy husband some day! =)
For the longest time french toast was the only meal I could cook! Faith looks so proud of herself! Glad her sisters were so encouraging! I love breakfast for dinner/lunch my favorite!
Great job, Esther! I know everyone is happy and proud of Faith, but I’m going to the next level and let you know not only did she do a GREAT JOB, but so did her Momma!!!!
Keep the cooking fun. Hope she helps you pick the next thing she wants to make!
And remember, Faith, cooking doesn’t always have to be perfect, it doesn’t always turn out the way you want it to, or think it will, but don’t let that set you back.
Maybe cooking is a lot like life ? 🙂
Have a great day. Esther, your family is lovely !
Hey Esther,
I always love reading your sweet and funny posts. Your daughter looks like an adorable pro. French toast is sounding yummy to me today. Maybe I’ll follow in her footsteps. 🙂
Mmmm, it looks delicious too!
Sounds like a win/win for everyone! It sounds delicious too! 🙂
WOW! That is so cool! I don’t even know her and I’m beaming with pride! She is going to be such an amazing cook!
Yum! I wish I had some french toast!;)
Good job, Faith! And good for you, Esther, for making a conscious effort to teach her!
I’ve never been good about having the kids help me in the kitchen. My oldest is 13 and in the last couple of years he’s been baking sometimes (not from a mix) but it was never a formal lesson. He can also fry eggs, and make himself pasta, but I should get them all working on meals.
Thanks for linking to my party! I enjoy hearing about your family!
I just found out about this contest that Kenmore is having and thought of you… submit your “idea” for a way to get kids to eat and you can win $3000 worth of appliances.
http://www.facebook.com/kenmore?sk=app_217067428319805
YAY! Good for you for getting her started. My oldest is 13 and she loves to get in the kitchen. I think I started her out on cheese quesadillas. She can do quick easy stuff, but I need to work with her on the harder stuff. She uses her Paula Deen’s Kids Cookbook a lot.
Your daughter did such a fabulous job! I think it’s great that you’re encouraging her to cook on her own. I think I need to step it up in the kitchen with my kids! lol “Liked” your FB fan page. 🙂
I love when kids learn how to cook. We have been working on sphagetti with our oldest. And the little ones love to help in whatever way they can. I will have to look up that cookbook.
New follower from blog hop.
Renita
http://www.krazykuehnerdays.com