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9 Fun Treats You Can Make in the Kitchen with Your Kids

April 05, 2020

Making meals to satisfy everyone’s taste these days can get to be tiring. With kids around the house, why not let them become more involved?

Some of these simple recipes and ideas can be made alone or with little supervision depending on your child’s age. Cooking is a skill and something to be practiced. These are nearly foolproof, so it’s a great place to start and explore cooking with kids.

English Muffin Pizza

Toast one English muffin. Heat up jarred tomato sauce and top the English muffin with it. Sprinkle with grated cheese.

Salad in a Jar

Pick a medium-size jar with a lid. Layer the following items with a couple spoonfuls of each: cooked elbow pasta, cooked and cooled corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese. Add 2 -3 tablespoons of ranch salad dressing or your favorite dressing. Top with lettuce or baby spinach. Screw on top and shake well before eating.

Banana and Peanut Butter Wrap

Spread peanut butter or other nut butter on a whole grain tortilla. Sprinkle a little granola or few squashed berries if available. Lay a peeled banana on top and roll.

Frozen Yogurt Bites

Drop from a teaspoon your favorite yogurt onto a parchment paper or wax paper lined sheet pan or pie plate. Top with a walnut half, a berry or chocolate chip and freeze for 30 minutes or longer for a firmer product.

Everyday Trail Mix

Line up small bowls of any of the following for a hands-on easy snack:

• Unfrosted cereal like Cheerios or Chex.
• Popcorn.
• Shelled peanuts, walnuts, pecans.
• Almonds, cashews.
• Shelled sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.
• Raisins, dried cranberries, dates or other dried fruit.
• Broken pretzels.
• And in smaller amounts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, shredded coconut or sweetened cereal.

Make sure everyone has a snack bag or container for a make-your-own mix.

Vanilla Yogurt Dip

Mix equal portions of vanilla pudding (prepared from a package or already made in a cup) with plain yogurt. Use as a dip for fresh fruit like grapes, apple slices or whatever fruit is on hand.

Homemade Granola

Mix together:

• 1/3 cup of vegetable oil.
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup.
• ½ tsp cinnamon.
• 1 tsp vanilla.

Pour mixture over 4 cups of old-fashioned oats and 1 cup of nuts or seeds in a bowl.  Combine well.

Pour onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and level out with a spatula. Bake in 325-degree oven until crispy for 30 -35 minutes. Stir half way through. It should be toasted and crispy. Let cool well before adding 1 cup raisins or other dried fruit. Serve with milk or yogurt.

Banana Ice Cream

Freeze chunks of bananas. Once frozen, add to a blender with a little milk. Add a vanilla extract or cinnamon if desired. Blend and serve.

Naturally Colored Hard-Boiled Eggs (with help from an adult)

Add water to cover desired number of eggs in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and cover. Cook for 10 minutes and let cool.

Boil chopped red cabbage, beets, yellow or red onion peels, citrus peels, cranberries, frozen berries or few tablespoons of turmeric in 1 cup of water in a sauce pan. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or more to concentrate the colors. Remove from stove top.

Strain the hot liquid through a sieve into a mug or small bowl. Add 2 tsp of white vinegar to each container and submerge cooked egg. The longer the egg is soaked the deeper the color. Eggs may be left submerged overnight in refrigerator for the richest of colors.

Remove eggs with a slotted spoon to a rack once desired shade of color is reached. Let dry and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

For more information and nutrition on eggs, click here.

Mary Noon is a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Hartford Hospital.

Not feeling well? Call your healthcare provider for guidance and try to avoid going directly to an emergency department or urgent care center, as this could increase the chances of the disease spreading.

Click here to schedule a virtual visit with a Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent care doctor.

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