My Miniature Foodie

Isabelle has decided she will be cooking dinner tonight. Thank heavens. I needed a rest!

Teaching children to cook as soon as possible has multiple benefits. Cooking can give them purpose and confidence in their ability to help out. It can be educational. A math, reading, or science lesson just waiting to be learned. Cooking teaches team work and responsibility. It teaches them valuable life skills, preparing them to cook for themselves someday. Cooking can give you priceless time together as a family. And most importantly, when kids are old enough to cook by themselves, it will give mom the extra set of hands we all know she desperatly needs!

Here is a super child friendly recipe for older children. My daughter made these last year for our home school group Christmas party and they were a big hit.

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-pound box confectioners’ sugar
• 4 cups chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
  1. Place peanut butter and butter into large bowl. With hand-held electric mixer, beat until completely smooth. Add vanilla and beat, scraping down sides of bowl with rubber spatula, as necessary.
  
  2. Slowly add confectioners’ sugar and beat until combined. (The mixture should be thick.)
  
  3. Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Roll peanut butter mixture into 1" balls. When they are all rolled, cover sheet pan with plastic wrap and place into refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  
  4. Have a grown up help you place chocolate-peanut butter chips and unsalted butter into bowl and melt by placing chocolate chips in a microwave-safe container and microwave at MEDIUM (50% power) for 1 1/2 to 4 minutes, until the chocolate turns shiny. Remove the container from the microwave and stir the chocolate until completely melted OR place chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over hot, not simmering, water. Melt the chocolate, stirring until smooth
  
  5. Use a fork to lower balls into melted chocolate and roll around. Coat entire ball. Place on wax paper covered baking sheet. Have an adult help you reheat chocolate, if necessary. Place in refrigerator to harden. Store in cool location in airtight container.

Here is a super children's cookbook by Five in a Row to get you started! The Five in a Row Cookbook by Becky Jane Lambert

You'll find more than 180 recipes to share with your children, recipes relating to each of the 55 units found in Five in a Row and Beyond Five in a Row.

The Five in a Row Cookbook is far more than just recipes, however. This book is an interactive learning experience with areas for your children to record their own thoughts through drawings, photographs, writing and art. Your children will also be able to name each of the recipes themselves - uniquely titled for your family and the story unit you've studied together. Your Five in a Row Cookbook will become a unique, personalized family treasure filled with memories.

You'll also find sections on cooking, table manners, kitchen safety and much more. These aren't children's recipes like "Ants on a Log" (raisins on peanut butter-covered celery). These are interesting, delicious recipes to prepare with your children - recipes you'll enjoy as a family and want to share with friends.

The kitchen is where so much learning takes place within a family. From planning through preparation to cooking and cleaning up afterwards, family meals offer a delightful opportunity to share, to teach and to enjoy the wonderful benefits of the homeschool lifestyle. Reinforce the wonderful Five in a Row and Beyond Five in a Row lessons each week as you gather your children around you and enjoy these extraordinary cooking experiences. Our Price $20.65