The average school-aged child watches 27 hours of television per week. Solitary pursuits such as watching TV, the internet and video games can mean kids spend less time just hanging out with their parents.
Of course, one of the traditional ways for families to spend time together has been at the dinner table. A recent study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that parents who eat with their children at least five times a week report having a better relationship with their child. If spending time at the dinner table has shown good results, what happens when parents and kids actually cook the meal together?
Renee Lais may know the answer. Lais is the Reservations Manager for the Culinary Institute of Kansas City. The Institute currently offers hundreds of cooking classes every year, including classes designed especially for children. With the recent popularity of cooking shows on cable TV, cooking has grown into a popular pastime for adults. But now kids are giving it a try as well.
“Cooking strengthens and reinforces their math and reading skills. They work as a team, so teamwork comes into play as well. And it’s a good, fun way of learning”, said Ms. Lais.
For some kids, the very thought of cooking anything sends shivers down their spine. Putting a burrito in the microwave is one thing. But following directions, planning and mixing multiple ingredients into something resembling an edible item is another thing altogether. Is there a danger of kids feeling intimidated by the process?
“You can often tell the ones (kids) who don’t hang out in the kitchen with their parents. But they are often easily coaxed into helping.”
Lais notes that many of the kids who participate in the classes become hooked on cooking as an activity. And returning students are commonplace. As the kids develop more confidence in their cooking abilities, some are even setting their sights on cooking as a potential career.
“We’ve had several children who say they want to be a chef when they grow up. I think when they watch the food shows, or “Ratatouille” and then they take our classes, it reinforces that. They think to themselves, “This is cool! This is great! And I’m good at it.”
In addition to the popularity of the cooking classes, more cookbooks are being released that feature kid-friendly recipes. One such book, “Ready, Steady, Spaghetti”, includes over 130 recipes that kids can feel comfortable making. It even has a chapter entitled, “Eat Your Greens” which makes the act of eating vegetables seem less intimidating for kids, a benefit that is sure to make any parent smile. With the help of books such as “Ready, Steady, Spaghetti”, kids will be creating culinary masterpieces in no time!
Sweet Chile Chicken and Noodles
(from the cookbook “Ready, Steady Spaghetti”)
12 ounces egg noodles
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
1 to 2 tablespoons sweet chile sauce
2 teaspoons Asian fish sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 ½ ounces baby sweet corn, halved lengthwise
5 ½ ounces snow peas, trimmed
1 tablespoon lime juice
1.) Put the noodles in a large bowl, cover with boiling water for 1 minute, then gently separate. Drain and rinse.
2.) Combine the chicken, sweet chile sauce, and fish sauce in a bowl.
3.) Heat a wok over high heat, pour in the oil, and swirl to coat the side of the wok. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Add the corn and snow peas, and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Stir in the noodles and lime juice, then serve.
