“The way you teach a child to eat well is through example, enthusiasm, and patient exposure to good food. And when that fails, you lie.” – Bee Wilson
Lovely ones,
I love that quote.
For me, it sums up some of the challenges and joys of feeding small folk. Trial, error and patience seems to work…..most of the time.
My daughter eats a variety of things and is “reasonably” adventurous when it comes to food. She has been exposed to different flavours, food textures and cultures and as her mother, I’ve made it my business to have her try new foods.
She loves cucumber and broccoli as much as chocolate and lollies, so I am comfortable with her having and enjoying a wide range of foods – including some sweet treats.
We don’t regularly have soft drinks – but my daughter does if we go to a restaurant, during the holidays and if she goes to a friend’s party. Because those things are delicious and should be enjoyed in moderation.
We do have a “snack drawer” at our house. The kids (daughter and cousins) know that when they come home from school, they can grab something but again, it’s because they have had apple, cucumber, carrot and berries in their lunchbox during the day, that a snack in the afternoon is ok.
They also know that they will generally get something home-made if I have had time to bake but they can also grab from the fridge a cheese stick, some yoghurt or some fruit.
Balance is the approach I take and cooking for and with them is one of the lovely connections we have. And it’s imparting a vital life skill that will always see them in good stead. I’m always perplexed when I meet teenagers and young people who can’t cook.
So, below are some of my favourite kid recipes that we make often. They can be made (some with assistance) by any small helpers you have, and they encourage a lifelong love of both cooking and eating. They can equally be made and enjoyed by BIG KIDS (read adults) who enjoy them just as much.
When my daughter was small, she couldn’t say “hundreds and thousands” but she could say “sparkle” in that adorable way that only toddlers can pronounce.
So, we have been making a biscuits that have for ever more been known as Sparkle Biscuits. Easy and fun to make and I’ve put them in the recipe section.
A word of note however……. if making these with little kids, have your vacuum or broom ready as you “may” get hundreds and thousands ALL over the kitchen floor (a bit like glitter but that’s ANOTHER STORY).
We sometimes have a pizza night. Make at home dough and then everyone gets to choose their own toppings. Some ham or cheese or capsicum or pineapple (controversial I know), mushrooms, sauce, pancetta, goats’ cheese…. the list goes on, but you get the idea.
This pizza dough is my go-to and it’s easy because there is no yeast. Just flour, salt, oil and water. The dough is great for kids to make, and dinner is made from start to finish in 45 minutes. It doesn’t get much better than that. Pizza Dough recipe is in the recipe section.
I try to put something home made in the lunchbox if I can. Not because I crave a mother of the year award but because I am a baker, recipe developer and cooking teacher, so there is generally something made that can be devoured by others.
Little apple cakes are just the ticket. Sweet with the deliciousness of apple and small enough for a lunchbox or perfect for you as a morning/afternoon tea treat. Apple Cakes recipe is in the recipe section.
As well as cooking, growing even something small (like cherry tomatoes or lettuce on your balcony) or having a lemon tree or growing beans on the back fence can all help children appreciate food, where it comes from and why all foods in moderation are important to their overall health and well-being.
You can find more information about starting your own kitchen garden here:
I hope you enjoy making these recipes. They have been well and truly tested and enjoyed in our house.
And as I say, they are not exclusively for children. There is no shame in making the Sparkle biscuits for yourself!
Until next time,
Diana X
