Can Teens Cook?

Does your teen cook? I don't mean toast, now. I am talking about being able to cook something beyond putting it into the microwave and waiting for the beep sound. Yes, most teens do that frequently, I know that my daughter does, but have you spent any time with your teen showing them how to make something to eat in the kitchen besides a microwave dinner? Where do you start, you might be asking....well, start with the simple. Knowing how to make eggs for breakfast, oatmeal and something for mornings is a good start. Take time to let them actually do some of the cooking with your help. I have taught my daughter how to get online to find a recipe and search through the cupboards to see if we have the right ingredients and bake a cake, all from scratch....and yes, they turn out delicious. I have tried to show her little tricks about using the spray pam to keep food from sticking, and also something as important as how to read the directions on the back of the box. My daughter enjoys cooking, even it it's just a hamburger helper night, she has also learned how to cook the meat and drain it, and follow the directions. It takes time but it's well worth it so they learn how to cook, especially in times when you can't.

Easy Cheesy Nachos

Most kids and teens love eating fast foods.. I have posted a very easy recipe for you to try. My teen daughter has learned how to make this very simple dish. And then as she sits down to eat it, she brags about how wonderful it is and how SHE made it.... I love it when she's proud of what she's done. Here's a link to the recipe http://grannyhomemaker.blogspot.com

learning how to cook

Although my daughter is now 13, she has been dipping her hand into the kitchen for the past year. Yes, of course, when she was younger, she learned how to make toast and some of those easier things, but now, she is cooking 1 night a week. We first started with her helping me, and then graduated to her doing some things on her own, of course with mom watching some.
We first started with Hamburger Helper. Easy enough to learn but making sure that she drain the hamburger before adding the other stuff was one thing. Now, she has graduated onto some of those chicken helpers. Last week, she made tacos, rice and some beans. She is learning how to do some things that I didn't learn when I was her age. I think not only does she need to know how to cook, so she can do that for herself when she's out and on her own in years to come, but she is also learning how to follow the directions on the box. She is learning measuring cup measures and finding out that she can do things on her own. As she gets older, and a bit more knowlegable in the kitchen, she will start learning to make more challenging meals.
Learning how to cook can be very rewarding... and it also builds some one on one time with your daughter.