Family Fun in the Kitchen

Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, cooking with your kids can be a fun-filled way to spend quality time together.  It also provides great teaching opportunities.  From the science of baking soda to the social importance of working together to achieve a common goal, cooking is MORE THAN FOOD.

Here are some other teaching moments for the kitchen.

Health: What makes a balanced meal or snack?

Language: How do you read a recipe or write a grocery list?

Math: How do you measure ingredients and work with fractions?

Science: What will happen when you boil an egg or make bread?

Social studies: What food is grown in Canada and around the world?

Food skills: How do you stir, chop, knead, pour and scoop?

Social skills: How can we work together, take turns and share utensils?

Try this simple and delicious breakfast quesadilla recipe that received 2^nd place in a kid’s recipe challenge.  Happy cooking!

Breakfast Quesadilla

Ingredients

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 whole wheat flour tortilla

2 Tbsp diced red sweet pepper

2 Tbsp shredded applewood smoked cheddar

Directions

1. Spray small non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat.
2. Add egg and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes or until large curds set. Remove from heat.
3. Lay tortilla on work surface and spread scrambled egg over half of the tortilla.
4. Sprinkle with pepper and cheddar. Fold over tortilla to cover.
5. Heat non-stick skillet over medium low heat and toast quesadilla, turning once for about 2 minutes or until golden on both sides.
6. Cut in half to enjoy.

 TIP

You can add some more colour and veggies to the quesadilla by chopping 1/2 cup of baby spinach leaves and stirring it into the eggs while cooking or sprinkling it over top of the peppers before toasting the quesadilla.

This recipe has been used with permission from Dietitians of Canada.  Get easy to understand information on food, healthy eating and disease prevention along with award-winning recipes at www.unlockfood.ca.