Take the children out of the heat and into the kitchen this summer to make fun dishes for the entire family. The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma stopped by to show how to make a cheesy recipe and to talk about the importance of learning cooking skills.
How can parents make cooking safe and enjoyable for kids?Avoid recipes that involve knives or fire
How can I start introducing my child to the kitchen?Allow them to watch you cook and answer their questions along the way.
Why is teaching kids cooking skills important?It’s a skill that ties directly to a basic need. When they get older, they’re going to need to know how to provide for themselves, whether it’s because you aren’t home or when they live out on their own. It’s just a good idea to start getting kids comfortable with the kitchen early, because it’s a skill they’ll use all their life.
How can you get involved with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma?
Volunteering- People can volunteer in the Food Bank’s Culinary Center throughout the week, on Tuesday evenings and the second Saturday of each month.
www.cfbeo.orgWith kids out of school for summer, it’s important to get them involved in the kitchen. This can be done safely by finding recipes that avoid sharp knives and fire.
Crispy cheese squares are a quick, easy and fun snack for kids. All the ingredients are common house-hold ingredients or can easily be found at the grocery store.
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is committed in engaging our communities to end hunger. One important aspect is teaching people of all ages and skill levels how to safely prepare a quick, nutritious meal.
Crispy Cheese Squares Recipe:¼ pound of grated sharp cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces and softened
¾ cup of all purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper flakes
1 tablespoon half and half
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cheese, butter, flour, salt and pepper in a food processer and pulse until the mixture resembles course crumbles. Add the half and half until dough forms a ball. Add more half and half as needed.
2. On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to a rectangle 8 x10 inches. With a sharp knife cut the dough into squares. Gently transfer to an ungreased baking sheet leaving ¼ an inch between them.
3. Bake for 17 minutes, or until the ends of the squares are barely browned; check on them after 12 minutes to see if the pan needs to be rotated. Let cool before serving.
About The Food Bank:The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma helps serve 70,000 eastern Oklahomans a week through a network of 450 Partner Programs. Summer is a difficult time for many families, with kids being out of school and the additional costs of providing meals they typically ate at school.
Important things to educate children on before and during cooking
Kitchen Safety.-Importance of parental supervision
-Stove safety tips for gas and electric stoves
-Knife safety tips
-basic sanitation
Cooking Techniques
-Importance of pre-preparing ingredients to save time
Cooking
-Make sure kids understand kitchen equipment and its uses
-Go over recipe before you start cooking
