Cooking With Kids

We love it when the grandkids come over for a little one-on-one with grandma and grandpa. Because the visit always includes food, we look for simple recipes that they can have a hand in making themselves. Below are some of the ones that our grandchildren particularly enjoy!

Oven S’Mores

2 whole graham crackers, broken in half
4 marshmallows
2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)

1. Position oven rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat broiler.
2. Place graham cracker halves on a baking sheet; top each with 1 marshmallow. Broil, with the oven door ajar and watching carefully, until the marshmallows are golden brown, 45 to 75 seconds. Remove from the oven and drizzle each S’more with a little melted chocolate.

Tip
To melt chocolate: Microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, and then continue microwaving on Medium in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Or place in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.

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Kids Bruchetta

1 large ready-to-eat pizza shell or long French bread
2 cups shredded American cheese
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 tsp. dried oregano or Italian seasoning, crushed

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. If using bread, cut in half lengthwise. Place on cookie sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted.

2. Combine cheese, tomato and oregano and place the mixture on top of the pizza shell or halved bread. Bake 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Cut into slices and serve immediately. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

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Sloppy Toms
Serves 6
(These are leaner than Sloppy Joe’s because of the turkey. Also, the oats are nutritional and add bulk to the recipe)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small green pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup bottled chili sauce (we used Heinz)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon quick-cooking oats
3 scallions, minced
6 burger buns

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and the pepper, and, stirring often, saute them over high heat until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and the chili powder and saute the mixture for another minute. Add the ground turkey and salt to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a fork or wooden spoon, and cook it until it's no longer pink.

2. Add the water, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, and tomato paste and stir the mixture as you bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and continue cooking at a simmer with the pan covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in the oats and the scallions. With the pan uncovered, cook the mixture over low heat until it thickens, about 7 minutes. If the mixture is saucier than you like, cook it for a few more minutes; if it's not saucy enough, add a few tablespoons of water to the skillet and heat it briefly.

4. Serve on toasted hamburger buns as you would regular sloppy joes.

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