When my kids were little they always begged me to let them help me out in the kitchen. Being the overly paranoid parent that I am I was terrified to let them stir something in a pot on the stove, or be anywhere around sharp knives. I would only let them do simple things like toss the salad or mix batter with a wooden spoon. In hindsight I wish I let them participate in the kitchen more often because now my kids are helpless in the kitchen – literally helpless. My son can warm soup in the microwave, but that is about it. My daughter is lucky if she can do that. Neither of them know how to make macaroni and cheese from a box. They can only make the kind you add water and cook in the microwave.
Every time they look helpless in the kitchen I feel like a bad parent. Now I have to try and catch up and teach them the simple things they should already know about cooking in the kitchen.
When I was little my mom didn’t really take the time to teach me anything. I pretty much learned from watching her and from trial and error (not to mention a lot of burns from the oven and hot pots. Sigh…). When I became a parent I had the best intentions on teaching my kids how to cook and make simple things in the kitchen, but my fear of them getting hurt or burned prevented me from doing that. I feel terrible about that now. Especially after I read through the new e-Cookbook from Chef Boyardee and The Motherhood. It’s called The Little Chef’s Project: A Collection of Kid-Friendly Tips, Tricks and Recipes for Family Fun in the Kitchen.
You can find the e-cookbook here, http://bit.ly/UmFuau (I shortened the link).
I checked out the e-cookbook. Not only does it have some yummy sounding recipes (Bacon Ranch Pizza – YUM!) but the e-book is jam packed with AWESOME tips and suggestions for having fun with your family in the kitchen. Reading through the tips I really wish that I had something like this to reference to when my kids wanted to help me out in the kitchen. I wouldn’t have been so paranoid about it. Now I feel like I really missed out on some fun memories and teachable moments with my kids. 🙁
There are tips and suggestions in this e-cookbook that I would have never thought of in a million years.
Not only is Chef Boyardee and The Motherhood offering this wonderful e-cookbook for your enjoyment, they also have a serious of videos to help encourage your family to spend more time in the kitchen together.
If you visit the same link as above (http://bit.ly/UmFuau) you’ll see the list of videos you can watch and enjoy. You can also click on the titles below to go to the corresponding video page. Each video is approximately 3o minutes long.
In addition the the e-book and video series, Chef Boyardee wants to see YOU in the Boyardee kitchen! Exclusively for its Facebook community, Chef Boyardee has launched a fun, customizable recipe e-card that gets you and your family in the kitchen with Hector Boiardi (THE Chef Boyardee – his REAL last name is actually Boiardi) himself! Check it out the Chef Boyardee ME! Recipe Card. After you create your recipe card you can share it with your family and friends.
I made one up but I don’t know how to share it here in a blog post. So I took a screen shot.
They have some yummy recipes you can use too.
To check out the recipes or make your own recipe e-card visit www.Facebook.com/ChefBoyardee.
At one part of the animation the pizza dough falls on my head. I could see that happening. 🙂
Speaking of pizza I did make some pizza with my kids using the Chef Boyardee pizza kit. Have you seen it on store shelves? Its everything you need to make a small pizza (enough for me and my two kids to enjoy for lunch). We made one while they were on Thanksgiving break from school (they had a 1/2 day last Wednesday – they were home in time to make pizza for lunch). The only thing you need to add is some water and whatever topping you want such as pepperoni or my personal favorite pineapple. We just made a plain pizza because we didn’t have much else at the time. My daughter wants to make it again and try it with macaroni and cheese on top. Humm… that sounds interesting.
I’m sorry that I don’t have a photo of our pizza. My kids were so hungry that they tore into it the moment we were able to cut it. I did have one slice. It was good. I liked the sauce. In fact I could go for some right now. It’s so quick and easy to make but it’s 11 PM at night… not exactly time to make pizza.
Between making the pizza with my kids and checking out the tips from Little Chef’s Project I am inspired to find other ways to get my kids involved in making family meals. Not only to spend quality time with them (they grow up too quickly!) but also to teach them how to prepare and cook meals for their families some day.
If you would like to check out some great recipes from Chef Boyardee check out www.ChefBoyardee.com/Recipes. I MUST try the Hawaiian Ravioli Skillet recipe as well as the Pasta Fagioli that uses Chef Boyardee ABC’s and 123’s canned pasta.
I have a fun giveaway for a lucky reader. The winner will receive…
- 2 coupons for FREE Chef Boyardee
- 1 pizza kit
- Set of 5 Chef Boyardee recipe cards
- 1 Chef hat
- 1 Chef apron
This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on December 7, 2012 at 12:01 AM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply or a new winner will be chosen.
To enter please comment on how you make time in the kitchen fun with your child or grandchild, or what you used to do in the kitchen when you were a child.
For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or else the additional entries won’t qualify.
Kimberly
*I received a free prize kit in exchange for my participation in this post but to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way.
Kelly Ann T. says
Our family has big get togethers and there is always cooking involved. Bake Christmas cookies with everyone is always a great time and everyone helps. Another event we like to bake for is the Christmas Bazaar for the animal shelter. We make hundreds of homemade dog bones and we sell out each year.
Kellie Rose Wilson says
Let them always do something to help, like sprinkle the cheese on a homemade pizza 🙂
debbie says
I always let them help as much as they could.
TawndaM says
just make it FUN!
Nancy says
As a child, I cooked because I wanted to and I had a Betty Crocker children’s cook book. I cooked with my children, making dishes that they especially enjoyed!
Nancy says
I like their boxed pizza mixes!
Allyson Bossie says
My kids love to help cook. I let them do everything from the measuring to cracking eggs. They are learning while having fun!
Jackie says
My daughter likes to bake so we look for fun recipes to make.
Thanks!
Jackie says
We like the Beef Ravioli
Emily says
My daughter is my helper in the kitchen, by throwing away things. She is 3.
sheila musselman askins says
my great grandma always had me in the kitchen even if it was just to watch..i learned so much from her..now i am doing that with my daughters and grandson! he is 3 and he loves to mix things up ..and grandma doesnt even mind the mess! lol
ANN*H says
My 3 1/2 yr. old grandson wanted to help me make apple dumplings so I left him help.
He had fun rolling the dough and doing the apples. Now he wants me to make dumplings
every day LOL He likes to help doing things.
ANN*H says
we like ravioli
KIM H says
I always let my grandchild help. He stands on the step ladder or stands in the chair and helps me stir things up
Monique Rizzo says
I encourage my daughter to help me bake and cook dinner.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Claire says
We bake desserts together, like cookies 🙂
Debra Hall says
i got my grandaughter and myself matching aprons ans she loves it
D Schmidt says
I get my son involved by allowing him to measure ingredients
dorothy deakyne says
I teach my son to bake and cook beside me, good education
Jessica To says
I let my son crack the eggs, pour the ingredients and stir!
Jessica To says
I like the pizza kits best!
Kimberly Schotz says
My little one loves to help make salads
Kelly D says
My kids like to help stirring ingredients and adding sprinkles, cheese or decorations.
deb c says
My granddaughter and I love to bake. I decorate and create fancy cakes. When she saw them, she wanted to learn how to do it. Now whenever she visits, we design, bake, and decorate a new creation.
Kelly Ann T. says
I have always loved the original beef ravioli.
BusyWorkingMama says
My 5 year old loves to help me cook – I let her chop with a dinner knife and she sure enjoys it.
Jammie says
My daughter does all the measuring out, it helps with her math.
debbie jackson says
baking cookies debbie jackson
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
Debra Elliott says
I let my grandson menu plan
Racheal S says
We like to make cooking and baking a collaborative effort on weekends when we have the spare time. The kids help stir and measure ingredients whenever possible. They love to make personal pizzas and spell their initials in pepperoni.
MaryR says
I got my kids involved from the time they were very young, measuring and mixing, they loved it.
Chriss says
M son is too young to cook yet (12 months) but I’ll definitely have him with me as he gets older. As for me, I remember helping my mom bake cakes and cookies growing up.
Chriss says
I like the mini ravioli with meatballs
Carly says
My mom didn’t give me a choice when it came to cooking. It was either cook or be grounded, LOL! But hey, it worked, because I’m a pretty darn good chef now.
Christina says
It doesn’t take much to get my daughter involved in the kitchen.. she loves to help me! She helps me measure and mix, she gets things I need…she even loves doing dishes!
Stephanie Larison says
My daughter is only 3 and she loves to help me cook and bake. She mostly pours things for me at this point, but she’s a huge help!
Vicki Wurgler says
I loved to bake with my Grandmother and now my grandchildren help me in the kitchen
Vicki Wurgler says
favorite would be Spaghetti & Meatballs
Kristie says
I like to have them help me mix…they think it’s great seeing the ingredients blend together 🙂
Lindley A says
My parents used to have a Kids make Dinner night when we were older to get us involved in the kitchen- we sure came up with some doozies!
Lindley A says
My fav Chef Boy R Dee product is the Cheese Ravioli- thanks!
Louis says
making pizza together – my kids love putting their own toppings on their pizza
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
Jennifer Short says
I remember how special it was when my cousin let me crack eggs when we baked brownies when I was about three.
beth shepherd says
I like to involve my children with cooking so that it teaches them. We have fun with it.
beth shepherd says
My favorite product is their lasagna
clarissa says
from a very young age I have them help out, carrying things for me to buttering toast to helping cut with a butter knife etc
clarissa says
i like the cheese ravioli
Catie says
My mom let us help with the mixing!
mell says
The kids always want to help, so I give them simple tasks so they feel involved.
Dana M. says
I let my daughter help stir.
Dana M. says
We love the ravioli!
Audra Weathers says
My daughter likes to help me measure things and pour them into the bowl. Her favorite things to make involve dough; I always give her a little to play with.
Audra Weathers says
Our favorite Chef Boyardee product is the mini raviolis.
Ellen C. says
They love to make cookies and decorate cupcakes with me. Thanks for the chance.
Regina says
I have incorporated my kids with cooking since they were little. They now make their own homemade chocolate chip cookies esp. around the holidays.
tarter95 at hotmail dot com
carol roberts says
we cook pizza together and i was allowed to watch and learn until i was old enough and thought i could all by myself i burntd supper it was awful
Tami Vollenweider says
My mom would let me get a chair and pull it to the stove and get to stir the pot
Tami Vollenweider says
I like their Pizza Kit
Gianna says
I let my kids help, they love it.
Gianna says
I like their pizza kit.
Liz Terek says
I have my kids to all the measuring to reinforce math skills. They also love baking.
Liz Terek says
We love the Overstuffed Ravioli
Jen says
my daughter loves to be my mixer of ingredients and believe it or not loves dishes too!
Lori S says
I like the beefaroni.
Thanks!
Lori S says
I let my boys help mix cookie and cake mixes.
Thanks!
Kelly H. says
I plan to let my daughter be creative and make some messes.
Ani says
I get my kids involved in the kitchen by letting them pour things and stir, they love to stir! I like to get them involved especially when it’s a meal I think they may not like because if they helped make it they’re more likely to like it.
Ani says
I like their Beef Ravioli.
Jennifer T. says
I let my oldest help with lots of prep work…gathering ingredients, measuring, stirring, pouring.
Jennifer T. says
I like the Mini Beef Ravioli.
kyl neusch says
make food together
Kristy Thiel says
I let my daughter do easier things, like stir!
Christine says
I like the Pasta Fagioli.
Thanks for the chance!
C.j. says
Growing up we used to help cook dinner, adding ingredients and help set the table
danielle lima says
I have my daughter keep track of the timer for me
Annmarie W. says
My kids love to make goodies like brownies & cookies with me! And they love making pancakes with my hubby on weekend mornings!
Annmarie W. says
My favorite are their mini beef raviolis!
Denise S says
My mother let me pick out a new dessert to make from a dessert book every week.
Daniel M says
yep we all helped and they do to, everyone should learn cooking basics
Jennifer says
My kids have always loved being in the kitchen since I am always in there! They help out whenever they can!
Jennifer says
I love the mini raviloi!
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
I let my grandkids measure for me they love using the cups
vmkids3 at msn dot com
harolde says
I let them help me cook, whether it’s stirring a pot and helping put BBQ sauce on our grilling, they love to do it and learn.
rochelle johnson says
my kids make the salad
SHAYNA says
I LET MY SON HELP ME 🙂 HE LIKES TO HELP MOMMY BU GETTING STUFF OUT OF THE FRIDGE AND SETTING THE TABLE 🙂
shebebes@yahoo.com
SHAYNA says
WE LOVE CHEESE RAVIOLI 🙂
shebebes@yahoo.com
Miz Vickik says
We have fun by peeling veggies and chopping things. =)
Kristi H. says
I loved to cook and my mother would always let me make the salad to go with supper.
Kristi H. says
I love the Chef Boyardee Pizza Kits!! Yum!!!
Pauline M says
For my kids, they help! Once a week I let them pick a dessert they want to make and we all chip in!
Alison Wood says
When I was younger, we would go to my Grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving dinner. Then my parents would leave for a few nights to celebrate their anniversary. I hated it! So Grandma came up with a brilliant tradition that we still keep now. The day after Thanksgiving, instead of going shopping, we started baking our Christmas cookies. We would spend all weekend baking, just the two of us. I loved it! Of course, one of my cousins wanted to help, so we let him. And we always had volunteer tasters around!
Mary Cloud says
I give them easy jobs like scraping the potatoes
annabella @ centurytel dot net
My HU says
cooking breakfast in the morning
Katie R says
Kids in the kitchen helping are some of the best times!
Cori Westphal says
One night a week, usually Mondays (because I hate Mondays!), I let the kids choose dinner. They usually choose something easy so they can do most of it themselves. They love the responsibility!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Cassandra McCann says
my oldest is learning to bake quite nicely
melina r says
the kids measure and pour ingredients for me, thats how they help out in the kitchen
Samantha Meyer says
I let them help when it comes to mixng and measuring
cassandra (rab pom) says
I have my daughter involved in baking since she was young. Small things like cracking eggs pouring in ingredients!
cassandra (rab pom) says
my kids like the beefaroni!
Melanie Montgomery says
We make pizzas together
Sarah says
I remember baking with my mom – I did things like butter the cookie pan and fill the muffin tins with cups (and lick the bowls and spatulas!)
Sarah says
I like their microwave minis.
carol lewis says
Oh my gosh, try to keep my little grandkids away! Rain is 3 and he has to help and Rachel is 5 and she really gets in there-and fast. They both pull chairrs up and go as fast as they can and get into it! Rain has been practicing cracking eggs and well, Rachel want to measure everything. I have to say wait wait. It is too funny.
rachel cooks with Dada every Sunday and they make dinner together. Rain gets to do some also.
They love to cook like my SIL. My daughter says go for it!
Tanya Bartlett says
I let them mix the ingredients together
Lori C. says
I get my son to help mix ingredients, put things in the pots/pans, etc.
mary reynolds says
My grandchildren love baking cookies with me!
thanks for the sweeps
karisa says
bakingg
amy deeter says
we sing sometimes or listen to music
Erica C. says
I always helped my grandmother with cooking before every holiday.
Ed Nemmers says
We were latchkey children; we had to cook so that a dinner was ready to be eaten at a decent time when Mom came home from work.
Ed Nemmers says
I heart the Chefboyardee Pepperoni Pizza Ravioli!
Jennifer Peaslee says
When I was young, my mom got me involved by making fun stuff. I remember making play dough, and homemade (baked) ornaments! 🙂
lknott says
When I was eight years old we went to a group Christmas party for my Dad’s work. Every kid got a present and I still remember the Spaghetti making kit, like this one I got. We were taught to cook from age 6-7 just as a fact of life!
Les Johnson says
I let my daughter choose a recipe each week to try and make. She is more interested if she picks it out.
Lisa Sutherland says
I let my daughter sprinkle cheese, pour pre-measured ingredients in and stir things – and she is not even 2 yet! She loves to help.
Lisa Sutherland says
I like the Beefaroni.
Amy DeLong says
my sons love making cookies with me so we let them help with that
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
susan smoaks says
we let the kids help us measure things out and stir, it’s fun for all!
Nicole Lancaster says
Once a week I have my child pick out a recipe that we do together. She measures out all the ingredients and helps stir.
Virginia Rowell says
When my grandkids come over, I always have the help me bake or cook something, especially cookies!
Nicole Lancaster says
My favorite Chef Boyardee product is the Beef Ravioli.
Lisa Garner says
I let my children help measure and mix while cooking to help get them excited about cooking.
Laurie Emerson says
My mom always got me involved by doing a step by step by age. I do the same thing by first letting them help me grocery shop by letting them choose between a couple of my choices. As they get older they can stir, then put in the ingredients and then actually cook.
Laurie Emerson says
My favorite is their Double Stuffed Ravioli.
Jmstrunk (Sybille) says
I get my son involved helping me measure and pour. It’s pretty easy because he wants to be independent, so he thinks he’s cooking all by himself. Today we made avocado milkshakes (don’t laugh, they’re delicious) and he told me “don’t worry about the milkshake, i got it.” He’s four. He did help me a lot though, getting the ingredients together and giving my utensils. He’s a great helper!
Charlene says
When my kids were little I had them get out all of the ingredients for the recipe. As they got older they could do more, like crack the eggs, mix the ingredients, etc..
Rosey says
My grandmother used to let me knead, roll cut, and dry the homemade noodles with her and boy I sure loved that…she did the same with my children when we would visit and they loved it too.
Rosey says
The Cheese Pizza Kit is my favorite Chef Boyardee item.
Lisa L says
My son stands on a stool and helps me cook in the kitchen. I let him mix things and other simple tasks
Lisa L says
My fave is their Beefaroni
kendra W says
My daughter and i bake something every week…she helps me with dinner every night as well. She loves it.
kristy says
putting sprinkles on cupcakes and cookies