Hy-Vee at Midday: Letting Kids Explore in the Kitchen

By Christy Frese, Hy-Vee Dietitian

David Whittaker, 2, Iowa City, takes a long look at a piece of pancake on his fork while eating breakfast with his Mother and Grandparents at The Maple Syrup Festival, Saturday March 5, 2011 at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. (Becky Malewitz/SourceMedia Group News)

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By Ashley Hinson

Story Created: Feb 28, 2012 at 8:44 AM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 28, 2012 at 8:44 AM CDT

Let Children Explore in the Kitchen

Children who take part in meal planning and food preparation are more likely to try new foods. Young children can help by setting the table, washing fruits and vegetables and mixing ingredients. Older children can help look for recipes, measure ingredients and take a more active overall role in the preparation.

Tips for cooking with kids:

Be patient – there will likely be more spills and clean up time needed.
Have equipment and ingredients ready to go.
Review recipe before you start and decide how you will have them help.

Hy-Vee dietitian, Christy Frese, will share this kid-friendly recipe which includes whole-wheat pancakes and fresh fruit! If you are looking for more kid-friendly recipes, contact your Hy-Vee dietitian.

Pancake Tacos

All you need:

Pancakes*

Kiwi

Strawberries

Mini chocolate chips

Whipped cream (optional)

All you do:

Slice up the strawberries and kiwi. These will be your tomatoes and lettuce on your taco!
To build the taco, grab a cooled pancake. Sprinkle on a few mini-chocolate chips (the hamburger).
Next add kiwi and strawberries.
Add a squirt of whipped cream (it will look like sour cream).
Eat and enjoy!

*see pancake recipe below

Pancakes

All you need:

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

2 Tablespoons applesauce

1 ¼ cup whole-wheat pastry flour

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1 Tablespoon sugar

½ teaspoon salt

All you do:

Put egg, milk and applesauce in bowl and mix thoroughly with a fork or wire whisk.
Then add flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
Stir until flour is just moistened. Batter will be lumpy.
Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto preheated ungreased non-stick pan or non-stick griddle.
When batter becomes bubbly, flip pancake over.
Stack pancakes on a plate.