Involving kids in dinner preparation helps build confidence, teaches valuable life skills, and encourages healthier eating habits. Children can wash vegetables, measure ingredients, stir mixtures, set the table, or help assemble simple recipes, depending on their age. Cooking together also creates opportunities for conversation, teamwork, and family bonding, making mealtime more enjoyable while fostering independence and a lifelong appreciation for home-cooked meals.
Pizza Squares
Serves 4 – 6
Pizza Squares are a fun, hands-on recipe that lets kids become creative chefs. Children can help mix and knead the dough, spread the sauce, sprinkle cheese, and choose their favorite toppings. Making personalized pizza squares encourages confidence in the kitchen while creating a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy together.
For Dough:
½ teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 ½ cups lukewarm water
3 cups bread flour
1 Tablespoon olive oil
For the topping:
1 cup red sauce of your choice
2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
½ teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Italian herbs
7 ounces Mozzarella cheese, grated
Various toppings of your choice, such as pepperoni, peppers, onions, ham, pineapple, etc.
Equipment needed:
Mixing bowl, metal spoon, saucepan, 2 baking sheets, sieve or flour sifter, knife, damp cloth, wooden spoon and rolling pin.
Instructions:
1. Put the sugar, yeast and water in a mixing bowl, mix, then let it rest for 5 minutes. In another bowl, sift the flour and salt together, then add the oil and yeast mixture.
2. Stir with a wooden spoon to form a dough. Knead on a clean, floured surface for 4 – 5 minutes. Place in a bowl, cover with a clean, damp cloth and set in a warm place for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, make the pizza sauce. Place the sauce, tomato paste, sugar and herbs in a small saucepan and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Let cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Using a floured hand, punch the dough to knock out the air, then knead it lightly on a floured surface.
5. Divide the dough in half, then roll out each half into a rectangle on the baking sheets. Spoon the pizza sauce over the top of each dough rectangle, then sprinkle with the cheese.
6. Add toppings of your choice. You can make them however you want; it’s your creation!
7. Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown, then cut into squares and serve.
Classic Hummus
Serves 4
Classic Hummus is a quick, healthy dip that's perfect for introducing kids to simple cooking. Children can rinse chickpeas, measure ingredients, squeeze lemons, and help blend everything until smooth with adult supervision. They can also garnish the hummus and prepare colorful vegetables or pita for dipping and serving.
Ingredients
14 oz. can chickpeas
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon, about 3 Tablespoons
3 Tablespoons Tahini paste
1 Tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Olive oil
Paprika for sprinkling on top
2 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Equipment needed:
Can opener, colander, food processor, cutting board, knife, measuring spoons.
Instructions:
1. Drain and rinse the can of chickpeas in a colander and pour them into a food processor.
2. Add chopped garlic, lemon juice, tahini paste, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
3. Place it in a bowl. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkling of paprika, and the chopped cilantro, and serve with veggies, breadsticks or pita bread. Great for school lunches.