Cooking "mixes" for a two-year-old, need ideas

[Apple]

For Christmas this year I bought my niece an apron ( www.flirtyaprons.com/kids-aprons/show/girls-very-chery --they frequently do 50% off + free shipping sales, I really do need to learn to sew so I can make stuff like this myself though!)



My SIL wears aprons and likes to cook, and my brother is really starting to experiment in the kitchen (he couldn't cook anything when they first got married a few years ago, now he's making some gourmet meals!) Cherries are a big thing in our hometown, so I think the gift will work well with their family. The apron might be a bit big, but she'll have time to grow into it.

I want to make a couple really simple mixes that they can let her help "cook". I don't just want to do dessert things though, and I want it to be something a little special.

I've thought about a couple oatmeal mixes, with little bags of dried fruit she can mix in (I'll have to experiment and find a good ratio of oats to sugar/cinnamon that I actually measure out, along with a measurement for water--I always just do it by taste)

I've thought about a simple cookie mix with small containers of sprinkles she can decorate with.

What else would work well?

[Deleted]

In the stores I've seen the packages of premixed spices for different meals. You should be able to prep that yourself and attach the recipe. Like they do for Chilli or Rosemary Chicken and such.

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2014 22:06:04 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

Here's some two ingredient recipes:

www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/34-insanely-simple-two-ingredient-recipes

I'm in such trouble now that I can make magic shell at home.

There are some awesome ideas there!

[Apple]

Dec 4, 2014 22:07:48 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

In the stores I've seen the packages of premixed spices for different meals. You should be able to prep that yourself and attach the recipe. Like they do for Chilli or Rosemary Chicken and such.

I'll have to see if I can figure out something that would be really kid friendly--and where it won't hurt if she adds a little too much

[Apple]

Dec 4, 2014 22:06:04 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

Here's some two ingredient recipes:

www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/34-insanely-simple-two-ingredient-recipes

I'm in such trouble now that I can make magic shell at home.

Some of those do look really good!

I know I could do the magic shell--just put the ingredients in different jars and she could mix them...  (The Oreo bark would be really easy too, and wouldn't have to be refrigerated either).

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

You can also get micro-wave mac & cheese bowls - she could learn to measure/pour the amount of water needed - and then have mommy/daddy supervise the nuking of the mac & cheese.

When making scrambled eggs, niece can help by learning to crack the eggs into the bowl, and mixing with a whisk.

Even making cookies, they can help shape them and place them on the cookie sheet. I wouldn't let a kid too young use the elements or oven on a stove (risk of burns, hot pots spilling, etc) - but they can help in the prep of almost any meal to give them a "head-start" on learning to cook.

Even getting them to help set the table or find the ingredients in the cupboard for you, and getting out measuring cups & spoons.

Getting them enthused about food prep & cooking comes first. Actual hands-on cooking should probably start around age 9 or 10 (under supervision, of course).

[Apple]

Dec 4, 2014 22:41:58 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

You can also get micro-wave mac & cheese bowls - she could learn to measure/pour the amount of water needed - and then have mommy/daddy supervise the nuking of the mac & cheese.

When making scrambled eggs, niece can help by learning to crack the eggs into the bowl, and mixing with a whisk.

Even making cookies, they can help shape them and place them on the cookie sheet. I wouldn't let a kid too young use the elements or oven on a stove (risk of burns, hot pots spilling, etc) - but they can help in the prep of almost any meal to give them a "head-start" on learning to cook.

Even getting them to help set the table or find the ingredients in the cupboard for you, and getting out measuring cups & spoons.

Getting them enthused about food prep & cooking comes first. Actual hands-on cooking should probably start around age 9 or 10 (under supervision, of course).

They live five hours away, so I can't do this stuff with her.  Really trying to come up with gift kits I could make for her that would make letting her help really easy on "mom and dad".

If I could find a recipe for mac and cheese that uses dry ingredients, that may work though.

[Apple]

Dec 4, 2014 22:07:48 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

In the stores I've seen the packages of premixed spices for different meals. You should be able to prep that yourself and attach the recipe. Like they do for Chilli or Rosemary Chicken and such.

Now that I think about it...  I wonder if she'd like to make meatballs!  I could make a mix of the dry ingredients, then just put "add 1 pound hamburger and egg", or whatever the other ingredients are.  That way they could just in the bread crumbs and spices, and she could mix it up and attempt to roll out balls.

[Deleted]

You can make some of those 'jar' mixes that used to be popular.

I like the sound of this one: (never tried it!)

Apple Crisp Mix in a Jar

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chilled butter or margarine
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients and seal in a zip-tope or vacuum seal bag (or jar). To give as gift, Place 2 cans apple pie filling in gift basket with the mix along with the following preparation instructions.

Apple Crisp

Spread 2 cans apple pie filling in a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle topping over apples. Bake at 400 degrees F for 19 to 21 minutes or until filling bubbles and topping is golden brown. Serve warm.

Or this one:

Colorful Soup Mix in a Jar

1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/2 cup dried split peas
1/2 cup uncooked twist macaroni
1/4 cup barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/3 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup uncooked tri-color spiral pasta

Use a canning funnel or any funnel that has about a 2-inch neck. This will make it easier to fill the jars with the ingredients. Be sure to use a wide-mouth, 1-quart canning jar.

Layer ingredients in the order given: bouillon, onion flakes, split peas, small shape pasta, barley, lentils, rice, and enough tricolor spiral pasta to fill jar.

Attach tag with cooking instructions:

Colorful Soup

In large kettle, brown 1 pound ground beef or stew beef cut into bite-size pieces in a little olive oil. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve. Add the rest of the jar contents to the kettle with 12 cups water. Let come to a boil and simmer 45 minutes.

Add tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more.

... Just look up jar recipe gifts

[Deleted]

She can do mixing and put on tray. Mom or Dad will cook.  Apron, mixing bowl and nice wooden spoon for mixing with small box Bisquick? Maybe pancake mix. Try to think of something that just adds water and mix.

[Apple]

Dec 4, 2014 23:21:09 GMT -5 @taliare said:

She can do mixing and put on tray. Mom or Dad will cook.  Apron, mixing bowl and nice wooden spoon for mixing with small box Bisquick? Maybe pancake mix. Try to think of something that just adds water and mix.

Pancakes might be a really good one--fast and easy (to hold her attention), and could do add-ins like dried berries or chocolate chips.  (The add-ins are kind of a theme, what makes it "special", where she can add what she wants)

[Apple]

oped  I love those mix-in-a-jar things, and do pre-made mixes for myself (pie crust, cornbread, etc) to make life easier when I'm busy and still need to cook.  That's what gave me the idea for her

Next year, well, maybe this year, she'll get a kid's recipe book.

The parents are trying to cut down on toys, and with them both loving cooking, I hope it will go over well.

[msventoux]

I think there's a lot of ideas on Pinterest for gifts in jars.  I wasn't paying much attention to them but I remember there were ones for kids.  Alphabet soup, smores, hot chocolate, muffins and cupcakes, playdough, etc.

[taz157]

Dec 4, 2014 22:59:55 GMT -5 Apple said:

Dec 4, 2014 22:07:48 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

In the stores I've seen the packages of premixed spices for different meals. You should be able to prep that yourself and attach the recipe. Like they do for Chilli or Rosemary Chicken and such.

Now that I think about it...  I wonder if she'd like to make meatballs!  I could make a mix of the dry ingredients, then just put "add 1 pound hamburger and egg", or whatever the other ingredients are.  That way they could just in the bread crumbs and spices, and she could mix it up and attempt to roll out balls.

I love the overall idea, but I wouldn't want my 2 year old to touch raw meat and egg. Most likely, they are still in the "let's put everything in my mouth stage".

Keep in mind, I don't let my 3 year old touch raw meat now.

YMMV

ETA - I love the apron!

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dec 4, 2014 23:21:09 GMT -5 @taliare said:

She can do mixing and put on tray. Mom or Dad will cook.  Apron, mixing bowl and nice wooden spoon for mixing with small box Bisquick? Maybe pancake mix. Try to think of something that just adds water and mix.

That's what I started the kids on - muffin mixes where you add an egg and some water/milk.  Scrambled eggs.  Mine are 5 and 6+ and cracking and poking aka stirring the eggs is still their favorite part.  They won't EAT the damn scrambled eggs but they like to make them. 

Have you talked this over with the parents?  A 2 year old cooking has the potential for HUGE mess (ask me how I know) and if they're not willing to deal with it, you might just want to send the apron with a set of measuring spoons and a bowl and call it good. 

[Blonde Granny]

I think Beth is right, 2 y/o doesn't have the attention span of a gnat, and will bolt from the kitchen at a moments notice. I think I'd go for matching aprons for Mom & child...I made them a few years ago for DIL and DGD. There's time enough for something more complicated.

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2014 22:29:52 GMT -5 Apple said:

Dec 4, 2014 22:07:48 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

In the stores I've seen the packages of premixed spices for different meals. You should be able to prep that yourself and attach the recipe. Like they do for Chilli or Rosemary Chicken and such.

I'll have to see if I can figure out something that would be really kid friendly--and where it won't hurt if she adds a little too much

That's the beauty of these herb and spice packets, the measurements are all done. I didn't clue in that your niece is a kid (duh!) In that case I would go with some packages of shake and bake and pudding mix etc.

[Apple]

Dec 5, 2014 9:52:06 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

Have you thought about playdough mix?  One of my favorites is cheap hair conditioner and cornstarch.  It makes a very silky playdough with a little different texture. There is no cooking involved, just mixing.

Do you have the recipe?  That would be a good one!  Mom made us playdough when we were little, and she'd color/scent it with kool aid packets.  Her recipe involves cooking though.

[Apple]

My brother really likes to do "hands on" stuff with her, just finding simple, easy things for a kid that young can be a challenge.  That's why I wanted to find some simple things.

That's why I want something really, really easy, and more toward "add-ins"-- he can do most the work (just want to make sure it's less work than normal), and just ask "what do you want to put in it?"  She definitely has the attention span for that!

I wouldn't have thought about the raw meat and eggs--my son was never one for putting things in his mouth, and she hasn't been either, but I think that is something I would hold off on.

We don't do presents for the adults, unless they're handmade, so I won't bother with matching aprons this year.  And, I want everything but the apron to be consumable, my SIL has her kitchen gadgets pretty well stocked.  But, all good ideas!

[Apple]

Dec 5, 2014 10:34:04 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

kidsactivitiesblog.com/28677/play-dough-recipe

So what did we need to create our silky play dough?

1 part Hair Conditioner
2 parts Corn Starch.

Thank you!  I see a run to the dollar store today to pick up supplies and test it out...

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dec 5, 2014 10:34:35 GMT -5 Apple said:

My brother really likes to do "hands on" stuff with her, just finding simple, easy things for a kid that young can be a challenge.  That's why I wanted to find some simple things.

That's why I want something really, really easy, and more toward "add-ins"-- he can do most the work (just want to make sure it's less work than normal), and just ask "what do you want to put in it?"  She definitely has the attention span for that!

I wouldn't have thought about the raw meat and eggs--my son was never one for putting things in his mouth, and she hasn't been either, but I think that is something I would hold off on.

We don't do presents for the adults, unless they're handmade, so I won't bother with matching aprons this year.  And, I want everything but the apron to be consumable, my SIL has her kitchen gadgets pretty well stocked.  But, all good ideas!

But does she want her 2 year old playing with her kitchen gadgets?  My DH snagged all my good measuring spoons for his supplements.  It's annoying enough to have to dig though his bucket of utensils to find those, having my kids take them to play with all over the house is another issue completely.  And we HAVE a kitchen playset with a ton of plastic food, dishes and utensils. 

[Apple]

Oh, just got an email that the there is a 50% + free shipping sale on the aprons, code CYBERFLIRTY50  ETA: good through Saturday, December 6.

They have aprons for men, women, and kids--some are lined, some are not.  The waist ties on the women's aprons are REALLY long to accommodate all sizes (I'm not little and they wrap around my waist).  They tie around the neck too, so you can adjust that length as well.

[Apple]

Dec 5, 2014 10:39:16 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Dec 5, 2014 10:34:35 GMT -5 Apple said:

My brother really likes to do "hands on" stuff with her, just finding simple, easy things for a kid that young can be a challenge.  That's why I wanted to find some simple things.

That's why I want something really, really easy, and more toward "add-ins"-- he can do most the work (just want to make sure it's less work than normal), and just ask "what do you want to put in it?"  She definitely has the attention span for that!

I wouldn't have thought about the raw meat and eggs--my son was never one for putting things in his mouth, and she hasn't been either, but I think that is something I would hold off on.

We don't do presents for the adults, unless they're handmade, so I won't bother with matching aprons this year.  And, I want everything but the apron to be consumable, my SIL has her kitchen gadgets pretty well stocked.  But, all good ideas!

But does she want her 2 year old playing with her kitchen gadgets?  My DH snagged all my good measuring spoons for his supplements.  It's annoying enough to have to dig though his bucket of utensils to find those, having my kids take them to play with all over the house is another issue completely.  And we HAVE a kitchen playset with a ton of plastic food, dishes and utensils. 

She has play kitchen stuff.  I'm trying not to add more "stuff" for them in the house.  They prefer non-toy gifts, so giving more kitchen gadgets to use as toys kind of defeats that.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dec 5, 2014 10:42:47 GMT -5 Apple said:

Dec 5, 2014 10:39:16 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

But does she want her 2 year old playing with her kitchen gadgets?  My DH snagged all my good measuring spoons for his supplements.  It's annoying enough to have to dig though his bucket of utensils to find those, having my kids take them to play with all over the house is another issue completely.  And we HAVE a kitchen playset with a ton of plastic food, dishes and utensils. 

She has play kitchen stuff.  I'm trying not to add more "stuff" for them in the house.  They prefer non-toy gifts, so giving more kitchen gadgets to use as toys kind of defeats that.

Ah.  Sorry, I missed that part.

[Apple]

I guess I should point out that my niece is a good "helper".  So, if you ask, "please bring me that book", she likes to bring the book.  If you're outside in the garden you can say "use your shovel and put dirt in the hole", and she'll grab her little hand shovel and try to fill the hole.

So, letting her help in the kitchen ("add the chocolate chips", "pour in the water") isn't a big leap or anything.  I had thought of a recipe book, with kid's recipes, but she's not there yet.

My mom was the babysitter, we had daycare in the house, so my brother and I are both really used to doing things with little kids (my SIL had never been around babies and kids until she had my niece, so it's all been new to her).

[Apple]

Dec 5, 2014 10:45:13 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Dec 5, 2014 10:42:47 GMT -5 Apple said:

She has play kitchen stuff.  I'm trying not to add more "stuff" for them in the house.  They prefer non-toy gifts, so giving more kitchen gadgets to use as toys kind of defeats that.

Ah.  Sorry, I missed that part.

That's ok.  And I know what you mean--my son for some reason has started using my good measuring cups for snack bowls!  Dang kids.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Not actually cooking but I think this would be awesome for a 2 year old.

crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-make-crockpot-crayons.html

Great for learning colors and sorting like objects.

[Wisconsin Beth]

We made candles one year with a kit and buckets of leftover crayons.  I remember sorting broken crayons into color groups and my older siblings melting them and the wax that came with the kit, then pouring the was into molds.  I remember it as fun and wanting to do it again so I could have a turn pouring wax. 

My Mom remembers it as being one of the nastiest, messiest, most painful things she did with us. 

[Apple]

Haha!  My mom was very crafty, and had us do a ton of stuff, but a lot of it was "outside".  The porch and deck were easy to hose off...  Playdough, cutting paper, etc, were usually outside activities.

I'm storing ideas away for when she gets older too...

[azucena]

What about one of the little herb garden kits.  She can water them, watch them grow, and eventually help tear them up to use in meals.