{"id":3653,"date":"2020-03-12T19:24:34","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T19:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewanderingrumpus.com\/?p=3653"},"modified":"2020-03-12T19:25:07","modified_gmt":"2020-03-12T19:25:07","slug":"cooking-with-kids-how-to-be-more-creative-in-the-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewanderingrumpus.com\/index.php\/2020\/03\/12\/cooking-with-kids-how-to-be-more-creative-in-the-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooking with Kids: How to be More Creative in the Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We love cooking as a family and getting creative through cooking with kids provides endless benefits. Since we\u2019re preparing meals at least three times a day, creativity with cooking keeps it fun and also a constant learning experience, which is also good for your brain!   Here are some tips to be more creative with cooking with kids at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Different Cuisines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Different cuisines<\/a> are important to widen your knowledge of what\u2019s out there. We love to experiment and try new cuisines from Mexico<\/a>, the Far East<\/a>, Morocco<\/a> and Scandinavia<\/a>, just to name a few. Often, we become so used to a certain\/single type of food that we forget that it\u2019s just a drop in the ocean compared to what\u2019s out there to cook and taste. Try to encourage yourself and your family to try something new on a regular basis. Also, consider ways you can incorporate new cultural cuisines into your own meals and not just when you are dining out. Trying new cuisines can challenge you to try new ingredients, recipes and techniques. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider challenging yourself and your family to incorporate a new cuisine each week or each month when cooking with kids. This small change will prevent you from getting bored in the kitchen. Also, by trying out a different cuisine, you\u2019re opening up your tastebuds and minds to some new flavors and this helps when you travel too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meal Plan With Your Family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Planning your meals<\/a> is an important part of creativity in cooking too, especially for families. With busy schedules and late night practices or events, the thought of having to cook from scratch is frustrating. Meal prep is always helpful, whether that\u2019s planning what you\u2019re going to have for that week or batch cooking all your food for the week and then freezing anything that you don\u2019t eat to enjoy later in the month or year. I typically plan out our meals on Sunday morning before hitting the grocery store. I like to look at our schedule for the week and also talk to my family about what they want or crave that week and where they can help out in the kitchen. When we are successful with meal planning, we save a bunch of money too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curate A Recipe Folder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A recipe folder is something you can curate and always lean back on when you\u2019re struggling with ideas on what to cook. From this<\/a> vegan ramen recipe to a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, it can be handy to have it all in one place and in the kitchen where it\u2019s easily accessible. You can really get creative with how you design the folder. You can also curate a recipe board on Pinterest<\/a> or an online folder for easy electronic access to your favorite recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiment With Herbs And Spices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Herbs and spices<\/a> are a fun way to \u201cspice\u201d up your cooking at home \u2014 and a great way to get the kids involved! From growing your own herbs like basil, mint or sage to trying new jars of herbs like curry, cumin and cinnamon. My husband recently brought us some herbs home from his trip to India which we used to roast chicken that was delicious. Also, my friend and the executive chef of Edible Nashville<\/a>, Skylar Bush recently shared his creole seasoning that is fabulous on shrimp, in Gumbo on chicken and more (see the recipe below)! Again, get your kids involved by letting them mix and taste; measure and stir. As you try new herbs and spices, you can build up a collection and find tons of new recipes and combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get Your Kids Involved<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to getting the kids involved in meal planning, make sure they are helping in the kitchen too. Here some of our favorite ways to do that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n