Kids in the kitchen - Date With a Dish

Ebony, Sept, 2003 by Charlotte Lyons

With today's busy schedules and the daily temptation to substitute fast food for something nutritious, why not combine some of your kitchen prep time with family time? Showing the kids their way around the kitchen can be a wonderful experience for parents and the kids alike. With a little direction, the youngsters can learn how to prepare simple meals for themselves and for the family, and along the way, they can see, taste and share with pride the results of their effort.

Safety, of course, is a priority for anyone who's involved in kitchen activities. So make sure that children only use unsharpened utensils, like dull butter knives, to dice or chop ingredients. Only adults should handle required cooking, baking and handling of hot items or sharp objects.

With proper supervision, youngsters in the kitchen can be an exhilarating experience. The following are recipes that the whole family, including the children, can help to prepare.

Hot Dog Kabobs

4   hot dogs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 of large green pepper, cut into
    1-inch pieces
1   8-ounce can pineapple chunks,
    drained and reserved juice
1/2 medium onion, cut into 1-inch
    pieces
1   tablespoon brown sugar

Thread bamboo skewer alternately with hot dogs, green pepper, pineapple and onion. Mix brown sugar and reserved pineapple juice together. Place kabobs on broiler rack and broil 3 inches from heat until vegetables are tender and hot dogs brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Brush occasionally with pineapple juice.

Yields 4 servings

CALORIES 231, TOTAL FAT 16.7G;, CHOLESTEROL 29MG, CARBOHYDRATE 13.8G, PROTEIN 6.9G, SODIUM 709MG.

Tuna Melt

4    English muffins, split or 4 plain
     hamburger buns
2    6 1/2- or 7-ounce cans of tuna,
     drained and flaked
2    hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2    tablespoons chopped celery
6 to 7 tablespoons sandwich spread
4    slices American cheese, cut into
     strips or triangles
     Pimento strips

Heat broiler. Toast English muffins or buns and set aside. Combine tuna, eggs, celery and sandwich spread in medium bowl. Spread the tuna mixture on 8 muffin halves. Arrange cheese strips on top of tuna mixture. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts and browns lightly. Garnish with pimento if desired.

Yields 4 servings

CALORIES 855, TOTAL FAT 53.9G, CHOLESTEROL 230MG, CARBOHYDRATE 35.1G, PROTEIN 57G, SODIUM 1552MG.

Honey-Whipped Peanut Butter Dip

1   cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
    Apple slices
    Banana slices
    Celery sticks

Place peanut butter and honey in small mixer bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy. Serve as a dip for sliced apples, bananas or celery.

Yields about 1 cup of dip (2 tablespoons per serving)

CALORIES 222, TOTAL FAT 15.1G, CHOLESTEROL 0MG, CARBOHYDRATE 15.4G, PROTEIN 8.0G, SODIUM 238MG.

Easy Deviled Eggs

6 large boiled eggs, peeled
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
  Salt and pepper to taste
  Paprika

Cut eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove yolks. Mash yolks with mayonnaise. Add relish, mustard, salt and pepper; stir well. Spoon the egg yolk mixture into egg whites. Sprinkle with paprika

Yields 6 servings

CALORIES 104, TOTAl. FAT 8.0G, CHOLESTEROL 183MG, CARBOHYDRATE 2.5G, PROTEIN 5.4G, SODIUM 131MG.

Tuna Sailboats

1   6-ounce can tuna, drained and
    flaked
1/4 cup minced celery
1/4 cup minced green onion
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
2   tablespoons chopped parsley
1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
2   teaspoons lemon juice
4   hot dog rolls
1   tomato, halved and sliced
1/4 pound sliced Jarlsberg lite
    cheese, each slice halved
    diagonally
    6 toothpicks

Combine first 7 ingredients in bowl, blending well. Spoon mixture into rolls and top with tomato slices. Top with cheese (reserve 6 pieces for sails). Broil rolls about 4 inches from heat until cheese is melted. Fasten remaining cheese slices on toothpicks to make sails and place in sandwiches.

Yields 4 servings

CALORIES 381, TOTAL FAT 19.8G, CHOLESTEROL 38MG, CARBOHYDRATE 28.2G, PROTEIN 22.5G, SODIUM 600MG.

Low-Sodium, Oven-Fried Chicken Wings (For Mom And Dad)

1/2   cup all-purpose flour
2     teaspoons salt-free seasoning
      blend (any flavor)
1/2   teaspoon paprika
1/2   teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 to 2 pounds chicken wings
1/4   cup butter or margarine, melted
      and cooled

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Combine flour, salt-free seasoning blend, paprika and pepper in a bowl. Dip chicken wings into butter; roll in flour mixture to coat. Arrange chicken wings in an ungreased baking pan. Bake uncovered until done, about 50 minutes.

Yields 4 servings

CALORIES 364, TOTAL FAT 26.2G, CHOLESTEROL 71MG, CARBOHYDRATE 12.4G, PROTEIN 18.6G, SODIUM 201MG.

Grilled Raisin Bread And Cheese

1 slice American cheese
2 slices raisin bread
1 tablespoon butter or margarine

Place cheese on 1 slice of bread. Top with remaining slice of bread. Melt butter or margarine in medium skillet over medium heat. Add sandwich and cook until golden on bottom. Turn and cook about 2 minutes or until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Cut into four finger sandwiches and serve immediately.