The kids have really surprised me with their interest in the kitchen. I don't really remember being engaged in mixing, cooking, or baking as a youngster or really "learning" to cook until I was out of college, and it probably has had a lot to do with the fact that I'm not a very excited, confident, or competent cook as an adult. Niall loves making potions, which translates into excellent hand-mixing, and Iver loves to see the final product of smoothies and baked goods (although they often go uneaten). My parents gave Niall a kids' science cookbook for a recent birthday, and it's provided a lot of cool recipes and entertainment.
At school summer camp last week, the kids learned about making pupusas (a griddle flatbread made in El Salvador, although we didn't try any when we were there in April) and came home with extra dough, which they were excited to craft into round servings with cheese and beans. They were actually delicious when eaten fresh!
Niall (a huge cheese-lover) recently asked me how to make cheese at home. I had to admit that I didn't know, and we got a book from the library about how to make various dairy products.
We turned heavy cream into a kind of butter via manual "churning" (shaking for about 10 min). We haven't attempted cheese (which requires a special enzyme) or yogurt yet.
Iver's morning "parfait," which he insisted I photograph.
Cooking with kids makes for some messy kitchens, but it's worth it if they foster a love of creating, and if they become even marginally more competent cooks in their adulthood than I am!
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