Having fun in the kitchen together!
Cooking with your child does not have to be a complicated recipe – in fact, the simple ones are the best because it is about the process, not necessarily the outcome.
Making things such as scrambled eggs, pancakes and milkshakes are quick, easy, and lots of fun too!
Why not try making this recipe for yummy healthy vegetable soup with your child – perfect!
What you need:
- 2 Potatoes, Medium Sized (170g)
- 2 Leeks (320g)
- 2 Carrots, Medium Sized (160g)
- 1 Onion, Medium Sized (150g)
- mixture of easy to chop vegetables. eg- courgettes celery, mushrooms and peppers (300g)
- 2 Tablespoons Peas, Frozen (60g)
- 1 Can Chopped Tomatoes, Small Can (227g)
- 1 Vegetable Stock Cube, Reduced Salt (7g)
- 1 Pinch Ground Black Pepper (1g)
- Water (750ml)
Allergy Disclaimer: Always check the label of each ingredient for allergy warnings
What to do:
- Wash, peel and chop the potatoes, leeks and carrots. Peel and chop the onion. Encourage your little one to help wash and chop the other vegetables using a dinner knife and under careful supervision
- Put the prepared vegetables, except the peas and tomatoes, in the pan
- Add the water and the stock cube
- Heat the mixture to boiling point and then reduce the heat to a simmer
- Put the pan lid on and cook for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender (add a little more water if needed)
- Add the frozen peas and the canned tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes
- Leave to cool for 10 minutes
- Use a blender or potato masher to blend the soup to how you like it (optional)
- Season with black pepper and reheat gently
Recipe source: Eat Better Feel Better
Top tips:
- Spark conversation: ask your child to help choose the vegetables, feel them, talk about them and guess what they look like inside
- Get your child involved: allow your child to try chopping (courgettes, mushrooms, celery, and peppers with a dinner knife are safe with supervision) and mixing
- Develop sequencing together: as you follow simple instructions, use words with your child such as ‘now, next, then, after’ – sequencing words are later used to help with routines, story writing, talking about events etc.
- Pretend play: you could always keep the peelings with a saucepan and spoon for some pretend play while the soup is cooking
- Enjoy your meal: a great way to encourage your child to eat their meals if they have helped to make it