Many of us are coping with young children who, overnight, lost the routine of daycare or school. To help keep tiny hands from being too idle, Chef Mark Dieser suggests introducing children to the joys of cooking. Not only is this a good opportunity to introduce an interest in cooking, but it’s a great way to drive home the importance of hand hygiene.
Depending on their age, children can help with simple cutting or peeling of vegetables or they can make their own treats. Start with Jell-o. Yes, the first step is boiling water, but once you add the cold water, even the littlest preschool hands can help with stirring. Add some fruit if you want. If you’re worried about the sugar in a box of Jell-o, you can also make it yourself with fruit juice and gelatin. For extra firm Jell-o your kids can cut with cookie cutters and hold in their hands, add extra gelatin. Here’s the recipe:
Finger Jell-o
4 envelopes of unflavoured gelatin
3 85 gram (the small) boxes of your favourite flavour of Jell-o
4 cups boiling water
Mix gelatin and Jell-o powders together. Add water. Mix well. Pour into a 9 by 13 pan. Refrigerate until set. Cut into shapes or cut into squares. Store in fridge.