Encouraging "foodie" kids

[ohgillian]

My 6 year old DD told me the other day, "I'm a foodie, mom. ESPECIALLY about cheeses." And it's true; she so is. She likes to try tons of different types of foods; to compare similar foods (e.g., trying a bunch of types of cheeses); she loves to cook, etc.

What types of activities can I do to help encourage her interest? We bake together and occasionally cook together, but I don't cook, so, that's a challenge. We talk about how different types of cheeses are made, and she and I discussed keeping a cheese journal where we record our opinions of cheeses. We watch cooking shows. I've looked into cooking classes locally but they're SUPER expensive for me. 

Other ideas? 

ETA: A friend recently suggested that we try making our own mozzarella, so I plan to try that. DD loves mozzarella, especially dipped in olive oil and spices. 

[jeaniebueller]

Have you help her pick new recipes to try ?

[isabel]

I basically learned how to cook from watching Food Network. Though this was back when they played actually cooking shows, like Emeril and Barefoot Contessa.

You could get her cookbooks from the library. You don't necessarily have to make stuff (but that would be good to do), but it will help expose her to different ingredients and common pairings.

You say you don't cook. I'm not sure what that means exactly. If you do some basic cooking, have her help you prep. She is old enough to learn how to properly use a knife, so get her a small chef's knife and allow her to chop things like carrots, herbs, meat, etc.

Have you considered doing a Blue Apron type subscription? Even just once a month. That way you have a recipe and the ingredients to cook something together, but you don't have to go to a whole lot of effort to make it happen.

Aside from all of that, I would just keep exposing her to new things. Point out new items for her to try when you go out to eat. Get different things when you're at the grocery store.

[dale]

I haven't tried it, but there's raddish.com and they send recipes and kitchen tools for kids in a monthly box. I was looking at getting it for my daughter for Christmas this year.

[mbcdefg]

Do you have a Whole Foods nearby? I think the one near me has done cheese classes/demonstrations on occasion.

Maybe look to see if a local community college has a pamphlet for those classes that people in town can sign up to take. We get one once or twice a year and there are some classes open to children/tweens.

[shauni27]

What about finding a new recipe every week for you both to cook together? You said you don't cook, so this can help you as well! And would be something fun to do with both of you.

Do you live where there are local CSAs? You get new produce weekly, so you have to learn what to make with produce all the time. We get some things we have never tried occasionally and it is really fun and yummy.

[achi]

Do you have a grocery store that offers kids cooking classes locally? I've gone with DS to a couple and they're usually pretty fun.

[namasteak]

Raddish kids is a lot of fun!

[dochas]

You can make Ricotta, too. I would have her look up her favorite cheeses to see what flavors go well together, then give her a budget and let her make the family a cheese platter with fruits and nuts. Because I like to encourage kids, but I'm also lazy and love cheese!

[gastro]

Foodstirs has kids baking kits.
I garden with my kids and have them be involved in picking menus and cooking.
My 8 year old just finished a week of summer camp focused on food at a local habitat.

Does your local recrearion center offer kids cooking classes? Those are usually very affordable.

Mozzarella, feta, ricotta, fromage Blanc are all easy to make at home. You can make butter at home too and then use that to make all sorts of compound butters. Yogurt is also a fun project.

[gastro]

Jul 22, 2019 15:46:20 GMT -5 gastro said:

Foodstirs has kids baking kits.
I garden with my kids and have them be involved in picking menus and cooking.
My 8 year old just finished a week of summer camp focused on food at a local habitat.

Does your local recrearion center offer kids cooking classes? Those are usually very affordable.

Mozzarella, feta, ricotta, fromage Blanc are all easy to make at home. You can make butter at home too and then use that to make all sorts of compound butters. Yogurt is also a fun project.

Edit : a friend of my cousin started this website that might be helpful nomsterchef.com

[christy082]

Jul 22, 2019 11:58:16 GMT -5 dale said:

I haven't tried it, but there's raddish.com and they send recipes and kitchen tools for kids in a monthly box. I was looking at getting it for my daughter for Christmas this year.

I was just going to suggest this. My 4.5 year old loves to help cook. I hate cooking. I'm asking my parents to get it for her for Christmas, sent to their house to do with my daughter LOL.

[IndiaInk]

I had a kids cookbook of foods from around the world, when I was a kid. I loved trying new recipes from it and they were all very simple.

Another idea is one I think I picked up years ago on this board. Let your kid pick out a new vegetable or fruit they’ve never tried, every week at the grocery store. Then you go home and look up how to prepare it and learn together. There are some super random vegetables and exotic fruits at the grocery store. Could be fun!

My friends had their kids try to list off every ingredient in the meal, during dinner, down to the spices. We have adopted this and it’s taught our 2 and 5 year old a lot about what makes up a dish. They LOVE the game and it makes for fun dinner conversation. (We like to cook and we engage them in the process of making meals often).

[jj]

I second the raddish suggestion! We’ve done 8 or so kits with my 5 year old son and he loves it. The recipes are very accessible to kids and we’ve liked most of them too.

[ellipses84]

Our Y does lots of themed summer day camps by the week and there are a couple of different cooking ones.

[ohgillian]

You guys had a lot of great suggestions; thanks! I will check out raddish, and I'll check out the options mentioned for more affordable classes. I had looked at Sur la Table and it was $50 per person, so $100 for us to go together.

I also love the suggestions that are easy to incorporate into daily life, like what IndiaInk said about guessing the ingredients.

When I said I don't cook, what I meant is that H does all the meals for our family (except breakfast which we're all on our own, lol). A few times a year I'll make dinner if he has to work late. But generally, I do make some specific items, such as yogurt (a staple at our home), sometimes I'll get on a homemade bread kick, etc.

DD asked me again today for a cheese book so I guess I'll look for that too.

Thanks again.

[picksthemusic]

Have you looked at different cookbooks together? Have you taken her to a grocery store with foods from different cultures (I'm thinking like an Asian market or something), or watched episodes of Chopped Junior on Food Network?

I'd also see if you have a local Sur la Table in your area that has cooking classes for kids her age.

ETA: I just saw (reading fail!) that cooking classes are out of your price range. Maybe check with your local county Parks and Rec to see if they have any community ones for kids?

Also, if she loves cheese, you could try making ricotta at home, it's super easy. You basically simmer milk and cream with some lemon juice or vinegar on the stove top for a certain amount of time until it curdles, and then you strain it. Boom, cheese.

[mbcdefg]

Any creameries or specialty cheese shops near you? Idk where you’re located.

www.twinsisterscreamery.com/events/kids-cheese-tasting-class-3

theartofcheese.com/classes-workshops/

www.funnewjersey.com/upload_user/cool_things_to_do/make_your_own_in_nj/make_your_own_cheese_nj.htm

Cheese of the Month club?

www.murrayscheese.com/monthly-clubs?promo_name=home_hero_monthly_clubs&promo_id=monthly_clubs_clp&promo_position=home_hero_monthly_clubs&promo_creative=home_hero_monthly_clubs%22 (this is $$ but just an example)

Most weekend Farmers markets I’ve visited have someone selling cheese - maybe they have an idea for you?