Foods your Kids Make

[Lifestar]

LiveSimply

Microwaved meatloaf is whatever your favorite meatloaf recipe may be, using no more than 1-1/2 Lbs of meat.

We just use 2 eggs, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup ketchup, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley, grated romano cheese and flavored breadcrumbs. Except for the ketchup, it's the same recipe I use for meatballs. Sometimes I'll replace the ketchup with BBQ sauce or gravy or Cream of something soup. Whatever I stir in, I also layer on top later.

When you've got your meatloaf mixture ready to go, just form it into a ring in a glass, microwavable, circular pan ( like a pyrex or corningware dish ) and place a drinking glass, OPEN END UP, in the center of the ring of meat. ( I like to shape the meat with some room around the edge so the fat can drain off.)

Cook on HIGH heat for 20 minutes, and let stand for 5 minutes, for meat loaf to set.

Remove the drinking glass. ( It will be very hot ) and drain the fat from the meatloaf pan.

I then coat the top with Ketchup, (Or BBQ sauce, gravy or whatever you've stired in at the beginning), and return the meatloaf to the microwave for 5 minutes more to heat the topping. This gives it a nicer appearance, as the microwave doesn't give it the nice browned crust that the oven would.

Slice into wedges and serve. It is moist and delicious. Ready in 30 minutes. And the kitchen and oven stay cool and clean.

[MrsManiac]

Thanks for sharing! Now how simple is that? We like meatloaf, but it takes forever. I'll give this a try this weekend--I have some potatoes to use up as a side, too. Yum!

[Lifestar]

One Caution for the Microwave Meatloaf recipe...

If you had to choose between the mixture being a bit too dry or a bit too squishy...go for squishy.

A dry meat mixture will end up rubbery in the microwave. So limit the breadcrumbs, or adjust the water and ketchup up from 1/4 cup to whatever gives you a moister mix...

Val

[LiveSimply]

Thank You Lifestar. Now we can have meatloaf in the hot summer without heating up the house.

[thezoo]

My kids learned to cook at a very early age. My son learned to dabble when he was 18 months old. My kids, now 12 & 10, even have made the whole Thanksgiving Dinner. They wanted to help with the dinner because I can't walk right now due to severely damaging my ankle. They did it all and the turkey was so moist. I was impressed. This year because both my kids love to cook, I've decided to make them each a family keepsake cookbook. I've asked all friends and relatives to e-mail us their favorite recipe and I will make it up into a book for Christmas. I will then pass off a disc to each of the families that participate. My kids have both expressed that they want to be a chef when they grow up. Even if they change their minds between now and then, they will still have this to use. I'm a hands on kind of person and my kids have used this experience towards math and science in school. They love our time in the kitchen where they get to experiement with new ideas. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't but it it is all a learning experience. Have fun!!!!

[MrsManiac]

My kids helped with Thanksgiving dinner, too. Ds2 tore the bread for stuffing(he's 2, and I think he ate more than he got into the bowl lol). Ds1 helped by scrubbing the potatoes, pouring the pumpkin into the pie shell, etc. I let him baste the bird a few times, too, but he was afraid of the hot oven. He had more fun the day after, making turkey sandwiches for everyone.

I'll probably make them a cookbook, too. Ds2 asked what a recipe is(noticed I was reading while cooking). I told him it was directions for cooking--he thought it was silly. Evidently, we're supposed to just throw stuff into the pan lolol!!

[dawny75]

My daughter's favorite thing to make is smoothies! I just buy bags of frozen fruit and she makes it up from there. We have recipes, but she prefers to experiment. She's the blender queen around here.

The boys aren't too interested in cooking, but all three kids can cook some type of eggs for breakfast. Youngest does scrambled, dd makes some egg casseroles, oldest does fried and scrambled. DD also bakes all kinds of things, mostly from mixes if she wants to do it all on her own.

My girl scout troop loves cooking lessons. They've made all kinds of snack foods, including pigs in a blanket, egg casseroles, mini pizzas, cookies and smoothies. (Can you tell DD had some influence on the choices!) Next is ice cream in a baggie (from familyfun.com).

We've talked about having Kids Cooking night once a week, but life is just too busy during the school year. Maybe during Spring and Summer breaks! I want to find out more about the Dishwasher Salmon, I bet they'd love that!

dawny

[LuvMyFF]

What a great thread

I am starting to let my kids cook more and more. My oldest is 5 and he makes his own salads(salad mix in a bag), sandwiches, and drinks. They also help when it comes to making pancakes, muffins, cakes, or breads.

Last night he learned how to peel a potato...he thought that it was the greatest thing
;-)


HAve a good one~

Chrissy

[debknechtel]

My 10 year old son loves to cook, He makes spaghetti,his fav, garlic bread and can make kraft dinner. He likes to make pancakes too. this summer he has done alot of the BBQ with dad's help. I really encourage him to learn so when he is older he will be able to fend for himself.

My middle son loves to bake. He and i make lots of cookies, cakes , sweets. He would rather make these then cook a dinner. He can use the microwave though to reheat foods. We are just teaching him how to use a knife to cut veggies and other items.


Hugs
Debbie

[MrsManiac]

My kids are doing more and more in the kitchen! They love making pizza. And I have taught my oldest how to use the microwave--he's almost 7 but had a hard time following directions so I was cautious about letting him near anything lol!! He's much better these days. Ds2 just turned four and I've been letting him make his own sandwiches.

I definitely advocate teaching kids early--at least the basics and a few simple recipes. I know a girl that kept herself and her brother alive for three days when she was four. Their mom passed away from a heart attack--and being a single mom with few friends, it was only when the mail lady noticed the mail piling up that anyone came to check on them. The girl had been making sandwiches for herself and had been squashing bananas for her baby brother(had seen her mom doing it.) I know this is an extreme case, but every time I teach my kids how to do something on their own, this is what I think of.