A Meal So Easy a Toddler Can Make It
Kids in the Kitchen Basics is brought to you by The Six O’Clock Scramble.
Over the past few weeks, Aviva Goldfarb, founder of The Six O’Clock Scramble online family meal planning service, has shared suggestions for bringing kids into the kitchen and make it both a fun and productive experience for them (and for you)!
- We started with learning a few important kitchen basics
- Made some snacks to get started
- Now we’re making meals together.
Today we’ll share a recipe so simple your toddler can make it, and your big kids can learn this entire meal plus the easy side dishes on their own! Can’t wait to see you in the kitchen! #kidsinthekitchen
~Alissa
A Meal so easy a Toddler Can Make It
By Aviva Goldfarb of the Six O’Clock Scramble
If you’ve worked with your little ones in the kitchen before and have focused on simple tasks like measuring, pouring, smelling, tasting, and easy snack prep, it’s not too ambitious to make a meal with them. Really! There are some meals that are so simple that even a toddler can master most of the steps.
If you’re a skeptic, I get it— but if you’re feeling open-minded and patient, give it a try. Not only will you get to spend quality time with your toddler (that doesn’t require playing Candy Land yet again), but you’ll also be teaching your little ones valuable skills they can continue to develop for years to come.
This Soup-er Easy Black Bean and Corn Soup is not only delicious, but also SO simple that your toddler can feel like a huge success when he or she helps to get this on the dinner table.
Soup-er Easy Black Bean and Corn Soup
Prep + Cook = 10 minutes
6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups
- 45 oz. canned black beans, reduced-salt, if possible, with their liquid (You can work together to open the can)
- 1 cup chunky salsa, or any variety (Your child can measure this)
- 1 cup water (Your child can measure this)
- 1/2 tsp. cumin, or more to taste (Your child can measure this)
- 14 oz. canned corn kernels, with their liquid (You can work together to open the can)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream, for serving (optional)
- Grated Cheese to sprinkle on top (optional) (You can help your child grate the cheese)
In a medium stockpot, combine the beans, salsa, water and cumin (Your toddler can pour all these ingredients into the pot). Put it over a medium heat and bring it to a boil.
While the soup is heating, use an immersion blender to puree about half the mixture, so it is still chunky (Use your judgment here- if you think your child is capable of this, but make sure the soup is not very hot yet).
Add the corn and its liquid (Your toddler can pour this in), and continue to heat it for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. (For a smoother soup, add the corn before pureeing the soup.)
Serve the soup with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, if desired. (Let your child do the dollop!) Alternatively, you can refrigerate the soup for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Side Dish and Dessert
For a tasty side dish and a healthy dessert to pair with this soup, check out these recipes for homemade chips and a fun fruit kabob with dip that your kids can help make too!
Tip: If you don’t have an immersion blender, feel free to use a regular blender. (You may need to do the blending in a few batches.)
Scramble Flavor Booster: Serve it with hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco), and stir in chopped fresh cilantro and thinly sliced scallions at the table.
For more delicious, family-friendly recipes that your kids can help with, check out The Six O’Clock Scramble online meal planning service. The Scramble does the thinking for you by providing a weekly customizable menu with 5 simple, healthy dinner recipes and an organized grocery list. Sign up for a 2-week free trial to see how easy it can be to get kid-friendly, healthy dinners on the table quickly.
Now get cooking (and share photos of your homemade meals with us #kidsinthekitchen)!
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My 3 year old twins regularly help make hot wraps for lunch. They chop, with a blunt knife from the cutlery set, tomatoes, ham, mushrooms, peppers and spinach. We throw in the pan. I stir, they grate cheese. We assemble the wraps together and pop in the oven for around 10 mins. Serve with salad for adults, they have a wrap cut into 4 pieces so they can pick them up to eat. Delicious!
Pudding is mashed banana (they do this with a fork), 2-3 large spoons of Greek yoghurt, crushed digestive biscuit sprinkled on top and a drizzle of honey. Yum.