Involving youth of all ages in the kitchen is a great way to help open up young minds to new foods. Check out our ideas that don’t need a knife or other sharp tools. And remember, before chopping it up in the kitchen, check out our Nourishing Literacy hand-washing video!

Spice mix exploration

• Smell a range of spices in their jars or bags.
• Decide on two to four spices to try mixing together.
• Put a very small pinch of each spice in a bowl, mix, and taste on a small piece of bread.
• Continue mixing and tasting until a favorite blend is identified.
• Try adding the spice mix to foods such as popcorn, soup, or pasta.

Smash seeds, nuts, or chocolate for sweet or savory recipes

• Place items in a tightly zipped plastic bag.
• Roll a cup or rolling pin over the bag or lightly pound the bag with a rolling pin or wooden spoon. If a mortar and pestle is available, try using this tool.
• Try adding these ingredients to recipes such as muffins, cookies, or pancakes.

Squeeze citrus for drinks or salad dressing

• Squeeze lemons, limes, and/or oranges into a bowl, over a fine strainer if you have one. If not, a small spoon can be used to pull out the seeds.
• Try drinking the citrus juice on its own or adding it to water or seltzer with or without sugar.
• For a twist, try mixing the juice with a little bit of oil, salt, and pepper to eat with salad, vegetables, or meat.
• Keep the citrus juice in a labeled, tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to seven days.

For cooking-related entertainment and inspiration, check out the Free Library's awesome set of online resources, free to use with your library card: cooking magazines through RB Digital, food-focused ebooks for children on Overdrive Kid's eReading Room, and cooking shows on Hoopla.