Cooking with Toddlers

As I mentioned before, I've recently started cooking with Ethan. So far, we've just been making homemade granola bars. It's a simple recipe with lots for him to dump and stir, AND he loves the end result! So this morning when we prepared to make another batch, I grabbed my camera to capture some of the fun (and mess!)

1) When cooking with Ethan, I always cook mise en place, which is a fancy French term that basically means measuring everything out before we get started. This way, I don't have to keep Ethan entertained while measuring. We can get straight to the dumping!


2) Add one toddler.


3) Let's begin with the oatmeal. This I don't measure out ahead of time because Ethan likes scooping it with the measuring cup.


It's very important to do this on a clean counter because only a portion of the ingredients always make it into the bowl...


It's also very important to have clean toddler hands because, especially if your child is familiar with sensory play, he will want to get his hands into it...


4) Now to add some cranberries...


5) Then the coconut...


6) Now some sunflower seeds...


7) And finally the flour, cinnamon, and salt.


8) And now the dry ingredients get a stir.


9) Then we add the maple syrup and honey to the vanilla with a fun plunger measuring cup...


10) After some help from Mommy in stirring the wet ingredients, it's time to pour the wet ingredients over the dry. I held onto this bowl to prevent a complete mess on the counters, but Ethan still did the dumping.


Almost got it all!


11) Now a final stir to mix it all together...


12) Ethan took a break at this point to chase a kitty while I poured the mixture into a lined 9x9 baking pan and put it in the oven.

Looking to see what's going on in there...


It bakes for 25 minutes, which is just enough time to stuff and fold a batch of diapers while nursing a toddler who insists on playing with two toy puppies while he nurses. Yeah, not as easy as it sounds. I also abandoned my camera at this point.

13) After 25 minutes, put the pan on a cooling rack until it's cool enough to handle. This will take just enough time to schedule an 18-month pediatrician appointment and get dinner into the crock pot. During this time, your toddler will discover he fits inside the cabinet that stores the cooling racks and want to play hide-and-seek. Note: As a result of your divided attention, you may forget to use a liner for the crock pot (which means you'll have to scrub it by hand tonight before making your overnight oatmeal) and forget to season the meat before pouring the sauce over it.

14) Once the pan is cool to the touch, it's placed in the refrigerator to cool for an hour prior to cutting. Then just cut and enjoy!