Kids Cooking: learning about herbs

This is such a great time of year to get your kids into the kitchen - and not just for the cookies coming out of the oven!

If you think about it, children are new to cooking - they have a fresh outlook, good noses, and a great sense of exploration.  When I taught cooking to kids, this is always how I introduced them to herbs.  I would lay out a series of dishes filled with herbs - and fresh, if I have them.  Then, if I were making a quiche - I'd give each child a piece of the cheese we were going to use, have them chew it slowly, and pick up each herb filled dish while the taste of the cheese was still fresh on their tastebuds.


You could have them experiment with a dry rub for ham or turkey, or use a new herb in a pot of white bean soup bubbling on the stove - or choose a bundle of fresh herbs to stick in the cavity of a roasting chicken.  If you don't know much about herbs, I encourage you to do this for yourself - it's the best way to learn about herbs.

And, with Christmas coming up, you could package some herb and spice mixes your child has invented, and give them as presents, along with some recipes and a new potholder.

So while you've got them underfoot in the kitchen next week - give this a try - and let me know what they ( and you) learn.