Kids in the Kitchen…Let them help with these easy family meals!

UW-Extension Update by Anne Prince, Walworth County UW-Extension Nutrition Educator

"So much to do and so little time." We have all heard or said this at one time or another. We struggle to balance work, family, errands, and all the other everyday tasks. This is often at the expense of meals and family time.

Preparing family meals together provides more opportunities for family interaction and fun than simply sitting at the table together. In some cases, involving children in the food prep can be time consuming and messy. But not involving them can lead to children, when they are adults and on their own, who don't know what to do in a kitchen or how to read a recipe. Children can help by selecting and washing the fruits and/or vegetables for a salad, mixing the salad, or setting the table.

Children of all ages enjoy eating more when they have been involved in the food and meal preparation.

 

Recipe

Lemon Dill Fish

20 minutes to prepare
4 servings, 180 calories, 22 g protein, 7 g fat

What You'll Need

1 pound Pollock Filets (thaw filets in refrigerator for no more than 24 hours before using)
½ cup Miracle Whip Light
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dillweed

Directions
1. Combine Miracle Whip, lemon juice and dill.
2. Place fish in broiler pan.
3. Brush with ½ the sauce.
4. Broil 5 to 8 minutes, turn once and brush with remaining sauce.
5. Continue broiling for 5 to 8 minutes or until done.

Tip
Serve this Pollock Filet recipe combined with the Frozen Mixed Vegetables (steamed), sliced fresh fruit from the Produce Assortment, and rolls for a fast, filling, and complete meal.
 

Recipe

Hash Brown Potato Casserole

15 minutes to prepare, 30 minutes to bake
6 servings, 250 calories, 10 g protein, 3 g fiber, 14 g fat

This casserole can be put together in fifteen minutes. Put it together in the morning and pop it in the oven when you get home. In the time it takes to bake you can cut up fresh fruit from the Produce Assortment and add a salad or the Salad Mix for a complete meal.

What You'll Need
1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil
24-ounce bag of Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
1 small onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Vegetable oil cooking spray
¾ cup cubed Jennie-O Turkey Ham
3 eggs, beaten
½ cup Colby Cheese, shredded
¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Heat oil in large skillet.
3. Sauté hash brown, onion, and green pepper until potatoes start to brown.
4. Spray 13 x 9" baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
5. Spread potato mixture in baking dish and top with turkey ham and beaten eggs.
6. Stir gently to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and pepper.
7. Bake, covered with foil, for 25 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake 5 minutes longer.
 

 

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