For Mother's Day, it's always a a good idea for the children to take over cooking duties, at least for one meal. I think the best thing is to start with dessert. Sweet recipes are the most fun to make, and usually the easiest too.
Kids, the most important thing to remember in the kitchen is food safety and your safety. Wash your hands before you start and after handling food, especially raw meat and eggs. Keep cooked and uncooked food separate, and always promptly refrigerate food. Be careful around knives and hot surfaces, and ask a grownup to help if you are unsure. Take it slow and have fun!
Linda LarsenPancakes are easy, yet impressive. The kids will need a little help with the skillet or griddle, but measuring, mixing the batter, and flipping the pancakes are all things they can do. Mom will love it!
Linda LarsenAll you have to do is mix five ingredients in a pan, then cover it with foil. Let Dad put it in the oven if you're not old enough to touch hot things, and have him uncover it when it's done. You could add some frozen fully cooked meatballs or some chopped cooked chicken or ham if Mom likes that.
This recipe, a variation on one from my About.com Guide to Shortcut Cooking, is a delicious crisp and chewy no-bake bar. Just be careful using the microwave; the melted marshmallow mixture can get hot! This bar cookie is also great for lunchboxes.
For breakfast, it doesn't get much better than this! If you have more experience in the kitchen, make these with
Blueberry Pancakes. Make sure Mom is sitting at the table when you start assembling these Splits so she can eat them while the pancakes are still warm.
Start with a rice mix and add just a few ingredients to make this hearty and flavorful entree. If Mom likes shrimp, add some frozen (thawed according to the package directions!) fully cooked shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking time.
Waffles are used as the base for an egg mixture in this super-easy recipe. Be sure to use oven mitts when you take the hot pan out of the oven! You can make these without meat, or use Mom's favorite cheese. Peaches or apples can also be used instead of the pears.
Frozen waffles come to the rescue again in this simple recipe. You can vary the flavors to include Mom's favorites. This topping can also be used on pancakes, especially microwave pancakes.
Mom will love this salad made with her favorite fresh fruits. Be careful using the knife, and be sure to refrigerate any leftovers within two hours!
If Mom loves ice cream, she'll adore this recipe! Ice cream is mixed with chopped cherries, then formed into balls and rolled in crushed cookies. After some time in the freezer, the balls are coated with chocolate. Yum!
Sandwiches are so easy to make and can be made with so many different ingredients and flavors. Just be careful using the knife! Or ask Dad to help with the cutting; you assemble the sandwiches, wrap them in plastic wrap, and put them in the fridge until it's time to eat.
