Kitchen Helpers
Posted by TulipGirl | Under Family Journal, Nurturing Children Friday Sep 12, 2008Who wants to be my kitchen helper?
That’s a common question around here — at least, when I cook, which isn’t quite as often as it used to be. Over time, having a Kitchen Helper has become a special time to work together, talk together, be together. Tonight, R9 was my kitchen helper. We made hummus, with chickpeas that we thawed from the freezer. Hummus and fresh veggies. Yummm! That’s been enough for a summer dinner at times.
But tonight it’s overcast and windy, even though we are feeling just the very edges of Ike. So we made comfort food, too. A big wok full of potatoes, onions, and sausage. I cut the veggies and my kitchen helper stirred them, keeping them from burning and telling me when they were ready. Much of my cooking these days is impromptu, so I’m hoping that the boys are learning not just basic culinary skills, but also the abilty to look into the fridge and figure out what could be prepared that is somewhat nutritious. Hummus and sausage? Not exactly traditional combinations, but it worked tonight.
I’ve been reading “Hold On To Your Kids: Why parents Need To Matter More Than Peers,” which my friend Carol gave to me. I’m still in the first few chapters, and so far it is very insightful. And it has made me thankful for the rituals we have in our family — rituals like Who wants to be my kitchen helper?
OH I LOVE that book! I have never read more than the first couple of chapters (uh, it’s another - on my shelf NEED to read, don’t have time). Would LOVE to hear your input on it!!!
That sounds like an interesting book. I love the concept of it.
Hummus sounds delish, btw! You are making me crave some hummus with toasted pita.
Unfortunately, here they don’t have greek food.
Tim’s Mom is doing a review of that book here:
http://rusticanda.blogspot.com/search/label/Hold%20On%20to%20Your%20Kids
And I thought Carol had written a review, too, but I can’t find it. Hmmmm. . . I’ll email and ask her. . .
(Oh, and Hummus is easy to make? Can you get chickpeas where you are? Legumes were not easy or cheap to find in Ukraine.)
I’d love your hummus and black bean soup recipes–did you post them and I missed them?
And, I’ve never heard of that book, but can agree with the theme as we’ve worked VERY hard to ‘attach’ and KEEP our two daughters (adopted from Russia at ages 9 & 12) closely connected to mom & dad/family. Their ‘natural’ tendency was to keep their distance and prefer others. Focusing on this has made THE difference in so many ways/areas.