With festive treats, time-honored recipes and gatherings of loved ones, the holidays are the perfect time to include children in the preparation of delicious family meals. A wonderful time to share family recipes, or discover new ones, involving little ones in the kitchen during festive seasons offer a unique opportunity for educational enrichment, social, cultural and emotional satisfaction, while creating lasting memories. Here are a few notable benefits and how to highlight them.

The Hidden Classroom

Language and literacy, mathematics and science are all key concepts engaged when reading and cooking through a recipe.  Encourage your little one to read out the instructions, or talk through recipe measurements and direct their attention to the everyday science of cooking, which is especially highlighted when baking. 

Self Confidence and Independence

Cooking family meals with children not only gives them a chance to try the new foods they prepare, but also boosts their confidence when they see family and friends enjoying their creations. Encourage your little chef to present their dish, describe the ingredients and recipe, and share what they enjoy about it.  Cooking together early in life can help equip children with the skills to cook for themselves as they grow and the confidence that they can prepare a meal through to completion. 

Cultural Exploration

Holiday cooking is an excellent way to broaden children’s understanding of the world through cultural and culinary exploration and develop an appreciation for global flavors and traditions. Ask your little one to investigate how others celebrate holidays, what traditions they follow and recipes they enjoy.

Culinary Curiosity and Nutritional Exposure

Understanding and exploring seasonal harvests, or trying a vegetable, fruit or dish they have never tried before is made easier when children are included in the preparation of the dish. Repeated exposure to scratch-made recipes and dishes can help develop their palate for unprocessed and wholesome foods early in life. Encourage your little ones to join in on grocery shopping, an excellent opportunity to point out what is in season and how seasonal, local harvests are reflected in traditional recipes. 

Quality time

The shared experience of working together to prepare a special meal is a cherished holiday tradition for many.  Engaging in culinary traditions together provides an intimate opportunity for family members to share stories, anecdotes, and family history with younger generations. This special bonding time with friends and family defines the holidays for many and lays the groundwork for years of tradition to follow. 

Family holiday cooking transcends the preparation of a festive meal; it is a meaningful, enriching experience that preserves traditions, facilitates learning, encourages culinary creativity, enhances emotional well-being and preserves special traditions. Wishing you and your family a most lovely holiday season filled with laughter, joy, and, of course, delicious treats!

Sasha’s Easy Holiday Fudge

1.5 cups almond butter

1/2 cup cocoa powder

6 tbsp coconut oil

6 tbsp maple syrup

Zest of one orange (optional)

Mix together and pour into a pan lined with plastic wrap. Freeze for 1 hour- cut & dig in! Festive touch: freeze, roll into balls, pierce with a lollipop-stick, and re-freeze. Once frozen, dip into melted chocolate, decorate and enjoy!

Wishing you all a safe and joyous holiday season!

Chef Sasha Raj is an award-winning entrepreneur and restaurateur, specializing in plant-based and allergen-friendly cuisine. Her plant-based restaurant, 24Carrots, served the valley for 15 years. She now devotes her time to culinary education and promotes nutrition access, especially to the underserved communities and k-12 children. She contributes as chef-instructor to the Culinary Medicine program at University of Arizona  and has been recognized by various culinary initiatives like the James Beard Foundation, Les Dames d’Escoffier, and others for her contribution to the advancement of sustainable and equitable food practices and establishments.

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Photos courtesy of Sasha Raj. Follow her on Instagram @24carrots for more!