Getting kids into the kitchen to prepare a weekend breakfast is perfect time for sharing quality time. Age-appropriate tasks not only help divide the workload in the kitchen but also give kids a chance to take pride in their accomplishments. Kids often enjoy the food more if they are involved in the making of it. Working side by side lets adults keep a watchful eye without hovering.
Below are samples of age-appropriate tasks that kids can involve in making a healthy breakfast:
Young hands:
- placing cut fruits into juicer for juicing fruit
- setting the table
- flaking fish for Smoked Fish Hash
- pressing blender buttons
- whisking eggs together for scrambled eggs
School-age:
- measuring ingredients
- cracking eggs into a small bowl before adding in case some shells slip in
- whisking, stirring, mixing, folding
- mashing butter for Baked Stuffed Tomatoes and stuffing them
Teenagers:
- cooking with some minor assistance with a nearby adult at hand for support and to answer any questions
This easy side dish makes a nice addition to many breakfasts, such as scrambled eggs and Smoke Fish Hash. If you like, use small tomatoes cut in half.
Ingredients
- 6 ripe tomatoes (about 3 pounds/1.5 kg)
- 1/4 cup (50 ml) butter, softened
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh parsley
- dash of Worcestershire sauce
- pinch of each salt and pepper
- 1 cup (250 ml) fresh bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
Instructions
 Preheat oven to 425F (220C).
Cut the tomatoes into halves; scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the flesh from each. |
 In a small bowl, combine butter, bread crumbs, garlic, chopped parsley, Worcestershire sauce, egg, salt and pepper and mix well. |
 Fill the hollow out tomatoes with the bread crumbs mixture. Arrange stuffed tomatoes in a 8-inch (2L) square glass baking dish.
Bake in a preheated 425F (220C) for 25 to 30 minutes or until the tomatoes are softened and the bread crumbs are golden. |