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Family Friendly Fall Cooking

By Megan Gates October 20, 2011

          

Fall is certainly a buffet for the senses. Beautiful scenery, the sound of crickets, the smell of fallen leaves, and the scent of favorite fall foods cooking in the kitchen remind us that winter is just around the corner. 

Nearly everyone knows that fall is the time for cinnamon, nutmeg, warm soup, and pumpkin pie. Family favorites taste delicious and set the stage for fond memories that will be relived for generations to come. Even small children can get involved in food preparation and memory making. Pumpkin pie is a great example.

Although cutting up the pumpkin and baking the pie is best handled by adults, children will enjoy scooping out the seeds and preparing them for a good roasting. Allowing children to sample different spices as they are being added to the recipe encourages their culinary capabilities.

Another family favorite is home-made chili. Warm bowls of chili on a cool fall evening are both satisfying and delicious. It is easy to involve children in the preparation process, too! There are so many ingredients and spices that can be added, kids will have fun experimenting with different flavors and textures.

For something different, allow your child to pick out his or her favorite pasta shape to add to the mix. Children who choose ingredients and cook along with their caregivers are more likely to eat a broader and healthier range of foods than children who do not. 

Fall also stirs up memories of campfires and grilling. While it’s difficult to involve children in outdoor cooking, they are capable of preparing foods for the grill. Kids can also take over making salads and vegetables to accompany the main course.

With supervision, kids can roast nearly anything over a campfire. While hot dogs and marshmallows are a staple, anything that can fit on the end of a stick makes a great treat! Apples and pears fit snugly on a roasting stick make wonderful and healthy fall treats. Bell peppers are another vegetable that tastes great roasted over a fire. Add a little ranch dressing and the kids will go crazy to roast more and more! 

Fall is a great time to take advantage of the weather—and your culinary memories! Creatively involving children in food and meal preparation is a wonderful way to make sure they learn cooking safety and proper nutrition.

Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York City RentalsSuffolk Real Estate, home improvement and the latest architecture, design and fashion.  Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign.