5 easy meals to make with your kids

My job as a culinary arts teacher is to get kids turned on to preparing healthy food. The younger they start, the more enthused kids are to create in the kitchen.

1. Fruit salad

Cutting fruit helps develop dexterity (use a butter knife). A simple fruit salad can include strawberries, bananas, grapes, oranges, apples and raspberries. A dash of lemon juice stops it from browning.

2. Scrambled eggs

Once your child can use the stove, teach him to make scrambled eggs. From there he’ll find his way to omelettes and breakfast in bed for you!

3. Potato latkes

These require supervision, as they cook at a medium-high heat. To make: Combine two grated potatoes, one egg, ¼ cup (60 mL) flour, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat a little olive oil, drop a dollop of the mixture into the pan, flatten with a spatula and fry until golden brown, flipping once.

4. Sandwiches

Start young children with hummus or peanut butter on bread; for older kids, teach them to make grilled cheese with apple slices. But anything goes: Fill the fridge with ingredients such as cheese, vegetables and roasted turkey so they can get creative.

5. Muffins

Baking develops measuring and math skills. The trick is to make the recipes healthier; adding grated veggies such as zucchini helps kids get more into their diets. See 5 ways to bake with veggies for more ideas.

Paul Finkelstein is a chef and teacher at Northwestern Secondary School in Stratford, Ont. He is a regular contributor to Best Health. Follow him on Twitter @paulfink