Hey Mom, I'm Bored

Melody Augustson
BusyCooks.com

"Hey Mom, I'm Bored!"... How may times have you heard that statement? Today it is very easy to just turn on the TV or pop in a X-Box game but why not teach your kids something fun in the kitchen? They will enjoy the time spent with you while learning a valuable skill.

One of my favorite things to do is cooking with my children. We always seem to have fun together! Between baseball practice, school functions and my daily commitments, life around the BusyCooks household can get hectic. I collect recipes that are quick and easy to prepare. I try to make my kids' meals as delicious as possible and still make them healthy and nutritious.

With two very active little boys and a new baby girl I will be the first to admit that there are days when I think a frozen pizza tossed into the oven for 15 minutes sounds perfect.

My husband is in the military. When he is away the kids can get to feeling down sometimes. One of the best ways I have found to spend time with them and cheer them up is by cooking. Below are some of the recipes that I have found that are a hit in our household.

I also use this time together to go over spelling and math! Here are some examples I have used.

Our son Luc who is 3 years old will count out the number of eggs we are using and spell it out "e-g-g, that spells egg mommy!". His older brother Drew will let you know that with a dozen cupcakes we made, and his daddy ate two of them we have 10 left.

Always supervise! Be sure your children understand the dangers that they can encounter in the kitchen and help them to prepare recipes safely.

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Pizza Bagels
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1 pk Bagels
1 cup of your favorite tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pk pepperoni, sliced

Lightly toast bagels in toaster and set face up on a cookie sheet. Spread 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce on bagel. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and top with pepperoni. Eat as is or heat in microwave until cheese melts.

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Fruit Kabobs
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4 to 8 pieces of fruit (cut or whole, fresh or canned)
4 - 8 oz. containers of yogurt (assorted flavors)

Gather your ingredients. Empty each container of yogurt into its own bowl and stir to soften. Put fruit on kebob skewer. Dip each piece into one yogurt flavor.

Note: I use the wooden skewers and cut the sharp point of them. You still need to supervise as a sword fight can break out at any moment.

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Beef and Cheese Roll Ups
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1 pound thinly sliced roast beef
2 packages (6 ounces each) soft spreadable cheese
4 flour tortillas
1 cup shredded carrots
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Spread soft cheese evenly on one side of each tortilla. Top evenly with shredded carrots and Jack cheese. Layer lettuces add deli roast beef evenly on cheese, leaving 1/4 inch border around edge. Roll up tightly and serve.

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Fruity Pebbles Cupcakes
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yields 2 dozen

1/2 stick butter
1 pkg. mini-marshmallows
1 pkg. Fruity or Cocoa Pebbles (13 oz.)(8 1/2 cups)
1 can vanilla frosting

Microwave butter in a 4 qt. container for 45 seconds. Add marshmallows and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir. Add cereal. Mix. Press into greased muffin pans to form cupcakes. Cool. Remove from pans and spread with frosting.

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About the Author: Melody and her husband Shawn are owners of BusyCooks.com A site dedicated to providing the busy cook with helpful recipes, tips and tools. Visit them today at: http://www.busycooks.com

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