Cooking Is Fun Blog

Making Cooking Fun for Your Family

If you’re home right now with the kiddos and looking for something that might inspire some learning, the kitchen is the perfect place. Cooking can teach math, science, and reading skills as well as spark artistry and creativity—plus, it’s fun for the whole family!

We understand it’s hard trying to work from home and be a teacher for your children as well. So each week, we’ll share one or two easy and fun recipes that include an educational twist. Shh…. The kids won’t even know they’re learning!

Share photos with us of your creations, and tell us what you like about them! Remember, when posting your photo, tag #HealthyAtHome so we can all share the fun learning experiences happening in kitchens across Central Florida.

Let's Get Cookin'

Recipe: Not too Sweet Snacking Granola

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup grapeseed oil (canola or vegetable oil are great substitutes)
  • 3 cups old-fashioned oats (don’t have oats? Use corn flakes or cheerios)
  • 1/2 cup chopped raw, unsalted walnuts
  • 1/2 cup chopped unsalted almonds
  • 1/2 cup chopped unsalted pecans
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit, optional

Chef’s Note: Use your imagination! Any nuts or dried fruit will do.

Teachable Moments

Math: Ask your kids, “what if you only had a ¼ cup measure? How many would equal ½ cup? What if you only had ½ cup measure? How would you get ¼ cup? How many ¼ teaspoons equals 1 teaspoon?” and other stimulating questions about fractions.

Science: As kids are preparing the recipe ingredients, ask them to identify which ingredients are solids and which are liquids. If you need a refresher, solids keep their shape when moved from one place to another, while liquids take the shape of whatever container they are in. Fun fact alert! Sugar and cinnamon are both solids, even though they take the shape of the measuring spoons or containers. If you look closely, you’ll see they are made up of tiny, solid grains.

Do you have a question or comment?
Contact Chef Gary through our Virtual Chef feature!