February 13, 2009

Share Your Recipes for Special Moments

My most vivid memory from my childhood is of my mother “teaching” me how to make French toast. It was my favorite thing for breakfast, and my job was to dip the bread into the egg mixture before Mom put each slice delicately in the pan. My mouth still waters as I think about French toast, melted pats of butter and Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup.

Now that I’m a mother I recognize the importance of creating happy memories with my son. Dawson is a foodie just like his father (who loves to cook and does most of the meal making in our house), and not a day goes by that he isn’t asking me what’s to eat.

The Motherhood is working in collaboration with Rice Krispies® in asking moms to share some special moments that revolve around the kitchen or meal time. (Full Disclosure: I do not work for Rice Krispies or The Motherhood, but was thrilled to participate since my family spends a lot of time in the kitchen. We do love our mealtimes.)

I was asked a few questions about my family’s special moments and here are my answers:

1) What is the most insane creation to come out of your kitchen when you and the kids were trying something new?

Peanut Butter Cupcakes. It was quite by accident. Dawson saw a cake mix I had in the pantry and asked if he could make cupcakes. I let him crack the eggs into the bowl and we took turns mixing the batter. Dawson lined the cupcake pan with paper liners and together we poured the batter into the liners. It wasn’t until the cupcakes were done baking that I discovered we didn’t have cake frosting. “I have a good idea, Mumma!” Dawson said. “We could use peanut butter for the ‘fwosting’!” So, we frosted our cupcakes with peanut butter. They weren’t half-bad, but each cupcake required a full glass of milk to eat!

2) Do you have any favorite traditions that the kids look forward to doing in the kitchen with you?

Dawson loves to help me get the ingredients out of the cupboards or refrigerator when we make a recipe. It’s so cute to see him leaning into the fridge for the carton of eggs as he carries it carefully to the counter.

3) What was the first “meal” you taught your kids to fix?

Since my son is only 4 years old, he really doesn’t understand how to make a meal, but he likes to make crackers and cheese and insists on pouring his own bowl of cereal. He’s not ready to pour milk by himself just yet.

4) Any kitchen disasters with your kids?

No real disasters yet, thank goodness, but we have had a few egg casualties. But that’s the fun part! Dawson loves wiping up cracked egg off the floor, and laughs the entire time! Who knew eggs could be so funny?

5) Do you have a nightly ritual with your family when it comes to meal time? If so, will you share it?

Our nightly ritual is to have dinner at the table. I find that Dawson is more inclined to finish his plate because he sees his parents eating, too. The family togetherness is a bonus. If there’s ever a night we can’t eat together we definitely know it because it feels like something is missing.

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I’d love to know how you and your kids spend time in the kitchen. Feel free to answer the question below via the comments section.

What do you do in the kitchen or around meals with your kids that you’d like to share?

You can answer the above question OR the following “fast five” in the comments to be one of two randomly selected prize winners and your idea could become part of a new Rice Krispies campaign!

1) What is the most insane creation to come out of your kitchen when you and the kids were trying something new?
2) Do you have any favorite traditions that the kids look forward to doing in the kitchen with you?
3) What was the first “meal” you taught your kids to fix?
4) Any kitchen disasters with your kids?
5) Do you have a nightly ritual with your family when it comes to meal time? If so, will you share it?

Links to photos of you and your kids in the kitchen are welcome, too. I can’t wait to read the ideas you’ve shared!