| Getting your kids to help in the kitchen is a bear for | | | | Muddy Crescent Dogs |
| most parents. Just as any mom or dad knows playing | | | | One can of package crescent rolls |
| is simply more fun than kitchen duties. For my kids | | | | 8 hot dogs, preferably good tasting hot dogs |
| the end of dinner is always a time to complain, mope | | | | Ketchup |
| and have the need for an "emergency" bathroom | | | | Instruct your child to turn the oven on to 350º |
| break. Then once the dishes are done off they go to | | | | Fahrenheit. Remember kids still need help with the |
| hide from the dreaded chore maker until its time to | | | | oven. I was nine when I caught my mother's oven |
| read a story or play a game. | | | | on fire, but that's another story. |
| Just recently a miracle happened in my kitchen, my | | | | Have your child get out a cookie sheet. |
| seven year old cooked. I am not talking about | | | | Next have your child open the can of crescent rolls. |
| pouring a bowl of cereal or stirring the noodles I | | | | If this is his/her first time opening the crescent rolls |
| mean she really cooked. This particular afternoon I | | | | warn them that the can may make a loud noise |
| had been sitting at my computer working on my | | | | when it first opens. The loud "pop" always sends my |
| latest cookbook about leftover turkey when I got | | | | youngest into a fit of laughter when her sister |
| the urge to cook. I got up and went down to the | | | | squeals. |
| kitchen to see what could be whipped up with what | | | | Now have your child roll out each of the crescents |
| was on hand. | | | | on the cookie sheet. |
| This is when she came in. She asked if she could help | | | | Now have your child open the package of hot dogs. |
| and instead of my usual list of get this from the | | | | Once open have him/her place one hot dog on each |
| fridge or do this I simply said do you want to do it. | | | | crescent. |
| She said "you mean I can cook it all". When I said | | | | Now comes the mud. Instruct you child to cover |
| yes she was hooked. | | | | each hot dog with "mud", the ketchup, let him/her |
| That afternoon we invented a recipe for sweetened | | | | know the more the messier so go for it. |
| pecan cinnamon custard. I must caution you the | | | | Have your child roll up the crescent rolls around the |
| resulting recipe was terrible. No one ate it, but my | | | | hot dogs and place them in the oven for about 10-12 |
| seven year old declared that she 'sure was happy | | | | minutes or until browned. |
| when I let her do all of it'. | | | | This is such an easy recipe for kids and if we parents |
| Now that you know the trick here is a fun and easy | | | | remember to let them do it all they will have such a |
| recipe that kids like and will get your kids away from | | | | great time that maybe just maybe someday they will |
| the TV and into the kitchen. | | | | cook us dinner. |