cooking with a toddler: scrambled eggs

over the last few days i have been trying to get my 19 month old more involved with our family cooking.  my husband and i cook dinner just about every night of the week.  we probably go out to dinner on average once a week, but some months we dont go out at all, or we make quick lazy dinner that doesnt require much time in the kitchen.  ultimately, if you want to live a healthier lifestyle, cooking for yourself is the best bet.  you have control over the portion size and obviously the ingredients.  restaurant food is delicious, but they spare no calorie.  full fat cream, butter, salt, oil, sugar... you name it.  its yummy, but not entirely healthy.  

i want my son to grow up knowing how to cook and i believe teaching him at a very young age with help foster independence and confidence.  cooking for himself at a young age also instills a sense of capability: i can!  it also shows my son the confidence i have in him and that i trust his ability in the kitchen..  if you start showing your children the right way to things at a young age, you dont have to be worried about them hurting themselves or doing the "wrong" thing as they get older.  teach them WHY they cannot touch a hot stove, dont just tell them NO.  TEACH and SHOW them how to use the kitchen tools.  you cannot expect them to know... we all need guidance and experience to learn.  :)

my son loves eggs, so this morning he made his own scrambled egg!  

i pulled a dining chair up to the counter for him to stand on.

after he cracked the egg into the bowl, he used a fork to scramble it.

i showed him how to spray the pan with cooking spray.  his attempt to spray the pan resulted in a stove covered with canola oil.  haha, better luck next time.  he quickly poured the egg into the pan on the stove and grabbed the spatula and started stirring.

he LOVED using the spatula and stirring the egg in the pan.

i set out a bowl for him to scoop the egg into.  he didnt get a single part of the egg in the bowl, but it was fun to watch him try.  next time...

enjoying his egg.  job well done!

happy cooking!

- the mrs.