![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/kitchener-strongstart\/files\/2020\/05\/IMG_0026-300x297.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/kitchener-strongstart\/files\/2020\/05\/IMG_0756-300x172.jpg\")
Whether it is cooking or baking, preparing food together is a fun and interactive activity for the whole family.\u00a0 I remember the excitement in the children’s eyes every time we made whether it were muffins, pancakes or stone soup in StrongStart.\u00a0 They were eagerly waiting to eat the foods that they made.\u00a0 And they always seem to taste better.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some of the benefits of cooking or baking with children are building connections and learning social responsibilities such as learning where foods come from, and promoting healthy eating habits.\u00a0 Children are more willing to try new food if they are involved in the preparation process.\u00a0 Lots of learning are happening for children during cooking and baking.\u00a0 For example, language development –\u00a0 talk about what you are doing, reading recipes out loud, science – use all the senses to observe the textures and what happens to the ingredients when they are mixed together, math – measurements and counting, fine and gross motor skills and more.\u00a0 You can also make substitutions or add more healthy ingredients to your cooking and baking.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/kitchener-strongstart\/files\/2020\/05\/InkedIMG_0492_LI-1-300x300.jpg\")
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/kitchener-strongstart\/files\/2020\/05\/IMG_0557-1-1-1-243x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
1 cup whole wheat flour
\n1 cup grated carrots
\n1\/4 cup oil (coconut oil or butter)\u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/kitchener-strongstart\/files\/2020\/05\/InkedIMG_0155-1_LI-2-300x227.jpg\")
\n1\/2 cup milk (soy milk for vegan)
\n1 tsp baking powder
\n1 tsp baking soda
\n1 tsp cinnamon powder
\n1\/4 brown sugar
\n1\/4 raisins<\/p>\n
All mix in one bowl<\/p>\n
Spray or grease a mini muffin pan<\/p>\n
Fill the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F.<\/p>\n
<\/pre>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBasic Batter <\/span><\/strong><\/em>(Recipe Provided by Jen Wu)<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n
Once you have made the basic batter, you can add anything to it and make different variations (ie: Strawberries, bananas, chocolate chips, raisins, blueberries, bananas, raspberries, apples)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n
2 cups flour (250 g)<\/strong>
\n2 teaspoons\u00a0baking powder<\/strong>
\n\u00bc teaspoon\u00a0salt<\/strong>
\n2 eggs<\/strong>
\n1 \u00bd cups\u00a0milk\u00a0(355 mL) (can use dairy or non-diary milks)\u00a0<\/strong>
\n2 tablespoons\u00a0maple syrup or honey<\/strong>
\n2 tablespoons\u00a0butter, melted (can also sub with oil)\u00a0<\/strong>
\nSome fruit, chocolate chips, raisins, etc…\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nDirections:<\/strong><\/div>\nPreheat oven to 375 degrees.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\nMix all ingredients together.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\nIf using fruits like apples, bananas, Strawberries, cut fruit into small pieces.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\nSpray \/\u00a0grease a mini-muffin pan.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\nFill muffin tins 3\/4 full with batter, put\u00a02-3 pieces of fruit in each tin.\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\nBake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Let sit in the pan for 1 to 2 minutes, then turn them out of the pan to cool.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPan Cakes\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>(Provided by Marilyn)<\/strong><\/h5>\n
1 cup self-raising flour
\n1\/4 cup caster sugar
\n1\/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
\n1 egg
\n3\/4 cup milk, approximately
\n1 teaspoon white vinegar
\n15 g butter (melted)<\/p>\nMix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another.\u00a0 Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.\u00a0 Then cook it it a frying pan or griddle.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/kitchener-strongstart\/files\/2020\/05\/IMG_0310-1-300x234.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sd41blogs.ca\/kitchener-strongstart\/files\/2020\/05\/IMG_0606-2-273x300.jpg\")