Kids in the kitchen
![Jude pictured with chef Ben teaching young child to cook pasta in the kitchen.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Kids-in-the-kitchen.jpg)
It’s got to be a good thing getting kids in the kitchen – it sets them up with good eating habits and a love of food, and they’re much more likely to eat something they’ve helped make than if we plonk a plate in front of them!
Most kids love pasta, so our chef Ben Bayly thought what better place to start than that all-time classic, spaghetti and meatballs, a favourite with his own children. Get the kids involved with fetching herbs from the garden, grating cheese, grinding the pepper, stirring the sauce … and before you know it, they’ll be cooking you dinner!
Why preparation is key
![Homemade baked beans and sausages.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Why-preparation-is-key.jpg)
Doing a bit of preparation the night before or earlier in the day can mean meals are more nutritious, less expensive and less stressful! Chef Ben Bayly has freshened a Kiwi classic – his dad’s cauliflower cheese recipe – and teamed it with some healthy, homemade baked beans and sausages. Yum!
Afternoon snacks
![Mexican favourite filled tortillas.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Afternoon-snacks.jpg)
Who doesn’t need inspiration for what to feed hungry kids in the door from kindy or school? In this Food for Thought recipe, Ben Bayly puts a Kiwi spin on a Mexican favourite – filled tortillas. It’s a dish his girls love – tasty of course, but quick, easy and nutritious too. And don’t forget that go-to after school snack – smoothies. All you need is a blender/food processor, milk, banana and berries. (Yoghurt makes a great addition too.)
Special occasion food
![Chocolate and berry icecreams.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Special-occasion-food.jpg)
Gorgeous to look at and delicious to eat, these special occasion iced treats will woo any partygoer! Strawberry or chocolate … such a difficult choice!
Takeaways at home
![Homemade butter chicken with pita and rice.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Takeaways-at-home.jpg)
We often reach for the phone when we’re looking for a quick dinner. But are takeaways really faster and how much more do they cost? Ben’s decided to make his own version of an Indian-inspired ‘takeaway’ the whole family will enjoy.
Family mealtimes
![Tray of dough ready to be baked.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Family-mealtimes.jpg)
It can be hard to find the time to eat together as a family but there are plenty of reasons why it’s great to gather around the table as often as possible. Your kids will tend to eat a wider variety of foods and have better table manners for starters!
Here Ben and Jude whip up a family favourite – pulled pork on homemade sliders, with kid-friendly coleslaw.
Garden to plate
![Bunch of fresh beans and tomatoes from the garden.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Garden-to-plate.jpg)
Ben makes yummy tomato soup using fresh tomatoes from his garden, which he tops with (freshly-picked) green bean salad and a cottage cheese toasty. Fresh and tasty!
Meals without meat
![Home cooked meals in casserole dishes.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Meals-without-meat.jpg)
Want to cook more meat-free meals but lack inspiration? Ben puts a vegetarian spin on a couple of family favourites – bolognese and lasagna.
Nutritious breakfasts
![Fresh fruit on top of porridge.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Nutritious-breakfasts.jpg)
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Ben’s choice for kick-starting his family’s day? Oats, in the form of muesli and porridge.
School lunches
![Plate of sushi.](https://raisingchildren.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/School-lunches.jpg)
Ben helps answer that perennial question, what to put in the school lunchboxes, by sharing his kids’ lunch of choice – sushi.