Cooking Doesn't Have To Add Extra Stress To Your Work Week

2009-10-15T01:17:52Z

Being a mother means that you have a ton of things to juggle on an everyday basis. However, being a mother does not mean that you have to suffer or feel overwhelmed about your daily activities. One activity that many moms might view as a chore is cooking. Women across the country are constantly looking for ways to provide nutritious meals for their families while making sure that they do not spend too much time in the kitchen. “Cooking All Together” is an online show designed to motivate families to get in the kitchen and cook with their children. Our hosts are a 31year old working mother (Ciara) and her 7 year old daughter (whose nick name is Nani). "Cooking All Together" provides its viewers with a warm, refreshing, family atmosphere that they can learn to implement in their own homes.
Ciara and Nani have decided to provide you with a few recipes that you can implement on your own that will allow you to eat a tasty meal without feeling as though you had to put it lots of work. Keep in mind that the goal is to take stress of the parents while spending time with the kids. Have fun!

Helpful Tips: Please remember to place a washable/ disposable table cloth down (for easy clean up). Please remember to encourage your child to be creative and to have fun! You should also try to have all of your supplies set out before you begin these activities (with your child). This will allow everyone to have a more enjoyable experience!

Taco Salad Recipe
Ingredients Needed:
Precooked taco seasoned turkey or hamburger meat (follow directions on packet)
Crushed Tortillas Chips
Bag of Salad/ Lettuce
Kidney Beans
Cheese (grated)
Sour Cream
Avocado (sliced)
Sliced Olives
Salsa
Green Onions (sliced)

Directions:
To begin, please have everyone wash their hands. This is a very simple meal! All you have to do is have everyone fill their bowls with all of THEIR favorite ingredients above. Once that has been done, dig in and enjoy this delicious and satisfying meal!

Lemon/ Strawberry Surprise
Ingredients Needed:
Lemon Muffins (Cake)
Strawberries (3 per person)
Strawberry Ice Cream
Powdered Sugar

Directions:
To begin, please have everyone wash their hands. Next, place muffin tops in a bowl and heat them in the microwave for about 10-20 seconds. Next, wash and slice strawberries. Then, place a scoop of strawberry ice cream on top of the muffin. Next, place sliced strawberries on top of the strawberry ice cream. Lastly, sprinkle powdered sugar on the top of your yummy treat and enjoy!

One Pot Roast Beef
Ingredients Needed:
Beef Stock (64 oz/ enough to fully cover roast)
3lbs Beef Roast
Olive Oil
½ Red Onion Sliced
Baby Carrots (1 cup)
3 to 4 Potatoes (pealed and chopped into quarters)
Minced Garlic (2 tablespoons)
Seasoned Salt
Black Pepper
No Salt Seasoning/ Mrs. Dash

Directions:
First, rinse and season each side of the roast (to taste) with seasoned salt, black pepper and no salt seasoning. Next, coat the bottom of your frying pan with Olive Oil. Next, heat the pan on a medium high setting. Next, place the roast and minced garlic in the heated pan for 5-7 minutes (on each side) or until it a crispy dark coating (on both sides). Next, place your pan seared roast, cooked garlic drippings and the remaining ingredients in the crock pot. Cook roast on the lowest setting for 6-8 hours (roast must be totally submerged in beef stock). Turn the crock pot off and let the roast rest in juices for 30 to 60 minutes (prior to serving). Last but not least, slice roast and dig in!
Christmas Cookies Recipe
Ingredients Needed:
Pre-made Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Frosting
Food Coloring
Various Types of Sprinkles
Plastic Knives (1 per child)
Paper Plates

Directions:
To begin, please have everyone wash their hands.
Next, decide what color frosting your child would like to use to frost the cookies.
Please follow the directions on the box of the food coloring to create the desired colors.
Next, use the plastic knife to frost the top of the cookie.
Next, place sprinkles or other candy topping to complete the cookie masterpiece!

Graham Cracker Ginger Bread House Recipe
Ingredients Needed:
Graham Crackers (6 halves per house)
Vanilla Frosting
Food Coloring
Various Types of Candy (Be creative)
Various Types of Sprinkles
Powered Sugar (optional)
Plastic Knives (1 per child)
Large Cookie Sheet
Paper Plates

Directions:
TIP: If time permits please pre-make each house at least 1 hour in advance. Otherwise, your house will probably fall apart as you begin to decorate it!

To begin, please have everyone wash their hands.
You will need six graham cracker halves to create one house.
First, place frosting on each side (four side’s total) of the graham cracker half.
Continue to do this until you have created a block (four halves needed)
Next, place the remaining two halves on top of the block, (frosting on each side as well) to create your roof.
Next, use additional frosting to fill in any gaps along the edges and corners.
Again, please allow at least one hour to dry to ensure a sturdy house (otherwise it is a huge mess)!

Next, decide what color frosting your child would like to use to decorate their house.
Please follow the directions on the box of the food coloring to create the desired colors.
Place the various candies on plates for easier access.
Now that they are dry let your child begin to decorate their house by using their imagination!
For an added effect, use a sifter to sprinkle powered sugar over the completed house to give the allusion of snow.
Don’t forget to take out the camera to snap pictures for your scrapbook!

For more questions or comments email us at ciaraandnani@yahoo.com or look us up on FACEBOOK.

Editor's Note: Ciara Anguay is the Marketing Director for "Cooking ALL Together".

Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Ciara Anguay

Cooking Doesn't Have To Add Extra Stress To Your Work Week