Dad and Kid preparing slow cooker meal

Slow Cooker Meals Kids Can Help With

ByDee

There’s something magical about the smell of a delicious meal simmering away all day, and it’s even better when your kids can say they helped make it. Slow cooking is a fantastic way to involve children in the kitchen, allowing them to create hearty, nutritious meals with minimal supervision.

Crockpot? Instant Pot? … Or, Either One?

Crockpot® (Slow Cooker):

  • A Crockpot® is a brand of slow cooker that uses low, consistent heat to cook food over several hours. It’s a great tool for making soups, stews, and braised dishes.
  • Why It’s Kid-Friendly: A slow cooker operates at a low temperature, reducing the risk of burns or accidents. Kids can help layer ingredients, set timers, and even stir (while it’s off), making it an ideal choice for young chefs.

Instant Pot® (Multi-Functional Cooker):

  • An Instant Pot® is the brand of a multifunctional appliance that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more. However, it is widely used by many for cooking food quickly using high pressure.
  • Safety Considerations: Due to the high pressure and complex settings, the Instant Pot® requires more careful handling. It’s best suited for older children under close supervision.

Recommendation: For safe, simple, and engaging cooking activities, a slow cooker is the way to go for kids.

Safety Tips for Slow Cooking with Kids

Cooking with kids is a great way to teach them valuable skills, but safety should always come first. As previously mentioned, it’s possible for some kids to prepare a slow cooker meal with “minimal supervision” simply meaning a grownup being in the same room to oversee and assist as needed. Examples:

For younger kids, it’s about guiding them through simple, hands-on tasks like adding pre-chopped ingredients and seasonings, and maybe stirring (while the slow cooker is off).

Older kids can take on more responsibility, such as measuring seasonings, safely chopping ingredients, layering components, and even following a step-by-step recipe without too much assistance.

Here are some specific safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Prep Ingredients Safely: You can choose to pre-chop vegetables and other ingredients yourself, so older kids don’t have to handle knives at all.
  • Teach Safe Handling: Show them how to use measuring cups, spoons, and other tools safely, as well as safe handling of meats and seafood by washing hands again after touching.
  • Avoid Hot Surfaces: Remind them not to touch the slow cooker exterior while it’s cooking.
  • Lid Management: Kids should ask for help if they need to lift the lid, as steam can escape and cause burns.

Benefits of Slow Cooking with Kids

  • Builds Confidence: Completing a meal mostly on their own gives them a sense of accomplishment and encourages them to try more cooking tasks.
  • Provides Hands-On Learning: Kids learn essential cooking skills like measuring, layering, and combining ingredients.
  • Helps Develop Patience and Planning: Slow cooking teaches them the value of planning ahead and the rewards of patience as they wait for the meal to cook.

Diverse and Delicious Slow-Cooker Recipe Ideas

Now, let’s get into the fun part: the recipes ideas! Whether you’re looking to introduce your child to new flavors or celebrate your family’s culinary heritage, these diverse slow-cooker recipe ideas are perfect for bringing everyone together around the table.

With a plethora of recipes online to choose from, we provided the recipe idea, a list of typical ingredients to consider and links to some online step-by-step recipes of note.

1. Vegetarian Lentil Dahl (Indian-Inspired)

  • Typical Ingredients: Lentils, coconut milk, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, and a pinch of salt.
  • Find Online Recipes … HERE and HERE. Serve with rice or naan.

2. Chicken Adobo (Filipino-Inspired)

  • Typical Ingredients: Chicken thighs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and water.
  • Find Online Recipes … HERE and HERE. Serve with steamed rice.

3. Black Bean Chili

  • Typical Ingredients: Black beans, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, corn, onions, chili powder, cumin, and vegetable broth.
  • Find Online Recipes … HERE and HERE. Serve with tortillas or over rice.

4. Moroccan Chickpea Stew

  • Typical Ingredients: Chickpeas, sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander.
  • Find Online Recipes … HERE and HERE. Serve with couscous or crusty bread.

5. Italian Minestrone Soup

  • Typical Ingredients: Cannellini beans, pasta, mixed vegetables (like zucchini, carrots, and green beans), tomatoes, and Italian herbs.
  • Find Online Recipes … HERE and HERE.

6. Classic Pot Roast

  • Typical Ingredients: Beef roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, beef broth, and thyme.
  • Find Online Recipes … HERE and HERE.

7. Creamy Mac and Cheese

  • Typical Ingredients: Uncooked pasta, milk, shredded cheese (cheddar and mozzarella), butter, and salt.
  • Find Online Recipes … HERE , HERE and HERE.

Slow cooking is a wonderful way to bring kids into the kitchen, allowing them to take part in creating delicious, nutritious meals. Whether they’re helping with a hearty pot roast or a flavorful lentil dahl, a slow cooker makes it easy and safe for them to get involved. So find an online step-by-step recipe of your choice, gather your ingredients, and enjoy the process of s-l-o-w cooking—and eating—together!

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