Cooking is a life skill that is increasingly valued globally.
Families are encouraging children to learn cooking from a young age to encourage their independence and become more responsible.
The young kids will be able to prepare their food if they have some basic cooking knowledge, when their parents are busy with their works.
Parents can encourage their children, starting with simple tasks such as preparing cold beverages, salad or other dishes that require assembly or baking rather than stove-top skills.
As the children gain confidence they can graduate to stove-top cooking with parental guidance and supervision. With more practice, they can soon prepare snacks, drinks and salads for themselves and for the family.
Children can do the simplest of tasks. Some of the easiest recipes for children use condiments to impart flavours that raise even the simplest preparations to the next level.
Italian organic foods brand Alce Nero has compiled four simple healthy recipes to get children started on a culinary journey in time for World Parents’ Day Celebration on July 24 and for everyday thereafter.
The condiments featured are Alce Nero Apple Cider Vinegar, Alce Nero Balsamic Vinegar, Alce Nero Organic Wildflower Honey and Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Below are four simple ideal recipes using Alce Nero condiments for kids to follow:
Caprese Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 10 minutes, serves: 4 pax
Caprese salad offers great flavour from the combination of just a few ingredients. Only the tangy balsamic glaze requires minor stove top time.
Make the balsamic vinegar glaze by placing the Alce Nero Balsamic Vinegar into a small sauce pan, bring to a gentle boil on low heat. It should reduce and thicken in 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
Slice tomatoes and fresh mozzarella into 1 cm thick rounds. On a plate or platter, arrange the tomato and cheese slices, overlapping and alternating them.
Wash and pat dry fresh sweet basil leaves. Arrange over the assembled tomato and cheese slices.
Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar glaze and Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil before sprinkling with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Sparkling Apple Cider Vinegar Limeade
Prep time: 10 minutes, no cooking required, serves: 5 pax
In a drink dispenser, combine 3 litre sparkling water, 3 tablespoon of Alce Nero Apple Cider Vinegar, juice from 5 limes, 4 tablespoon of Alce Nero Organic Wildflower Honey.
Mix well, then top up with ice cubes. Pour into glasses and garnish with lime slices.
Spaghetti with Olive Oil and Garlic (Aglio e Olio)
Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 15 minutes, serves: 5 pax
Perhaps the simplest spaghetti dish for beginners and your child may require help with this one if they are inexperienced with stove top cooking.
Prepare 450g Alce Nero Spaghetti according to the pack instruction. Six minutes in boiling water for al dente pasta.
As the pasta cooks, in a large fry pan combine garlic, Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil, salt, and red pepper flakes to taste, and warm over low heat until the garlic softens and turns golden. Chef’s tip if you love garlic, add more for an intense yet mellow flavour.
Drain the pasta, reserving about a ½ cup of the cooking water. Add the Alce Nero Spaghetti and the reserved water to the garlic mixture. Mix well until the Alce Nero Spaghetti is well coated in garlicky olive oil.
Transfer to a large serving bowl or divide among individual plates. For garnish, add parsley and lemon zest. Serve immediately.
Tomato Bruschetta
Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 10 minutes, serves: 5 pax
Preheat oven to come up to a temperature of 200 degree Celsius. Place bread slices on a baking sheet. Toast for 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Rub the toasted side with cut garlic. Set aside.
In a bowl, toss chopped tomatoes, cheese, Alce Nero Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Alce Nero Balsamic Vinegar, onion, basil, salt and pepper together. Divide evenly over the toast.
Malaysians can use Alce Nero products with confidence as it is certified halal by official certification bodies recognized by JAKIM.
