Getting your kids involved in the cooking process is fantastic because not only will you be able to teach your kids invaluable skills, but you’ll also get to spend quality family time with them. One issue that we often hear from parents is that they don’t know which meals are easy enough to have their kids help with. Thankfully, there are plenty of Ukrainian style dishes that are family-friendly, taste great, and require teamwork and cooperation to ensure they end up just right! Here are a few dishes you can try and make with your children.

Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls are a fun and exciting dish to create with your kids because it allows your kids to create their own rolls, which they will be able to enjoy after they’ve had time to cook in their ovens. Some tips that we may suggest is to keep your head of cabbage in the freezer as opposed to boiling it; once removed from the freezer, let it thaw. This will make it easier to fill the rolls without it falling apart. Holding the roll in the palms of your hands, your children can fill it with rice and ground beef, depending on their preferences. Let your children place them in an oven-safe container, and then they can watch their creations sizzle!

Meatballs

We would never encourage your children to play with their food, but in this instance, we’ll let it slide. Making meatballs is an incredibly fun meal to make with your kids, especially because the possibilities for them are endless. The main ingredients that you will need include eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, as well as water & salt and pepper. After you’ve mixed the ingredients efficiently, you can encourage your children to grab a handful and then roll it up into a ball. Have them make unique sizes or other shapes for added creativity. At Yo Baba, we like to baste them in a mushroom gravy that is delectable and savoury.

Pyrizhky

Much like cabbage rolls, pyrizhky can be filled with a plethora of different ingredients, including sauerkraut, meat and cheese! These are a great idea for any kid that is willing to help in the kitchen because the process of creating the golden brown, tasty treats is so fulfilling. These buns, while commonly served at dinner, can be eaten as a dessert or as a snack for a mid-day pick me up.

We feel it’s important to encourage your children to learn the ins and outs of the kitchen environment. We also want them to experience good, home cooking, that they’ve made. For more meal ideas to engage in with your kids, contact Yo Baba today!