Treat Mom All Week Long: Kids Cook Dinner

About author / Christine Gable

Culinary enthusiast; kids cuisine and slow cooking; magazine recipe developer; professional writer. Her simple recipes are great for family dinners.

Mother’s Day is said to be the busiest day of the year for restaurants. Is taking Mom out your way to say “thank you” too? Yet is there a chance you—or she—would appreciate something different this week?

How about thanking mom by treating her to a home-cooked meal—sans the crowds, the waiting in line, and the temperamental waiter. Lest you say “no thanks” to this suggestion, think of the hidden benefits of a home-cooked meal as your Mother’s Day gift:

1. It’s Easier: Really, with today’s busy schedules, if your mom is as busy as I am, a meal in would be as appreciated—if not more—than a meal prepared in a restaurant. Forget stuffing mom in the car, standing in line and waiting for the over-worked staff to get her coffee. Stay home, sit on the sun porch or the backyard deck. Have a pot of her favorite coffee ready-and-waiting, play a game—or just enjoy some time to visit and talk without the hubbub and crowds.

2. It’s Healthier: No matter what her age, all moms have the best reason of all to eat better than ever: you! And by preparing a meal at home, you have the ability to control the amount of sugar, oil and refined flours or dairy in the dinner. And when you stir, sauté and bake it yourself, it’s got that extra-special ingredient that no chef or restaurant can add no matter how hard they try: love.

3. It’s an Educational Opportunity in the Making: Yes, that’s right. Kids of all ages can take advantage of learning something new. Even if you’ve never cooked more than Jell-O or instant ramen noodles, here’s your chance to show Mom how much she’s cared about—and how talented and smart you are.

But hey, forget being limited to Mother’s Day … these ideas are worth clipping and whipping up year-round. And if you’re feeling a bit exotic, surprise mom with your gourmet skill by tossing some kale, bok choy, Chinese cabbage or water chestnuts into her surprise stir-fry. She just might ask you to cook for her next year too!

Serves/Makes: 4

***Protein: Choose One***

• 1 pound lean beef cubes or strips
• 1 pound lean chicken, boneless, cut into strips
• 1 pound lean turkey cutlet, cut into strips
• 1 pound tofu, cut into small 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 can (15 ounce size) black beans, drained

***Vegetables: Choose Three***

• 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
• 2 medium carrots, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 small zucchini, halved and sliced into half moons or strips
• 2 small yellow squash, halved and sliced into half moons or strips
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green beans

***Grain: Choose One***

• 3 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
• 3 cups cooked pasta (linguine, spaghetti, spirals, etc.)

***Seasoning: Choose One***

• 1/2 teaspoon Adobo (or sea salt and pepper)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons canola oil (as needed)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (more if desired)