Get the Kids Cooking!

Kids love to learn. Include them in the kitchen fun. It's good bonding. Plus, you can kick back once they learn some dishes.

It may be quicker and easier to whip up food sans children, but you're missing a lot of great memories if the kids are playing video games while you're making the meals.

My mom taught me to make homemade biscuits when I was eight years old or so. At age 9, I won the county 4-H biscuit contest. I still make biscuits from scratch a couple of times a week.

I helped my dad with grilling as a kid, so I have those memories. And, I can cook almost anything over an open fire. I've worked with the local Boy Scouts on cooking. The guys really enjoy kitchen duty especially when it's outdoors.

Those are all good memories, and I'm also glad that I don't have to eat frozen dinners or go out all the time. Eating at home saves time and money, and the food is definately better tasting and more healthy (depending on what I cook of course).

Both my boys do some cooking. No. Not every day. I want cooking to be fun and not a chore. It's good family fun. Also, they're more likely to try something new if they've had a hand in cooking it.

I make sure to mix in some easy recipes in my Southern Cuisine collection. I know some of my readers are new to cooking, and I know that it's nice to have some simple starter recipes for the kids.

Easy Strawberry Pudding is a nice starter recipe. It also looks fancy. It's a good one to take to dinners. When the adults find out the kids made it, they really rave.

My latest recipe is just for fun and though I had kids in mind, a lot of grown ups also like making Zip Lock Baggie Ice Cream.

Keep watching Southern Cuisine. I'm going to cover a lot about southern cooking and traditions, but I'll make sure to keep tossing in some easy dishes that will be kid and family friendly.