The holidays are a wonderful time to bond with your children, and what better way to create lasting memories than by cooking together? The kitchen can be a fun and exciting place for kids, and making snacks together is a great way to teach them simple cooking skills while spending quality time.
Here are 5 easy-to-make snacks that you can try this holiday:
- Meat Pie
A classic favourite, meat pies are delicious and surprisingly easy to make. Kids will enjoy rolling the dough and helping with the filling.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 100g butter (cold, diced)
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 200g minced meat (beef or chicken)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 1 carrot (diced)
- 1 small potato (diced)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Seasoning cubes, salt, and pepper to taste
Steps:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Mix the flour and butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Add water gradually to form a dough. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Heat oil in a pan, add sliced onions, then add minced meat. Cook until browned. Add carrots, potatoes, and seasonings. Simmer until soft.
Roll out the dough, cut it into circles, and fill it with the meat mixture. Seal the edges with a fork.
Place on a baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Sausage Rolls
This flaky and savoury snack is a hit with kids. It’s also a great way to introduce them to using pastry dough.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
- 6 sausage links (or sausage meat)
- 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)
Steps:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Roll out the pastry and cut it into rectangles. Place a sausage on each rectangle.
Roll the pastry over the sausage, sealing the edges with a little beaten egg.
Brush the tops with egg wash and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Chin Chin
Chin Chin is a crunchy, sweet snack perfect for the holidays. Kids will have fun cutting the dough into small shapes.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup margarine
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Oil for frying
Steps:
Mix flour, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl. Rub in the margarine until crumbly.
Add milk gradually and knead into a dough. Roll out the dough and cut into small squares or strips.
Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the chin-chin until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels and let cool before serving.
- Banana Bread
A healthy and tasty treat, banana bread is a great way to use overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup butter (melted)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- A pinch of salt
Steps:
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a loaf pan.
Mix the mashed bananas, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Add the egg and stir well.
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold it into the wet mixture.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes. Let cool before slicing.
- Puff-Puff
This classic African snack is sweet, fluffy, and irresistible. It’s a perfect snack to make with kids who love getting their hands sticky!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp dry yeast
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- Oil for frying
Steps:
Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and nutmeg in a bowl. Gradually add lukewarm water to form a thick batter. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
Heat oil in a deep pan. Scoop the batter with your hands or a spoon and drop it into the oil.
Fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve.
Tips for Cooking with Kids
Safety first: Supervise closely, especially when using knives or hot appliances.
Encourage creativity: Let them experiment with toppings and fillings.
Be patient: Things might get messy, but the joy of cooking together is worth it.
Cooking these snacks together is more than just about food; it’s about creating a fun and educational experience for your children. Let them mix, measure, and even make a bit of a mess—it’s all part of the process!
Happy cooking and happy holidays!
