Tag: Soup’s On

Wordstir Family Game

Wordstir Family Game

DOWNLOAD HERE

Wordstir Instructions

Give clues to get your family to guess the word on each card. Crossed-out words are off limits! Don’t miss out on the fun: Subscribe to our monthly kits to receive new playing cards each month.

Time: 5 min+   Players: 2+

Rounds: 1 min per card. The game ends when each person has taken the same number of turns and there isn’t an equal number of cards per player left. When the correct word is guessed, the other person or team starts their turn. If no one guesses the word, or an unsayable word is used, the card is either lost or goes back into play, depending on the number of players.

Scoring: If someone guesses your word, you earn a point. The person or team with the most words guessed correctly by others wins!

Turns:

2 people: One person draws a card and tries to get the other to guess the word. Losing a card will be on the honor system. Roles are then swapped.

3 people: One person draws a card and tries to get the player on their right to guess. The next person will give the clues to the player on their right, and so on. The person sitting out each round keeps the time and buzzes if a forbidden word is used.   

4+ people: Divide into teams. One player from Team A selects a card and tries to get their teammates to guess the word. Team B will keep the time and must buzz Team A’s clue-giver if a banned word is used. Team B draws the next card and the roles are swapped. If there is an odd number of players, someone on the smaller team will be the clue-giver twice.

Finding the Right Rice

When there are so many types of rice at the grocery store, it can be hard to decide which one you need. Here’s a cheat sheet:

Short-grain rice is short and wide. It’s softer and stickier than other rice when you cook it up. So it goes best with foods like sushi. Use short-grain rice to make recipes like our Adorable Onigiri.

Medium-grain rice is slightly longer and thinner than short-grain rice. This type of rice is less sticky too, and tastes tender and chewy when cooked. This is the kind of rice in risotto or paella.

Long-grain rice is long and thin, sometimes more than double the length of short-grain rice. It stays more spread apart when cooked, and that makes it good for saucy dishes. Basmati is a popular long-grain rice you might be familiar with. Try it with our Mexican Rice recipe!

Not sure which is which? Stack your rice grains side by side on the counter. The longest and thinnest is the long-grain, and the shortest and widest is the short-grain. And here’s a fun fact: wild rice is not actually rice! It’s a member of the grass family but is called “rice” due to its appearance. Who knew?

If you enjoyed these foodie facts, check out our monthly kits for more fun learning.

Noodle Tips

Do you know your noodles? They come in so many shapes and sizes. Next time you go to the supermarket, try to see how many kinds you can find! 

Soba – thin and made from buckwheat flour. Deep in color and flavor, it has extra protein and tastes great hot or cold. 

Udon – thick and chewy, these are popular in soup and so satisfying to slurp!

Somen – these thin white noodles are springy in texture and often served cold. 

Ramen – medium-thick and wavy. What is traditionally used in a ramen soup. 

Rice – unlike the others, these are made from, you guessed it, rice! Making them a great gluten-free alternative. 

Now you’re ready to get slurping! Check out our Mouthwatering Miso and Oodles of Noodles recipes, and mix it up with different noodle pairings to find your favorite. Be sure to check out our soup-making tips before you get started, and work on a Soup Scramble as your dish cooks! Just follow the package directions for exact cooking times.

For more fun learning and foodie facts, subscribe to our monthly kits.

How to Grate Fresh Ginger

A Chef’s Secret: How to Grate Fresh Ginger

Introduce your young chefs to ginger, a zesty ingredient that will give a boost of flavor to any dish. This all-star ingredient featured in our Bento Box kit pairs perfectly with Asian dishes, like our Oodles of Noodles and Baked Salmon. Here’s a pro tip: you can also add it to any entrees, smoothies and drinks, or desserts for an added kick! 

Ginger might appear intimidating, but it’s simple to prepare. A grown-up can help peel with a veggie peeler, then simply rub the ginger against the shell of our Turtle Grater, or a standard grater. Depending on the recipe, you may also dice up the ginger root with a paring knife.

This plant is chock-full of benefits, it’s practically medicine. It can help reduce nausea, soothe tummy troubles, and boost immunity. Who knew something so tasty could be good for you! 

If you’re looking for other ways to lend some Asian flair to your dishes, consider these delicious add-ins: bok choy, tofu, mirin, miso, sesame oil, bean sprouts, or nori (seaweed). Don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly kits for more tips on how to cook up culture right in your kitchen!

Dining In

Fancy it up! You don’t need to dine out at a French restaurant for a grand dinner.

Here are our top Kidstir tips for having a restaurant experience at home and turning any simple meal into a special occasion. Making a meal feel a little fancy is a great way to bond, teach manners and celebrate a great day. 

Start by getting your little one excited. They can write out a menu of what they are making — picture menus work too! Next, set the table, and fold napkins just like how they do it at restaurants. Now the important question: what’s for dinner? You could cook up this month’s kit, or prepare a Kidstir classic. You’ll feel like five stars making our Baked Salmon or Pasta Caprese. 

After you’re done cooking, everyone dresses up and comes to the table in style. Turn on music, light some candles, and say “Cheers!” For a cherry on top, add a vase of flowers, and serve on your best plates. Remember, use your best table manners: say “please” and “thank you,” and kiss the cook!

It’s great to slow down and celebrate the little things. You could toast a day of chores well done, a new skill learned, or a scholastic achievement. You could even encourage good habits — like letting your little chef host a meal when they finish a book and having them tell you all about it over dinner! By taking the time to acknowledge these moments, you motivate good behavior and create great memories for the whole family.

Mouthwatering Miso

Miso Soup

Miso soup is a staple in Japanese cuisine. In fact, it’s believed that on average, people in Japan eat it about once a day! Made from miso paste and traditional fish stock called “dashi,” this dish is best served when fresh and warm. Don’t forget to add tofu, if desired!

A Sprinkle of Furikake

Furikake

Furikake is a common household item in Japan. Many homecooks even them keep furikake in their spice cabinets at home and use it to flavor a variety of different foods. In the U.S., you might find furikake at an Asian market or festival. But today we’ll teach you how to make it yourself!

*Grown-up Note: If you only have raw sesame seeds at home, help your kids toast them in a skillet on low heat before preparing the rest of this recipe. Advise them to stir the seeds every minute or so until they become fragrant and lightly toasted. This should take about 7-8 minutes.

Stove Safety For Kids

 

The best way to help kids get excited about eating, is to involve them in the cooking!  It’s important to remember though, that the kitchen can be a dangerous place for little chefs who aren’t prepared.  That’s why we suggest taking some time to walk them through our tips for  making cooking safer.  It’s always a good idea to supervise your kids as they cook and revisit our list with them each time you plan to tie on an apron.

  • Always ask a grown-up to cook with you.  The best chefs always use an assistant.
  • Always use pot holders or oven mitts when handling hot pans, pots or baking sheets.
  • Turn pot and pan handles to the side to avoid knocking them over.
  • Never try to relight a pilot light on a gas stove without an adult.

Ready to get started? Check out our tips for cooking with kids and discover ways to get them excited about heading in to the kitchen.    Then get going with some recipes which are guaranteed to please such as our scrumptious spaghetti and eyeballs and our totally tasty cauliflower pizza! Remember that safety is just one of the many skills kids will conquer in the kitchen.  For more creative brain games, review our summer learning tips which are relevant all year long.

And of course, be sure to read our baking safety tips before you start warming the oven.  Now that you’re prepared, get cooking, eat up and enjoy!

 

 

5 Fun Ways To Cook With Kids

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Teaching kids to cook is important for a number of reasons.  For one, it’s a basic life skill. Being comfortable enough to make a simple meal is invaluable.  It’s also healthier.  Having a couple “easy go-to’s,” even if it’s just scrambled eggs, is better than rummaging through the cabinet for snacks.  Cooking also improves a number of skills without kids even knowing, like math, reading, comprehension and fine motor coordination.  Most of all, it’s fun and it makes them feel good to be able to create something from scratch.  Convinced? Here are 5 great ways to start getting them involved.  

1. Let Them Plan 
Ask them what they’d like to try so that they’re a part of the process from the start.  Have them flip through some cookbooks and websites to see if anything sparks interest.  Take them with you to the grocery store.  Chances are they’ll find some inspiration there… especially in the baking aisle.

2. Start Off Easy 
Build their confidence by giving them a challenge they can tackle without much of a problem.  Rice Krispie treats, omelets, and french toast are all great places to start.  They involve few ingredients, are hard to mess up, and are easy to enjoy!

3. Do Some Prep 
Set things out beforehand, especially if your kids are brand new to the kitchen.  For example, pre-measure ingredients so that they can just pour them into a bowl and stir.  Cut up veggies in advance and have all the ingredients out of the pantry and on the counter so they’re easy to find and ready to go.

4. Don’t Stress Out 
Things are going to get messy.  It’s okay.  Recipes may not turn out as well as if you’d made them yourself.  It’s okay.  Be ready for mishaps and know that it’s all part of the learning process.  The more they do it, the better they’ll get.  Take a deep breath and have fun experimenting.

5. There’s More To It Than Cooking
If your child still isn’t ready, don’t force it.  Have them get involved in other ways like setting the table, picking out placemats or even licking the spoon. Every kid is different and any way you can get them engaged is a step in the right direction.

Kidstir kitchen rules

Use the “Download Here” link above to print our list of Kids Kitchen Rules. Hang on your refrigerator or keep in another handy spot in your kitchen!

Kids Kitchen Rules

  • Talk to a grown-up before you start making a recipe.
  • Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
  • Roll up long sleeves or wear short sleeve shirts.
  • Tie back long hair to keep it away from food.
  • Read the recipe from start to finish.
  • Put out all the tools and ingredients. French chefs call this “mise en place” (say meez en plas).
  • Be sure to set the timer.
  • Measure carefully.
  • Be careful around sharp and hot items.
  • Don’t forget to clean up the kitchen afterwards!

Here’s a video about one of the rules – Measure Carefully. Enjoy!

Kitchen skills – Measure up. Did you know there’s a difference between liquid and dry measuring cups? For liquid, use a clear measuring cup, then read the measure from eye level. For dry ingredients, fill your measuring cup, then use the flat side of a butter knife to level it off. Perfect!