Thanksgiving provides the ideal opportunity to spend a little time in the kitchen with your kids and involve them in preparing the family meal (or making something to bring to Grandma’s house). Whether your kids are 3 or 13, below are a few simple recipes they can master (almost by) themselves.
Cranberry Sauce
*This easy recipe can be found on the back of the Ocean Spray cranberry bag
You will need:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 12-ounce package Ocean Spray fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed and drained
Directions:
Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and add cranberries. Return to boil and then reduce heat and simmer for approx. 10 minutes (or until berries start to pop and the sauce thickens), stirring occasionally. Cover and cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate until serving time.
Applesauce
* This can be made in advance after apple-picking during the fall harvest and frozen or canned for the Thanksgiving meal. A favorite BFF family recipe comes from the Betty Crocker cookbook that has seen many years of use.
You will need:
4 medium cooking apples (1 1/3 lb), peeled, cut into fourths and cored
1/2 cup of water
1/4 cup packed brown sugar or 3 to 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (We don’t use the nutmeg)
Directions:
Bring apples and water to a boil over medium heat, stir occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes (until apples are tender). Continue to stir occasionally in order to break up apples. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook for approximately 1 minute more so flavors can mix. Pour into favorite dish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. See here for tips on freezing or canning your applesauce.
Butter
* A kid favorite is the “making of the butter.” It’s simple. It gets them moving and if you are feeling really creative you can use molds after it’s made to turn it into your favorite shape.
You will need:
1/2 pint of heavy cream
A jar with a lid (baby food jars work well)
A clean marble (this is optional but makes the butter-making process go faster)
Directions:
Pour the cream into the jar (with or without the marble). Screw lid on tight. Shake the jar vigorously until a hard glob is formed in the jar (the butter). There will be some liquid left (this is buttermilk). Drain the liquid and place butter in a bowl or shape with a mold. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Enjoy! And have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
