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December 21, 2005
Christmas Candy
Okay now it's time to head for the kitchen. Christmas season just wouldn't be the same without some delectable treats. My mother's was always fruit cake, but since I'm not terribly fond of fruit cake, I choose fudge and peanut brittle and other fun candy munchies. I checked on the Internet and there are a variety of sights for fun candy makings. My favorite for kids is http://www.sentex.net/~kdor/christmas.html#Recipes%20and%20Good%20Eats%20at%20Christmas It's got a host of different recipes and goodies to try.
Your kids, at any age, can help in the kitchen and they'll learn a great deal. When I was a child making fudge, after we made the fruit cake, was always fun. I remember chopping up the bitter chocolate bars, measuring in the sugar, adding milk, heating, stirring, lots of stirring, and dropping just a bit of the hot mixture into a cup of cold water. If it turned into a chocolate ball it was ready. If it didn't we needed to heat and stir a bit longer.
As you can tell from my recipie it was a while ago I learned how to make fudge and we used an age old recipie most folks wouldn't have time for today, but I still remember how much fun it was and how I looked forward to doing it.
When you spend the time in the kitchen with your children they are learning how to measure, pour, mix, heat, and taste, but they are also building skills, confidence, and creating lots of memories.
In case you're wondering what to create in the kitchen, let me assure you there are over 100 recipies for fudge alone. I found one with chocolate chips you put in the microwave. It doesn't matter a whole lot what you make. What matters is you make something together. I made fruit cake every year I lived at home. I don't make it today, but I remember enjoying the process of doing it. It was all part of the season, the fun, and growing up. So what are you waiting for? Pick a recipie and get on your way.
Posted by Dr Joni at December 21, 2005 06:41 AM