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Play Dough

Kids can have fun in the kitchen without banging pots and pans
Written By: 
Mackensy Lunsford
Photographs by: 
Matt Tierney

Keeping kids out of trouble long enough to make a meal can be a tall order. But if you involve them in the process, they can learn basic math skills and the importance of following instructions. “When my kids were little,” says Barbara Swell, a family therapist-turned-cookbook author and teacher, “I used to stick them at the counter with some sort of dough every night. It would keep them busy while I tried to cook.”

Let the kids play in the kitchen for a change with one of Swell’s recipes, ready-made for tiny helping hands.

Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients: 
  • 2 cups self-rising flour
  • 5 Tbs. cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
Directions: 

KIDS: Measure all ingredients and set aside so mom or dad can combine them.

ADULTS: Preheat oven to 450°F. In a bowl, barely work the butter into the flour and add buttermilk to make the dough soft. Pass the bowl of dough to junior to knead. While

kids are kneading dough, lightly dust a work surface with all-purpose flour and grease a baking sheet.

KIDS: Knead the dough in the bowl until it holds together in a ball. Roll out dough on the floured work surface to a thickness of one inch. Use a can or biscuit cutter to cut out circles and place on the baking sheet.

ADULTS: Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cheddar-Pepper Crescents

Ingredients: 

1 recipe raw biscuit dough from previous recipe
1 large roasted sweet bell pepper
4 oz. cheddar, grated

Directions: 

Follow directions for making raw dough from first recipe.

ADULTS: Roast pepper. Lightly flour a work surface and preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

KIDS: Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a circle about a quarter-inch thick. Cut each circle into six to eight wedges, like slicing a pizza. Sprinkle each wedge with cheese and add pepper. Roll each wedge from the widest end toward the point. Place on the baking sheet.

ADULTS: Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Roasted Peaches

Ingredients: 

1 bushel peaches
Vanilla ice cream

Directions: 

ADULTS: Slice the peaches around the pit. Preheat the oven to 350F.

KIDS: Twist halves to separate them from the pit. Lay the peaches skin side up on a parchment-lined sheet pan.

ADULTS: Roast the peaches approximately 1 hour, or until skins slip off easily.

KIDS: Remove peaches from oven and let cool slightly. Remove from directly on the sheet pan. If desired, reserve a couple and enjoy with vanilla ice cream.