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Mom Minute Monday: Getting your kids involved in the kitchen

One thing that has always helped bring people together is food and cooking! We got expert advice on how to get your kids excited about cooking.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — This Mom Minute Monday, 3News’ Danielle Wiggins got some great advice about how to get your kids more involved in the kitchen.

So how can cooking really help us through this time with our little ones?

”I think it's so important right now that the kids are getting to see how the meals are prepared, help plan them, help cook them so that they have a better idea of what's going on," says Emma Tomco, head chef and assistant chef at the Young Chefs Academy in Strongsville.

Chef Tomco suggests letting your children look at pictures of recipes they might be interested in making.

“I think it definitely helps letting them pick the meals because it's something they're interested in.”

Wiggins also asked about how to let your guard down in the kitchen, if you're someone who strives for perfection.

“Cooking is an art," Chef Tomco explains. "It's never going to be perfect. They're going to enjoy it and you're going to make memories doing it with them.”

She says it's OK to mistakes. In the end, that's sometimes the best way to learn. 

“A lot of mistakes can be made and it'll still work out."

The Young Chefs Academy shared a really great recipe with us -- perfect to make with your kids for the holidays: S'mores hot cocoa! A twist on two recipes that are kid-favorites!

Chef Tomco took us through the recipe step-by-step. You can follow along with her video tutorial below.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 full graham crackers, finely crushed
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • ½ cup chocolate syrup, plus more for serving
  • 3 Tbsp. chocolate pudding mix
  • 8 large marshmallows
  • Cooking oil spray

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Microwave safe bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Foil
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Mug
  • 4" skewers (optional)

Directions

  1. Move the top oven rack 8-inches below the broiler. Preheat the broiler to LOW. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking oil spray.
  2. Add the chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high at 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until melted.
  3. Dip the rim of the mugs in the melted chocolate. Sprinkle the rim with crushed graham crackers. Set aside.
  4. Bring the milk and sugar to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
  5. Whisk in the remaining melted chocolate and chocolate syrup. 
  6. Whisk in the pudding mix, one tablespoon at a time. Continue to cook at a simmer until the mixture thickens slightly.
  7. Pour the hot cocoa into the mugs.
  8. Set the marshmallows on the prepared baking sheet. Set the baking sheet under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes or until the marshmallows are toasted.
  9. Place two marshmallows into each mug -OR- on a skewer. Set one skewer on top of each mug.
  10. Drizzle the marshmallows with a little chocolate syrup and sprinkle with graham crackers.

The Young Chefs Academy Strongsville is still offering daily classes and their Winter Break Culinary Camps.

They are following all COVID-19 protocols, so space is limited.

The Young Chefs Academy is planning to open a new location in Solon on January 18, 2021.

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