Last weekend we celebrated my daughter K’s 7th Birthday and we did it with a whole lotta cooking fun. It not only allowed the kids to make their dishes but it also showed them how much fun it is to cook, get in the kitchen and learn where their food comes from. Last weekend was also Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day where bloggers, businesses, neighbors and friends all gathered together to show the importance of food knowledge is needed for kids in our schools and homes.
As the kids entered the house they were all greeted with their own chef hat where they had the chance to decorate it to their hearts content. Let’s just say that they all embodied their own artist and made their hats look great.
Once that was finished we were all able to get pictures of our budding little chefs. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and as you can see the kids loved being by the lake.
After that we cleaned up and washed hands and got ready to do some serious cooking. The night before I made pizza dough and prepped it for all to have their own individual pizzas. Each child was able to get nitty gritty and roll out their doughs. It was great and the kids loved getting their hands dirty in the flour. Mozzarella cheese, homemade pizza sauce (This is one version but I used the recipe below instead, my favorite) and pepperoni slices were set on each table and the kids were able to choose their toppings.
Once the kids finished getting their pizzas ready we threw them in the oven and as they were cooking the kids were able to make fruit kabobs with fresh pineapple, watermelon, grapes, and cantaloupe.
At this station the kids learned about the benefits and importance of picking and eating fresh fruits and seeing how fun it can be to eat healthy. It was great seeing all the kids enjoy all their fruits and surprised me how much they enjoyed it.
While pizzas baked we had a taste and smell test, where small bowls were individually filled with coffee granules, cinnamon, peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, and powdered sugar. The kids loved this activity especially since they got to taste and smell the bowls with their eyes closed. Let’s just say they were really surprised with a few of them and never expected some of their tastes. 🙂
Once the pizzas were finished baking the kids gobbled them up as fast as you can count 1…2…3…
Cupcakes were the next activity where different colored buttercream icings were lined up with vanilla and chocolate cupcakes made the night before by yours truly. Sprinkles galore and candy assortments were enjoyed by all. The cupcakes were the kids take home gifts to enjoy later at home. It was great to see the little bakers make their own cupcakes.
I definitely saw my daughters inner cupcake war opponent shine thru… She, on her own, filled each cupcake with frosting before frosting it like a pro and I didn’t even tell her to do that.
All in all the party was a success the kids all had a blast and food was enjoyed by all. It was truly a great day and a special birthday!
Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Active Dry Or Instant Yeast
- 4 cups All-purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions
Sprinkle yeast over 1 1/2 cups warm (not lukewarm) water.
In a mixer, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, drizzle in olive oil until combined with flour. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined.
Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you need it. Make it the night or two before.
Pizza Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 – 14.5 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2- 1 tablespoon of dried Italian herbs
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Directions
In a saucepan, saute the garlic on medium heat for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add dried herbs. Add in crushed tomatoes, salt and sugar. Cook over medium heat for 10-20 minutes. I like to puree my sauce and blend it up really good after it has all cooked together.
Your daughter is soooo cute!!!!