Spanish food is full of spicy flavors.
Spanish cuisine is influenced by a variety of flavors and spices. Hilaire Walden, author of "The Book of Spanish Cooking" explains that olive oil, parsley, garlic, tomatoes, green peppers and onions are just a few ingredients that distinguish this cuisine from others. Introducing children to this type of food will likely be a welcome departure from traditional kid-friendly staples like macaroni and cheese or French fries.
Baderillas
These small skewers loaded with several ingredients are a common sight in Spanish tapas restaurants. Kids will appreciate choosing their own ingredients for the skewer, and the dish is simple to prepare and involves no cooking. Ingredients can include olives, cheese cubes, tomatoes, pickles and tuna chunks. Modify the ingredients according to the preferences of the kids, then place all ingredients in separate bowls.
Bilingualfun.com suggests enhancing the activity by incorporating a Spanish lesson into the cooking session. You can label each bowl with the Spanish word and ask the children to pronounce them one at a time. Once the skewers are prepared, go around the table and ask the children to state what ingredients they added in Spanish.
Guacamole
Though many associate this avocado dip with Mexican food, Michael Thompson states in the article "Holy Guacamole!" that the Spaniards enhanced this dish with spices now commonly included in guacamole, including cilantro and lime juice. Mashing two avocados, adding some lime juice, tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper is all that is required to prepare this dish. Kids can participate in mashing the avocados, squeezing the lime and stirring all of the ingredients together. Other ingredients can be added to the guacamole, like pomegranate seeds, mango, pineapple or black beans. For dipping, use tortilla chips, apple slices, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, red peppers or tortillas.
Children also can save the pit, or seed, and make an avocado plant by placing the seed in water and watching it grow.
Burritos
Burritos incorporate a wide variety of ingredients that can be included in this tortilla wrap. Common filling includes beans, ground beef, shredded chicken, guacamole, sour cream, Spanish rice, sautéed vegetables, refried beans, salsa, shredded cheese and tomatoes. Most children enjoy the process of loading their tortilla with numerous ingredients and figuring out wrap it without the filling oozing out of the back.
With adult supervision, have children stir the Spanish rice and beans cooking on the stove. Allow them to select which vegetables get sautéed, like carrots, bell peppers and onions. Teach them roll a tortilla into a burrito once all of the desired ingredients are added.
Spanish Cookies
Spanish desserts often utilize spices native to the region, like cinnamon and nutmeg. Crushed corn flakes are also commonly added to desserts. Find a Spanish cookie recipe online or use one from the Resource section below. Assign children to certain tasks throughout the baking process: Have them grease the pan, crack the eggs, add the sugar or measure the milk. Use cactus-shaped cookie cutters and sprinkle red hots on the cookie for a spicy flair.
Tags: added Spanish, ingredients added, ingredients that, lime juice, peppers onions
