Welcome to the first "CookBook" post! This series will shine a spotlight on different foods--some old favorites and some that may be new-- by sharing a related book and an easy recipe that even toddlers can help make. The goal is to inspire little ones to explore new foods in low pressure ways and develop a more adventurous palate.
We're kicking this series off with a food that many in our region know and love well: apples! While there are numerous apple themed books out there (many of which are in my personal speech library), I chose "Apple Farmer Annie" by Monica Wellington as it's one of my favorites for toddlers and preschoolers. The pictures are vibrant and little ones will love searching for the kitty and puppy on each page!
In line with this month's theme of apples , let's dive into a fun and tasty activity with the little ones. Below is a simple and delicious applesauce recipe that you can enjoy making together. The littlest ones can enjoy "washing" the apples in a bowl of water, while older or more trustworthy toddlers can help with chopping using a crinkle cutter or child-safe knife (under supervision, of course!)
A reminder to families: the goal of cooking together is to increase exposure and decrease anxiety around foods. Eating the apple (in its whole form or as applesauce) is an added bonus but not required to be successful with this activity. You may model eating the apple yourself, but do not prompt or ask your child to do so as this can exacerbate any food refusals.
**Homemade Applesauce Recipe:**
(taken from my personal recipe collection)
Ingredients:
- 8 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. In a crockpot combine the apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir well.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours, or until apples are soft.
3. Mash the cooked apples with a fork or potato masher until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Let it cool before serving, and enjoy your homemade applesauce!
Happy cooking and reading!
P.S. Have an idea for a food I should feature next? Leave a comment or send me a message!
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