Ideas for kids doing adult receipes (chicken, hamburgers, lentil, beef)

[pink caddy]

Any ideas for recipes for kids (to make) that are well suitable for adult dining. In other words not your kid's version of mac and cheese. More upscale that kids would like to make and eat along with adults.

Age group 7-13

[B4U]

Chicken parm. You can either do the prebreaded cutlest, fry 'em up to heat or make them from fresh cutlets, eggs and bread crumbs,, pour homemade or bottled tomato sauce on top and top with mozzerella cheese. Boil spaghetti and use the remaining sauce for the pasta. Side salad.

Pizza. Supermarket dairy or deli depts. have premade fresh dough, then all you need is sauce, cheese and topping of your choice.

Hamburgers, broiled, grilled or in cast iron fry pan with a 1000 and 1 different cheese choices and other various toppings.

Pigs in a blanket; hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls, and baked til done, again with various topping, adds. With a big salad, dinner done.

Baked, stuffed potatoes with a multitude of topping/stuffing options.

I probably could think of more later, but my brain is telling me today is OVER.

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by B4U

...prebreaded...premade...hamburgers...hot dogs

Not the words I would use to motivate a young cook.

The OP needs to decide if the young cook will be supervised (a stovetop/oven is quite hot) and the expectations (gourmet, tailgate, main course, dessert). An excellent menu can be derived provided the expectations are known up-front.

Ask for a rock and you'll get a rock, ask for a gem and you'll force them to think.

[PAhippo]

beef stew maybe? each child can cut veggies and every toss them in a pot. Maybe some kind of roll/bread?

[momtothree]

Simple and fancy looking to boot. Plus it allows the kids to learn a few different techniques. I have taught my kids to make these dishes.

Asparagus (how to find a good one, snap it to see where to cut, steam etc) with hollandaise sauce (learning the basics of sauce makings, my oldest learned at 8 and is a pro now at it)

Filet mignon with caramelized balsamic onions. (learning about searing, caramelizing, reductions etc) Beef Tenderloins con Balsamico : Recipes : Cooking Channel

Cracked potatoes - (having fun with whacking the potatoes, science of cooking )Yukon Gold Potatoes: Jacques Pepin Style Recipe : Rachael Ray : Recipes : Food Network

Whole roasted chicken stuffed with lemons and rosemary and drippings gravy (classic prep of a whole chicken, rubbing inside and out for flavor etc and learning the basics of gravy making)

[Almrausch]

My kids learned in that age to make lentil or goulash soup. Noodle casseroles or any type of casserole is great too.A mixed salad is easy and fun for them to make also. Spaghetti and meatballs is not that difficult either.I think it is a must to get our young generation prepared how to cook,food will be more appreciated too. It worked in my household very nicely.

[DaniellaG]

Tacos
A quick chicken stir fry
Though I would not consider it fancy it could be fun doing a breakfast for dinner buffet
With animal products and oven/stove an adult I would think needs to be present

[weezycom]

Manicotti -- the pasta is cheap, so you can buy extra for tubes destroyed in handling before they're stuffed. They can make the sauce from scratch, and even make the ricotta from scratch with heavy cream, lemon juice & salt. And that way every kid can get a chance at stuffing a few tubes.

[Nite Ryder]

I think I would make sure they can read a cook book, from there I would let them tackle whatever I think they could handle. Most of us started out following a recipe, we didn't just put something in a pan and turn on the burner of the stove. I would also encourage a young person to ask questions, cooking is a learning process that is never ending.

[Gerania]

Ask what they'd like to make and tailor the recipe or prep method to their age, skill level.