It is nice for parents to be able to sleep in once in a while, and kids enjoy the independence of taking care of breakfast for themselves (and making breakfast in bed for mom and dad). Elementary kids and older can cook their own breakfasts, as long as they can:
- measure
- crack eggs without getting shells in (or remove shells)
- use the microwave.
It helps if parents have the needed utensils and ingredients set up in advance, perhaps on a shelf in the refrigerator where children can grab everything (including the bowl, non-perishable foods, and the measuring spoons) all at once.
How to Cook Scrambled Eggs in the Microwave
Making scrambled eggs is one of the first recipes that people learn, and learning to make them in the microwave ensures that even when the excited young chefs have grown into starving college students, they will be able to make a decent breakfast.
Supplies needed:
- A small, microwavable non-glass bowl. (Handing a child chef a bowl ensures that it will be dropped and broken.)
- A small bowl to crack the egg into
- A tablespoon measuring cup
- A fork to stir the eggs
- A microwave
Ingredients needed:
- 2 eggs per child
- 2 tablespoons of milk or water
- a bit of salt
Instructions:
- Crack the egg into the egg-cracking bowl. Make sure there are no shells. If there are shells, get them out with a fork or a paper-towel.
- Pour the egg into the microwave-safe bowl.
- Measure two tablespoons of milk (or water).
- Pour the milk (or water) into the bowl with the eggs.
- Take a teeny-tiny bit of salt – about a pinch – and put it into the bowl.
- Stir the mixture with the fork.
- Put it all in the microwave and cook at high power for 30 seconds per egg.
- Let the eggs stay in the microwave for a minute.
- After taking them out, let them cool before pouring them onto a plate.
Although eggs in shells explode in the microwave, eggs that have been cracked open are easy and safe to cook. If they cook too long, they will have a plastic-like texture.
How to Cook French Toast in the Microwave
Once children have mastered the art of cracking eggs, a whole world of cooking opens up. Microwavable French toast is another easy recipe that is fun for kids to make. Although it is more complicated than scrambled eggs, most 9 year olds could make French toast in the microwave.
Supplies needed:
- A microwavable plate.
- A small bowl to crack the egg into
- A bowl to mix the egg and milk in
- A tablespoon measuring cup
- A fork to stir the eggs
- A microwave
Ingredients needed:
- 1 slice of bread per child
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- ground cinnamon in a shaker
Instructions:
- Crack the egg into the egg-cracking bowl. Make sure there are no shells. If there are shells, get them out with a fork or a paper-towel.
- Pour the egg into the mixing bowl.
- Stir the egg really well with the fork.
- Measure two tablespoons of milk
- Pour the milk into the bowl with the eggs.
- Stir the mixture with the fork.
- Put the bread into the bowl and let it sink in. Flip it over so it can soak up the egg and milk mixture.
- Put the bread on the plate.
- Cook the bread in the microwave for 40 seconds. Take it out, flip it over, and cook it again for 40 seconds.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on the bread when the time is up.
Be sure to let the French toast and plate cool before eating it. It may need to cook a bit longer in the microwave, depending on the microwave's power.
Parents should walk their children through the steps of these recipes a few times to make sure that children understand what a pinch of salt is and how to crack an egg without getting any shells in the mixture.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
