by Heidi Hess Saxton

Created on: November 27, 2007

"Let's play Rachel Ray!" She's only five now, but my daughter has already shown signs of loving to putter in the kitchen. Like my mother before me, I began cooking with my daughter at my elbow as soon as she could peer over the kitchen counter. My son often joined us, eager to lick a spoon or snitch a pinch of something tasty.

Now, if your kids have reached their teenage years without darkening the door of the kitchen (except perhaps to bring bowls to the table), it's time to give them a little encouragement. Start with something simple - biscuits, perhaps, or homemade pizza made from store-bought bread dough. Have her invite a friend or two to share the feast. It's as easy as ABC ...

ASSEMBLE! Working from the recipe card or cookbook, pull together all the ingredients and equipment you will need to create your dish. Read through the recipe carefully, and ask about any words you don't understand - for example, "Tbls" and "tsp" are not interchangeable. If you are making a whole meal, put together a schedule so all the dishes are ready at the same time (prepare one or two dishes earlier in the day, if possible).

BE CAREFUL! Wash your hands. Measure ingredients precisely. Don't forget to preheat your oven, and use the right size baking and cooking dishes. Follow the recipe the first time, knowing you can experiment a bit the next time with different spices and flavors.

CREATE A MEMORY FOR ALL YOUR SENSES! Vary colors and textures, salt and sweet, juicy and crunchy. Pick a theme like "winter picnic" or "pajama party" and see where your imagination takes you!

As the parent, the best way you can encourage your teen to cook is to show them how much you enjoy it yourself ... and how a few "signature" recipes can make you a welcome addition to any social gathering. Remember, wherever two or three teens are gathered ... the snacks had better be there, too!

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