Christus Health: The Children's Hospital of San Antonio

For busy families, taking the time to cook meals at home — and include children in the process — can seem like a luxury no one has time for. However, Chef Maria Palma, director of the Culinary Health Education for Families program at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, points out that helping with the cooking can show children at a young age how to prepare a meal. "Once you learn how to make a simple, delicious meal, it stays with you for the rest of your life," Chef Palma says. "It also gets children curious about food. Discovering what different types of apples smell like or what broccoli florets feel like can be a great way to engage children creatively." Cooking together as a family is also a wonderful way to strengthen family ties. Children learn valuable lessons about following instructions, accurate measurements, and nutrition when they are encouraged to help cook at home. First Steps Even if you have young children, it's never too soon to involve them in the meal prep process. "A child's participation can be as simple as washing or drying produce and setting the table," Chef Palma says. "As children grow older, involve them in more complex parts of cooking." Prep Time: 1 ½ hours Ingredients for 10 servings: Each serving = 1 slice 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 medium eggs, beaten ¼ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup grapeseed or canola oil 2 large Granny Smith apples (about 1 pound), cored and grated ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup chopped pecans Steps 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9"x5" loaf pan and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisk well to combine. 3. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs and Greek yogurt. Whisk well, making sure to get rid of any clumps. Add the sugar and grapeseed or canola oil and whisk well to combine. 4. Fold in the grated apple, cranberries, and pecans. The dough may be thick and seem dry, but do not over mix. 5. Pour the dough into the prepared loaf pan and level off the top. 6. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle. 7. Let cool on a wire rack, then flip bread out and cool completely. Note: This bread is best prepared the night before serving. Nutrition Facts Makes 12 servings Serving size: 1 slice Calories: 220 Total fat: 11g Sodium: 180mg Carbohydrates: 29g Protein: 4g Big Benefits More than just food preparation, cooking with your children can teach them valuable life skills and improve their overall health. Little Cooks, Does your child enjoy helping in the kitchen? Scan the QR code or visit chofsa.org/chef to sign up for the Young Chefs Club. Wholesome Apple Bread With Dried Cranberries & Pecans Photographed left to right: Avery and Chef Palma cooking apple bread. Watch our cooking demo at chofsa.org/chef. 4 Forever First | Winter 2015 • To find a physician, call 1.844.778.KIDS.

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