Junior Chef
Kids Cooking Lessons
12-15 year olds
Lesson 2

For today's Kids Cooking Lessons go over kitchen knife safety (below) and demonstrate to your Junior Chef how to use a knife.

Part 1: Learning about Knife Safety

It is hard to determine at what age your child is ready for using a knife.

Knife safety is important and if you feel your child is not ready skip this lesson until you feel it is the right time.

You are the best judge as to what your child can and cannot do.

Here are some tips for teaching knife safety but you, as the adult, will be showing them the procedure. So if you feel you have a little to learn about knife safety, please do so, also. We have a kids cooking video below that will help you with the proper knife technique.

• Always use a cutting board. It is safer to cut and better for the countertops! Use a large board to allow more space.



• Always have adult supervision.



• Use a good sharp knife. Dull knives are more likely to cause an injury.



• Curl your fingers under/tuck them in when you are holding whatever you are cutting. For example, when cutting an apple tuck your fingers you are using to hold the apple in.



• Be careful when carrying a knife always carry it point down.



• If a knife falls step back and let it fall don’t try to catch it!



• Place things on a cutting board to cut. Don't cut holding things in your hand.



• Pay attention to what you are doing. Don’t get distracted and always keep your eyes on your cutting.



• Never leave your knife in a sink where someone can reach in unaware and grab it. It is best to clean, dry and put away knives after they are used.



• Point the knife blade away from you. Do not cut toward you or your fingers.



• Store knives in a block not loose in a drawer. It isn’t good for the blades or for fingers reaching in a drawer.



• Hold the knife in a pinch grip use a rolling motion when you cut.



• The tip of the knife should remain on the cutting board.



• You could even put tape on the knife where your fingers are suppose to go as a guide.
  

If you cut yourself run under cold water. When it stops dry with paper or cloth and use a band aid. If it is a deep cut or doesn’t stop bleeding apply pressure to it, hold it above your heart and seek medical attention.

Part 2 of Kids Cooking Lessons
Practice Cutting and Prepare a Stir Fry

For help with proper knife technique watch this kids cooking video as part of your kids cooking lessons.


Buy the complete Cooking for Kids DVD set.

Most kids can't wait to use a kitchen knife but kids cooking lessons has held off until they are teenagers to give them added experience and growth.

 Now that your Junior Chef has learned a little on kitchen knife safety have them prepare a stir fry. Remind them to go slowly and supervise for correct cutting procedure.

Stir Fry
Beef, cut in strips or chicken, cut in strips
1 cup water
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
Broccoli flowerets
1 green pepper
Green onions
2 Carrots

In a bowl or measuring cup stir together soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch. Set aside. Chop green peppers, green onions and carrots. Break up or cut broccoli into bite size pieces. In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add vegetables and meat. Stir fry. Add sauce and continue to stir fry several minutes until vegetables are tender and meat is done. Serve with cooked rice.