Scottish parents are by far the most enthusiastic about cooking with their children a new survey has revealed. The telephone survey was carried out in Scotland, Wales and England on behalf of Kingsmill Whole White ( the only white bread available baked with one third wholemeal flour ) to coincide with the launch of a new cookery book "Creative Cooking With Kids", written by leading children's cookery writer Annabel Karmel and produced by Kingsmill.For your free copy of "Creative Cooking for Children" please write to :- PO Box 3007, 69 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9JW England.

 

The cookery book features 18 fun packed pages filled with exciting recipe suggestions for 'Summer Fun', 'Winter Warmers', 'Lunchbox Delights' and 'Festive Favourites' - which are promised to provide hours of amusement throughout the year for bairns and parents to enjoy!

 

The independent research was carried out by Prescient during March 2002 and parents of 4-10 year old bairns were questioned. In answer to the question - "What would you say are the benefits to the child of cooking with a parent? - the Scottish top 5 responses were :-

 

Encourage them to cook in later life                90%

Spend time with their family                           23%

Teaches them to follow instructions                37%

It's fun                                                          13%

Gives them confidence/independence              13%

 

Unfortunately traditional Scottish fare doesn't seem to rank high in the list of Scottish bairns favourites as the research reveals that their top 5 favourite foods are :-

 

Pasta                            20%

Pizza                            15%

Meat Dish                      13%

Chicken Nuggets            12%

Spagetti Bolognese          8%  

 

Hopefully 'Meat Dishes' includes the traditional Scottish favourite of steak pie - or indeed mince and tatties!

 

It is encouraging however that Scottish parents not only topped the poll but seem determined to turn away from convenience foods that can be cooked in the microwave - only 6% said that they preferred that alternative to traditional methods. This weeks recipe - Sunshine Toast - is one that children will enjoy making with their parents and is recommended by the Wallace sisters, 7 year old Kenzie and 5 year old Caitlin, who taught it to their granda - the SI's own Peter Wright!

 

Sunshine Toast

 

You will need: 1 slice of bread; margarine; 1 medium or small egg; large cutter; baking tray

 

Heat the oven to gas mark 6, 200 deg c, 400 deg F

 

Step 1  Dip a piece of kitchen paper into some margarine and rub it all over a baking tray.

 

Step 2  Spread margarine on one side of the bread. Press the cutter hard in the middle of the bread.

 

Step 3  Lift out the shape you have cut. Lay the bread on the tray, with the margarine up.

 

Step 4  Break the egg onto a saucer. Carefully slide the egg into the hole you have cut.

 

Step 5  Bake for seven minutes on the top shelf of an oven, or for a little longer if you don't like a runny yolk.

 

Step 6  Lift the pieces of bread carefully off the tray. Eat it while it is warm.

 

And be like Kenzie and Caitlin always wash up afterwards!