Planning
L's mum likes baking and has a really well equipped kitchen. I think she'd made a tart because L found a cook book full of tarts and she asked if I'd read it to her thinking it was a story. I decided to show her the pictures while telling her about the flavours. R didn't want to read the story with us but I told him be could come join in later if he wanted. We drooled over this book for a good quarter hour, it was full of sweet and savoury tarts and they all looked good.
It's not the first time we've baked together, we've made cakes, biscuits, salt dough, and we either worked in a team or the kids took turns. So I asked if they wanted to make a tart. They said yes and we chose a lovely chocolate and pear tart. We waited for the parents to get back and asked L's mother if she could get us the ingredients for tomorrow.
She said yes!
The activity
The day we made the tart we got back from school at the normal time and as I settled the kids at the table I said something about the pears and the roll of pastry in the fridge. L reminded me about the tart and I said something about making a chocolate and pear tart. The kids ate and I drank my coffee.
We went off to get the footstools so the kids were at the right level to use the kitchen and see what they were doing. Then we all washed our hands. One child went at a time with me supervising. I made sure they washed their hands properly and helped them rise all the soap away. And then They put in their aprons. First L helped me find all of the ingredients because they're in a high cupboard. I knew where they were but she likes being showing off a bit. Then R and I found all the things we'd need like bowls and a tart dish.
The tart base had to be forked first. So I gave them both forks and they stabbed quite well. Then I did the silly thing of saying it was done and stabbing it more for luck. They laughed. I put it in the oven to cook while we mixed everything else. I also put in place the no touch rule around the oven. The oven is child safe but I don't want them near it.
Both kids helped me mix the ingredients. We had to do two lots one with and one without egg. So R mixed the eggs in the mixer and L mixed the cream and sugar by hand while I melted the chocolate in the microwave. Once the chocolate had melted I told the kids we needed to mix it with the cream while warning them it was hot. I gave them a spoon each and gradually added the chocolate in reminding them it was hot. Then we took half of it and mixed it with the eggs using the mixer.
After this we drained the pears and I had to put the tart together. Which was in a burning hot tart dish. I sent the kids off to play and poured the eggless sauce into the base. I put the pears in and spread the egg sauce around them. The tart went back into the oven to cook. The kids were still fine playing with the toys at L's house.
I asked them if they wanted the lick the bowl and I got a resounding yes. So I got them a spoon each and gave them the bowl. They sat at the table and L was helping R to begin with but did try hogging the bowl a few times.
While they were doing that I started in the cleaning that they couldn't do. Wiping the surfaces to actually clean them and taking apart the mixer. Then when they'd finished with the bowl L helped me with the dishwasher but R didn't want to. I didn't insist because he's small and not used to doing the cooking.
We read a story while waiting for the tart to cook. It seemed to take a long time but I think it was my first tart so I'm sure it was normal. When it had cooked and cooled we all sat at the table and had a tiny tiny piece each.
We waiting for the parents and gave them a bit each and it was admired by everyone.
Notes and to improve upon
L is more keen on cooking that R. He will do it because we are but doesn't ask to and doesn't seem hugely interested. L bakes with her mum and sometimes asks to bake.
R does like to try but is quickly frustrated if it's not working or he can't play with the mixer. Pay close attention to him to avoid the mix doesn't get damaged. Once he actually put an egg shell in it.
Both kids try to eat the mix while making the cake. Normally they stop when I tell them there won't be enough to make a cake they stop.
Next time I don't think I'll make a tart with a hot tart base. It wasn't great because the children weren't involved with the entire project and couldn't be because of the burn risk.
Otherwise this was a very good activity and I don't think there's a lot to improve on.
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| This was the tart we made. |
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| This is the same recipe made at my place with my two temperature oven. (Off and inferno) |
