MOM'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK | Aunt V's Kitchen

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

January always brings New Years Resolutions and changes in our eating habits but getting the kids to eat healthy can be exhausting! It’s very difficult to get one of my girls to try anything new or remotely vegetable looking, so when Aunt V invited us to her kitchen to learn some kid-friendly healthy eating cooking skills, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to win my daughter over through a Mom’s Little Black Book food adventure.

I first met Aunt V with some girlfriends when we did an olive oil and charcuterie board tasting with her. Cooking with Aunt V is like hanging out in your favorite family member’s kitchen and relaxing with friends. The ambience in her commercial grade kitchen is welcoming and comfortable, so I was excited to bring the kids back as I knew it wouldn’t feel like a traditional school-like setting; but, when Aunt V pulled out the Tofu, my niece, daughter, and her friend had one foot out the door to get the heck out of dodge as fast as they could!

The saving grace was the mention of cooking that Tofu in a non-traditional sense – frying it – almost like having French Fries! We proceeded to make a spring salad that had pecans, apples, beets, spinach leaves, and onion topped with balsamic vinegar that had the just the right amount of sweetness that the kids all savored the flavors. We next made homemade spring rolls and inserted our fried tofu and guess what? They loved it! Not sure if it was the fact that we made it ourselves or that fact that we were working with a chef that knows how to combine the right flavors, but it was great to walk out knowing we had some healthier choices to consider in 2020!

Ask Aunt V’s kitchen rocks for toddlers, kids, tweens, teens, and adults offering a wide range of classes plus fun date and girls’ night out options.

Overview

Great cooking isn’t about recipes…it’s about technique. Offering hands on cooking classes where you learn how to prepare the dishes and enjoy tasting them with a focus on organic, healthy food that tastes good! All classes are adaptable to meet dietary requirements or preferences.

Ask Aunt V (inside Liam Brex)

222 S. Main Street, Naperville

(630) 717-0716

www.askauntv.com

Hours: Check website for class schedule or book a private party at your convenience

Price $: Prices vary depending on class selected or event booked

ABOUT THE WRITER Naperville mom Kristen Kucharski graduated from Illinois State University in 1992 with an International Business Degree. She has two energetic daughters and her house is always full of children. Kristen’s column titled, Mom's Little Black Book, is a monthly feature written for moms who are looking for ways to keep their kids busy. Read her past columns at