Squeeze – Any kind of soft filling, like deviled egg filling or decorative icing, can be put in a pastry bag or plastic baggie (with corner cut out). Kids can then squeeze it out for you.
Rinse – Get kids a step stool and let them rinse vegetables in the sink.
Stir – Kids love to stir anything. Let them help stir mashed potatoes or batter in the mixing bowl.
Dump – After you fill your measuring cup, let your child dump the ingredients from the cup into the bowl.
Snap – Let kids snap the ends off fresh green beans.
Shuck – Kids will enjoy shucking corn.
Assemble – Let kids build vegetable platters, relish trays or cheese and cracker plates. Give them the cut up ingredients and let them stack and sort.
Chop – Kids can bang away on this Pampered Chef food chopper.
Spread – Allow kids to use a butter knife or spoon to spread toppings on cakes, cupcakes or cookies.

Photo by: YellowHouse

For Kids Under 3

Give toddlers their own items to ‘help’ with. Sit them down with bowls and spoons to bang around. Fill a big bowl with sugar or flour and give them small measuring cups to play with. It will feel like sandbox play. Let them mold and shape dough – it’s just like play dough! Even a box of uncooked spaghetti noodles is enough to keep them entertained as they move noodles from place to place, stack them or break them. There will surely be some clean up but any of these activities will buy you time in the kitchen and allow little kids to explore, play and embrace their creativity.

When you are cooking with kids, make sure to keep the kitchen safe in your Norfolk apartment. Keep sharp knives out of reach, keep kids’ hands away from hot stoves and make sure youngsters don’t swallow items they could choke on.

Planning Ahead

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, you and your guests are going to want a traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato pie, cranberry sauce, casseroles and pumpkin pie. With a single oven in your tiny apartment kitchen, getting all of these things prepared in a timely manner may be a real chore. Below are some ideas for planning your Thanksgiving meal ahead of time:

• Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to cook every dish ever known to be eaten on Thanksgiving day. Create a menu and stick to it.
• If someone coming to Thanksgiving dinner would like to bring a dish, let them. Just tell them to let you know what they’re bringing so you don’t have duplicate dishes.
• If you have to borrow any kitchen appliances like mixers, crockpots or baking pans, do so a few days ahead of time, so you have them ready.
• Prepare casseroles ahead of time and keep them in the fridge or freezer so they can easily be reheated. You can also make pies and desserts the day before.
• Have all of your guests RSVP so you know how much to cook and how many seats you’re going to need.

Not Enough Oven Space

Everything on Thanksgiving day is made in the oven: casseroles, the turkey, pies and more. So, how do you overcome the issue of not having enough oven space for all of your dishes? If you have a small, single oven, simply use as many of the other appliances in your apartment kitchen as you can.

Photo by: Paul Goyette

The Toaster Oven – You can make a lot of dishes in your toaster oven like rolls, appetizers, casseroles and pies.

• Mini pumpkin pies in the toaster oven
• Sweet Apple Surprise
• Bruschetta

Crock Pot – Instead of crowding your stove with more pots, use your crock pot for ciders, soups, side dishes and gravies.

• Crock pot sweet potato stuffing
• Raisin cinnamon bread pudding
• Crock Pot Herb Roasted Potatoes

Microwave – It may not sound very Thanksgiving-ish to use the microwave, but this can be a lifesaver when you need to reheat a casserole or steam vegetables.

• Candied Yams: Microwave or Crock Pot
• Microwaved Corn Bread Stuffing
• Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Easy Appetizers

Don’t waste your resources and time in the kitchen on appetizers. These easy appetizer ideas will keep your guests preoccupied while you finish preparing Thanksgiving dinner. You can even pick some of these up pre-made at your grocery store.

Photo by: Zeetz

Get Cheesy – Set out a platter with a variety of cheeses, crackers, olives and cold deli meats. This will keep your guests stomachs from growling but won’t fill them up before the main event.

Vegetable Trays – People feel guilty enough stuffing themselves on Thanksgiving day. A fresh vegetable tray will ease their conscience.

Dips – Search the internet for dip recipes or pick your favorite up at your deli. With pita chips or crackers, dips are always a hit at gatherings.

Quick Tips for the Big Day

• Prepare as many casseroles and desserts ahead of time as you can.
• Take assistance when it’s offered. Don’t feel like you have to cook the whole dinner alone.
• If your dining space is small, having people come through the kitchen to fill up their plates buffet-style will relieve you of having to find more space in your small apartment.
• For appetizers, use any flat surface in your apartment to set them up. Use coffee tables, bookshelves, and side tables so guests can graze as they move throughout the room.
• Buy or borrow folding tables and chairs for seating for dinner. Your small dining table or breakfast bar may not be enough to seat everyone.
• Ask a neighbor who may not be cooking dinner for Thanksgiving if you can use their oven or borrow appliances if you find you don’t have enough space. But, don’t forget to invite them for dinner!

If you’ve planned to have Thanksgiving day at your place but your Norfolk apartment or home kitchen seems too small, just use some of these tips and recipes to help create a tasty and traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner.