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Cook a stew

Cook a stew
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Cook a simple vegetable stew with adult supervision, learning measuring, chopping, stirring, simmering, and tasting while exploring flavors, safety, and healthy ingredients.

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Step-by-step guide to cook a simple vegetable stew

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Quick Beef Mince Stew!! Quick, Easy & Healthy Recipe - PERFECT for families!

What you need
Adult supervision required, bell pepper), bowl, colander, cutting board, dried herb like thyme or bay leaf, garlic, measuring cups, measuring spoons, oil, onion, peeler, pepper, pot, potato, salt, sharp knife, vegetable broth or water, vegetables (carrot, wooden spoon

Step 1

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds to make cooking safe.

Step 2

Gather all the materials and ingredients on the counter so everything is easy to reach.

Step 3

Ask an adult to put the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium so it can warm up.

Step 4

Measure 1 tablespoon of oil and pour it into the warm pot.

Step 5

Peel the onion garlic carrot and potato so their skins are removed.

Step 6

With adult help chop the onion and garlic into small pieces on the cutting board.

Step 7

With adult help cut the carrot and potato into bite-sized pieces on the cutting board.

Step 8

With adult help chop the bell pepper into small pieces on the cutting board.

Step 9

Ask the adult to add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot.

Step 10

Stir the onion and garlic in the pot for about 2 minutes with the wooden spoon until they smell soft and sweet.

Step 11

Add the chopped carrot potato and bell pepper to the pot.

Step 12

Measure 4 cups of vegetable broth or water and pour it into the pot.

Step 13

Ask the adult to bring the pot to a gentle boil then lower the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid.

Step 14

After about 15 minutes stir the stew once or twice then ask the adult to let you taste a small spoonful and add a pinch of salt pepper or a little dried herb if it needs more flavor.

Step 15

Share a photo and a few words about your finished vegetable stew on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have vegetable broth or a wooden spoon?

If you don't have vegetable broth, measure 4 cups of water and add a vegetable bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and salt when you pour it into the pot, and if you don't have a wooden spoon use a heatproof spatula to stir the onion and garlic.

What should we do if the onion burns or the carrot and potato are still hard after 15 minutes?

If the onion starts to brown while stirring for about 2 minutes, ask the adult to lower the heat and add a splash of broth, and if the carrot and potato are still hard after simmering for 15 minutes, keep the pot covered and simmer longer, checking and stirring once or twice.

How can this activity be adjusted for different age groups?

For toddlers have them wash hands, gather ingredients, and stir with the wooden spoon while an adult handles the stove and chopping; school-age kids can measure the oil and broth and help cut soft vegetables with adult supervision; older children and teens can chop the onion, garlic, carrot, potato, and bell pepper with adult help and manage the simmering step.

How can we personalize or improve the vegetable stew before sharing it on DIY.org?

To personalize the stew, add a can of drained chickpeas or cooked pasta after pouring in the 4 cups of broth, finish with a pinch of dried herbs or fresh chopped parsley when you taste it, and take a photo of your finished vegetable stew to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to cook a simple vegetable stew

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Easy Homemade Beef Stew - Best Beef Stew Recipe!

4 Videos

Facts about cooking and kitchen safety for kids

🔪 Kids can learn knife safety with the 'claw' grip and a steady cutting board — adult supervision cuts the risk of accidents.

📏 Measuring cups and spoons are secret math tools: following and altering recipes helps kids practice fractions and proportions.

🥕 Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes are stew superheroes: they keep their shape, add sweetness, and give extra fiber.

🍲 Stews are among the world's oldest dishes — people have simmered ingredients together for thousands of years to make filling meals.

🌿 Tasting as you go is chef-smart — a little salt or a splash of lemon can make flavors pop without overdoing it.

How do you cook a simple vegetable stew with a child?

To make a simple vegetable stew, start with adult-led prep: wash and chop vegetables (onion, carrot, potato, celery, bell pepper), and measure broth, oil, and seasoning. Heat oil in a large pot, have the child add aromatics and stir while an adult sautés until soft. Add harder vegetables and broth, then simmer until tender. Let the child stir and taste for seasoning, keeping them safely away from hot surfaces and sharp tools.

What materials and ingredients do I need to cook a child-friendly vegetable stew?

You'll need vegetables (onion, carrot, potato, celery, bell pepper, or favorites), low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth, olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional herbs (bay, thyme) or beans/lentils. Tools: large pot, wooden spoon, measuring cups/spoons, cutting board, child-safe knife or plastic knife, peeler, ladle, bowls, and oven mitts. Always have adult supervision, a stable step stool if needed, and a first-aid kit nearby.

What ages are suitable for cooking a vegetable stew with kids?

This activity suits different ages: toddlers (2–3) can explore smells, mix cooled ingredients, and practice scooping with close adult help; preschoolers (4–6) can wash vegetables, tear leaves, measure, and use a child-safe knife for soft produce; school-age kids (7–12) can chop with supervision, follow recipes, and help with brief stove tasks. Always supervise near knives and heat, and adapt tasks to each child's skill and attention level.

What are the benefits and safety tips for cooking stew with children (plus simple variations)?

Cooking stew teaches measuring, fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and healthy eating choices while boosting confidence and language. Safety tips: teach safe knife habits, keep pot handles turned inward, use pot guards, and supervise anytime you use heat. For variations, swap seasonal vegetables, add beans or lentils for protein, stir in leafy greens near the end, or try a mild curry base to introduce new flavors.
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Cook a stew. Activities for Kids.