Cooking with Kinders: Banana Boats!
As a kindergarten teacher, I am always looking for way to engage my kiddos in real and meaningful learning. One of the silver linings of virtual teaching is that our weekly cooking sessions have been able to continue from home, with me in my kitchen and m kinders at home in theirs. In this Cooking with Kinders series of posts, I will be sharing some of the recipes that we have been making together.
We never judge healthy and unhealthy food, but use terms like “always” and “sometimes” foods. I want all my students to form lifelong healthy relationships with their food, and to nurture their innate ability to eat intuitively. Which means that no foods are inherently “bad” or good.” From pancake cereal to Tofu nuggets, every week we have cooked up something delicious, and even the parents are surprised when their children are eating foods they were turning their nose up at in other forms.
Last week, in honour of World Oceans Day (June 8th), our kindergarten class theme for the week was everything ocean! We went on several virtual field trips in and under the deep blue sea, made crafts using sand from our local beach and parks, and even had a beach day wearing our own beach gear and setting up a sun bathing station as we were virtual learning together.
And so of course, we had to make sure that our Tuesday cooking class was also just as beachy. Enter this week’s recipe: Banana boats!
These Banana boats are a super easy, delicious, and healthy way to get kids cooking in a kitchen. Traditionally cooked in foil over the fire on a camping trip, this rendition of banana boats does not involve cooking at all! Instead, the peeled and halved bananas are placed on a lake or ocean of yogurt to stay afloat, and then filled with any and all toppings that you and your child desire. There are many variations to try, but some of my favourites I have included after the recipe below.
Our kids had a blast getting creative with what they wanted to put on their “boats.” We had toppings going on that we didn’t even think of suggesting, from chocolate drizzle, to sourpatch kids, to slivered almonds and chopped dates.
We also noticed more of our kids were able to participate without the help of an adult for this. With no cooking blending, or sharp knives required, as long as they had the ingredients laid out for them, they were able to do this all by themselves! A plastic knife, or blunt butterknife is all they need to slice that banana, and a spoon for to spread the yogurt and nut butters.
SUPER easy, and the kids were all super proud of their creations. Some even added on to the ocean scene, adding other bits of fruit or granola as “fish” in the ocean around the boats. Gold fish crackers would be good here too.
If you have yet to try cooking with your class yet, this might just be the perfect way to ease into it, for your kids, their parents, and yourself. And while the recipe is called banana boats, invite your kids to make a boat of any other kind of fruit they might have— a halved mango, apple, or even melon could be equally as delicious.
As we teach our kinders, the sky is the limit!
To print this recipe, click here
Banana Boats
Main Ingredients
1 Banana
1 - 2 scoops greek yogurt of choice
2 tablespoons (or more!) nut butter or spread of choice
small handful of chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, or dried fruit
Recipe Steps
On a large plate, spoon some yogurt in two dollops. Peel your banana and carefully slice it lengthwise end to end. Its up to you whether you want it to stay attached or to cut all the way through. Place the sliced banana gently on the yogurt "sea".
Add your desired toppings, beginning first with the spread (nut butter, more yogurt, nutella, etc!). Next add on the other toppings such as chocolate, granola, crumbs, or fruit.
Lastly, add on a final drizzle of syrup, sauce, or honey (if using). Don't forget the sprinkles!
Banana Boat Variations to Try!
Inside Out PB and J
Fill banana with Peanut butter, Jam, and sprinkle with bread or graham cracker crumbs
S'mores Banana Please!
Fill banana with mini marshmallows, chocolate hazelnut spread, chocolate chips, and graham cracker crumbs. Do not place on yogurt!
Bake in foil until soft and gooey
Tropical Banana Boat
Top banana with more yogurt, caramel drizzle and coconut flakes. Add dates, dried pineapple or mango for extra sweetness!
Inside Out Granola Bowl
Fill banana with another dollop of yogurt, granola, and fresh berries or chopped fruit, and a drizzle of honey
Canadian Eh! Banana Boat
Fill banana with nut butter of choice, some chopped walnuts or pecans and finish with a drizzle of maple syrup. Add some red sprinkles to be extra patriotic!
What edible boat creations will you make? I would love to hear from you below!
Bon Apetit, and happy June!
(Jordan)
-Ms.G-P