Black Bean Nachos

Does anyone else remember that commercial from about 10 years ago with the guy singing about Nachos to the “Macho Man” song? I always think of that when I make nachos because my 3 year old nephew would go around singing it all day long. Anyway, this is one of my favorite meals because it is fast, easy for kids to help with, has a lot of vegetables and uses food storage! You can either have everyone make their own plate in the microwave or make it family style in the oven. Kids can help cut vegetables (if old enough) put chips on plates/cookies sheet, or help top the nachos with toppings. If you’re worried about children only wanting cheese then let them choose 3 or 4 toppings and have some vegetables in the mix for them to try. You can even make it fun by telling them to experiment with toppings by putting different combinations of topping on top with each section they eat. I’ve got some more tips for cooking with kids at the bottom of this post so make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom. Here’s to happy cooking with kids! 🙂

Topping Suggestions:
• Cheese
• Cooked Refried Beans or Black Beans (yeah for food storage!)
• Cooked Ground Beef
• Corn
• Olives
• Tomatoes
• Avocado or Guacamole
• Salsa
• Sour Cream
• Yellow or Green Onions
• Bell Peppers
• Jalapenos or Green Chiles

Family Style:
Turn your oven broiler on. Cover a cookie sheet with tortilla chips. Top with cheese and cooked beans and/or meat. Place under the broiler for about five minutes. Watch it closely or the cheese and/or tortilla chips will burn! (Make sure not to have young children around the oven at this time) You can either put the toppings on out of the oven or let everyone put their own toppings on after they take some chips. The oven will keep the chips crunchy!

Individual Style:
Place tortilla chips on a plate and top with cheese and cooked beans and/or meat. Cook in microwave until cheese is melted and top with desired toppings.

For more tips and tricks for using food storage in your everyday recipes, please visit www.everydayfoodstorage.NET

Safety Tips for Cooking with Kids
Combined from the California Department of Health & Penn State Cooperative Extension

One of the best ways to teach food safety is to practice it—and to be vocal about why it is being practiced. This needs to begin as soon as the child is aware of and is taking an interest in food (beyond throwing it!).

1. Prevent food poisoning by:
• always washing hands before cooking.
• not eating raw eggs or raw meats.
• waiting until the food is cooked before sampling it. Do not sample uncooked foods.

2. Have children stand at the level of the activity. Use a stool if necessary.

3. Use cooking supplies that will not break (such as plastic measuring cups and stainless-steel bowls).

4. Use plastic knives or butter knives for cutting.

5. Provide constant supervision.
• Always watch children when they use knives, mixers, or the stove.
• Supervise the use of ovens, stoves, and other kitchen appliances.
• Remind children that stoves, ovens, pans, and dishes can be very hot.