Hot Dog Stew - Do It For the Children!

This video recipe was produced for About.com's "Cooking for Kids" site. It's a kid-friendly version of the famous "Giambotta," I filmed my aunt making a while back. The great thing about this recipe is that, except for the potatoes, every ingredient can be cut with a plastic picnic knife. That means you can get the kids into the kitchen to do some cooking with you, which I believe is vital to a healthy and happy life.

Now, I'm not a parent, but I do play one on the Internet. I'm convinced that many eating disorders, and other dietary dysfunctions that plague our society, can be traced back to the simple fact that most children never learn to cook. Parents have no problem paying for tuba lessons (those will come in handy!), but how many parents would think to get the kids cooking lessons?

By the way, yes, I do feel slightly hypocritical talking about getting kids to cook at an early age by posting a hot dog recipe. But, by using something they like, and are familiar with, you can get them into the kitchen more easily. Once they realize how fun and satisfying it is, you can start using more exotic and nutritious ingredients. This recipe is great for weaning the kids off hot dogs, and on to healthier sausages, like turkey, chicken, etc.

It's up to you. Ten years from now you can sit down to a delicious home-cooked meal, prepared by your healthy and happy children; or you can listen to them blow "Star and Stripes Forever" on the tuba, while looking at their newest tattoo, and munching on a nice microwave burrito. Enjoy.
Click here for the transcript and ingredients.