Last week, we decided to start a new cooking project which the kids are calling Top Chef - the only tie to the real show being the word CHEF. Since we're just getting started, we're making up the rules as we go along, but so far it's quite simple:
- The kids take turns being the Top Chef
- As the Top Chef, they browse through cookbooks and select a recipe.
- Once the recipe is selected, they come with me to the grocery store to shop for the ingredients.
- The Top Chef is in charge of the meal, and they get to boss around the extra chefs in the kitchen.

Top Chef Sophie selected a recipe for a simple pasta and we prepared our grocery list.  At the store, she carefully examined the cans of diced tomatoes, taking approximately 10 times the amount of time to select the cans as it did to choose the recipe.  Once at home, she opened the cans, cubed the non-dairy mozzarella, and supervised the stirring of the noodles as they cooked.


Although it took a little longer to make it together than it would have if I'd have made it myself, it was fun.  We made a few changes to simplify the recipe, reduced the amount of cheese, and added some olive oil at the end to compensate for the dryness of the non-dairy mozzarella.  I thought it was delicious and had the added bonus of reheating well the next day.  We'll definitely make it again.


And since she was in charge, she decided it was her job to name the recipe we'd created - and I was honored.

Print it: Momma Macaroni