Savoring Family Moments with Irresistible Thai Curry Beef Skewers

It’s with immense excitement that I share a special milestone: I’m thrilled to be a guest writer over at Martha Stewart Everyday Food! If you haven’t explored their incredible website yet, you’re truly missing out. It’s a culinary treasure trove, boasting thousands of recipes that are not only delicious but also wonderfully simple and perfectly suited for any weeknight dinner. Their philosophy aligns perfectly with mine: creating delightful, accessible meals that bring families together around the table. Being invited to contribute to such a respected platform is an absolute honor, and I couldn’t wait to share some of our family’s favorite creations with their broad audience.

For my contribution, my energetic young sons and I crafted two delightful dishes that proved to be instant hits: the vibrant and flavorful Thai Curry Beef Skewers and a decadent Grilled Banana with Dark Chocolate dessert. These recipes perfectly encapsulate our approach to family cooking – engaging, delicious, and a little bit adventurous. I highly encourage you to hop over to the Martha Stewart Everyday Food website to discover these recipes in full detail. In particular, the dessert, a “MUST MAKE” creation inspired by the lovely Andreaa, is an absolute showstopper that you won’t want to miss. It’s designed to be simple enough for home cooks while delivering a gourmet experience, making it perfect for a special treat after our savory skewers.

The Joys and Challenges of Cooking with Kids: A Culinary Adventure

There’s nothing quite like the joyful chaos that unfolds when my two young sons – Andrew, at 5 years old, and his younger brother, 3 years old – join me in the kitchen. For me, it’s more than just preparing a meal; it’s about nurturing an early interest in responsible nutrition and teaching them the foundational principles of good food. We talk about where food comes from, the different textures and colors, and even delve into what I playfully call “correct food pairings.” For instance, I love to illustrate how the super-thin, shatter-crisp texture of Lay’s potato chips can be surprisingly delightful when stacked between a juicy hamburger bun and patty, offering a textural contrast that something big and smushy, like a chocolate Ho-Ho, simply can’t achieve in that context. It’s these small, fun lessons that I hope will stick with them, encouraging a lifetime of adventurous and mindful eating.

Of course, involving little ones in the kitchen comes with its own unique set of challenges and often, hilarious anecdotes. We have one small rolling stool in our kitchen, perfectly sized for one little chef to stand on. Why only one? Well, because, as a parent, I’ve quickly learned that my two arms and two eyes can realistically only keep track of one child at a time when they are within arm’s reach of a veritable smorgasbord of spices, seasonings, and sharp utensils. Trust me when I tell you that my vigilance is not without reason. I’ve had experiences where, turning my back for a mere moment, I discovered they’d generously dumped an entire jar of chili powder into the fried rice, innocently explaining that it “just needed more color.” That evening, as you might imagine, magically transformed into an impromptu Happy Meal night. Looking back now, I suspect it was an awfully suspicious trick, likely taught to them by a certain trouble-stirring uncle who delights in culinary mischief!

Despite these occasional culinary escapades, my kids genuinely love to tinker in the kitchen, especially when the activity involves “food on a stick.” It’s truly amazing how transformative a simple skewer can be. You could put almost anything on a stick, and my children will instantly declare it the best meal ever. This simple trick has been my secret weapon for introducing new, sometimes challenging, foods. How else do you think I managed to get them to eat Brussels sprouts? The trick is to skewer them strategically between chocolate-dipped marshmallows. The rule is simple: to earn the next marshmallow, you’ve got to conquer that Brussels sprout. It’s a playful negotiation that usually ends with smiles and an empty plate, proving that a little creativity can go a long way in encouraging healthy eating habits.

Andrew’s Pineapple Passion: The Skewering Saga

The moment Andrew heard we were making our famous Thai Curry Beef Skewers, especially knowing his absolute favorite fruit in the world – juicy pineapple – would be on those sticks, he went absolutely nuts with excitement. He immediately called dibs on “skewering duty,” a role he takes very seriously, if a little… liberally. His method was quite distinct: “One piece of pineapple for the Thai Curry Beef Skewer, one piece of pineapple for Andrew.” This pattern quickly evolved to: “One for the Thai Curry Beef Skewer, two for Andrew.” The skewering process became a delightful, albeit slightly inefficient, dance of culinary construction and personal snacking. By the time we finished assembling all the skewers, we had gone through two entire cans of pineapple chunks. But hey, I figured he more than met his recommended vitamin C ratio for the entire week, and the joy on his face was priceless. These shared moments, filled with laughter and deliciousness, are what truly make family cooking so rewarding.

Watching Andrew enthusiastically enjoy the fruits of our labor, especially his beloved Thai Curry Beef Skewers, is truly the best reward. His genuine smiles and happy grunts of approval make all the kitchen antics and pineapple negotiations completely worth it, reinforcing why family meals are so important to us.

***

Exciting Cookbook Giveaway!

Before you go, don’t miss out on another fantastic opportunity! We’re hosting a special random drawing for a signed copy of Dave Lieberman’s incredible cookbook. It’s packed with more delicious recipes and culinary inspiration, perfect for expanding your kitchen repertoire and discovering new family favorites.

Be sure to enter the random drawing here for your chance to win this culinary gem. Good luck to all our readers!