Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Cooking · The activity desk
Cheesy broccoli rice bake
Mix a small broccoli and rice casserole for an adult to bake.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
One cup cooked rice, one cup cooked soft broccoli, one quarter cup grated cheddar, two tablespoons pasteurized milk, a bowl, a spoon, a small oven-safe dish, and a food thermometer
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Wash hands. An adult cooks the rice and broccoli, cuts the broccoli into small soft pieces, checks ingredient labels, and lets ingredients cool enough to handle.
Adult's role: Handle cooking, knife, oven, hot dish, and thermometer. Check the casserole reaches 165°F (74°C) throughout and cool it before serving.
Let's make it happen
- Mix the cooled cooked rice and broccoli in a bowl. Stir in the milk and most of the cheese.
- Spoon the mixture into the dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese over it.
- An adult bakes at 350°F (175°C) until the center reaches 165°F (74°C), then cools it to a safe serving temperature. Enjoy seated, if you wish.
Make it simpler: Watch an adult mix and sprinkle the cheese over the top.
Clean up: An adult handles the hot dish, refrigerates leftovers promptly, and washes the utensils and work surface.
Contains milk; check labels and individual allergies. Serve soft, manageable pieces and supervise eating. An adult handles all hot food and equipment.