Kitchen tips : Heat & mashing

Kitchen Safety & Simple Cooking

Cooking can be a fun and empowering experience when done safely. By making small adjustments, you can prepare meals confidently while reducing risks. Today, we focus on handling heat safely and choosing foods that are easy to mash instead of cutting.

Heat & Fire Safety

Tip: Always use the back of your hand to check for heat before touching a pot, kettle, or stove. This helps you detect heat without accidentally gripping a hot surface or getting a steam burn.

Mashing vs. Cutting

Whenever possible, choose foods that can be mashed instead of cut. This reduces the need for knives and makes cooking easier and safer. Soft foods that mash well include:

Fruits – Bananas, avocados, ripe pears, cooked apples, and peaches.

Vegetables – Cooked potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and cauliflower.

Proteins – Boiled eggs, canned tuna, beans, and soft cheese.

Other foods – Cooked oatmeal, overcooked rice, and soft bread soaked in milk.

Simple Recipe: Banana & Peanut Butter Snack

(Serves 1)

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or any spread of choice)

• 1 slice of bread or 2 crackers

Instructions:

1.Peel the banana (break off the top and pull down the skin).

2.Mash the banana using a spoon or fork until smooth.

3.Spread peanut butter on bread or crackers with a butter knife.

4.Top with the mashed banana and enjoy!

Every step you take in the kitchen builds confidence. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated—by using simple techniques and adapting to your needs, you can create delicious, nutritious meals safely. Keep going, trust yourself, and enjoy the process of making food that nourishes both your body and spirit!