I was just about to dust the counter with flour when I had the idea. Before my children began rolling out the pie crust for apple pie, I decided to spray the counter with non-stick cooking spray. I wondered if it might make less of a mess than flour. It worked like a charm. I even sprayed a bit on their rolling pins. They were able to easily roll out the dough which also smoothly came off the counter.
I've actually been using the non-stick spray on my hands for quite a while. I suppose I should be more specific and let you know that I only put it on my hands before I handle bread dough. It makes kneading or transferring the dough to a pan so much easier. I've also found that the spray is quicker to wash off than sticky and wet flour.
I'm all for anything that makes cooking, especially cooking with my children, simpler. I know how important it is to let them help cook. It's little tips like this that make me think it might be manageable to ask my 4, 3 and 1-year-old to join me in the kitchen. Our apple pie turned out perfectly (that is if you overlook the plethora of vent holes my son happily added to the top crust) and cleaning up didn't take all night.
Do you have any tips to make cooking with kids easier?
Be sure to head on over to Kristin's at We Are That Family for more Works for Me Wednesday tips!