Kids in the Kitchen - Part 7
Kids in the Kitchen is our blog series, where in collaboration with Little Kitchen Academy, we’re sharing recipes and tips for getting kids interested in food and involved in the kitchen.
Basil Olive Pesto
This simple pesto offers powerful learning moments:
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Practicing safe and purposeful knife skills
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Building patterns and focus through multi-step preparation
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Exploring how textures and flavors change when blended
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Developing independence and confidence in the kitchen
At home, even small moments in the kitchen can become meaningful opportunities to build lifelong skills together.
Prep time: 15-20
Serves: 2-3
Ingredients
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1 garlic clove
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1 cup fresh, loosely packed basil leaves
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1/4 cup green olives
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1/8 tsp pepper
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1/4 cup olive oil
1. Set Up Your Workspace
Prepare your blender and organize your ingredients in a clean, calm space.
Invite your child to set up their own station. Giving them ownership from the start builds responsibility and focus.
2. Wash & Prepare Ingredients
Rinse the basil under cold water and gently pat dry. Place your garlic on the cutting board.
Talk through why we wash ingredients and handle them with care. This builds awareness of cleanliness and respect for food.
💡 At Little Kitchen Academy, students harvest fresh basil directly from Click & Grow Smart Gardens. This hands-on step connects children to where their food comes from, turning ingredients into something they’ve watched grow.
3. Practice Knife Skills (With Observation)
This step should only be done by your child if they've already learned proper knife techniques and can demonstrate safe, controlled movements.
Trim the garlic, gently smash it to remove the skin, then finely chop. Chiffonade the basil by stacking them and rolling them into a tight log, and cut on a diagonal to create thin delicate ribbons (or tearing for younger children).
Even if you’re doing most of the cutting, let your child participate! Tearing herbs or practicing safe, simple cuts build confidence over time.
4. Prepare the Olives
Measure the olives, and use a cherry pitter to remove the pits.
5. Measure & Combine
Add garlic, basil, olives, and pepper to the blender. Use a liquid measuring cup and stand at eye level to measure the olive oil, then pour into the blender.
Let your child help with measuring. Seeing quantities and pouring ingredients supports early math skills and independence.
6. Blend & Observe
Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a small amount of olive oil if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Pause and ask your child what’s changing: how does it look, smell, and sound? This builds an understanding of how ingredients transform.
Serve with pita chips and enjoy!