Ok, so it wasn’t for too long and I didn’t make the entire meal, but I actually got to help out in the kitchen last week!
I love cooking. But ever since we opened Just Like GRAMMY and POPPOP’s over a year ago, PopPop and I haven’t cooked much at home—or lately even at the center! That’s because we have our wonderful Chef Sheila, who pours so much love into preparing fresh, healthy meals for the littles every day.
Miss Sheila recently suggested adding Chicken Alfredo to our daycare menu because we love trying new things, and Alfredo is a big favorite with two of our own kids!
Making Homemade Alfredo Sauce from Scratch
When Miss Sheila couldn’t make it in on Friday, PopPop Matt invited me to step in and make “just the sauce” while he handled the rest. He boiled the penne pasta, baked and diced the chicken, and set up our “make-your-own” salad bar—served in sectioned trays so our older children can practice serving themselves.
My main job? Grating fresh parmesan cheese! Grating it yourself might sound fancy, but we just avoid pre-shredded cheese whenever possible. Freshly grated cheese melts so much better without that waxy anti-caking coating. Now, I won’t lie—I used plenty of pre-shredded cheese in my “other life”! There’s definitely a time and place for convenience, but at our childcare center, we love going the extra mile to spoil our kids with wholesome ingredients.
A New Favorite on Our Daycare Menu?
The children devoured the noodles—no surprise there! Pasta is always a crowd-pleaser. They seemed to enjoy the homemade Alfredo sauce, too, although I didn’t hear pages to the kitchen for refills this first time around.
We might add it to our meal rotation occasionally, and I sure hope I get invited back to help. Though, to be honest, Miss Sheila’s cooking will always be the fan favorite around here—and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Fresh, Healthy Meals Made with Love
One of the joys of running this school is watching little ones try new foods. They often hesitate at first, but it’s so brave when they finally dig in! PopPop Matt and I still laugh about the quizzical looks we got the first time we served kiwi or edamame—which, by the way, is now an absolute favorite here.
We pour our hearts into every part of this school. From planning nutritious menus to serving the plates, nothing beats watching the kids eat it all up—grinning from ear to ear with pasta sauce on their faces and in their hair!
It’s all made with love,
Grammy Kim
