"With the increasing levels of childhood obesity it is now more apparent that this issue needs to be tackled," says Alison Dent in her information leaflet about getting kids involved in the kitchen.

"Basic food preparation and cooking skills may be the key so instilling this knowledge from young age may help to ensure long-term health."

Alison gave her advice on cooking with kids at the Sheffield Hallam University Nutrition Fair 2008. The fair was held by final year students at the Faculty of Oranisation and Management.

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Here's one of Alison's cook with kids recipes:

Lemon-pepper turkey pasta (4-6 servings)

Ingredients

1-1 1/2 lbs. turkey cut into 1/2 inch strips
a lb linguine
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
2tsp corn starch
1 tsp lemon pepper
6 spring onions, sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced, then into fine slithers
1 garlic clove, minced
10 oz fresh spinach, washed, drained and chopped

Method

In self-closing plastic bag combine turkey, soy sauce, vinegar, corn starch and lemon pepper. shake bag to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to marinate and let flavors blend.

Cook the pasta. In a non-stick skillet cook the turkey and marinade with oil for 2-3 minutes until meat is cooked through. Add spring onions, lemon slithers and garlic. Stir in spinach until wilted.

Combine turkey mixture with the hot linguine to serve and garnish with parsley and lemon if desired.

Easy Apple Pie

Crust ingredients

575 g all purpose flour
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
345 g cold butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
5 tbsp cold vegetables shortening
8 tbsp ice water

Filling ingredients

6 to 8 apples
2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tbsp butter, cut into chunks
Juice of half a lemon
172 g sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Milk (for glaze)

Method

Ask your child to measure the flour, sugar and salt into a large sealable plastic bag. Seal and shake to combine.
Add chilled butter and shortening then get your child to press down with their palms, until a flaky layered crust is made.
Add ice water and shake until dough holds together, then knead out into a circle approx 12" in diameter. Line a 9" pie case, trim edges and refrigerate until ready to use.
Preheat oven to 210 degrees C. Get your child to help peel the apples. Core and slice apples, and place into large mixing bowl. Pour over lemon juice and add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour.
Mix and arrange in pie crust, dotting butter around. Help your child design the pie lid and glaze with milk.

Bake for 45 min until crust is brown and juices are bubbling. Leave to cool and serve with ice cream.