Ever since I was a kid, one of my favorite sounds in our house was hearing my mom's KitchenAid mixer turn on. I knew it meant something delicious was coming our way, like chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, blueberry scones, or her famous apple cake.

Introducing Cooking with Kids

The sound of the mixer also signaled a chance to bake with her. With delight, she would promptly move a chair over (when I was too young to reach the counter) and off we would go, creating that messy scene that occurs when you bake with kids — flour everywhere, sugar scattered, chocolate chips sprinkled about. That was the best!

I loved baking with my mom when I was little. I still love baking with her today! I know all those recipes by heart and it always brings up fond memories when I make them.

In the spirit of this memory (and many more like it), we created a new video series for Kitchn called "Cooking with Kids," where families are invited into our New York City studios to cook up one of their favorite dishes. Although you may not make their recipe, you'll enjoy watching the wonderful, heartwarming (and sometimes humorous) dynamic that unfolds between parents and children as they cook.

Episode 1: Anabel & Thaddeus Make Armenian Rice Pilaf

In our first episode, Michael and his 6-year-old twins, Anabel and Thadeus, make Armenian rice pilaf. Michael explains that it's the cornerstone of every Armenian house, and it varies slightly from family to family. According to Michael, "you get judged for the fluffiness and savoriness of your pilaf, so there's no messing around!"