Budding Chefs inspires children by providing fun, interactive, hands-on cooking experiences

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Home Alone class, August 2010

Today we made a lot of food! We talked about how when we are making more than one recipe, we need to figure out what order to make them in so things don't sit too long and get cold (Pizza Pockets), or sit too long and get warm or melt (Smoothies), or sit too long and get brown (apple slices).  So we first made our Fluffy Peanut Butter Dip.  Last time I made it, I couldn't find the cinnamon (who put it THERE???!).  This time we used cinnamon.  I have to admit I like it better without. Nate measured the Cool-Whip, Laney and Sierra stirred so that it was all one color--no brown or white streaks.  We put it in the fridge to keep it cold, and moved on to the Wake-Up Smoothies.  Jessalyn used the can opener to open the crushed pineapple; Evan peeled the banana and broke it into chunks.  Everyone helped make the orange juice, Jaiden pushed the buttons on the blender.  We talked about the difference between blend and liquefy, and why the blender makes more noise on liquefy, and why the volume increases as we hit higher speeds. We had to pour some of the mixture into a glass before we added the juice.  I could definitely use a larger blender!  

We put the smoothies in the fridge, and moved onto the main course...Pizza Pockets.  Easy to make in the microwave.  We moved to the table to eat, took the dip and smoothies out of the fridge, and brought our apples to the table to cut them into slices to dip.  Nate mentioned that the dip with apples tastes like "mom's Snickers Salad".  It does! And much healthier, too.  

After we finished eating, we moved back to the island to make some one minute omelettes.  I took out the non-stick spray, and showed them how the nozzle needs to be pointing at the red line....and...WHOOPS!  I pushed the nozzle down and sprayed my face with oil--right in the eye.  I thought it was time for some comic relief.  Maybe I should have someone videotaping and show the bloopers like Bill Dance's fishing shows  (If you've never seen them, google it--Bill Dance bloopers) 

So everyone made their own egg in a little glass bowl.  Nate's first egg went all over the counter, so the little "friendly banter" between he and his sister kept going, about how many times a day Nate is clumsy.  Everyone did great cracking their eggs.  They added some cheese, used the mills to add some freshly ground salt and pepper, and took them to the micro to watch them cook.  You could hear some of them giggle as they watched....they had not seen an egg puff up like that, and then deflate when it was done.  

Finally, we made some popcorn in a bag in the micro.  We talked about how that's much healthier than microwave popcorn that you buy, since it uses no oil.  Just put the kernels in a paper bag in a single layer, fold the bag closed and put a piece of tape on it, and nuke it.  

They were a great group of kids, and we had a lot of fun. 




Thursday, August 19, 2010

August 4, 2010....Summer Reading Program at Kress Library

We had a great group at the library class!  We made Frosty Fruit Smoothies and Pizza Pockets.  Our youngest class member was 5 (very well-behaved) and our oldest was 14 (also very well-behaved  :). 


Monday, August 2, 2010

Home Alone, What Can I Make?

Well, we had a great time at the Home Alone class; but of course, I got so involved I forgot to take pictures. We made Pizza Pockets, Fluffy Peanut Butter Dip with apples, Wake-Up Smoothies, popcorn in a bag, and one minute microwave omelettes.  They ate it all!