Cooking Classes
Cooking classes give rise to a world of discovery for children: the rich aromas of freshly ground spices, the brilliant colors of purple potatoes, red bell peppers, and golden mangos; the fascination of cranking fettuccine through a pasta machine, learning that yeast is alive, and hearing the pop! of toasting spices. View a sample cooking lesson.
Food has the amazing power to engage, transform, excite, and unite a group of students. Nearly fifteen years of cooking experience in schools has shown that providing elementary school students with a positive, fun experience with food increases the likelihood that they will try and enjoy those foods. In cooking classes, students work together to prepare such dishes as Vegetable Paella, Llapingachos (Ecuadorian Potato Pancakes) with Red Chile, and East Indian Lentils, learning in the process that new and culturally diverse foods can be both tasty and nutritious.
Connecting Core Academic Subjects with Food
Student materials are bilingual (English/Spanish), grade-level appropriate activities that connect the foods being used to other areas of learning, including math, science, social studies, and language arts. Each cooking class begins by looking at a map or globe, reading about the history of foods in the lesson, how they grow, and how these foods support the body.
Cooking Together in Small Groups
Students work in small groups with an adult to prepare part of the menu. Students learn the importance of washing one's hands before cooking, and to safely work with foods and kitchen utensils. Students wash their own dishes and clean their work tables before and after cooking. They learn many important cooking skills and vocabulary, such as how to measure, whisk, and knead. With so many helping hands in each cooking class, students learn to work together, take turns, and encourage their classmates during the process of preparing delicious food.
Learning Manners
When the food is ready, children learn to wait until everyone is served before eating and to say "Please" and "Thank you" and "May I please have some more salad?" They also learn to use manners and respect their classmates' hard work when talking about the food.
Honoring Choice
Research shows that requiring children to try new foods may make them more resistant to tasting anything new or unusual. The Cooking with Kids program honors the value of individual choice, encouraging but never forcing children to try foods that they cook.
Recipes
Food has the amazing power to engage, transform, excite, and unite a group of students. Nearly fifteen years of cooking experience in schools has shown that providing elementary school students with a positive, fun experience with food increases the likelihood that they will try and enjoy those foods. In cooking classes, students work together to prepare such dishes as Vegetable Paella, Llapingachos (Ecuadorian Potato Pancakes) with Red Chile, and East Indian Lentils, learning in the process that new and culturally diverse foods can be both tasty and nutritious.
Connecting Core Academic Subjects with Food
Student materials are bilingual (English/Spanish), grade-level appropriate activities that connect the foods being used to other areas of learning, including math, science, social studies, and language arts. Each cooking class begins by looking at a map or globe, reading about the history of foods in the lesson, how they grow, and how these foods support the body.
Cooking Together in Small Groups
Students work in small groups with an adult to prepare part of the menu. Students learn the importance of washing one's hands before cooking, and to safely work with foods and kitchen utensils. Students wash their own dishes and clean their work tables before and after cooking. They learn many important cooking skills and vocabulary, such as how to measure, whisk, and knead. With so many helping hands in each cooking class, students learn to work together, take turns, and encourage their classmates during the process of preparing delicious food.
Learning Manners
When the food is ready, children learn to wait until everyone is served before eating and to say "Please" and "Thank you" and "May I please have some more salad?" They also learn to use manners and respect their classmates' hard work when talking about the food.
Honoring Choice
Research shows that requiring children to try new foods may make them more resistant to tasting anything new or unusual. The Cooking with Kids program honors the value of individual choice, encouraging but never forcing children to try foods that they cook.
Recipes
East Indian Lentils, Carrot Rice Pilaf, Chapatis & Fruit Salad
In India, lentils and rice are everyday foods for millions of people. Lentils are inexpensive, nutritious, and can be prepared in a a multitude of ways. Did you know that people have been eating
lentils for thousands of years?
lentils for thousands of years?
Llapingachos with Red Chile Sauce
Llapingachos are traditional potato patties from Ecuador, often served topped with a fried egg and a spicy peanut sauce. This version is paired with a New Mexican red chile sauce. If you use thin- skinned potatoes like Yukon Golds there is no need to peel them.