Cooking "class"

[AAK]

My dd has a great interest in cooking. We bake together all the time but she wants something more "formal" in teaching her how to cook. She is cool with doing it at home, but wants it to be more than just baking cookies So, we decided to make our own "cooking class" and we will do it on Wednesdays (a time I always have for her).

My question is this: what would you include in this? Are there any good resources that I can use besides cooking books and online recipes? The only thing I am coming up with is to have her cook something different each week (hopefully using a variety of skills) and making her own cookbook (scrapbook style since she loves art/craft stuff). I want to include appetizers, main courses, desserts, breads, side dishes, etc. I guess I am lacking a list of "sub skills" for a young cook. She is 7. She can usually crack an egg, slice softer foods (cucumbers, etc) and she measures fairly well. I don't want her pulling things from the oven yet, but I want her to learn to set temp and timer, adjust racks, etc.

So, can you help me brainstorm?

Amy

[limette]

I highly recommend Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything". You can do one recipe a week (or more) and explain the techniques as you go along.

It was my first cookbook and I used it until it fell apart. The recipes are basic and easy to understand plus he gives variations to try.

I learned how to make bread, pasta dough, vegetable soup and many more recipes from that book. It's fab.

[mangopassion]

How about general safety in the kitchen? You might have already taught her these. But you can also teach her how to curl her fingers when slicing/chopping veggies so as not to cut the tips of her fingers. You can teach her the most convenient ways to cut up complicated fruits/veggies like cantaloupe, avocado, pineapple, mango, etc. Since strawberry season is coming up, maybe you guys can make jam/jelly. These are things I'm just now learning, and I really wish I had learned these things a long time ago. I've taught my children these things at the same time I learn them.

Also, I once read this fun idea, but I haven't had a chance to do it yet... create a cooking show! Get all of the ingredients ready and while you video tape, the kids do the show! You can do fun things like have a "competition" as to who can do the best cooking show voice and things of that sort.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by mangopassion

Also, I once read this fun idea, but I haven't had a chance to do it yet... create a cooking show! Get all of the ingredients ready and while you video tape, the kids do the show! You can do fun things like have a "competition" as to who can do the best cooking show voice and things of that sort.

OMG! My Kids would L O V E this idea. They already make their own plays (complete with script, blocking, etc) and video tape them downstairs. Why don't I think of this stuff! Thanks for your other ideas too. We do make jam (every year) and can peaches, pears, etc. I plan on including that.

Oh, and to the other poster--thanks for the reminder of that book. My mom has a copy, but I might just buy one for myself. I can't use the library for cooking books (my own rule--I tend to be a messy cook).

My brain has been on fire since I thought about formalizing the way I "teach cooking" in my house. I am going to have so much fun with this. My kids will too. Maybe I will write my own book about it. Well, probably not--but I will have fun.

Amy

[Momma Aimee]

If it was me, and DD is up for it -- i would have her look at recipies each week "planning for Wed" -- and choose one or two to make -- with a theme ...soup, dessert, etc.

at some point you can work on making a grcoey list based on a meal you plan to cook, and nutirunal aspects too -- more advance than starting out ... but it gives you some ideas.

Keep notes -- how hard a recipe is vs how good -- is it worth it.

a list of new skils she learns -- and as she reads recipes (even tougher / facnier ones) a list of skills she needs. -- she can keep this as her "progress"

there are voc terms she would learn.

Then i would let her host a dinner (can gandma and grandpa come, or someong) and have her make her best soup, salid, dinner, desster and so on.

she can also praitce with time mangamnet -- a big aspect of cookin IMO -- what has to be done last, what can be made a few hours before and put aside and so on ...

at the dinner she can give everyone a photo copy of her cook book of everything made that "night".

and there are other things -- cake, pie, bread ...as advanced as she wants to go ......sour dough bread, yeast bread, no knead bread and so on .. how to make good gravy (i still can't) and so on ...

sounds so fun

[Marimami]

DD (5.5) has made a couple of cooking videos now. I highly recommend it! Cooking is DH's true love so he's had DD in the kitchen with him since she was tiny.

There are loads of cross-study opportunities too-- historical cooking, multicultural, math/science learning, art (decorating).

About a year ago (so she was about 4.5 or so?) DD invented her own recipe. DH gave her some appropriate ingredients but she put the whole thing together on her own. It was ridiculously good! It was like a blueberry flat cake sorta thing... a little moist from the extra water she added (lol) but it was amazing to see the principles she had picked up on and could apply.

Have loads of fun!!

Holli

[Momma Aimee]

these are off my wish list -- for when the boys are older:



Kids Cook!: Fabulous Food for the Whole Family (Williamson Kids Can! Series) by Sarah Williamson

The Math Chef: Over 60 Math Activities and Recipes for Kids by Joan D'Amico, Karen Eich Drummond

The United States Cookbook: Fabulous Foods and Fascinating Facts From All 50 States by Joan D'Amico, Karen Eich Drummond

The U.S. History Cookbook: Delicious Recipes and Exciting Events from the Past by Joan D'Amico, Karen Eich Drummond







there are also some intresting options / tie ins here:

http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?m...rades&rating=3

some cooking (as in Japenees formal dinner) but other realted topices too..........


The Kids' Multicultural Cookbook (Kids Can!) by Deanna F. Cook

The Kids' Multicultural Cookbook: Food & Fun Around the World (Williamson Kids Can! Series) by Deanna F. Cook

[ktgrok]

future christian homemakers has a free curriculum online for this!

Katie

[AAK]

wow, thanks!

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by ktgrok

future christian homemakers has a free curriculum online for this!

Katie

?? I found the book free for downloadeing ... http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/06/fr...-handbook.html

but i do not find the on line curriculum -- am i just over looking it>

[ktgrok]

http://www.futurechristianhomemakers...sonsIndex.html

[motheroftwob]

There are some really great suggestions here, just to add to it maybe you could have her keep a journal of what she makes, and how she enjoyed it. Then take some pictures of her with the finished product, and place in the gernal with the recipe.

[Agamemnonsmom]

Great ideas

My 5 year old son loves to cook with me. One thing he loves is that I bought him his own cookbook (kid friendly with pictures). Also, likes picking the recipes we make

[Momma Aimee]

i had a cook book as a child, but do not see it on Amazon (that or the re-do is so differnt i don't recongizxe it) whre each step of the recipie was written and photo .... and there were paged on the differnt ways to meausre dry vs wet and so on ..... i will keep looking.

[*Jessica*]

Don't forget to watch Altons Brown's show Good Eats with her!

[shoefairy3]

Originally Posted by *Jessica*

Don't forget to watch Altons Brown's show Good Eats with her!

How I love AB

Speaking of strawberry season, I think we are going to make some jam this weekend. Thanks to the above poster for the fab idea

[AAK]

I hadn't ever seen that show before. It is bookmarked. Thanks.

Amy