Sunday, January 31, 2016

Flourless No sugar Added Oatmeal Banana Cookies

Mix all of the ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes-Enjoy

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Week 2- Lesson 2

The kids had such a great time making the Taquitos. I explained the importance of baking instead of frying. We used lowfat cream cheese as well as Greek yogurt versus sour cream and regular cream cheese. There were many questions and comments about the Taquitos being spicy...rest assured; they are not. They are simply packed with flavor. 

The kids learned how to handle raw chicken in the kitchen. They were also introduced to salad shears. We used this gadget to shredd and chop the chicken. This is such an amazing tool for every kitchen because it allows kids to help and participate with chopping without having to use a knife. I introduced the kids to different spices including cumin. I told them this spice originated in India; it is a common spice used in many Hispanic dishes. Many of the kids did not like the smell. It is a strong, yet flavorful spice. The kids learned the importance of warming the tortillas in the microwave prior to making the Taquitos. They learned what the word "pliable" means.  I taught the kids that every tortilla has two sides, which side to use, why it's easier to use the natural line the tortilla has to fill your Taquitos, and how to roll it tightly. 

These were a hit and the kids who were a little optimistic about trying something new; did and loved them! 


Lesson 1-Lemon Curd Crepes

Week 1-

Our first week of cooking went very well. I'm enjoying getting to know the kids.

Lesson 1-

The kids were taught how to make Homemade Fresh Lemon Curd the easy way. The recipe is "foolproof" because we combine everything before cooking it. The kids learned what would happen if you add eggs to a hot lemon curd; if you don't follow the proper technique, you will scramble your eggs! I explained the importance of using Saran Wrap on top of your lemon curd (once it starts to cool); the wrap will keep the curd from forming a "curd skin" on top.

The kids were introduced to a citrus press, a fine mesh strainer and a crepe pan. They were taught how to slowly pour the crepe batter onto the pan while using their wrist and turning the pan clockwise until the batter has formed a perfect round circle. I taught the kids that crepes actually cook very fast and once the edges start to pull away, the crepe is ready to flip. The kids were taught how to fill their crepes and fold them. Every student helped make the lemon curd and they all made their own crepe. 😃 




Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Homemade Lemon Curd Crepes

Never Fail Lemon Curd
  • 6 tablespoons soft butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs + 2 egg yolks
  • 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Cream together butter and sugar in stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time while mixing on low speed, then add yolks.  Continue to beat on low for another minute or two. mixture should be smooth and creamy light yellow. Next, add the lemon juice and continue to beat on low speed until incorporated.  Things turn pretty ugly at this point, the mixture will be lumpy and look curdled, fear not, forge ahead.
Transfer the lemon curd to a medium sized saucepan and place over low heat.   Stir until the mixture is heated through and no longer has a curdled appearance.  Increase the heat to medium and stir constantly for the next 12 minutes until thickened.  Remove from heat and allow to cool with cling wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the curd.  This will prevent it forming a skin on top. Once cool decant to storage container of your choice.  This keeps about a week in the fridge, it also freezes well.


Quick & Easy Crepe
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 tbsp. canola oil or coconut oil
1 tbsp. sugar or coconut palm sugar
1 c. flour or whole wheat flour
1 1/3 c. almond milk

Instructions
  • 1
    Combine all ingredients in a blender or bowl and use a hand mixer. Blend on low speed until well combined, and smooth. Crepe batter will be a very thin consistency and easily pourable. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Grease lightly with butter or cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 c. of crepe batter into the pan; twirl in a circular motion to coat evenly with batter. Let cook about thirty to sixty seconds, or until the edges of the batter bubble slightly, and it's easy to slide a spatula under the edge of the crepe. Flip crepe and cook another fifteen to thirty seconds. Remove from pan and stack on a plate.