Inspiring children

It is so important to inspire children when they are young.  Getting kids to help in the kitchen can be easier than you think!  Most kids, want to be involoved with the cooking process. Infact, if you structure it right, you may be able to even get them to help with the dishes.

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Recently, I have been working with kids at a local Montessori school (Montesorri Del Mar in Fort Bragg CA).  I do a short cooking demo with them to teach them why it is important to eat healty and teach them about all of the vitamins and nutrients that occur naturally in plants.  In 3 hours, I help them prepare a meal which in turn they get to share with their fellow friends, students and teachers for lunch.  See the photo below to see how we set up the cooking demos and present the fresh organic vegetables and fruit to them.  This particular day was a demo on how to create your own salad and crudités with hummus!

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I love working with kids and helping them learn the art of preparing food.  In the photos above, we made a lemon cake because we had an abundance of lemons.  See below for recipe:

Lemon Cake

2 cups organic cake flour (fine flour)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp pink salt

1/2 cup EVOO or Substitute sunflower oil

3/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup soy or almond milk

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 TBL lemon zest

Seasonal Berries for garnish

1 TBL agave

1 tsp lemon juice

Frosting, optional

Directions

  1. Combine all dry ingredients plu lemon zest and whisk well.
  2. Combine all wet ingredients in seperate bowl and whisk well.
  3. Add wet ingredients to dry, and whisk gently.
  4. Pour into two 8 inch cake pans that have been lightly greased.
  5. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes.  Check for slight browning. Insert toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done!
  6. Cool.
  7. Remove cakes from pan.
  8. Slice berries thin and add to bowl with 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 TBL agave.  Mix well to dress berries throughly.
  9. Place first layer of cake onto plate.  Add dressed berries and place second layer of cake on top.  Finish with more dressed berries.  Chill.  Serve cold.

 

 

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