Let's Do Some Cleaning!!!

The students are finally learning how to do some REAL cleaning in our class :) Here are some pictures of them in action...

Microwaves = APPLE CRISP

Last week the 8th grade foods classes tried out their microwaving skills and produced a great version of apple crisp. Some enjoyed it with whipped topping, others did not. Most were happy and pleased with their outcome. It is great to see the students finally getting used to where things are in their kitchens, and having an enjoyable time with their classmates! This quick and easy recipe is a fun one to try out at home. Hope you all enjoy!

Microwave Apple Crisp

3 peeled, thinly sliced apples

1/3 c. Softened Butter

3/4 c. Brown Sugar or Margarine

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 /2 c. Quick Oats

1 /3 c. Flour

1 tsp. Nutmeg

Directions:

1. Peel and thinly slice apples.

2. Place in greased round glass dish.

3. Mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, butter quick oats, and nutmeg until crumbly.

4. Sprinkle over top of apples and cover with plastic wrap.

5. Poke a small hole to vent steam.

6. Microwave for 7 minutes.

7. Let stand for 5 minutes.

8. Serve with milk, ice cream or whipped topping.

One Recipe - Several Outcomes!

Last week the 9th grade foods and nutrition classes all made cookies. They were either chocolate chip, or oatmeal chocolate chip. It was interresting to see how each group had a finished product that looked completely different. Notice the differences below:



These differences - the students found out - was because each group may have slightly measured their ingredients differently, and the ovens may have cooked the cookies slightly different. Whatever the cause, it was fun to see how much of a difference one recipe could make with 82 students!

8th Graders and their COOKIE KISSES!

Well, it might have taken them two days to make them, but they did it. The 8th grade foods exploration classes survived their FIRST cooking lab! Hooray! The finished product? Cookie Kisses.
Some turned out, others didn't - but for the most part they were a hit.
These 8th graders are learning to do all sorts of jobs in the kitchen, and to follow directions. Each student participates with washing dishes, mixing food, getting supplies, sweeping floors, and just helping me out around the classroom. They are great kids, and a lot of fun!

Enjoy the recipe below!

Cookie Kisses

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees

Cream the following in kitchen-aid mixture:

1/4 C margarine or butter
1/4 C shortening
1/4 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar

Add:

1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Combine the following to the wet mixture:

1 1/2 C flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda

Divide dough into 12 pieces and place in a muffin tin. Place a chocolate kiss on top.
Bake 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.

Peanut Butter Bars!

This past week in class, the Foods and Nutrition 1 class has been learning about measuring and conversions. They practiced and practiced their measuring, and finally began to prove to me that they knew a thing or two about measuring. On one of our final days, I did a measuring demo for them with peanut butter bars. Needless to say, those 9th graders LOVE them! You'll find the recipe below if you want to try it out! Make sure to measure correctly! :)



Peanut Butter Bars

1 C brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 C margarine
1/2 tsp salt
1 C sugar
2 C quick oats
2 Eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 C creamy peanut butter
1 (12 oz.) pkg. milk chocolate chips
2 C Flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Melt the margarine in the microwave
3. WIth an electric mixer, cream together the brown sugar, sugar, eggs, peanut butter and melted margarine until creamy.
4. Add the flour, soda, salt, quick oats and vanilla and mix well.
5. Greast a large cookie sheet and spread the dough out evenly.
6. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until edges look golden brown
7. Right as the peanut butter bars come out of the oven, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly across the top. Wait for them to melt and then spread them out covering the peanut butter bars evenly.
8. After the bars are completely cooled and the chocolate is dry to the touch, frost evenly with the peanut butter frosting.


Peanut Butter Frosting

3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
2-3 C powdered sugar
1/4 C- 1/2 C milk

1. With a spoon, mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar and a small amount milk in a large bowl. Continue to mix in milk, small amounts at a time, until the frosting reaches a creamy consistency.
2. If it is to thick, add a little more milk. If it is too thin, add a little bit more powdered sugar.