New Classes!

Okay, I know I've been a slacker getting this new semester rolling. I have LOVED working with these new students though! We are revisiting several recipes, and trying out some new ones as well. Make sure to check back often for the recipes!

Miss Dowse

Sad Goodbye...

Well, we survived another semester! It is always hard to see my students go after everything that we have learned and experienced together. As you can tell from this blog, they have accomplished so much, and I'm very proud of everything they have made and learned.

BUT, I am excited for a new semester with new students and a new prospect! Some of the recipes may stay the same, but I think we'll try a few new ones :). Good luck to everyone in their cooking endeavors! I'll miss you all!

Miss Dowse

Microwave Brownies

This was a new recipe that the 9th graders tried out. For the most part, it turned out great.

Warning: Some students found out the hard way that when they DON"T read the recipe all the way through and follow directions EXACTLY, things don't work out :)

Microwave Brownies

2/3 C. butter or margarine
½ C. sugar
½ C. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 C flour
1/3 C unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 C chopped nuts (optional

May use powdered sugar or frosting on top

1. Spray an 8” or 9” square microwavable dish with non-stick spray. Put butter in a medium sized microwavable bowl and microwave, uncovered 20-30 seconds until softened.

2. Stir in sugar and brown sugar until blended.

3. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well blended.

4. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt and stir just until moistened.

5. Stir in nuts (optional)

6. Spread batter evenly in dish. Place dish on an inverted small microwavable plate in microwave oven.

7. Microwave, uncovered for 5 ½ - 7 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Rotate dish one fourth turn every 2 minutes. After 5 ½ minutes check every 30 seconds

9. Cover dish with waxed paper and cool on a wire rack 10 minutes.

10. Remove waxed paper and cool brownies completely.

PIZZA

For their final in this class, the 8th graders made homemade pizza without any help at all from me. I was proud to see how much they had learned and accomplished in my class! Good work students! The pizza was wonderful, as all the other classes around would testify to, because they got to smell it all day :)

PIZZA

1/2 C warm water
1 1/2 Tbsp yeast
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 Tbsp oil
2 C flour (might need more)

1. Combine water, yeast, and sugar in mixer bowl.
2. Add salt, egg, oil, and 1 cup flour and mix well with wire whisk attachment in kitchen aid
3. Switch to the dough hook and add remaining flour as needed to make a workable dough. Knead about 50 times by hand.
4. Roll out in a greased pizza pan and add toppings
5. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden

Toppings:

1/2 C sauce
1 C cheese
10-15 pepperonis
Olives
Pineapple
Green peppers

Fruit Pizza = SO MUCH FUN!

This is a simple, very fun recipe. Check out the student's creativity with their creations!

Fruit Pizza

Cookie Crust:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/3 cup plus 1 T. shortening
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp almond flavoring

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. sift together: sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt
3. Cut in shortening
4. Add milk, egg and almond flavoring and mix well with flat beater on mixer.
5. If needed, knead in enough flour for rolling consistency
6. Grease pan and press dough onto it evenly. Be sure there are no thin spots.
7. Bake for about 10 minutes or until it starts to brown around the edges
8. Cool before topping

Filling:

Make instant vanilla pudding. Mix 1/2 cups pudding with 1/2 cup cool whip. Spread evenly on crust. Top with fruit.

Good fruit choices: strawberries, grapes, blueberries, kiwi, raspberries, pineapple, bananas, mandarin oranges, apples with skin on.

Cowboy Salsa... Giddy Up!

This recipe was a personal favorite. I thought it was a good idea to get the 9th graders out of their comfort zone when it came to salsa. They needed a little CHUNKY salsa in their lives. Honestly, this stuff is tasty, so try it out! I'm sure you will want to be a cowboy just so you can have it all the time :)

Cowboy Salsa

• 1/2 can pinto beans, drained
• 1/2 can black-eyed peas, drained
• 1/2 can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1/4 medium onion, chopped
• 1/8 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Combine everything in a large bowl and mix. Enjoy with tortilla chips!

German Pancakes

The 8th graders have been talking a lot about protein, and lately more specifically about eggs. They learned all the parts of an egg, and we decided it was about time to cook with them. SO, we made German Pancakes. Some couldn't stomach the eggy taste, while others loved it! Maybe it is an acquired taste :)

Enjoy the recipe below! For a 9x13 pan, double the recipe.

German Pancakes

1. Heat oven to 450 Degrees
2. Place 3 tbsp butter in glass pan and let it melt in the oven

Blend in a blender:

* 1/2 cup milk
* 1 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup flour
* 1 tbsp sugar
* 3 eggs

Blend well and pour batter into hot buttered pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until desired doneness.

Top with desired toppings. (strawberries and whipped cream are fabulous!)