Day 3:Cooking Camp

Cooking Camp Finale: Let's host a party!!
A. Planning
budget
menu
servings
guest considerations (vegetarians? allergies?)
ingredient list

B. Preparing
What to make early.
What to make first thing. (baking)
What to make last (cut fruit- fridgerator dips on plates)
Set up: tables, chairs, cups, utensils, plates, serving spoons, tablecloth
Follow recipes. Do one thing at a time. Keep fridge stuff separate.
Add greenery/flowers/decorations

C. Be a good host
check on food/drinks
get peoples finished plates/cups from them
pick up along the way
make sure everyone is comfortable
keep food covered from bugs if outside
keep fridgerated foods cold

OUR FINAL MENU:
(Kids made it all:)
strawberry mice http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50362
fruit kabob http://www.recipezaar.com/Fruit-Kabobs-With-Coconut-Dressing-205109
lemonade
chilli cheese salsa dip with tortilla chips (crock pot)
little smokies in bbq sauce and honey (crock pot)
cucumber boats http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50387
pretzel treats http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=41019
Leftover Oreo pizza with cool whip dip

Then we had an impromptu backyard party in the sprinklers, slip-n-slide, and kiddy pool. A great, packed day. I was ready for a nap when Daisy came to me with a fat upper lip. "What's wrong, Dais?" "I'm just sad that cooking camp is over. Can we keep doing it?" "Umm, NO!!!!!" (with a sweet and dainty voice, of course)

video coming soon- when I figure out how to work

Next week: horseback riding camp. But alas, I am not the teacher and the girls will be there from 8-3 everyday. What shall I do? (Like having Ben and Colby is beans and I am a free bird. Sure.)

Day 2: Cooking Camp

Bring sibling to camp day: Jr Chefs Faith, Megan, Lex, Devin, Ben,
Haden (not pictured), and Daisy
A. Review Safety, Measurements
B. Baking:
following exact directions
leveling a cake
refridgerate first
C. Decorating:
food colors-color wheel (yellow, blue, red mixtures)
frosting thick or thin
Basic Frosting:
Ingredients:
1/3 c crisco
3 c powdered sugar
1 1/2 t vanilla
2 T milk
Directions:
Whip all together until creamy. Add more milk if you like it thinner.
Adding color to frosting. Different shades/brightness
Tips:
"round"=writing, dots
"t"=leaves
"star"=flowers, borders
"rectangle with fat side"= roses, fancy flowers
how to hold bag/pressure/guiding
Fun creations. Daisy has more on arms and mouth than on cake.

Day 1: Cooking Camp

Jr Chefs: Faith, Daisy, Lex, Megan, and Ben

Schedule:
A. Safety
Learn basic kitchen safety:
Handles on stove face inward.
Use back burners when able.
Clean hands before/after cooking.
Clean items in contact with raw meat and eggs immediately.
Don't put foods that are cooked on a plate that had raw meat on it.
No licking spoons or fingers while cooking. Sample after food with utensil used one time.
What is double dipping and why we shouldn't do it (at least when there are guests)
Keep appliances away from water.
How to crack an egg and separate whites from yolk. skip to end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2nLawxhnmo (It only took two dozen eggs. They learned after a dozen, but it was so much fun we couldn't stop)
B. Recipes
Read the whole recipe first.
Make sure you have all ingredients.
Recipe contains:
title, list of ingredients, directions, prep time, cook time, servings
C=cup T=tablespoon t=teaspoon
Get to know those measurements:
1/2 c, 1/4 c, 1 c
1/4 t, 1/2 t, 1 t
wet vs. dry measuring cup
C. Around the world
different cultures have different etiquette and manners.
India: Mango Lassi
Ingredients:
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chopped mango
4 teaspoons sugar
ground cinnamon (optional)
Directions:
Blend together in blender and serve. Can be put in fridge for 24 hours.
Kids weren't anxious to go to India.

Mexico: Easy Empanadas
Ingredients:
1 ready made pie crust
1 can refried beans
1 jar salsa
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375*F. Roll pie crust flat and cut out circles with top of cup. Put dallop of beans in center of circle. Add dot of salsa on top. Sprinkle cheese on top of that. Fold the crust half over to the shape of a half-moon. Seal the edges with a fork and cook 8-10 minutes. Can serve with salsa.
Kids liked Mexico

Italy (kind of): Oreo Pizza
Ingredients:
brownie mix
1 1/2 c oreo cookie crumbs
1 c mini marshmellows
1/4 c reese's pieces
1/4 c heath pieces or chocolate morsels
Directions: Make brownies according to package direction in a pie plate. Bake as directed. Add marshmellows to hot brownies. Put back in oven for 2 minutes. Then sprinkle with other toppings, pressing lightly.
This was the favorite- but probably not actually found in Italy.

CRCT...a big joke

We prepared, we practiced, we pre-tested. I knew Alexis already had the material down. We had passed all the included information a half year ago...but I knew she wasn't used to standardized testing and needed to feel comfortable with the format. So- how did it go? Was she able to calmly answer the questions? Is she a good test taker? Does the test really evaluate her level? I guess we will never know...

"Dear Ms. Tucker-

There was an error with how the Reading exam was administered. Specifically, the examiner improperly read aloud the reading passages during the 1st grade test. As a result, the tests are considered invalid and will not be scored. There will not be re-testing. (etc. etc.)

Sincerely,

Georgia Virtual Academy"

This is the same proctor that spoke with an incredibly thick Jamaican accent. I love accents- but I could barely understand her and she is the one reading the passages to the first graders to mark an answer on which sounds they hear:)

Oh, well- Lex, you get an A+ in my book!