I’ve had a busy couple of weeks. Some of it has been relaxing, some busy, some
well just overwhelming.
I have been helping my sister with my Aunt’s estate. Overwhelming – and I only have a small piece
of the “pie” so to speak, and so excited that my sister has a cookie in the
Pillsbury bake off! I’m going to bake
it, take pictures and post it later on this summer, but I have so many other
projects going on in the kitchen. (That news to come at a later date)
This past week I got the joy of volunteering at the KROC
Center for the MSU Extensions Cooking Matters.
This particular version of the program is working with middle school
teens on the basics of cooking. Our
first week has been organization and getting to know my teens. And I’ve been told that the numbers could
swell to 30 (15 each day) so I’d best be
prepared!
Every recipe that we work on is a healthy recipe. And it is important to get these young adults
to try the food. I remember Chef
Campbell in culinary school telling us that you have to try a food numerous
times, at least 13 to get your palate used to it. Then you can form an opinion! It’s hard to explain that to teens whose
palate has been formulated by fast foods, boxed foods, and quick and easy. I bless my mom for teaching me how to cook,
and each and every time I work with someone new in the kitchen, I remember how
slow and uncertain I must have been. I
didn’t realize it then, but now I do – my mom is a saint! She had so much patience, and we always
thought she didn’t! What a few decades
of perspective brings to the table!
Our teens made Northwest Apple Salad and Hearty Egg Burritos
giving them the chance to use knifes, skillets, the stove top and EAT!
Northwest Apple Salad
2 medium Granny Smith Apples
2 tablespoons dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or currants)
3 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt
1 tablespoon whole, shelled walnuts
1 Tablespoon honey
Rinse and
remove cores from apples. Do not
peel. Cut into 1 inch pieces. Place in medium bowl. Add dried fruit and yogurt to bowl. Mix well.
In a small Skillet over medium heat toast nuts until golden
brown and fragrant. Watch closely, so
they do not burn. Remove from pan and
let cool.
Chop cooked nuts with a knife. Add chopped nuts to bowl and add honey. Toss and serve.
Hearty Egg Burritos
3 green onion
1 medium red or green bell pepper
1 medium clove garlic
2 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese
1 (15 ½ ounce) can black beans no salt added
1 teaspoon canola oil
4 large eggs
¾ teaspoon ground cumin divided
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
non stick cooking spray
4 (8 inch) whole wheat flour tortillas
1/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt
¼ cup fresh cilantro
Rinse green
onions and bell pepper. Peel garlic
clove.
Slice green
onions. Remove core and dice bell
pepper. Mince garlic
If using
fresh cilantro, rinse and chop leaves now
Grate Cheese
In a
colander, drain and rinse beans
In a medium
skillet over medium heat, heat oil, add beans, green onions, bell pepper, and
garlic. Cook until peppers are soft,
about 3 minutes. Add ½ teaspoon ground
cumin and black pepper. Transfer mixture
to a plate.
In a small
bowl, crack eggs. Add remaining ¼
teaspoon cumin. Beat mixture lightly
with a fork.
Wipe out
skillet with a paper towel .Coat with nonstick cooking spray. Heat at medium-low. Add egg mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until eggs are
firm as you like. About 3- 5
minutes. If using cilantro add now.
Soon egg
mixture into center of each tortilla, dividing evenly. Add beans and veggies. Sprinkle cheese on top. If using yogurt, add a dollop to each
tortilla. Fold over mixture and serve.
