Teaching Cooking

I have taught basic cooking to my seven children and to classes of elementary children. When my youngest daughter wanted to learn, I found that taking the recipes and making them into a step-by-step format made it easier for her, so here is a blog to hopefully make cooking easier for the beginner.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Dutch Oven Fruit Cobbler

Dutch Oven desserts are fun for our family outings.  This recipe is for a generic fruit cobbler with variations for different fruit.

Dutch Oven Fruit Cobbler

If you are using bottled fruit, pour the fruit into the bottom of the dutch oven.  If there is a lot of syrup on the fruit, pour a little off before you put it in.  (I like to use an aluminum liner for easier clean-up)

If you are using fresh fruit, such as: blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries (or mix them all!) then put the berries in the bottom of the liner.  Sprinkle a little sugar over the top of the berries (approximately 1/3 cup for a 12 inch dutch oven).

After the fruit is in, sprinkle a box of cake mix over the top.  Lightly spread it around so it seems even.

Some of the combinations that I have used are:
          pears with spice cake mix
          peach, apple pie, berries with yellow, white or lemon.
          some people like chocolate and fruit together (not me) and that is a possibility also.

Pears are also good if you use nutmeg sprinkled over them before you add the cake mix.

On top of the cake mix, pour a 12 oz can of pop.  I usually use Sprite, but root beer gives a great flavor and if you like coke, some people have used that, but I don't.

Melt 1/2 cup of butter and pour that over the top.

Put the lid on your dutch oven and put 12-15 charcoal underneath and 15-20 on top.  If it is windy or cold, you will need the higher amount.  Bake for about 30 minutes.  When it is golden on top, it is done!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Zucchini Bread

This recipe is originally from my sister, Adell.  It is an easy, good quick bread.

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups grated zucchini with the peal on
2 teaspoons vanilla

Beat the eggs until they are fluffy and light colored.  Then add the oil, sugar, zucchini and vanilla and stir well. Then add:

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon

Mix until it is well blended.  Add 1/2 cup of nuts if you want.  Divide into 2 greased loaf pans.  Bake at 325 for 1 hour or until done.  You will need to do the "toothpick stuck in the middle to see if the batter is still sticking if it is done" test.  (The batter will not stick to the toothpick, BTW)

Monday, August 6, 2012

Drip Drop Egg Soup

This soup is super easy.  It's nice to make on a day when you didn't want to cook.

Drip Drop Egg Soup

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

Add a package of raman noodles.  I like to break them up before I put them in the water so they are not as long and easier to eat.

Add 1 cup of frozen peas.

Bring this all to a boil and while it is boiling, add 2 eggs and stir quickly.  Cook for just 2-3 minutes more and it is ready to eat.  Add salt and pepper to your tastes.  You can add the flavoring packet also, if you want.

Makes enough soup for two.

Easy Shepherds Pie

This is one of those easy meals that can be made with a lot of variety and little fuss.

Easy Shepherds Pie

Choose what kind of meat you want to use.  If it is uncooked, you will need cook it until almost done,  With chicken, you will want to cut into smaller pieces and if it is ground beef, just chop it up as you brown it. If you use stew meat, cook it until it is almost done.  Season your meat with salt and pepper.  You can even used canned meat, including ham.

Next, add vegetables.  If you are browning or cooking meat, you can add celery or onions with the meat when it is almost done.  Add either canned or frozen vegetables after they are mostly cooked and heat through.  You can also add different spices such as: basil, garlic, parsley, season all, cumin, sage or any others that you want to try.  Add a can of cream of mushroom soup or make a white gravy using the following recipe:

       White Gravy
        1/4 cup flour
        1 Tablespoon Butter
        1 cup milk
       In a small saucepan, melt the butter.  Sprinkle the flour over the top and quickly stir with a fork or a whisk. Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly, until it is well blended.  Heat until bubbly.  Add a little more milk or water if it is too thick.

After you have stirred the meat, vegetables and sauce together, put in the bottom of a pan that can go in the oven.

You can make the topping by either putting refrigerated crescent rolls, biscuits or make your homemade biscuits.

        Homemade Biscuits
         1/3 cup shortening or butter, softened
         2 cups flour
         1 Tablespoon baking powder
         1 teaspoon salt
         1 Tablespoon sugar
         About 3/4 cup cold milk

         Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a bowl.  Add the shortening or butter and mix it with a fork or knife, until it is crumbly.  Slowly add most of the milk and mix until it is no longer sticky.  Either add more milk or more flour, a little at a time.  You want it soft, but not sticking to your fingers.  Knead it on a lightly floured surface for a minute or two.  Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Roll out the biscuit dough until it is the shape of the pan you are using.  Don't have it more than 1/2 inch thick or it will not cook when the top is done.  Put on top of the hot meat and vegetable mixture.  Bake in a 350 oven for 12-15 minutes (Until the top is golden).