Stir, Bake And Mix Up Memorable Moments In The Kitchen

No matter the cooking task at hand-whether it's rolling dough or mixing ingredients-getting children more involved in the kitchen is a great way to begin new traditions and spend good, quality time as a family.

From baking cookies to stirring up pudding, introducing children to the joys of cooking begins with exciting, simple recipes.

"As a mother of triplets, simplicity is key," said Christine Garboski, Manager at the Nestlé Culinary Center. "Fun, easy recipes teach cooking basics and inspire creativity."

In addition to using trouble-free recipes, here are a few more tips for getting children more involved in the kitchen.

• Unveil the inner chef. Teach the basic cooking fundamentals by allowing kids to measure ingredients, season recipes or brush marinade on pork chops or chicken before grilling, baking or sautéing.

• Sticky, drippy and just plain icky. Avoid unnecessary messes and spills by rinsing and stacking used dishes in the sink as you cook, and storing ingredients away after using.

• No boo-boos. Ensure safety by using blunt scissors, plastic knives or serrated dinner knives when slicing meats, fruits and vegetables.

• Keep it simple. Remember that kids have short attention spans and lose interest quickly. Prepare easy recipes such as the one that follows for Alphabet Cookies.

Kids will love using the cookie cutters, as well as frosting and decorating each letter with tube icing and colorful candy sprinkles.

Look for more kid-friendly recipes and cooking tips on VeryBestKids.com.

Alphabet Cookies

(Makes about 2 dozen cookies)


All-purpose flour

1 package (18 ounces) Nestlé® Toll House® Refrigerated Mini Sugar Cookie Bar Dough

3-inch alphabet cookie cutters

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup Strawberry Flavor Nestlé® Nesquik® Syrup

1 to 2 tablespoons water

Small tubes decorator icing

Decorator candies


Preheat oven to 325° F. Sprinkle flour over cutting board or kitchen work surface. Break off two rows of cookie dough. Roll out dough to about 1/8-inch thickness, using additional flour as needed to prevent sticking. Press cookie cutters into dough and transfer letters to ungreased baking sheets with spatula.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Combine sugar, Nesquik and water in medium bowl; beat with whisk or hand-held mixer until smooth. Spread icing over cookies. Allow icing to dry before adding any additional decorations.



Making cookies together is a recipe for family fun.



Per CB - only recipe title bold. Recipe is flush left

A Guide To The History Of French Foods

If you are just as interested in travel as you are in food, then the history of French foods is one in particular that you are going to want to become more familiar with. The history of French foods is one which actually begins as far back as 1400 A.D., when the first French cookbooks imitated Moorish cuisine and sugar, which was still considered very much as being a luxury, was what was used to sweeten the various dishes.

1600

During the 1600s it was Royal patronage which truly promotedFrench cooking, with various dishes of fish and fruit being the most popular. There are many examples, particularly from this time that go to show just how important food has always been inFrance. For instance a butler once killed himself because his lobsters arrived late.

It was also during this time in French history that Dom Perignoninvented the art of making champagne, as he began storing his wine in bottles that were strong enough to contain the petulance of secondary fermentation. Coffee was also introduced around the same time, in 1644, while in 1686 thedevelopment of the croissant celebrated a true Christian victory in Austria over the crescent banners of the Turks.

1700

The 18th century also played a great role in the history of French foods, and it was really during this time in particular that the appeal of French food began to grow with the prestige of French culture. The restaurantmovement also began around this time and there was a new journalistic breed coming about, namely including food critics and restaurant reviewers.

2000

Although the 19th and 20th centuries also had their influences on the history of French foods, it has been the 21st century more than either of those which have played a role. French cuisine is now renowned around the world more than ever before and held high in regard and respect. There is really no other country in the world that takes its cuisine as seriously and significantly as the French,< and French cooking is really not a monolith, but rather it ranges from the olives and seafood of Provence to the butter and roasts of Tours.

There is so much variety with French cuisine, and this is actually one of the most valuable aspects of all that people need to understand and recognize when it comes to the history of French foods. http://www.living-in-france.org

Kitchen Pro Series: Guide to Meat Identification, Fabrication and Utilization

ORDER THIS BOOK!!!!

Kitchen Pro Series: Guide to Meat Identification, Fabrication, and Utilization is the definitive guide to purchasing and fabricating meat cuts for professional chefs, foodservice personnel, culinarians, and food enthusiasts. Part of the CIA?s new Kitchen Pro Series focusing on kitchen preparation skills, this user-friendly, full-color resource provides practical information on fabricating beef, pork, veal, lamb, game, and exotic meats. Helpful storage information, basic preparation methods for each cut, and recipes are included to give professional and home chefs everything they need to know to produce well-primed cuts of meat. For anyone who believes that butchery is a lost art, The Culinary Institute of America?s Chef Thomas Schneller counters that notion by providing a close examination and explanation of the craft in this clear and concise book.

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 edition (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1428319948
• ISBN-13: 978-1428319943
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

• About the Author

  Thomas Schneller is a Certified Hospitality Educator and assistant professor at The Culinary Institute of America. He was also the head chef and owner of Schneller?s Meats, chef and owner of Schneller?s Restaurant, and assistant chef and manager of Schneller?s Caterers. His professional experience allows him to view the market from the perspective of both an educator and a business operator.
  
  Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor?s and associate degrees, as well as certificate programs, in culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. A network of more than 37,000 alumni in foodservice and hospitality has helped the CIA earn its reputation as the world?s premier culinary college. Visit the CIA online at www.ciachef.edu.