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Cooking classes for children arrive at Casa de los Sabores, Oaxaca, Mexico

What better way to start offering cooking classes for children pizza and mango smoothies. Cooking class children mainly Pilar Cabrera Casa de los Sabores, Oaxaca, Mexico, gave the basics of kitchen safety and sanitation, composting and recycling, and nutrition in a single session of three hours. At the same time, instructor-led Ninfa Raigosa made in the morning with tips for food preparation, as well as adults, we learn early in our culinary life. But best of all, it was held as part of the preparation recipes that are fun for kids to do — with a green salad feared slipped into the final.

Genesis offer cooking classes for children in Oaxaca

The idea to offer cooking classes for children formed as a result of two phenomena. First, often during the commissioning of studies for cooking classes in Oaxaca for tourists visiting with their families, the head of Pilar asked whether children to attend. Of course, age has always been a factor, but often refused requests to ensure that classes proceeded in an orderly manner, without interruption, for the benefit of fans to the kitchen to adults Oaxaca.

Second, many of Oaxaca are at a loss for what to do with their children once the school is closed for summer vacation. While in Oaxaca Activities abound certainly compared to what is available in the main urban centers, they are limited. Why not offer a cooking class two weeks in July?

And so the initial class meeting on May 1 2010, was designed as a precursor of the first cooking class and classes during holidays throughout the year. For tourists traveling with children, the schedule should perfect. And for couples traveling together any time of year might be just what the doctor ordered.

Of course, Pilar Cabrera's reputation as a national figure on the culinary scene in Mexico has been established through the "Casa del Gusto" cooking school and center Oaxaca restaurant La Olla, and more recently by his forays into the international scene (Toronto festivals and food in San Antonio, with dates to come to Austin and Stratford). She picked Ninfa Raigosa Cecilia Paras to lead this new initiative for two reasons. First, the Head Nymph comes with a variety of experiences, including educational background (Center for Studies Rocatti culinary) in catering and banquets, restaurants, bakeries and specialty (ie, Deli Cupcakes and Sweet nectar). In Second, and perhaps key is the ability of Head of Ninfa extraordinary to relate to children with his friendly personality and warm smile – and like Pilar, which is bilingual.

The bonus for U.S. children and Canada is a kind of mixture of local and foreign visitors, and bilingual education, Children need to learn some basic cooking ingredients in Spanish, if not by direct instruction, but certainly osmosis.

Class cooking January 1, 2010 may, for the children of the Casa de los Sabores, Oaxaca

 

Leaders Pilar and Ninfa were at the forefront of this kind Frist, in the presence of ten children of various ages. Most parents were in at first, take pictures and learn firsthand the assurance that their children feel comfortable in a class of mostly unknown faces.

In this type of learning environment ice break. This has been done to get the name of each child and encourage interaction between children themselves, and the Nymph and Pilar. The ingredients of each recipe are contained in a large round basket of different colors. "Who knows why we use yeast?" To reassure parents, "when we cut the handle shakes, and do not use sharp knives, but always be careful when using knives, and never, never lift a knife at head level. Can anyone tell me why? "

Recipe sheets are distributed. La Ninfa head through each recipe, the ingredients in each product and pointing a brief explanation of how they are used.

For the segment of the pizza dough, the group is divided into two teams, one to learn to do mass from zero, and the other about kneading and rolling, "Always mix the dry ingredients first, and the use of hands" and the benefit of those who had grown Grandma watching her make tortillas "Making pizza dough is similar to the tortilla, if it starts to stick, the use of flour" .. Hands on classes tend to be better, especially for children.

"Well, everyone wants a cookie?" Three times during the lesson, short breaks are encouraged to prevent the supply of information overload or run the risk of creating boredom in "There are plastic bottles water here, and a pair of marking pens for each one of you can write your name, so do not mix. "

Children have the option of large and medium crust, the configuration the same mass, or the choice of several forms that are provided, hearts, mushrooms, trees and squares, triangles, circles. The sauce was pre-mixed, but children are encouraged to choose their ingredients selection of vegetables, meats and even fresh basil. "Did you know that a mushroom is actually a fungus?"

"Now, Let's all wash our hands again. But do not forget to clean the first time our areas are working well, and put organic waste in this bin, and the rest. Your neighborhood have recycling programs? "

"Attention please, everyone But while the pizza in the oven that we do mango smoothies I am. teach your skin handle safely, taking care to cut four strips in life … like peeling a banana. "Children are encouraged to use every bit of pulp in the hole.

"This is the plate with the handle cut pieces, and now let's add a little pineapple, orange juice, yogurt …. and know about flax and why we contribute little to the mixer as well? "A brief discussion of omega and energy.

Smoothies are prepared and poured into small cups with straw umbrellas and drink decorative. "The taste is sweet, and you know, we have not put in as much sugar as possible. Make your smoothies with other fruit and watermelon and melons, and they know how healthy, tasty and sweet without added sugar. Indeed, there is a bowl of strawberries, if someone wants a snack. "

Children are invited to review their printed recipes for the salad. Some had put checkmarks next to the pizza ingredients and beaten because they were used. Follow a lesson on different types of lettuce, lack general taste, and hence the reason for using the vinaigrette. "We always use oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and today use balsamic vinegar and olive oil each tried this type of vinegar? Well, let's try a little of each. It will be a little sweet. "

"It's soy sauce" someone asks. "It's delicious," another pipe, while a third is adamant you do not like.

"The vinegar and oil must be mixed very well together. Check the oil on top, now watch."

The plates are passed, and each child is encouraged to create their own salad adding pre-cut vegetables and grated cheese to lettuce bio. The recipe for lettuce leaf paper concludes: "Taste, adjust the seasoning and serve immediately."

The pizzas are removed from the oven and let cool, each child is encouraged to take In fact, from the sample on the pizzas. The group sits around the rectangular table, enjoying the fruits of their labor, while chatting and joking with his new friends.

Kids cooking classes in Oaxaca provide exposure to international cuisine

In the summer of 2010, two one-week course will introduce participants the opportunity to learn how to prepare menus from around the world, every day is the kitchen a different country. After the series of classes, will probably do the same. Groups are only interested in the classes will be able to choose from a selection of international menus, but inevitably there will be restrictions on the dishes that require preparation in the kitchen, the side of caution. According to the Chief Pilar, "the safety of children must remain paramount."

About the Author

Alvin Starkman received his Masters in Social Anthropology in 1978. After teaching for a few years he attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, thereafter embarking upon a career as a litigator until 2004. Alvin now resides in Oaxaca, where he writes, leads small group tours to the villages, markets, ruins and other sites, is a consultant to film production companies, and operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast. ( http://www.oaxacadream.com ) .

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