Week 2!

This Wednesday our group of third graders at PS 11 and I made Vegetable Medley Crostinis and Peaches & Cream for dessert! The week's shipment consisted of summer savoy, summer squash, leeks, Italian style eggplant, cabbage, green beans and white and yellow peaches. This provided me with a chance to teach them one of the most commonly used cooking techniques--Sauteing. Simply stated the term refers to cooking an item over high heat in a pan that was first heated dry, and then lightly coated with oil and warmed through. To put all this into action my mind instantly thought of a vegetable medley of eggplant, squash, leeks sauteed with a bit of salt, pepper, and then tossed with minced garlic, minced savoy, and torn pieces of fresh basil. This would serve as our topping over a lightly toasted baguette rubbed with garlic. For dessert we sauteed some peaches until they were caramelized and then made homemade whipped cream! The children all took turns beating and managed to make soft peaks and not butter which is what happens if you over beat! Excellent job guys!

We then topped each peach with a dollop of cream and a drizzle of honey. The only thing left was to tidy up and sit down to eat our creations. Ratings: Thumbs up, and a student who said "this was the best dessert I ever had!" To think a healthy appetizer that was filling and delicious plus a dessert, with just a little bit of sugar and a whole lot of truly natural flavor, equaled complete happiness among all! Another good cooking lesson at P.S. 11!