As homeschooling moms, we sometimes have lofty dreams of teaching our children to cook. We buy Amish cookbooks, how-to-make candy recipes, fix-in-15-minutes cookbooks, and everything in between. Every purchase is a dream of teaching our children this wonderful skill, but still, sometimes, the best we can do is pass on the great tradition of making wonderful PB&J’s. Is there hope for us? I believe there is. What began as a reaction to my fantasies gone by the wayside, has now become a lifesaving device.
First, we make or buy an apron for each child. No frills and lace for the boys, but do let every student choose their own fabric or apron – something which appeals to them and expresses something about their personality. They’ll live with these choices for years to come, so give a little guidance. Then hang a peg or hook for the aprons to hand on when not in use, so they aren’t lost around the house, when the cooking is complete for the day.
Year of Cooking
At the beginning of each year, not school year, but by the calendar, I make a list of things I’d like the children to learn to cook – but, I focus on a theme. The thought of individualized lessons for each child is wonderful, but with eight children, I make it easy and teach all our children who are capable to cook the same thing.
Meats
One year we focus on meats. So, I choose twelve favorite recipes and we don our aprons. This ranges from cooking on the grill (thanks to my husband for teaching this skill), to popping a roast into the crockpot. We learn how to buy the meat – compare the prices and quality – trim off the fat, then put it in the pot. From my herb chart, we discuss which flavors combine best with which types of meat. We also learn how to test for doneness, check internal temperature, and safe temperatures for cooking. Then, we add some sauces to the mix: barbecue, catsup, honey mustard, Bernaise sauce, hollandaise sauce, Chinese sauces, and others.
Desserts
Another year we learn about desserts. That is the year everyone gains a few extra pounds, but thoroughly enjoy the route we take to get there. Sweeteners are covered – honey, juice concentrate, willow tree bark, stevia, and the sugars: brown, white and powdered. We purchase cookie cookbooks, death-by-chocolate recipe guides, things to do with pudding, and how to make pie primers. Every month we try a new recipe, and sometimes we spend the entire month tweaking it to get it just right! Everyone volunteers to do away with the failures.
Special Occasion
Then we spend a year on special occasion dishes – what we cook for holidays. Beginning with the New Year, we learn how to cook black-eyed peas, ham and cornbread. For Valentine’s Day, we cook steaks and potatoes (a tradition in our family, since it was my husband’s and my dinner on our first outing - Valentine’s Day, 1975). Then we make chocolate-covered cheesecake with cherries for dessert. St. Patrick’s Day begs for some Irish food: Classic Irish Soda Bread, Irish Stew, potatoes, and green gelatin for dessert. And, of course, we always wear green.
