I had a great time teaching a class to a group of teens at the Museum of Natural History. The premise was cooking basics for college bound teens and how to survive in the kitchen. I brought some of the science into the kitchen as well. The group was the Quasars. It is a great teen program that involves young people in the life sciences.
"Teen Programs
The Museum’s highly regarded Quasars to Sea Stars teen program educates and employs local teens through a four-year program which focuses on developing scientific knowledge and research skills, as well as important life skills such as public speaking and leadership.
Recruitment takes place every spring. Students currently in 8th grade attending Santa Barbara School District schools are eligible.
Quasars to Sea Stars is a science work-study program for teens ages 13–18. Students work closely with educators and scientists to learn about the natural world, taking classes on topics like entomology, zoology, astronomy, marine biology, and anthropology. Students learn important life skills such as public speaking, computer competency, resume writing, and leadership.
After completing 60 hours of community service, students can become paid staff members, working with Museum scientists and professionals in departments of their choice.
For questions about Quasars to Sea Stars, please contact Monica Ballon, Teen Programs Manager at [email protected] or 805.682.4711 ext. 172."
Here are a few comments fro the participants:
"That was fun, can’t wait to do it again!
Michael made cooking really fun and I got to try some things I’ve never eaten before
When can we do it again?
I didn’t know cooking could be so easy!"
Tastefully yours®
Chef Michael
Here is the class outline.
1. Keep the work areas free of clutter, store little used items in drawers or cupboards
2. Clean as you go.
3. Knife Skills, avoiding cuts, effective use of paring and French knives.
4. Boiling Water and how to salt and pepper foods.
5. Eggs, Scrambled, Omelet, Poached
6. Dinner 101, grilling chicken
7. Basic Pasta with Fresh Basil and Tomato, Added Chicken Breast
8. Microwave Magic
9. Fish and Vegetable Cooking
10. Basic Salad Dressing
11. Using A Rice Cooker with enhancements
12. Stir Fry stuff
Basic Tools
3-quart saucepan, optional 1 quart with lids
Apron, optional but handy
Cheese grater, various size holes
Cutting board
French knife, 10”
Frying pan, 10” non-stick, with lid
Kitchen shears. Optional
Measuring cups
Measuring spoon
Meat thermometer, optional
Mixing bowls, 1, 2, 4 quarts
Paring knife, 4"
Potato masher
Potato peeler
Potholder. padded cotton or silicon rubber
Roasting pan, optional
Rubber spatula, heatproof
Salad spinner, optional
Serrated knife 12 inches
Sieve
Spoons assorted kitchen spoons
Strainer, medium fine
Tongs, 10 inch
Whisk, large, small
Options:
Electric hand mixer
Blender
Food processor
Toaster or toaster oven
Microwave
Rice cooker
Casserole dish
Folding steamer
The Basic Pantry
Bay leaves
Canned broth: vegetable, chicken
Capers
Chili powder
Coffee, tea
Cornstarch
Curry powder
Dried beans
Dried thyme
Flour
Frozen pesto
Ground cumin
Hoisin sauce
Honey
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Mustard, Dijon
Nutmeg
Oil: Olive, vegetable
Olives
Paprika
Pasta
Pasta marinara sauce
Rice, plain, wild mix, jasmine
Roasted peppers
Rosemary
Salt Pepper
Soy Sauce
Sugar
Sundried Tomatoes
Tomato paste
Vinegar, red wine, sherry
Worcestershire sauce
Emergencies
Fire! Have an ABC-Certified fire extinguisher and baking soda. Read the instructions that come with the extinguisher to be aware of its use.
First, do not panic.
Oven fire: Turn off the oven and shut the door. If the fire does not stop within a few minutes, call the fire department. Use the extinguisher.
Pan fire: Turn off heat source and cover with a lid. Use an oven mitt and move off the heat source. If you can get the lid on, use the extinguisher. DO NOT THROUGH WATER ON as this can cause a flare-up. You can also use a damp towel for a small flame.
In a worse case scenario and the fire is spreading and you cannot control it, get out of the house and call emergency services.
Recipes