Something’s Cookin’
Tis the season to mix up some tasty treats
By Gail Junion-Metz -- School Library Journal, 12/1/2006
Café Zoom
pbskids.org/zoom/activities/cafeIt’s December, ’tis the season of good tidings and cheer, and, of course, plenty of food. This year, why not let the kids help with the preparations! Café Zoom is full of simple, creative recipes designed so that kids in grades two to six can follow them on their own (or, if they’re younger, with adult assistance). The recipes are also easy, nutritious, and “far from yucky,” from a kid’s standpoint. Choices are arranged by type, starting with snacks (my favorites: “Ape Cookies” and “Fried Eggs”). Other categories are beverages, entrees, and, of course, desserts. Sponsors: WGBH-TV in Boston, and PBS in Washington, DC. Don’t Miss: “Breakfast Banana Split” and “Zebra Cake,” both easy enough to do in class or at home.
Cool Food
www.coolfoodplanet.org/gb/home.htm
Sure, hands-on cooking is a lot of fun, but it’s also an opportunity to mix a lesson or two on good nutrition. This very cool European site is divided into two age categories: “Kidz” and “Adoz” (short for “adolescents”). Both contain information on eating right, activities, and quizzes (including printable recipes). Created by: The European Food Information Council in Brussels, Belgium. Don’t Miss: The site’s available in French, German, Spanish, and Italian—nice for teaching kids whose first language is not English, and is also a great foreign language tie-in.
Kidnetic Recipes
This site’s easy recipes for kids range from very simple for young kids to more complex for preteens. Recipes are divided into categories, such as “Brown Bag Specials,” which includes cool ideas for lunches (check out: “Singapore Silly String Chicken Salad”). Kid-friendly (and printable) basic nutrition information is also available by clicking the “Learn” tab at the top of the page, then selecting the “Food” tab. Created by: The International Food Information Council (IFIC) in Washington, DC. Don’t Miss: The recipe category “Gross Out Delights,” with actually delicious recipes like “Savory School Paste” and “Sawed Off Thumbs.”
The Science of Cooking
Cooking isn’t just putting ingredients together… it’s also science! This cool site for preteens and up offers fascinating information and online activities explaining the science behind common foods such as eggs, candy, pickles, bread, seasonings, and meat. Each section contains a Kitchen Lab where kids can find recipes, online quizzes, and activities. Also cool are the “Science of…” sections explaining the scientific perspective (bread rising, for example). Created by: The Exploratorium Museum, San Francisco. Don’t Miss: The archived live Web casts (require the Real Player plug-in). These would make great in-class or in-library presentations!. Detour: Check out the food jokes at yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/jokes/category?c=21.
