Vegetables, is one of those topics that is just lacking luster nevertheless, I start my second year culinary students off with the vegetable unit-but in an exciting way that I like to call the “be brave taste test!” In this introductory lesson, students get to taste ten different vegetables prepared a variety of ways, as well as learn how vegetables are classified.
Since I teach semester culinary classes, Valentines Day comes up around the time that I am going over how to measure correctly. I use this lab for my culinary II students who already have learned how to measure correctly so instead of demonstrating the techniques I have them show me that they remember how to measure correctly by making this recipe. This lab also allows them to get familiar with their kitchens and lab group. Obviously this recipe or any other cookie recipe could be used to produce the same results—students proving that they know how to measure different ingredients.
This is by far my favorite educational video that I have ever purchased. Most educational videos are over a hundred dollars for a mediocre often corny video hardly worth the price. This video that was under twenty dollars made lasting impressions on my students as the majority of the class listed this lesson as the most valuable lesson they took out of Culinary II.
This is a great capstone competition for culinary classes! It allows you to get a real feel for how much your students have learned.
I originally starting doing this lab after a student suggested that we make blooming onions like the ones that they serve at Outback Steak House. I enjoy trying to recreate foods that are sold to consumers so I took on the challenge. In this case a recipe already existed online for Outback’s version so I tried it and my students approved!
Its amazing how many students do not learn how to set a table at home these days-even a basic table setting. This lesson teaches students the correct table setting with a hands on approach.
If you have never made homemade pasta with your students you are missing out. It is a blast and my students’ reactions are always funny as they stare in amazement that you can make pasta from scratch!
