Kids Can Cook!

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From the first chop to the last bite the Cincinnati Museum Center’s (CMC) Kitchen Science Camp is all about the science behind the food we eat.

Teaching children about food is a powerful way to reduce food waste. Before I was the Food Waste Diversion Coordinator for Hamilton County ReSource, I was an Extension Educator. I’m speaking from experience when I share that children who grow up understanding, appreciating, and participating in the culinary arts are more likely to shop with a list, store food safely, serve good food, and share their creations with friends or neighbors.

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After the CMC campers received an introduction to the cooking tools and a short presentation on reducing food waste from Hamilton County ReSource, the youth were ready to begin making French toast and fruit compote.

What do the French call French toast? Pain perdu, which means lost bread. French toast is an unexpectedly delicious way to reduce food waste because it is best made with stale bread. “Stale bread is going to soak up the eggs and the milk without falling apart,” shares Brian Pollock, from the Cincinnati Museum Center.

By teaching children about cooking, they come to understand the work that goes into producing and preparing the food they eat. Next time children are in your kitchen, feel free to wash your hands together, pull out some measuring cups, and mix up some fun! Remember, kids can cook- and they should!

Recipe: Kids Can Make French Toast

Ingredients:

• 2 medium eggs

• 1/4 cup milk

• 4 slices of bread

• 1 teaspoon cooking oil or butter

• Optional spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, brown sugar

Directions:

1. Begin by cracking the eggs in the shallow bowl.

2. Add milk.

3. Whisk until the egg and milk are well-mixed.

4. Optional: Add 1 teaspoon of your favorite spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg.

5. Add 1 teaspoon of cooking oil or butter to the pan over medium heat on the stove.

6. Dip each slice of bread in the egg and milk mixture and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. The bread should be evenly covered in the mixture.

7. Once both sides of the bread are coated, add to the pan. Add more than one slice if you have the space.

8. Cook until the outside of the bread begins to look like a fried egg, then use your spatula to flip the bread over.

9. Repeat Step 8 for the other side and continue to rotate until both sides are golden brown.

10. Place on a plate, add toppings, and enjoy.