I’ve always loved the Fred Rogers quote, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” I’ve had a lot of helpers in my life. Now it's my turn.

When COVID-19 closed schools in the spring, we started hosting FREE virtual cooking classes to any student looking for something to do. Students 3 yrs and up are welcome to participate in as many classes as they’d like. Younger students receive assistance from a parent etc., while our older students typically cook alone or assist a sibling. Classes run approximately 1 hour. The schedule and ingredient list is below (with a pdf calendar at the bottom of page). Most of the menu items allow for substitutions for allergies or dietary preferences. If your child would like to participate in our virtual classes, please email lettucecookchefs@gmail.com for the login information. To help protect our kiddos, the Zoom link is sent upon request. 

*Unless noted in the ingredient list, we do all the cutting in class. If you have concerns with your child using a knife, you may want to consider investing in a cut-resistant glove (they have children sizes too). Only one is necessary. Please keep in mind, quantity of ingredients is dependent on family size, so exact measurements aren’t always noted. If you have any questions or need assistance planning, please let us know. Note: Hours posted are Central Standard Time  

Sincerely,

Chef Brittany

10/1/22 Saturday: Pumpkin Coffee Cake 

Time: 9:00 am CST

Coffee Cake

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 3.4 cups brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup butter (softened prior to class)
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ½ cup milk
• 1 large egg

Streusel Topping

• ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• 4 tbsp butter (softened prior to class)
• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

10/3/22 Monday: Southwest Chicken Alfredo 

Time: 4:45 pm CST

• 1/2 lb. Penne Pasta (cooked prior to class)
• 1 lb. Chicken Breasts cut into 1" strips
• 1 (15 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 1 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
• 1 cup Onion chopped
• 4 Garlic Cloves minced
• 1 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Butter
• 2 tbsp Cilantro chopped

Southwest Seasoning

• 1 ½ tsp Chili powder
• ½ tsp Cumin
• ½ tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Paprika
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp Cayenne pepper

10/6/22 Thursday: Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Crust

• 2 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (16 graham cracker sheets)
• 9 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Cheesecake

• 2 (8 oz. pkgs Cream Cheese softened prior to class)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cookie Dough Topping

• 11 tablespoons butter softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

10/10/22 Monday: Beef Stroganoff (served over rice or egg noodles)

Time: 4:45 pm CST

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin (or cut of choice) (cut into bite size pieces prior to class)
• 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable, olive oil, avocado oil)
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced prior to class)
• 1 small  yellow onion

       Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 can tomato sauce (8oz)
• 1 1/4 cups beef stock
• ⅓ cup sour cream

10/12/22 Wednesday: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies

Time: 4:45 pm CST

• ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened prior to class)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups all purpose flour

For topping

• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar 

10/17/22 Monday: Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Time: 4:45 pm CST

• 2 lbs chicken thighs (cut into bite size pieces prior to class)
• 1 can water chestnuts, canned- sliced or diced
• 1 pkg whole mushrooms
• 1 bunch of green onions
• lettuce (romaine or Iceberg)
• sesame oil
• soy sauce (liquid aminos or Tamari can be substituted)
• hoisin sauce (can use brown sugar as a substitute)
• ginger (fresh, powdered, or paste)
• rice vinegar (or can use apple cider vinegar as substitute)
• black pepper
• salt
• minced garlic
• white or brown rice (pre-made to be used as a side) 
• Sriracha (optional)

10/19/22 Monday: Apple Cinnamon Scones

Time: 4:45 pm CST

• 2 ⅓ cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 stick butter
• 1 granny smith apple
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tsp granulated sugar (for topping)
• ½ tsp cinnamon (for topping)

For glaze (optional)

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk (can substitute water or lemon juice)

10/24/22 Monday: Pineapple BBQ Chicken & Creamed Corn

Time: 4:45 pm CST

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• 1 can pineapple slices 
• 1-2 cups BBQ sauce
• 1 bunch green onions

Creamed Corn

• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup whole milk 
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

10/26/22 Wednesday: Chocolate Buttermilk Cake (will need 9x13 cake pan)

Time: 4:45 pm CST

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup butter (can use salted or unsalted)
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt

Frosting

• 1 cup butter
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅓ cup buttermilk
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cups chopped pecans (optional)

10/29/22 Saturday: Carnitas (Slow cooker or Instant Pot Carnitas -A client favorite!)

Time: 10:00 am CST

• pork shoulder or pork butt (4-5 lbs) 
• cumin powder
• garlic powder
• oregano
• chili powder
• salt
• pepper
• corn or flour tortillas-your choice, but corn’s the way to go! :)
• cilantro
• 1 onion, sliced

Optional toppings….but not if you’re a true Texan:

• 1 small onion, chopped 
• cilantro, chopped
• sour cream 
• salsa