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 of 2020, 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  

Hope to see you online!

Chef Brittany

2/2/23 Thursday: Swedish Meatballs 

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Meatball Ingredients:

• ¼ cup Panko bread crumbs
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion (we will dice in class)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dry oregano
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 egg

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 cans beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard

Optional sides: egg noodles, mashed potatoes, rice, roasted veggies, dinner rolls

2/6/23 Monday: Ricotta Pancakes w/ Lemon Blueberry Compote 

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup Ricotta cheese
• ⅔ cup milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• Oil, for greasing the griddle or frying pan

Lemon Blueberry Compote Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 lemon (we will be zesting, please have a microplane or something similar)

Suggested sides: eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit

2/9/23 Thursday: Italian Sausage Orzo (will need a dutch oven or something similar)

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients:

• 16 oz ground mild Italian sausage
• 1 small yellow onion (we will chop in class)
• 3-4 tsp minced garlic or garlic powder
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
• 2-3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach 
• Salt & pepper to taste

Optional sides: dinner rolls, side salad, roasted veggies

2/13/23 Monday : Chocolate Chip Cookies- BLINDFOLD BAKING CHALLENGE

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs 
• 1 tp vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi-sweet)

Optional sides: milk, tea, hot chocolate….maybe some ice cream :)

2/16/23 Thursday: Chicken Thighs & Cheesy Corn Fritters (can double the corn fritters ingredients if you would like) 

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Yield: Serves 4

Chicken Ingredients:

• 4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (can use bone in, but will take longer)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Garlic powder

Corn Fritter Ingredients:

• 2 cups of corn (can use fresh or frozen)
• ⅓ cup cornmeal
• ¼ cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 egg
• 1 bunch green onion
• ½ cup shredded cheese (Colby jack, cheddar or your preferred choice)
• 1 bunch of cilantro 
• 1 Tbsp lime juice (can use lemon juice as well)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp oil for frying
• Sour cream (optional- will be used for garnish)

Optional sides: side salad, roasted veggies, dinner rolls

2/21/23  Tuesday: Sour Cream Double Chocolate Muffins (will need muffin liners)

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅔ sour cream
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semi-sweet)

Suggested sides: milk, tea, coffee

2/23/23 Thursday: Carne Guisada & Fideo

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients 

• 6 chicken thighs (I prefer bone in- it will give more flavor) (can also used chicken breast-will need to be cut into bite size pieces)
• 2 cups macaroni noodles, uncooked
• 1 bell green pepper (will slice during class)
• 1 Roma tomato (will cut during class)
• 1-2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz each)
• cumin powder
• garlic powder
• salt 
• pepper
• vegetable oil or neutral flavored oil

Suggested sides: tortillas, beans

2/27/23 Monday : Mongolian Beef

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients 

• 2 lb flank steak or NY Strip Steak (cut against the grain into thin slices prior to class)
• ½ cup corn starch 
• ½ cup neutral oil
• 4 stalks of green onions
• 2 bell peppers (red, yellow or orange)
• 1 medium yellow onion

Sauce:

• 2 tsp ginger powder
• 4-5 tsp minced garlic or garlic paste
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp Sriracha sauce

Suggested sides: steamed rice, noodles, veggies