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

12/9/20 Wednesday: Garlic Butter Shrimp w/ Lemon Parmesan Cauliflower Rice

Time: 4:45 pm CST 

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 lbs medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (can use frozen)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp onion powder
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp chicken broth (can use vegetable broth)
• 1 tbsp Sriracha (or your choice of hot sauce)
• 2 pkg cauliflower rice (14 oz each) in produce section
• ½ small yellow onion
• minced garlic (can use garlic paste)
• grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp red chili pepper flakes
• Parsley (can use fresh or dried)

Suggested sides: salad, roasted vegetable, dinner rolls

12/14/20 Monday: Momo’s Spaghetti & Meatsauce

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients needed: 

• 1 ½ lb ground beef (ground turkey or ground chicken can also be used)
• 1 small yellow onion 
• mushrooms (fresh or canned)
• diced tomatoes (canned 14.5 oz)
• tomato sauce (canned, 29 oz)
• salt 
• pepper
• Italian seasoning
• garlic powder
• chili powder
• all purpose flour
• spaghetti noodles, 1 pkg (cooked prior to class)
• Parmesan cheese (optional for topping)

Suggested sides: garlic bread, salad, roasted veggies

12/17/20 Thursday: Apple Dumplings Dessert Day!

Time:4:45 pm CST

Ingredients: 

• 2 (8oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 2  peeled apples (preferred Granny Smith) 
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon, to taste
• pecans or walnuts, optional

Required side: vanilla ice cream :)

12/18/20 Friday: Pizza-your way!

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup warm water 
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp  active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 to 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• oregano
• garlic powder
• pizza sauce (store bought) 
• shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional toppings:

• pepperoni, red onions, black olives, mushrooms, canadian bacon, pineapple, fresh tomatoes etc.

12/21/20 Monday: Texas Chili & Cornbread (will need a soup pot or dutch oven)

Time: 4:45 pm CST 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey or sausage)
• salt
• black pepper
• 1 small yellow onion
• 1 small bell pepper
• minced garlic
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth or beer (your choice)
• 1 (14 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 ½ tsp brown sugar
• 1 ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf

Cornbread

• ¾ cup flour
• 1 cup yellow corn meal
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 ½ cup buttermilk
• ⅓ cup butter (melted prior to class)
• 2 eggs

Suggested sides: rice, cornbread, roasted vegetables

12/23/20 Wednesday: Pecan Christmas Snowball Cookies (will need an electric mixer) Dessert day!

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened but slightly firm)
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Suggested sides: Hot cocoa or coffee

12/27/20 Sunday: Bacon & Spinach Quiche Breakfast!

Time: 9:00 am CST

Ingredients: 

• 6 eggs
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• DEEP DISH pie crust, plain (in frozen food aisle)
• 8 slices of bacon (can use turkey bacon, ham, sausage)
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar, Swiss, or cheese of choice
• salt
• pepper
• green onion
• 1 ½ cups baby spinach
• ½ small yellow onion
• garlic powder (optional)

Suggested sides: fresh fruit

12/28/20 Monday: Carne Guisada & Fideo

Time: 4:45 pm CST

Ingredients needed:

• 5-6 chicken thighs, boneless & skinless (cut into bite size pieces prior to class)
• 1-2 cups macaroni noodles
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 roma tomato 
• 2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz each)
• cumin powder
• garlic powder
• salt 
• pepper
• vegetable oil
• flour tortillas

Suggested sides: beans, chips & salsa

12/30/20 Wednesday: Carrot Cake & Cream cheese frosting Dessert Day! 

Time: 4:45 pm CST 

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup canola or vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
• ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups shredded carrots (can buy bag of shredded carrots)

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Suggested sides: coffee or hot chocolate