GINGERBREAD HOUSES – 2011
Saturday, Deceber 10th, was our 23rd Annual Gingerbread House Event at Let’s Get Cookin’ in Westlake. The pictures posted here are from that event an also the Houses that I did for the Gingerbread Event at the Wellness Center in Westlake.
The day started at 10:30 AM with introductions of the staff and the students. The students were presented with a demo of the process of making the Gingerbread Dough, Rolling, Cutting and Baking the House parts. After the demo the Parent/Child Teams were each given a tray with House Templates and cutting tools. The Dough was made for the students and each team was given half a batch of dough to start with. The students rolled out the Dough, cut out their parts and then delivered them to the ovens where the staff watched over them. Once the students were finished with their first batch of dough they were given a second batch and proceeded to cut out the rest of their houses and bake them. At this point we broke for lunch.
After lunch we presented another demo which included how to make the frosting, filling and using the decorating bags and constructing the house. Students were warned not to use too much frosting and to keep the roof decorations light. The students were also told not to put the roofs on until the side and end pieces had dried for at least 20 minutes or more.
At the end of the day, each Parent/Child team went home with a full size Gingerbread House that they had baked, built and decorated. All in all, everyone had a good time and went home with the knowledge to be able to build their own houses at home in succeeding years.
Categories: Baking, Holiday Ideas, Main, Parent Child Classes Tags: baking, Children's Cooking, Christmas, family dinner, Gingerbread House Photos, Gingerbread Houses, Holiday Houses
HALLOWEEN CULINARY TREATS
Halloween or ‘All Hallows Eve’ is almost upon us again. What better time to create goodies for the crowd, big or small. If you are having a party, half the fun is in the food. Food for Halloween should be almost as spooky as the night but still taste good. Also, the simpler you keep it, the easier it will be to manage. Finger food is probably the best way to go for a Halloween Party, whether the guests be young or old or just young at heart.
Let’s start out with the savory items and then proceed to the side dishes and sweets. Hot dogs are always good for Halloween and can be prepared in many ways. Just a few are Goblin Goulash, Hot Dogs on a Stick and Chili Dogs, http://sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/lunch/monster-chili-dog/. Chili dishes, Hot Wings and Shrimp Skewers are also goo savory dishes.
Appetizers can be Monster Eyes (Deviled Eggs created to look like eyeballs), http://sylveeeskitchen.com/recipes/appetizers/halloween-monster-eyes/ or Black Bean Dip with Carrot Wands. Goblin Salad or a Spooky Fruit Salad will go well with chili dishes. Add some French Fries or Onion Rings and Mashed Potato Balls and your meal will be almost complete.
A Halloween meal is not complete without dessert or a beverage. For dessert, there can be decorate your own cupcakes, popcorn balls or licorice ice cream. One of the desserts can be your table centerpiece and that would be a Halloween Cake or Spooky Goblin Train. Beverage of course would be Witches Brew.
Categories: Halloween, Holiday Ideas, Holiday Tidbits, Lunch Ideas, Main Tags: Appetizers, Children's Cooking, Christmas, Cookies, Dessert Ideas, family dinner, kids cooking
Gingerbread House Photos
Let’s Get Cookin’ Parent/Child Gingerbread House participants – photos are now up on http://www.flickr.com/photos/sylveeeskitchen/. Check them out!
Categories: Main Tags: Christmas, Cookie Recipes, Dessert Ideas, holiday recipes, kids cooking
Guidelines for Baking and Decorating a Gingerbread House
This is the time of the year when Gingerbread House Construction occurs. Making your own Gingerbread House can be rewarding, but it can also be frustrating unless you have some guidelines to follow. Guidelines are suggested to help with your baking, constructing and decorating endeavors.
Say ‘I Love You’ with Gifts of Food
For gifts that say ‘I Love You’ try making food items to give to your closest friends and relatives. Cookies, jellies, muffins and/or fresh herbs can be used.
Categories: Cooking for Kids, Food as Gifts, Holiday Ideas Tags: Christmas, Dessert Ideas, Gift Giving, Gourmet Foods, holiday recipes, Holiday Season, Recipes, Thanksgiving