Setting up an after school cookery club for 4-7 year olds. What can we cook in an hour?

[AnyoneForPimms]

Hi,

Fed up that children don't seem to do enough cooking in schools these days I have suggested to my DD's school that we set up a cooking club.

I am running this after school with the help of 3 teachers so small groups of 5 children each.

Can you come up with quick to make, maybe no cook receipes that the kids will enjoy making within one hour to include a bit of clearing up?

We have access to small cooker and hob.

Thanks.

I really want this to work as all places were taken within one hour of news letter going out and there is a waiting list already!!

Ds did this at school recently. They made pizzas, cheese straws, jam tarts and fairy cakes.

scones? if you have an oven.

Or drop scones.

pancakes (crepes)

French toast

omelettes

risotto

any pasta dish

humous and dips

DS4's nursery did this when he was there. They made -

fruit kebabs
pizza
smoothies
fairy cakes
various sandwiches and wraps
little quiches
little biscuits

Looks like the cooker is no go.

Tried out some cheese straws today and they took forever to cook.

Any other no cook recipes please?

Cheesecake, chocolate mousse, crispy/cornflake cakes, flapjacks, couscous based salads (just need to boil water). Can you get a cheap microwave to help with melting and quick baking of cakes etc ?

How about teaching them how to make salads, getting them to use their senses to work out what is crunchy, soft, bitter, sweet etc. There's a good section in Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food about different components of well-balanced salads. They could also try inventing their own salad dressings. And if your school has a herb garden you could pick bits from there.

Coleslaw is easy and surprisingly better homemade than shop bought, almost like a different product.

Have you a grill? French bread style pizzas cooked under the grill would be suitable and they'd go with the coleslaw.

Also, things like sandwiches, sausage rolls etc. Children love making things they can eat straight away.

We've done crispy cakes, toasties, chapatis, stirfry, pizzas, cheesey pinwheel things, hummous, fruit salad, butterfly cakes, biscuits, smoothies etc

include tidying up and cleaning in that hour! And, possibly, time to eat and enjoy what they have made.

Choc fridge cake is good - digestives ( smash them up in reinforced bag with rolling pin , great fun), cocoa, golden syrup, butter, sultanas. Need pre melted butter.

Wraps or quesadillas.
Traffic light sarnies.
Melon boats, make the sails etc and a cherry on top ( retro! )
Ditto pineapple cheese hedgehog
Fruit salad with lemon juice squeezed over. the lemon juice makes an amazing difference - thanks HFW! - my DC love it

Or inidvidual trifles? Assembly job with pre made custard etc.

Peppermint creams (although not very healthy!!)

Have you got in touch with Let's Get Cooking?

They will give you a grant of £500 (subject to a few things like you including community events in your cooking club e.g. selling cakes in a cake sale at school)

Might go towards a new oven or could you speak to your PFA for some money in exchange for supporting their events?

Let's Get Cooking also send you a huge pack of recipes etc suitable for doing with children. They are a government initiative and support school cooking and clubs:
www.letsgetcooking.org.uk/Home