The kids cooking classes at the library have been a huge hit. So much so, that they’ve asked me to conduct an adult and a teen cooking class.
The first ever adult cooking class will be held at the EWML library on Sunday, December 4th from 2-3:30. The theme for the class will be Holiday Hors d’oeuvres. You will learn how to make delicious appetizers for your holiday gatherings or any other parties, while enjoying the company of friends.
Classes fill up very quickly so sign up online TODAY!
Well, I just can’t believe it. It really snowed here in New England and took out power for so many… reminiscent of our Hurricane Irene days, except it’s really cold outside this time so many are finding shelter at local hotels or with friends and family. We were one of the lucky ones and got our power back on Tuesday night. We were all very excited to get power back, as it is very difficult being in chaos during this extremely sensitive and rough time. I need as much normalcy as possible right now, whatever is considered normal at this point in our life.
Well, I wanted to update you on few things that are still happening even with the snow storm.
1. NEW RETAIL LOCATION: Food Jules Organic Jams and Granola is now available for purchase at our local Purdy Hill Bakery in Monroe. The girls there are very sweet and they have included Food Jules in their space. We are very grateful to them. So now you can pick up your jam when you go buy your fresh bread or croissants.
2. FOOD WORKS: Tomorrow, November 4th, Food Jules products will launch at Food Works Natural Market in Monroe. I will be there from 9:30-11:30 or so giving out some free samples of Jam, Hot Fudge and Muffins… so stop over to visit us, get warm and enjoy free samples!
3. MASS FOR JULIAN: The Mass of Remembrance on Saturday, November 5th has been confirmed. We will be at St Jude Parish at 5:30pm thinking about our baby Julian as we approach his first birthday.
Look at this picture… look at that sweet, little boy with his beautiful face and those soft hands. You can’t even imagine how much I miss him and how I would do anything, I mean anything, to have him back in my arms. My beautiful baby Julian, laying in our bed all snuggled up with his blanket. This blanket was made by my mother for Lilliana when she was a baby, but our little Julian used it every day. He loved it so much that he is still covered to this day with it, along with his favorite black and white book they gave him at Bpt Hospital and pictures and letters from us. This time last year, we were anxiously awaiting his arrival, in just a few days. Our bags were packed, our house was full of baby stuff and our mini-van with an infant car seat…. but today, all of that is gone and it is so lonely without him. I wish I could close my eyes and wake up with him in our bed again!
It’s official. As of next Friday, November 4th, Food Jules will be available at its very first retail store, Foodworks on Route 25 in Monroe, CT.
Foodworks will be featuring our Organic Jams, which include Apple Pie, Blueberry Peach, Triple Berry and Strawberry Blackberry, our famous Organic Hot Fudge and Organic Muffins!
I will be there on November 4th from 9:30-11:30am giving away free samples so feel free to stop by to check out our display!
Foodworks is located at 477 Main Street (Route 25) in Monroe, the old location for Simply Baby and Kids. Doors open at 9:30am!
Hope to see you all there.
One of our recipes at the Arts & Imagination class today was Italian Wedding Soup. It was a big hit with the kids so I’d thought I’d share the recipe with you so you can try it at home with your kids. For all of you that are vegetarians, you can skip on the turkey meatballs or substitute with vegetarian meatballs. So, give it a try and let me know what you think! It is a perfect, hearty and nutritious meal for any cold day!
Also, don’t forget you can add the remainder of a block of parmesan cheese for extra flavor! I freshly grate the parmesan cheese for our meals and save the end of the block in the freezer to throw into all of my soups. Just my own little trick to kick it up a notch.
Italian Wedding Soup
Ingredients:
Meatballs:
Soup:
Instructions:
Grade: A
Join us in our Cookbook Challenge and send us your grade!
It’s amazing to me how quickly the summer has come and gone. Tomorrow will be the last day of the Monroe Farmers Market. Food Jules will have sweet, delicious and nutritious ORGANIC Pumpkin Muffins, Apple Pie Crumb Muffins, Morning Glory Muffins and Pumpkin Pecan Scones. We will also have ORGANIC Chicken Empanadas and Spinach and Cheese Empanadas.
Stop by the market tomorrow to buy some baked goodies and stock up on your favorite Jam or Hot Fudge Sauce.
The Arts & Imagination cooking classes at Stepney Elementary have been wonderful. Today, I noticed the kids are getting into a routine and are more comfortable with what they need to do, how to work in teams and they have done a great job at “taking over the kitchen”.
These kids and all of my students at the library and other events, really should be proud of everything that they are learning. I hope they continue to enjoy the variety of food the world has to offer and that they are no longer afraid to try something new. We aren’t making pizza or macaroni and cheese in this class, we are making “real” food, from artichoke dip to breakfast burritos to black bean burgers. They are eating well in this class and the proof is in the leftovers (there aren’t any)!
Not to say that pizza and macaroni and cheese isn’t real food, but I am trying to show them there is so much great food out there, so much that is both nutritious and delicious. There is a lot of variety out there and they should know it, they should see it, they should cook it, they should EAT IT!
Our theme for this six week semester is NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS. Last Tuesday, we made Nutritious and Delicious Starters (Appetizers). The kids made Chicken Empanadas (from scratch), Spinach and Cheese Fillo Shells and Artichoke Dip. Today, we had Nutritious and Delicious Breakfast and made Apple Pancakes, Pumpkin Muffins and Breakfast Burritos with homemade, fresh salsa.
What I find so fulfilling from these classes, is that the kids start by saying things like “I don’t like artichokes” or “I can’t eat that because I don’t like sour cream and there’s sour cream in that” or “Do I have to eat that”. Well, as any of my students will tell you, they have to eat everything, at least give it a bite or two and you know what, they are always pleasantly surprised. We rate all the food we eat and I hear a lot of fives! (5 is exceptional). Let me repeat, I do not cook any of these recipes. I simply test them on my own at home, write them down and get the pantry filled with all the items they need for the recipe. They do it all! I am there to answer questions, guide them along the process, correct their mistakes when they think TBLSP means teaspoon, etc. It’s a lot of fun. They really do take charge and that’s what’s so cool about this whole experience.
Until next week… when we cook up Nutritious and Delicious Lunch! Your kids can also benefit from our cooking classes. Sign up today for your “Learning to cook with Food Jules cooking class”. We offer after school programs, scout workshops, birthday parties and other cooking events. Just send me an email at liz@foodjules.com.
By the way, sorry for the lack of pictures. I know the posts would look a lot nicer with some photos, but I just don’t have the time. Besides, I am a terrible photographer!
SIDE NOTE: I found this in an article I was reading and thought I should share. Let me know your thoughts on this subject.
“The idea of kids cooking in the kitchen may terrify adults with concern about those sharp knives, potential food poisoning, and the resulting messy kitchen. But, there are simple and easy recipes for kids which they can accomplish without causing a big fuss. According to WebMD, cooking with kids has many benefits, from encouraging picky eaters to helping children learn about healthy food choices.
Eating a balanced meal is an important part of helping children develop strong bodies and healthy minds. Having family dinners is one way to encourage kids to make good food decisions and for adults to model positive eating habits. By cooking a meal with kids from start to finish they use basic math skills, hone their fine-motor skills, and learn about how to create a complete and nourishing feast.”
foodjules.com 